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