LITHUANIA SUPPORTS ESTONIA BUT MAY 9 PASSES

UNCLAS VILNIUS 000333

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL ZB RS LH
SUBJECT: LITHUANIA SUPPORTS ESTONIA BUT MAY 9 PASSES
WITHOUT MAJOR INCIDENT

REF: A. TALLINN 297

B. TALLINN 290


1. Summary: Lithuanians have been speaking up about Russian
policies in many ways following the violence in Tallinn
surrounding Estonia's decision to move the Bronze Soldier
monument and demonstrations outside the Estonian Embassy in
Moscow. The events have tapped a deep reserve of
anti-Russian resentment and paranoia felt since the
occupation. End Summary.

Public Demonstrations
--------------


2. On May 4, picketers gathered near the Russian embassy in
Vilnius to protest Russia's policy towards Estonia. The
group, which chanted, "Hands off of Estonia!" numbered about
50 and was comprised of mostly right-wing and nationalist
groups such as Lithuanian Movement, the Lithuanian Freedom
Fighters Union, and the Young Conservatives' League. The
following day, the mainstream Liberal Movement Party staged a
support action near the Estonian embassy. This demonstration
was smaller, with approximately 15 participants who carried
banners reading, "None of Putin's Business," "Estonians:
We're With You, Honest," and "We buy Estonian."


3. On May 8, despite rainy weather, one to two thousand
Lithuanians gathered in Cathedral Square in central Vilnius
for the biggest demonstration of support for Estonia. PM
Gediminas Kirkilas and Parliamentary Speaker Viktoras
Muntianas spoke to the crowd and many other MPs also
attended. Lithuanian, Estonian, and Latvian flags flew as
participants of all ages chanted "Estija" (Estonia) and
expressed their support for the Estonians. Black, white, and
blue balloons were visible in the crowd and participants held
up a ribbon in the red, gold, and green of the Lithuanian
flag that stretched more than 100 yards. Bands performed a
few songs with lyrics expressing Baltic solidarity. Some
participants joined hands to form a chain in remembrance of
The Baltic Way action held on August 23, 1989. The
demonstration was completely peaceful. Cars observed around
Vilnius flew miniature Estonian and Lithuanian flags side by
side.


4. Some reactions were less constructive. On May 2, a man
threw eggs at the Estonian embassy. He was arrested and
fined LTL 300 (USD 120). A police patrol discovered another
act of vandalism on May 6, on the Green Bridge in Vilnius.
The words, "Ruskies - out," along with a red star hanging
from a gallows, were painted at the base of a sculpture of a
Red Army soldier placed on the bridge in 1952 to symbolize
Soviet ideology. The graffiti was quickly painted over.

Public Statements
--------------


5. The GOL has made repeated statements in support of
Estonia. The Lithuanian and Latvian delegations to the
interparliamentary Baltic Assembly issued a joint statement
condemning "the violent and destructive actions performed in
Tallinn" and asserting that "the decision to rebury the
remains of soldiers buried near the Bronze Soldier monument
is a prerogative of Estonia as an independent country and
intervention of other countries into the internal matters of
Estonia is not permissible."


6. President Valdas Adamkus made his position clear in an
interview with Ziniu Radijas on May 8, saying, "the EU should
strictly and clearly tell Russia: make up your mind. All
actions of this kind are closing doors (and you risk losing)
cooperation with European countries."


7. The Chairman of the Lithuanian Conservative Party, Andrius
Kubilius, went so far as to argue that the Lithuanian
president should no longer be directly elected because of the
threat of Russian influence. (Former President Rolandas
Paksas was impeached in part because he was accused of being
under Russia's influence.) Kubilius said that the
Conservatives had started making a plan to contain Russia
eighteen months ago, but the strategy had become even more
important in the wake of recent events in Estonia. PM
Kirkilas and parliamentary Speaker Viktoras Muntianas were
among those who quickly spoke out against the proposal.

Peaceful Commemoration
--------------


8. On May 9, approximately two thousand people, mostly
pensioners and war veterans, gathered at Antakalnis cemetery
in Vilnius for the official commemoration of the 62nd
anniversary of the end of World War II. Representatives of
the Russian, Belarusian, Ukrainian, and Kazakh embassies
attended the ceremony. Russian embassy representative Dmitry
Tsvetkov told journalists, "The things that happened to the

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monument in Tallinn, and the chosen form and time of its
replacement show that people do not understand the essence of
that day: it is a commemoration of those who perished, which
should not be confused with politics. Those people have made
a political mistake." At Rasu cemetery, one of the oldest in
Vilnius, we saw fresh flowers placed on the graves of those
who had died in WWII. Most of these were Polish soldiers.
Red flowers were also left at the base of the statue of
soldiers on the Green Bridge.


9. Despite increased tension this May 9 in light of the
events in Estonia and Moscow, the day passed in Lithuania
without significant incident. There was a slightly larger
than usual turnout at the event at Antakalnis cemetery, but
no major disturbances.


CLOUD