US embassy cable - 05VILNIUS500

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 VILNIUS 000500 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR EUR/NB, H, AND EUR/RUS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV, OVIP, LH, HT39 
SUBJECT:  CODEL KINGSTON DISCUSSES TERRORISM, DEMOCRACY AND 
MAY 9 WITH PRESIDENT ADAMKUS 
 
 
1. Summary.  A Congressional delegation led by 
Representative Jack Kingston visited Lithuania May 8-10 to 
thank President Adamkus and Parliamentary Speaker 
Paulauskas for Lithuania's support in the Global War on 
Terrorism and for its democratic initiatives in Ukraine and 
Belarus.  Lithuanian interlocutors stressed Lithuania's 
commitment to combating terrorism and efforts to maintain 
productive relations with Russia.  The Congressional 
representatives also noted that their visit was intended to 
show support for President Adamkus's decision not to 
participate in May 9 celebrations in Moscow.  End Summary. 
 
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Ally in Iraq and Afghanistan 
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2. A Congressional delegation led by Jack Kingston (R-GA), 
in a two-day stopover following ceremonies in the Czech 
Republic commemorating the end of World War II, met a range 
of Lithuanian interlocutors including President Valdas 
Adamkus, Speaker Arturas Paulauskas, and senior leaders of 
Lithuania's legislature.  The delegation also included 
Representatives Tim Holden, Spencer Bachus, David Scott, 
Clay Shaw, and Bill Shuster.  The group delivered a 
consistent message of gratitude for Lithuania's staunch 
support and contributions to U.S. and NATO operations in 
Iraq and Afghanistan, particularly Lithuania's decision to 
lead a Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) in Chagcharan, 
Afghanistan.  The delegation also praised President Adamkus 
for his role in mediating a peaceful resolution to the 
Ukrainian presidential elections, and commended GOL 
leadership in supporting nascent democratic elements in 
Belarus. 
 
3. President Adamkus, reiterating Lithuania's commitment to 
combating terrorism, said that Lithuania will continue to 
stand "shoulder to shoulder" with the United States in Iraq 
and Afghanistan.  Adamkus noted that the GOL believed it 
important to show NATO, through initiatives like the PRT, 
that it is a full and active member of the Alliance. 
 
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Russia-Lithuania Relations 
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4. Adamkus and Paulauskas detailed efforts to strengthen 
relations with Russia.  Characterizing the Russian- 
Lithuanian relationship as "very friendly," Adamkus 
stressed that both needed to look forward, and not 
backward, in developing their bilateral relationship. 
Though conceding that a portion of Russia's population 
continues to look with nostalgia upon the Soviet Union, 
Adamkus said that democracy in Russia is moving forward 
"incrementally."  Though Lithuania remains concerned about 
Russia's energy monopoly in the region, Adamkus said that 
the two enjoy a "normal" relationship across all issues, 
including Kaliningrad transit.  Parliamentary opposition 
leader Andrius Kubilius said that progress in the 
Lithuanian-Russian relationship would hinge upon Russia's 
willingness to "truthfully" evaluate its history. 
 
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Advocate for Democracy 
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5. Interlocutors highlighted GOL efforts to export 
democracy to Belarus.  Adamkus characterized Belarusian 
President Alexander Lukashenko as a "madman" and the most 
serious threat to Lithuania in the region.  NATO 
Parliamentary Commission Chairman Vaclav Stankevic said 
that Belarus constitutes a threat not only to Lithuania, 
but also to Europe as a whole.  Stankevic said that the 
West must not only seek to change the President, but to 
develop civil society in Belarus.  Noting the strength of 
the Russia-Belarus relationship, he lauded the recent 
efforts of President Bush and Secretary Rice to pressure 
President Putin to promote democratic change in Belarus. 
 
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Victory Day - To Everyone Except the Baltics 
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6. Members of the delegation, who co-sponsored a resolution 
calling upon Russia to condemn the Molotov-Ribbentropp 
Pact, said that they chose to visit Lithuania in support of 
President Adamkus' decision not to attend May 9 
celebrations in Moscow.  Having toured the former KGB 
headquarters in Vilnius, he said, the delegation understood 
the truth behind Lithuania's assertion that, for the Baltic 
States, liberation from Hitler's Germany meant the 
imposition of Stalin's Soviet Union. 
 
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Comment 
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7. The delegation provided much appreciated support for 
Lithuania's decision to put boots on the ground in Iraq and 
Afghanistan, as well as a moral boost to its efforts to 
promote democracy in Belarus.  Though other issues of 
interest, such as the visa waiver program, received only 
passing mention, the visit served to underscore the 
importance the USG places on the bilateral relationship. 
 
8. NOTE:  CODEL Kingston did not have an opportunity to 
review this cable.