GAERC: LITHUANIA SUPPORTS ESDP ACCESS TO ALL OF

C O N F I D E N T I A L VILNIUS 000761 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/12/2018 TAGS: PREL EUN XG GG BO LH SUBJECT: GAERC: LITHUANIA SUPPORTS ESDP ACCESS TO ALL OF GEORGIA REF: A. STATE 97574 ¶B. STATE 96598 Classified By: DCM Damian R. Leader for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) MFA Common Foreign and Security Policy Head Egidijus Navikas told Post September 11 that GOL FM Petras Vaitiekunas will speak at the September 15-16 GAERC mainly on Georgia and Belarus. Navikas said Vaitiekunas favors conclusion language calling for Russia to decrease forces in Georgia to pre-August 7 levels, and for an ESDP mission that has access throughout Georgia, including South Ossetia and Abkhazia. On the latter point, Navikas said the Lithuanians "understand reality" that such access may not happen but nonetheless want the text to reflect it as a goal. ¶2. (C) Navikas pointedly said that Lithuania does not support German FM Steinmeier's idea of having an international commission examine the Georgia conflict, whether it is discussed at the GAERC or not. ¶3. (C) On Belarus, Navikas said Lithuania wants conclusion language acknowledging recent events, such as the release of political prisoners, but Vaitiekunas still supports a heavy OSCE presence during the September 28 Parliamentary elections. Navikas noted that the FM was pleased that Belarusian President Lukashenka "kicked the issue" of recognition of South Ossetia and Abkhazia independence to the new Parliament, holding off Russian pressure to quickly recognize the two republics. ¶4. (C) On other GAERC issues (ref b),Lithuania supports eventual EU membership for both Serbia and Turkey, an EULEX mission throughout Kosovo, ESDP engagement in Somalia, and U.S.-EU cooperation on sanctions toward Zimbabwe. CLOUD