(C) LITHUANIA WANTS NATO CONSENSUS ON MEDVEDEV

C O N F I D E N T I A L VILNIUS 000957

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/06/2018
TAGS: MARR MOPS PREL NATO XG LH
SUBJECT: (C) LITHUANIA WANTS NATO CONSENSUS ON MEDVEDEV
PROPOSALS, IS SKEPTICAL ON ISKANDER

REF: VILNIUS 923

Classified By: DCM Damian R. Leader for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (C) MFA Director of Transatlantic Cooperation and Security
Policy Vytautas Leskevicius discussed with Post November 5
Lithuanian views on both the Medvedev Proposals and the
recent Russian announcement of plans to deploy the
short-range "Iskander" missile system in neighboring
Kaliningrad. Leskevicius reiterated the Lithuanian view
(reftel) that the Medvedev proposals are a Russian attempt to
undermine NATO. He admitted, however, that the Lithuanians
will be unable to avoid discussing the proposals because of
current EU President France's desire for further engagement
with Russia.


2. (C) Leskevicius said the Lithuanians want NATO to arrive
at a consensus response to the proposals first, then the EU,
then possibly the OSCE, before allowing the French to engage
with Russia. Otherwise the GOL fears France will begin
"speaking for all of Europe" regardless of existing political
or security commitments. He also said any eventual
discussion of the Medvedev proposals should also include lack
of Russian action on the Istanbul Commitments, the CFE
Treaty, and military withdrawal from Georgia and Moldova.


3. (U) In discussing Iskander, Leskevicius echoed public
statements made by President Adamkus and DefMin Olekas that
the Lithuanians are not surprised by Russian plans to deploy
missiles in Kaliningrad. He said the Russians are
misunderstanding the nature of U.S.-led Missile Defense
systems planned for Europe, and reiterated an argument made
most recently by Adamkus, that Medvedev is contradicting
himself -- the Russians want a new security arrangement with
Europe at the same time they plan to deploy short range
missiles against European nations.


4. (C) Leskevicius admitted that Russian plans to deploy
Iskander privately worries the Lithuanians, but he also
expressed personal doubts that the Russians will follow
through with these plans because they already have similar
short-range missiles based in nearby Belarus. If Iskander is
deployed, he noted, the Russians would then have two
redundant and costly missile systems defending against the
same perceived threat.
CLOUD