IRAQ COALITION CHANGES: LITHUANIAN MNF-I AND NTM-I

C O N F I D E N T I A L VILNIUS 000759 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/12/2018 TAGS: MOPS PREL IZ LH SUBJECT: IRAQ COALITION CHANGES: LITHUANIAN MNF-I AND NTM-I PERSONNEL WILL REMAIN REF: STATE 96122 Classified By: DCM Damian R. Leader for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) 1.(C) Post discussed reftel points with National Security Advisor-equivalent Valteris Baliukonis, MoND Undersecretary Andrius Krivas, and MFA's Head of Strategic and Transatlantic Relations Division Jonas Grinevicius. The Lithuanians appreciated the news and while some logistical and changeover questions remain, they expect that they will keep their personnel serving under multi-national (including NTM-I) commands in place until the end of 2008 or until they are no longer necessary. Note: Lithuania's one platoon serving in Iraq departed at the end of July 2008. ¶2. (C) In Post's opinion, letters from the President and the Iraqi Government to President Adamkus will be an appropriate way to acknowledge the Lithuanian contribution to the Iraq Coalition. CLOUD