LITHUANIA AGREES HUMAN RIGHTS IN AZERBAIJIN

UNCLAS VILNIUS 000531

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR DRL/AE SILVERMAN AND EUR/CARC BAHL

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL KDEM OSCE AJ LH
SUBJECT: LITHUANIA AGREES HUMAN RIGHTS IN AZERBAIJIN
IMPORTANT

REF: SECSTATE 99391

We delivered reftel points to Darius Staniulis, head of the
MFA's Human Rights and NGOs Division, and Judita
Vaitiekunaite, third secretary of the MFA's Central Asia and
South Caucasus Division, on July 19. Both agreed that
democracy and human rights are important issues in Azerbaijan
and the neighborhood. Staniulis noted that the GOL supports
establishing an EU mission in Azerbaijan. Vaitiekunaite
mentioned that Lithuania recently established an embassy in
Azerbaijan, and the GOL provides technical support of import
and export standards as well as military training to the
GOAJ. Vaitiekunaite predicted that with elections coming
next year, the human rights situation could get worse, as the
Government stifles dissent.
CLOUD