US embassy cable - 04VILNIUS1190

C O N F I D E N T I A L VILNIUS 001190 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR EUR/NB 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/29/2014 
TAGS: PARM, PREL, ETTC, PHUM, CH, LH, HT8, HT3 
SUBJECT: LITHUANIA FIRMLY OPPOSED TO LIFTING ARMS EMBARGO 
ON CHINA 
 
REF: A. SECSTATE 208511 
 
     B. SECSTATE 180772 
     C. SECSTATE 137493 
     D. VILNIUS 1074 
     E. VILNIUS 1033 
     F. VILNIUS 852 
     G. VILNIUS 780 
 
Classified By: POL/ECON OFFICER CHRISTIAN YARNELL 
FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D) 
 
1. (C) The Charge delivered ref A points concerning the 
European Union China arms embargo to Zygimantas Pavilionis, 
MFA Political Director and Director of the EU Department, on 
September 29.  The Charge highlighted the key reasons for the 
maintaining the embargo and high level of concern for this 
issue in the USG. 
 
2. (C) Pavilionis restated Lithuania's firm opposition to 
lifting of the arms embargo to China (refs D-G), and affirmed 
Foreign Minister Valionis's full agreement.  A veteran EU 
watcher with several years of experience in Brussels, 
Pavilionis characterized calls for lifting the embargo as a 
uniquely "French issue" and said that Lithuania had not 
witnessed movement elsewhere within the EU regarding lifting 
the embargo. 
 
3. (C) The Charge, noting a report from other MOFA sources 
that the Chinese Deputy Foreign Minister is planning to visit 
Lithuania, asked Pavilionis to ensure that other Lithuanian 
interlocutors are uptospeed on this issue prior to that 
visit.  Pavilionis agreed. 
 
4. (C) Pavilionis, new to the assignment of Political 
Director, was keen to convey pro-U.S. sentiments. He remarked 
that, if forced to choose between the United States and China 
on this matter, Lithuania's support for the U.S. position was 
unequivocal. 
Mull