PRESIDENT, PRIME MINISTER CONDEMN JEWISH CEMETERY VANDALISM

UNCLAS VILNIUS 000623

SIPDIS

SIPDIS
SENSITIVE

E.O. 12958:N/A
TAGS: PREL KNAR PHUM PGOV LH
SUBJECT: PRESIDENT, PRIME MINISTER CONDEMN JEWISH CEMETERY VANDALISM
NEAR VILNIUS

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SUMMARY
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1. (U) Vandals tore down 22 monuments at a Jewish cemetery in
Vilnius on June 24. President Valdas Adamkus, acting Prime Minister
Zigmantas Balcytis, and Vilnius City mayor Arturas Zuokas publicly
condemned the desecration and urged local law enforcement to find
and punish the perpetrators. The city administration promised
financial assistance for restoration of the monuments, and the
police have launched an investigation. The letter that our Mission
sent condemning this act of intolerance to Jewish Community leader
Simonas Alperavicius received national media attention. End
summary.

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VANDALS DESECRATE JEWISH CEMETERY
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2. (U) Vandals damaged 22 tombstones and other memorials at the
Jewish cemetery in the Suderve District of Vilnius County on the
night of June 24. Alperavicius told journalists he believes that
the vandalism could be related to the June 23, 1941, uprising in
Kaunas, when anti-Soviet resistance carried out the first killings
of local Jews. Vilnius police launched a pre-trial investigation,
but have not identified any suspects.

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HEADS OF STATE REACT PROMPTLY, CITY PROMISES SUPPORT
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3. (U) President Valdas Adamkus, acting Prime Minister Zigmantas
Balcytis, and the Civil Democracy Party reacted quickly and
decisively to the cemetery's desecration. President Adamkus issued
a statement condemning the act of vandalism and expressing his
regret that "there are people in Lithuania who dare to desecrate the
memory of the deceased." Acting PM Balcytis also expressed
condolence to the local Jewish community in a public statement,
saying "vandals trampled not only the memory of the deceased, but
also common human values that band together nations and communities.
It is painful that the grave of a local Jewish scholar who explored
and enshrined Lithuanian language was also damaged." Vilnius Mayor
Arturas Zuokas also issued a public statement expressing his outrage
at the act and promising to provide financial support to restore the
damaged monuments.


4. (U) The CDA sent a letter to Alperavicius on June 28 expressing
regret for the fact that the vandalism occurred and calling on
Lithuanians to promote tolerance and openness. The letter also
applauded the Lithuanian leaders who publicly condemned the
vandalism and expressed admiration for the many Lithuanians who
uphold the principles of tolerance and ethnic diversity. The
Mission publicized the letter in a press release. The wire service
BNS, Lithuanian National Radio, a leading daily newspaper (Kauno
Diena),TV3's national evening news, and the web portal Omni all
reported the letter on June 30 and July 1. The Embassy's message
reached an audience of approximately 500,000 through these media
outlets.

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COMMENT: AN OPPORTUNITY TO PROMOTE TOLERANCE
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5. (SBU) This sad event appears to be an isolated outbreak of
vandalism rather than a sign of rising anti-Semitism. Lithuania has
not witnessed a Jewish cemetery desecration on this scale for
several years. Our Mission intentionally delayed release of its
statement to allow Lithuanian leaders enough time to respond
appropriately -- which they did. Their responses were decisive and
poignant, providing the GOL with an opportunity to highlight the
need for greater tolerance in Lithuanian society.

KELLY