CODEL KINGSTON DISCUSSES TERRORISM, DEMOCRACY AND

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 VILNIUS 000500

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EUR/NB, H, AND EUR/RUS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV OVIP LH
SUBJECT: CODEL KINGSTON DISCUSSES TERRORISM, DEMOCRACY AND
MAY 9 WITH PRESIDENT ADAMKUS



1. Summary. A Congressional delegation led by
Representative Jack Kingston visited Lithuania May 8-10 to
thank President Adamkus and Parliamentary Speaker
Paulauskas for Lithuania's support in the Global War on
Terrorism and for its democratic initiatives in Ukraine and
Belarus. Lithuanian interlocutors stressed Lithuania's
commitment to combating terrorism and efforts to maintain
productive relations with Russia. The Congressional
representatives also noted that their visit was intended to
show support for President Adamkus's decision not to
participate in May 9 celebrations in Moscow. End Summary.

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Ally in Iraq and Afghanistan
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2. A Congressional delegation led by Jack Kingston (R-GA),
in a two-day stopover following ceremonies in the Czech
Republic commemorating the end of World War II, met a range
of Lithuanian interlocutors including President Valdas
Adamkus, Speaker Arturas Paulauskas, and senior leaders of
Lithuania's legislature. The delegation also included
Representatives Tim Holden, Spencer Bachus, David Scott,
Clay Shaw, and Bill Shuster. The group delivered a
consistent message of gratitude for Lithuania's staunch
support and contributions to U.S. and NATO operations in
Iraq and Afghanistan, particularly Lithuania's decision to
lead a Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) in Chagcharan,
Afghanistan. The delegation also praised President Adamkus
for his role in mediating a peaceful resolution to the
Ukrainian presidential elections, and commended GOL
leadership in supporting nascent democratic elements in
Belarus.


3. President Adamkus, reiterating Lithuania's commitment to
combating terrorism, said that Lithuania will continue to
stand "shoulder to shoulder" with the United States in Iraq
and Afghanistan. Adamkus noted that the GOL believed it
important to show NATO, through initiatives like the PRT,
that it is a full and active member of the Alliance.

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Russia-Lithuania Relations
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4. Adamkus and Paulauskas detailed efforts to strengthen
relations with Russia. Characterizing the Russian-
Lithuanian relationship as "very friendly," Adamkus
stressed that both needed to look forward, and not
backward, in developing their bilateral relationship.
Though conceding that a portion of Russia's population
continues to look with nostalgia upon the Soviet Union,
Adamkus said that democracy in Russia is moving forward
"incrementally." Though Lithuania remains concerned about
Russia's energy monopoly in the region, Adamkus said that
the two enjoy a "normal" relationship across all issues,
including Kaliningrad transit. Parliamentary opposition
leader Andrius Kubilius said that progress in the
Lithuanian-Russian relationship would hinge upon Russia's
willingness to "truthfully" evaluate its history.

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Advocate for Democracy
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5. Interlocutors highlighted GOL efforts to export
democracy to Belarus. Adamkus characterized Belarusian
President Alexander Lukashenko as a "madman" and the most
serious threat to Lithuania in the region. NATO
Parliamentary Commission Chairman Vaclav Stankevic said
that Belarus constitutes a threat not only to Lithuania,
but also to Europe as a whole. Stankevic said that the
West must not only seek to change the President, but to
develop civil society in Belarus. Noting the strength of
the Russia-Belarus relationship, he lauded the recent
efforts of President Bush and Secretary Rice to pressure
President Putin to promote democratic change in Belarus.

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Victory Day - To Everyone Except the Baltics
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6. Members of the delegation, who co-sponsored a resolution
calling upon Russia to condemn the Molotov-Ribbentropp
Pact, said that they chose to visit Lithuania in support of
President Adamkus' decision not to attend May 9
celebrations in Moscow. Having toured the former KGB
headquarters in Vilnius, he said, the delegation understood
the truth behind Lithuania's assertion that, for the Baltic
States, liberation from Hitler's Germany meant the
imposition of Stalin's Soviet Union.

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Comment
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7. The delegation provided much appreciated support for
Lithuania's decision to put boots on the ground in Iraq and
Afghanistan, as well as a moral boost to its efforts to
promote democracy in Belarus. Though other issues of
interest, such as the visa waiver program, received only
passing mention, the visit served to underscore the
importance the USG places on the bilateral relationship.


8. NOTE: CODEL Kingston did not have an opportunity to
review this cable.