US embassy cable - 05VILNIUS994

UNCLAS VILNIUS 000994 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
STATE FOR EUR/NB 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL, PGOV, PINS, MOPS, LH, HT12, HT16 
SUBJECT: GOL PRESENTS ITS VERSION OF THE SU-27 CRASH 
 
REF: VILNIUS 993 
 
1. (SBU) The Lithuanian MFA delivered to the embassy a 
nonpaper describing the GOL's version of the events 
surrounding the crash of the Russian SU-27 in Lithuania 
(reftel).  The account particularly highlights Russian 
authorities' alleged failure to provide accurate information 
about the plane, in particular the presence of missiles and 
dangerous materials aboard, their general lack of 
cooperation, and other behavior "contrary to the strategic 
partnership between the EU and Russia."  Full text of the 
nonpaper follows. 
 
2.  (U) Begin text: 
 
As you know, on Thursday, September 15, 2005, at 
approximately 1500 hrs (local time), a Russian military 
fighter aircraft Su 27, crossed Lithuanian border, fell down 
and crashed in Sakiai district, in the western part of 
Lithuania, some 50 kilometers west of Kaunas.  There were no 
casualties and no human injuries as the plane crashed in a 
field away from any settlement.  The pilot of the plane 
landed safely.  Russia's Defense Ministry has apologized to 
Lithuania for the incident and pledged to compensate all 
related damages. 
 
Lithuania has started investigation of the illegal border 
crossing and incident with plane crashing.  Russian experts 
were invited to participate as observers in the 
investigation.  Investigation has started September 16, and 
Russian experts arrived in the evening of the same day. 
Their (sic) visited crash site, participated in the 
questioning of the pilot.  Unfortunately, Russian experts 
refused to give information on armament or hazardous 
materials on the plane, refused to give other information 
about the flight - parameters, pilot talks with the command 
center.  In short, Russia does not cooperate in the 
investigation.  The very fact of presence of air-air missiles 
was not confirmed until the recovery moment. 
 
Nevertheless, on September 19, 2005, Lithuania received a 
note from Russia where it states, that does (sic) not 
recognise Lithuanian jurisdiction in the investigation of the 
incident, that pilote (sic) and the rests (sic) of the 
fighter have an immunity and shall be immediately returned to 
Russia.  Russia ignored Lithuanian request to explain these 
statements. 
 
Furthermore, on September 20, 2005, Russia informed, that in 
relation with the investigation of fighter crash in Lithuania 
it cancels a meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission, 
which was scheduled to take place on September 22-23, 2005 in 
Palanga, Lithuania. 
 
Lithuania would like to state, it is stunned with Russian 
statements on jurisdiction and considers that Russian 
behaviour is contrary to the strategic partnership between 
the EU and Russia and it demonstrates Russia's unwillingness 
to cooperate with some EU countries on an equal partners 
basis. 
 
Lithuania will maintain its constructive approach in the 
investigation, which will be carried according to the 
Lithuanian and international law.  We hope, that our calm and 
non conflictive position will be understood and supported by 
partners. 
 
 
REVAD, Rusijos sk. 
 
End Text 
MULL