Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09VILNIUS618
2009-11-19 14:07:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Vilnius
Cable title:
PARLIAMENT APPROVES AFGHANISTAN MANDATE THROUGH
how-toVZCZCXRO2801 PP RUEHIK DE RUEHVL #0618 3231407 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 191407Z NOV 09 FM AMEMBASSY VILNIUS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3896 INFO RUEHZG/NATO EU COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RUEPGDA/USEUCOM JIC VAIHINGEN GE PRIORITY RUFGSHD/USNMR SHAPE BE PRIORITY RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO PRIORITY 1613 RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RUEHNO/USDELMC BRUSSELS BE PRIORITY
UNCLAS VILNIUS 000618
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL NATO LH
SUBJECT: PARLIAMENT APPROVES AFGHANISTAN MANDATE THROUGH
2013
REF: A. VILNIUS 594
¶B. VILNIUS 462
¶C. VILNIUS 457
Lithuania's Parliament (Seimas) voted today in favor of
extending Lithuania's mandate for its PRT and Special
Operations Forces in Afghanistan through 2013. The
resolution received strong support with 73 MPs voting in
favor, 8 against and 15 abstaining. No single party voted
against the measure. The GOL has maintained its' Afghanistan
mission as a top priority despite severe economic pressure,
with a likely 15-20 percent decline in GDP and the 2009
defense budget slashed by 19 percent compared to the previous
year.
DERSE