LITHUANIAN RESPONSE TO U.S. NON-PAPER ON ADAPTED

C O N F I D E N T I A L VILNIUS 000595 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/19/2017 TAGS: NATO KCFE PARM PREL LH SUBJECT: LITHUANIAN RESPONSE TO U.S. NON-PAPER ON ADAPTED CFE RATIFICATION REF: STATE 116194 Classified By: DCM DAMIAN LEADER FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D) ¶1. (C) We delivered reftel non-paper to Algis Dabkus, Director of the Security Policy Department at the MFA. Dabkus expressed surprise at the fast-paced timeline. He said that the GOL has always been willing to ratify the Adapted CFE Treaty once the Istanbul Commitments are met. ¶2. (C) Dabkus said the GOL would need time to look over the non-paper before providing significant feedback; it would require deep analysis. He promised a more detailed response and more questions prepared in time for the bilateral CFE meeting on August 29 with the USG Delegation led by DAS Karin Look. Dabkus asked if Lithuania would have a seat at the table if the consultations on Baltic/Slovenian accession to Adapted CFE took place in the framework of the CFE Joint Consultative Group and not at the NATO-Russia Council. ¶3. (C) On a related subject, Dabkus asked if the USG was aware of a meeting to be hosted October 1 by the German Foreign Minister on the CFE treaty, and showed us the invitation sent to FM Vaitiekunas. Dabkus asked how this meeting fits in with the USG timeline. We responded that we would need to get back to him on these questions. CLOUD