LITHUANIA WANTS TO BE ON THE SAME PAGE AS U.S. ON

C O N F I D E N T I A L VILNIUS 000015 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/08/2018 TAGS: PREL PGOV GG LH SUBJECT: LITHUANIA WANTS TO BE ON THE SAME PAGE AS U.S. ON GEORGIA REF: 08 STATE 134559 Classified By: Ambassador John A. Cloud for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) Post discussed reftel points January 5 and 6 with MFA U/S Talat-Kelpsa and Acting Director of the Eastern Neighborhood Policy Department Nortautas Statkus. Both were happy to hear of our strategic policy on Georgia and emphasized that Lithuania "wants to be on the same page" as us on this issue. Statkus suggested that some kind of middleman will be necessary to facilitate future GoG - Abkhazia/S. Ossetia dialogue. He noted that, aside from the meetings in Geneva, the two sides are not talking directly to each other but will eventually need to do so. ¶2. (C) Talat-Kelpsa stressed that although Lithuania supports using the sticks outlined, notably the possible visa ban on separatist leaders, the real challenge will be getting other EU countries to agree. He also said the GOL wants to discourage ordinary S. Ossetians and Abkhazians from using passports recently distributed to them by Russia. The GOL suggests doing this by erecting procedural roadblocks against USG and Schengen visa applicants from Georgia who currently hold a Russian passport. This might include a ten day processing period or requiring them to show their internal Russian passports -- something S. Ossetians and Abkhazians would not have. ¶3. (C) Post comment and request: Statkus made clear the GOL wants to consult with us on this issue, and is willing to make concrete proposals to its EU partners. We welcome further guidance on how Lithuania can play a constructive role, to include floating specific names to be subject to sanctions and/or a visa ban. CLOUD