GOL PRESENTS ITS VERSION OF THE SU-27 CRASH

UNCLAS VILNIUS 000994

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

STATE FOR EUR/NB

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV PINS MOPS LH
SUBJECT: GOL PRESENTS ITS VERSION OF THE SU-27 CRASH

REF: VILNIUS 993


1. (SBU) The Lithuanian MFA delivered to the embassy a
nonpaper describing the GOL's version of the events
surrounding the crash of the Russian SU-27 in Lithuania
(reftel). The account particularly highlights Russian
authorities' alleged failure to provide accurate information
about the plane, in particular the presence of missiles and
dangerous materials aboard, their general lack of
cooperation, and other behavior "contrary to the strategic
partnership between the EU and Russia." Full text of the
nonpaper follows.


2. (U) Begin text:

As you know, on Thursday, September 15, 2005, at
approximately 1500 hrs (local time),a Russian military
fighter aircraft Su 27, crossed Lithuanian border, fell down
and crashed in Sakiai district, in the western part of
Lithuania, some 50 kilometers west of Kaunas. There were no
casualties and no human injuries as the plane crashed in a
field away from any settlement. The pilot of the plane
landed safely. Russia's Defense Ministry has apologized to
Lithuania for the incident and pledged to compensate all
related damages.

Lithuania has started investigation of the illegal border
crossing and incident with plane crashing. Russian experts
were invited to participate as observers in the
investigation. Investigation has started September 16, and
Russian experts arrived in the evening of the same day.
Their (sic) visited crash site, participated in the
questioning of the pilot. Unfortunately, Russian experts
refused to give information on armament or hazardous
materials on the plane, refused to give other information
about the flight - parameters, pilot talks with the command
center. In short, Russia does not cooperate in the
investigation. The very fact of presence of air-air missiles
was not confirmed until the recovery moment.

Nevertheless, on September 19, 2005, Lithuania received a
note from Russia where it states, that does (sic) not
recognise Lithuanian jurisdiction in the investigation of the
incident, that pilote (sic) and the rests (sic) of the
fighter have an immunity and shall be immediately returned to
Russia. Russia ignored Lithuanian request to explain these
statements.

Furthermore, on September 20, 2005, Russia informed, that in
relation with the investigation of fighter crash in Lithuania
it cancels a meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission,
which was scheduled to take place on September 22-23, 2005 in
Palanga, Lithuania.

Lithuania would like to state, it is stunned with Russian
statements on jurisdiction and considers that Russian
behaviour is contrary to the strategic partnership between
the EU and Russia and it demonstrates Russia's unwillingness
to cooperate with some EU countries on an equal partners
basis.

Lithuania will maintain its constructive approach in the
investigation, which will be carried according to the
Lithuanian and international law. We hope, that our calm and
non conflictive position will be understood and supported by
partners.


REVAD, Rusijos sk.

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