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Lithuania [6]
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Records of the National Security Council European Affairs Office (Clinton Administration)
Richard Norland's Files
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Case Number: 2011-1038-F
FOIA
MARKER
This is not a textual record. This is used as an
administrative marker by the Clinton Presidential
Library Staff.
Folder Title:
Lithuania [6]
Staff Office-Individual:
European Affairs-Norland, Richard
Original OA/ID Number:
2630
Row:
Section:
Shelf:
Position:
Stack:
33
5
10
1
V
Withdrawal/Redaction Sheet
Clinton Library
DOCUMENT NO.
SUBJECT/TITLE
DATE
RESTRICTION
AND TYPE
001. email
White House Situation Room to Steven Andreasen et al. re: Lithuanian
04/06/2000
P1/b(1) KBH 11/20/2023
Concerns (5 pages)
002. email
White House Situation Room to Antony Blinken and Richard Norland
03/31/2000
P1/b(1) KBH 11/20/2023
re: Scenesetter (3 pages)
003. email
White House Situation Room to Richard Norland re: Williams Lukoil
03/22/2000
P1/b(1) KBH 11/20/2023
Negotiations (3 pages)
004. report
re: Russia's Lukoil (4 pages)
03/17/2000
P1/b(1)
Partiel release - KBH 11/20/2023
005 memo
Russ Trowbridge to The Files re: Update on Williams Project (4
03/16/2000
P1/b(1) KBH 11/20/2023
pages).
006 email
White House Situation Room to Steven Black et al. re: Lukoil (4
02/01/2000
P1/b(1) KBH 11/20/2023
pages)
007. email
White House Situation Room to Steven Black et al. re: Russia's
01/28/2000
P1/b(1) KBM 11/20/2023
Lukoil (3 pages)
008 email
Richard Norland to Antony Blinken re: Lithuania (1 page)
01/07/2000
P1/b(1) KBH 11/20/2023
009. email
White House Situation Room to James Babbit et al. re: Holocaust War
01/07/2000
P1/b(1) KBH 11/20/2023
Criminals (3 pages)
010 email
White House Situation Room to Antony Blinken et al. re:
01/07/2000
P1/b(1) KBH 11/20/2023
Representative Lantos (2 pages)
011 email
White House Situation Room to Antony Blinken et al. re:
01/07/2000
P1/b(1) KBH 11/20/2023
Representative Lantos; duplicate of 009 (2 pages)
COLLECTION:
Clinton Presidential Records
National Security Council
European Affairs (Richard Norland)
OA/Box Number: 2630
FOLDER TITLE:
Lithuania [6]
2011-1038-F
kh1049
RESTRICTION CODES
Presidential Records Act - [44 U.S.C. 2204(a)]
Freedom of Information Act - [5 U.S.C. 552(b)]
P1 National Security Classified Information [(a)(1) of the PRA]
b(1) National security classified information [(b)(1) of the FOIA]
P2 Relating to the appointment to Federal office [(a)(2) of the PRA]
b(2) Release would disclose internal personnel rules and practices of
P3 Release would violate a Federal statute [(a)(3) of the PRA]
an agency [(b)(2) of the FOIA]
P4 Release would disclose trade secrets or confidential commercial or
b(3) Release would violate a Federal statute [(b)(3) of the FOIA]
financial information [(a)(4) of the PRA]
b(4) Release would disclose trade secrets or confidential or financial
P5 Release would disclose confidential advice between the President
information [(b)(4) of the FOIA]
and his advisors, or between such advisors [a)(5) of the PRA]
b(6) Release would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of
P6 Release would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of
personal privacy [(b)(6) of the FOIA]
personal privacy [(a)(6) of the PRA]
b(7) Release would disclose information compiled for law enforcement
purposes [(b)(7) of the FOIA]
C. Closed in accordance with restrictions contained in donor's deed
b(8) Release would disclose information concerning the regulation of
of gift.
financial institutions [(b)(8) of the FOIA]
PRM. Personal record misfile defined in accordance with 44 U.S.C.
b(9) Release would disclose géological or geophysical information
2201(3).
concerning wells [(b)(9) of the FOIA]
RR. Document will be reviewed upon request.
Withdrawal/Redaction Sheet
Clinton Library
DOCUMENT NO.
SUBJECT/TITLE
DATE
RESTRICTION
AND TYPE
012. letter
DOB (Partial) Personal (Partial) (1 page)
01/06/2000
P6/b(6)
COLLECTION:
Clinton Presidential Records
National Security Council
European Affairs (Richard Norland)
OA/Box Number: 2630
FOLDER TITLE:
Lithuania [6]
2011-1038-F
kh1049
RESTRICTION CODES
Presidential Records Act - [44 U.S.C. 2204(a)]
Freedom of Information Act - [5 U.S.C. 552(b)]
P1 National Security Classified Information [(a)(1) of the PRA]
b(1) National security classified information [(b)(1) of the FOIA]
P2 Relating to the appointment to Federal office [(a)(2) of the PRA]
b(2) Release would disclose internal personnel rules and practices of
P3 Release would violate a Federal statute [(a)(3) of the PRA]
an agency [(b)(2) of the FOIA]
P4 Release would disclose trade secrets or confidential commercial or
b(3) Release would violate a Federal statute [(b)(3) of the FOIA]
financial information [(a)(4) of the PRA]
b(4) Release would disclose trade secrets or confidential or financial
P5 Release would disclose confidential advice between the President
information [(b)(4) of the FOIA]
and his advisors, or between such advisors [a)(5) of the PRA]
b(6) Release would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of
P6 Release would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of
personal privacy [(b)(6) of the FOIA]
personal privacy [(a)(6) of the PRA]
b(7) Release would disclose information compiled for law enforcement
purposes [(b)(7) of the FOIA]
C. Closed in accordance with restrictions contained in donor's deed
b(8) Release would disclose information concerning the regulation of
of gift.
financial institutions [(b)(8) of the FOIA]
PRM. Personal record misfile defined in accordance with 44 U.S.C.
b(9) Release would disclose geological or geophysical information
2201(3).
concerning wells [(b)(9) of the FOIA]
RR. Document will be reviewed upon request.
Congressional Research Service
Library of Congress
Washington, D.C. 20540
CRS
Memorandum
April 5, 2000
TO
: Hon. Richard Durbin
Attention: Sue Hardesty
FROM
: Steven Woehrel
Specialist in European Affairs
Foreign Affairs, Defense and Trade Division
SUBJECT
:
U.S. Non-Recognition of the Incorporation of the Baltic States into the
Soviet Union
As the Soviet Union occupied the Baltic states in June 1940 and moved to
incorporate them into the USSR in July 1940, the U.S. government made clear that it would
not recognize the legitimacy of the Soviet takeover. On July 15, 1940, President Roosevelt
issued Executive Order 8484, which froze Baltic assets in the United States to prevent their
falling into Soviet hands. The order also interned all Baltic vessels in U.S. ports. On July 23,
Acting Secretary of State Sumner Welles issued the first public statement of the non-
recognition policy. In the statement, Welles condemned the "devious processes whereunder
the political independence and territorial integrity of the three Baltic republics - Lithuania,
Latvia and Estonia - were to be deliberately annihilated by one of their more powerful
neighbors, have been drawing rapidly to their conclusion The people of the United States
are opposed to predatory activities, no matter whether they are carried on by the use of force
or by the threat of use of force. They are likewise opposed to any form of intervention on the
part of one State, however powerful, in the domestic concerns of any other sovereign state,
however weak The United States will continue to stand by these principles, because of the
conviction of the American people that unless the doctrine in which these principles are
inherent once again governs the relations between nations, the rule of reason, of justice and
of law - in other words the basis on modern civilization itself - cannot be preserved."¹
Despite strong Soviet pressure, the United States maintained the non-recognition
policy from 1940 until the Baltic states fully restored their independence in 1991. The
diplomatic representatives of the three states continued to operate in Washington and
elsewhere in the United States. Each year, the Secretary of State issued national day greetings
to the Baltic legations, and State Department representatives attended the legation's national
1 The Welles statement was an application of the Stimson Doctrine, which had been put forward by
Secretary of State Henry Stimson in 1932 after Japan seized Manchuria from China and set up a
puppet state there. The Doctrine held that the United States would not recognize any "situation,
treaty, or agreement" brought about by the use of force or the threat of force.
CRS-2
day functions. The State Department maintained a separate Baltic Affairs Desk within the
Department. In 1983, Radio Free Europe established a separate Baltic Service Division.
U.S. government maps of the Soviet Union contained a disclaimer noting the non-recognition
policy.
During this period, the United States took steps to help the Baltic legations to remain
viable. In 1950, the Treasury Department revised its interpretation of the July 1940
Executive Order in order to permit frozen Baltic assets to be invested, and the proceeds used
to support the activities of the legations. In 1980, the United States took several steps to
maintain the viability of the legations, which were threatened by dwindling resources and the
advancing age of the Baltic diplomats accredited in 1940. U.S. officials supported an effort
to pool the resources of the three legations (most of which were Latvia's) in order to ensure
continued support for all of them. The United States agreed to permit the charge d'affaires
of the Baltic states to appoint their successors, as long as they were citizens of those states.
Congress strongly supported the non-recognition policy. In April 1953, the House
established a select committee to investigate the occupation of the Baltic states and their
incorporation into the Soviet Union. The select committee heard testimony from 325
witnesses over two years and produced two reports on the issue. In 1959, Congress passed
the Captive Nations week resolution (P.L. 86-90). The joint resolution condemned Soviet
"subjugation of the national independence" of several nations and states, including the Baltic
states and authorized the President to issue a proclamation each year designating the third
week in July as "Captive Nations Week" until all captive nations have been freed. From
1966 until the restoration of Baltic independence, Congress passed joint resolutions
condemning the Soviet occupation of the Baltic states, reaffirming support for the non-
recognition policy, and authorizing the President to issue a proclamation declaring June 14
as Baltic Freedom Day. Congress also passed resolutions honoring the national day of
Lithuania, and reiterating support for the non-recognition policy, as well as for the self-
determination of the Baltic peoples.
During the negotiations leading up to the conclusion of the Final Act of the
Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe in 1975, Members of Congress expressed
concerns about the impact on the non-recognition policy of the Final Act, which accepted the
inviolability of borders in Europe. President Ford stated publicly that the non-recognition
policy was not affected by the Final Act, because it explicitly stated that no acquisition of
territory by force would be recognized as legal. Moreover, Ford noted that, far from
supporting the Soviet occupation of the Baltic States, the Final Act left open the possibility
of a peaceful adjustment of borders. In December 1975, the House passed a resolution
stating the sense of the House that the Final Act did not alter the non-recognition policy. The
Senate passed a similar resolution in May 1976.
During the struggle of the Baltic states for the restoration of their independence in
1990-1991, Congress underscored its continued support for the non-recognition policy and
for self-determination. In 1990, the House and Senate passed separate resolutions (S. Con.
Res. 108 and H. Con. Res. 289) calling for the United States to establish diplomatic relations
with the new pro-independence government of Lithuania. The FY 1990 foreign operations
appropriations act stressed U.S. support for the non-recognition policy and for the self-
determination of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. On October 10, 1990, the Senate passed S.
Res. 334, which called on the President to ensure that the German reunification treaty did not
CRS-3
diminish or compromise the non-recognition policy. In January 1991, the Senate passed S.
Res. 14 and S. Con. Res. 6, condemning Soviet violence in the Baltic states and asked the
President to consider economic sanction against Moscow. Both resolutions noted the non-
recognition policy. S. Con. Res. 6 called on the President to explore increased diplomatic
ties with the Baltic states. On March 21, 1991, after the Baltic states had passed referendums
calling for independence, the Senate passed S. Res. 81, which urged the President to open
offices in the Baltic states to establish diplomatic and other contacts with them. The
resolution noted that recognition of the current pro-independence Baltic governments would
be in line with the non-recognition of the Soviet incorporation of the Baltic states. Congress
hailed the achievement of full independence of the Baltic states in August 1991 and the
restoration of full U.S. diplomatic ties with the governments there. Congress urged the
Administration to establish fully-staffed embassies there as soon as possible.²
2 Sources for this memo include Robert Vitas, "The United States and Lithuania: The Stimson
Doctrine of Nonrecognition, Praeger, 1990, 170p.; WilliamJ. H. Hough, III, "The Annexation of the
Baltic States and Its Effects on the Development of Law Prohibiting Forcible Seizure of Territory,"
New York Law School Journal of International and Comparative Law, vol. 6, no. 2, (Winter 1985).
Pp. 301-533; Lawrence Juda, "United States Nonrecognition of the Soviet Union's Annexation of
the Baltic States: Politics and Law," Journal of Baltic Studies, vol. VI, no. 4, (Winter 1975), pp. 272-
290; and the texts of legislation approved by Congress.
Norland, Richard B. (EUR)
From:
WHSR
Sent:
Thursday, April 06, 2000 10:06 AM
To:
Andreasen, Steven P. (DEFENSE); Binnendijk, Johannes A. (Hans) (DEFENSE); Black,
Steven K. (VP); Blinken, Antony J. (EUR); Brzezinski, Mark F. (RUE); Cables; Crawford,
Bernard T. (EUR/INTERN); Cullom, Philip H. (DEFENSE); Davidson, Leslie K. (VP); Elkind,
Jonathan H. (RUE); Hinckley, Steedman (VP); Kass, Nicholas S. (EUR); Massey, Stephen
M. (RUE/INTERN); Medish, Mark C. (RUE); Munter, Cameron P. (EUR); Norland, Richard
B. (EUR); Peterman, David (Brian) (DEFENSE); Pimentel, Betsy J. (DEFENSE); Tedstrom,
John E. (RUE); vonLipsey, Roderick K. (SEE); Weiss, Andrew S. (RUE); Witkowsky, Anne
A. (DEFENSE); Yee, Hoyt B. (EUR)
Subject:
LITHUANIAN CONCERNS ABOUT NATO, ESDI, AND RUSSIA ARE THE DOMINANT
THEMES OF EUR/DAS ANDRUSYSZYN'S VISIT (U) CLASSIFIED BY AMBASSADOR
KEITH SMITH FOR REASONS 1.5 B
ActionAddees:
RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1590
RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO 0883
Classification:
CONFIDENTIAL
Date Time:
061244Z APR 00
Distribution:
SIT: ANDREASEN BINNENDIJK BLACK BLINKEN BRZEZINSKI NSC CRAWFORD
CULLOM
DAVIDSON ELKIND HINCKLEY KASS MASSEY MEDISH MUNTER NORLAND
PETERMAN
PIMENTEL TEDSTROM VONLIPSEY WEISS WITKOWSKY YEE
Identifier:
M4382174
InfoAddees:
RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
Line1:
OAACZYUW RUEHVLA0900 0971244-CCCC--RHEHAAX
Line2:
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
Line3:
O 061244Z APR 00
Line4:
FM AMEMBASSY VILNIUS
Originator:
AMEMBASSY VILNIUS
Precedence:
IMMEDIATE
647-8908. Damien.
Profiles:
ANDREASS
BINNENDH
BLACKS
BLINKENA
BRZEZINM
CABLES
CRAWFORB
CULLOMP
DAVIDSOL
ELKINDJ
HINCKLES
KASSN
MASSEYS
MEDISHM
MUNTERC
NORLANDR
PETERMAD
PIMENTEB
TEDSTROJ
VONLIPSR
WEISSA
WITKOWSA
DECLASSIFIED
YEEH
PER E.O. 13526
StationRoutingIndicator:
RUEHVL
StationSerialNumber:
0900
2016-0384-M(1.41) (1.61)
TimeOfReceipt:
04/06/2000 09:07:17 ET
KBH 6/23/2023
CONFIDENTIAL SECTION 01 OF 03 VILNIUS 000900
EUR FOR DAS ANDRUSYSZYN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 4/6/2010
TAGS: PREL, NATO, ECON, LH, RS
SUBJECT: LITHUANIAN CONCERNS ABOUT NATO, ESDI, AND RUSSIA
1
ARE THE DOMINANT THEMES OF EUR/DAS ANDRUSYSZYN'S VISIT
(U) CLASSIFIED BY AMBASSADOR KEITH SMITH FOR REASONS 1.5 B
AND D.
SUMMARY
1. (C) DURING BILATERAL MEETINGS IN VILNIUS EUR/DAS WALTER
ANDRUSYSZYN MET WITH THE PRESIDENT, FOREIGN MINISTER,
FINANCE MINISTER, DEFENSE OFFICIALS AND PARLIAMENTARIANS.
COMMON THEMES EMERGED IN ALL THE MEETINGS, NAMELY WORRIES
ABOUT NATO, ESDI AND RUSSIA. LITHUANIAN OFFICIALS
WELCOMED THE VISIT OF ANDRUSYSZYN TO OUTLINE THEIR NATO
ACCESSION AND DEFENSE MODERNIZATION PLANS (REPORTED SEPTEL)
AS WELL TO OUTLINE THEIR FOREIGN POLICY TOWARDS RUSSIA,
BELARUS AND THE REGION. DAS ANDRUSYSZYN ALSO MET WITH
OFFICIALS FROM WILLIAMS COMPANY, WHO DISCUSSED CRUDE OIL
SUPPLIES AND NEGOTATIONS WITH RUSSIA. END SUMMARY.
PRESIDENCY: COMMITMENT TO NATO; CONCERN ABOUT RUSSIA, ESDI
2. (C) PRESIDENT ADAMKUS STRESSED LITHUANIA'S COMMITMENT
TO NATO MEMBERSHIP AND TO GOOD RELATIONS WITH ITS NEIGBORS
PARTICULARLY RUSSIA. THE PRESIDENT UNDERSCORED THAT NATO
MEMBERSHIP IS THE NATION'S TOP FOREIGN POLICY PRIORITY AND
THAT LITHUANIA WOULD CONTINUE TO HAVE A STRONG, CLEAR PRO-
NATO STANCE. LITHUANIAN PARTICIPATION IN PKO'S IN BOSNIA
AND KOSOVO IS A DEMONSTRATION OF COUNTRY'S WILL TO JOIN AND
CONTRIBUTE TO NATO, SAID THE PRESIDENT. HE WARNED DAS
ANDRUSYSZYN THAT THE U.S. SHOULD NOT BE OVERLY CONCERNED
ABOUT SOME OF THE STATEMENTS IT WILL HEAR OVER THE NEXT SIX
MONTHS LEADING UP TO PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS (I.E. ABOUT
NATO, ABOUT DEFENCE SPENDING). THE PRESIDENT'S ADVICE WAS
TO DISREGARD ABOUT 50& OF WHAT WE WILL HEAR.
3. (C) ADAMKUS EMPHASIZED LITHUANIA'S SUCCESSFUL POLICY OF
MAINTAINING GOOD RELATIONS WITH RUSSIA. HE HIGHLIGHTED THE
GOL'S WORK WITH KALININGRAD, AN INVITATION TO RUSSIA TO
WORK MORE CLOSELY WITH THE COUNCIL OF BALTIC SEA STATES
(CBSS), AND EXPANDING CULTURAL EXCHANGES. THE PRESIDENT
ALSO UNDERSCORED THAT THE FACT THAT LITHUANIA HAS NO
RUSSIAN MINORITY PROBLEM, UNLIKE THE OTHER BALTIC STATES,
ALLOWING LITHUANIA TO ENJOY BETTER RELATIONS WITH RUSSIA.
NONETHELESS, THE PRESIDENT NOTED THAT THE GOL STILL HAS A
COUPLE OF IRRITATING PROBLEMS WITH RUSSIA, NAMELY 1)
DIFFICULTLY IN OBTAINING A COMMITMENT FOR A LONG-TERM OIL
SUPPLY FOR MAZEIKIU NAFTA, PART-OWNED AND MANAGED BY THE
WILLIAMS CO., AND 2) FOOT-DRAGGING BY THE RUSSIAN
PARLIAMENT IN RATIFYING THEIR BORDER TREATY. ADAMKUS ADDED
THAT HIS VISIT TO MOSCOW, POSTPONED IN DECEMBER DUE TO
YELTSIN'S POOR HEALTH AND THEN BECAUSE OF THE RUSSIAN
ELECTIONS HAS NOT BEEN RESCHEDULED YET. RUSSIAN PRESIDENT
PUTIN IS VERY DIFFICULT FOR THEM TO READ, SAID ADAMKUS.
FINALLY, THE PRESIDENT STRESSED THAT LITHUANIA BELIEVES
THAT AMERICA'S PRESENCE IN EUROPE IS CRUCIAL; HE REJECTED
THE NOTION OF THE EU BUILDING UP A SEPARATE MILITARY
CAPACITY IN COMPETITION WITH NATO.
FOREIGN MIN`4\BFoxHAT EU MEMBERSHIP MIGHT BECOME A SUBSTITUTE FOR
NATO MEMBERSHIP. THE FM STARTED OUT BY SAYING THAT PUTIN
WAS A MYSTERIOUS PERSON STILL AND THAT HE WAS MORE
SUCCESSFUL IN THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS THAN THEY WOULD
HAVE WISHED. AFTER ALL, SAID SAUDARGAS, PUTIN MANAGED TO
BE ELECTED SAYING NOTHING ABOUT ANYTHING. THE FM NOTED
THAT THE RUSSIANS STILL PUSH THE IDEA THAT FORMER SOVIET
COUNTRIES CANNOT BE ACCEPTED INTO NATO, BUT THAT THE GOL
BELIEVES THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN POLAND AND LITHUANIA (IN
GEOSTRATEGIC TERMS) IS PURELY ARTIFICIAL. FOR THAT REASON,
2
SAUDARGAS ASSERTED, IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO INCLUDE
AT LEAST ONE BALTIC STATE IN THE NEXT ROUND OF NATO
ENLARGEMENT SOON, IN ORDER TO MAKE THE BREAK AND PROVE THAT
IT IS POSSIBLE. THE FM ALSO ASSURED ANDRUSYSZYN THAT GOL
COMMITMENT TO NATO MEMBERSHIP HAS BEEN A WELL-ESTABLISHED
PRINCIPLE OF LITHUANIAN POLICY FOR 10 YEARS AND WILL NOT
CHANGE NO MATTER WHO IS ELECTED NEXT FALL.
5. (C) ON EU AND ESDI, THE FM SAID THAT THERE SEEMS TO BE A
NEW EMPHASIS ON THE EU AS A SUBSTITUTE FOR NATO. SAUDARGAS
SAID IT WAS DIFFICULT TO KNOW THE SOURCE -- INDIVIDUAL
COUNTRIES SUCH AS THE UK, FRANCE, AND GERMANY ARE ALWAYS
VERY POSITIVE WHEN TALKING TO THE GOL ABOUT NATO AND EU
MEMBERSHIP -- BUT THAT THE GOL IS GETTING THE MESSAGE THAT
EU MEMBERSHIP OFFERS SOME SORT OF REGIONAL SECURITY.
SAUDARGAS SAID THAT HE HAD ASKED THE EU'S SOLANA DIRECTLY -
- WHAT IS OUR (LITHUANIA'S) ROLE (IN ESDI)? THE GOL DOES
NOT WANT TO CHOOSE BETWEEN NATO AND THE EU, BELIEVING
CONFIDENTIAL SECTION 02 OF 03 VILNIUS 000900
EUR FOR DAS ANDRUSYSZYN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 4/6/2010
TAGS: PREL, NATO, ECON, LH, RS
SUBJECT: LITHUANIAN CONCERNS ABOUT NATO, ESDI, AND RUSSIA
ARE THE DOMINANT THEMES OF EUR/DAS ANDRUSYSZYN'S VISIT
THAT IS A FALSE CHOICE, THE FM SAID. SAUDARGAS MENTIONED
THAT HE WOULD BE IN NEW YORK ON APRIL 24 FOR THE
NON-PROLIFERATION TREATY TALKS.
6. (e) ON WILLIAMS, THE FM SAID THAT IS WAS DEPLORABLE HOW
THE ISSUE HAD BEEN MANIPULATED BY POLITICIANS, BUT THAT IT
IS IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THAT THE COUNTRY'S ECONOMIC
STABILITY DEPENDS ON THE NEGOTIATIONS FOR A LONG-TERM OIL
SUPPLY CONTRACT WITH LUKOIL/MOSCOW. HE NOTED THAT THE
WILLIAMS CO. STILL NEEDS TO DO MUCH MORE TO IMPROVE ITS
PUBLIC IMAGE.
MFA MEETINGS: THE GOL'S RELATIONS WITH KALININGRAD
7. (C) DAS ANDRUSZYN ROUNTABLE DISCUSSION AT THE LITHUANIAN
MFA TOUCHED ON NATO INTEGRATION, HOLOCAUST ISSUES AND WAR
CRIMINALS, AND LITHUANIA'S RELATIONS WITH ITS NEIGHBORS,
PARTICULARLY KALININGRAD. THE DISCUSSION INCLUDED THE
CHIEF OF THE SECOND (BILATERAL) DEPARTMENT A. TAURANTUS,
TOGETHER WITH THE DIVISION CHIEFS FOR THE AMERICAS, NATO
INTEGRATION AND CIS DIVISIONS.
8. (C) NATO INTEGRATION CHIEF RYTIS PALAUSKAS COMMENTED
THAT THE GOL IS DOING MORE NOW TO WIN OVER THE BACKING OF
EUROPEAN NATO MEMBERS. THE GOL IS FOCUSING ON WHAT THEY
VIEWED AS SEVERAL KEY COUNTRIES (INCLUDING THE UK AND
GERMANY) AND WOULD EXPAND THAT EFFORT TO OTHERS IN 2001.
PALAUSKAS MENTIONED THE UPCOMING NATO CONFERENCE IN MAY IN
VILNIUS AND EXPRESSED THEIR HOPE THAT DAS ANDRUSYSZYN WOULD
BE ABLE TO ATTEND. NINE ASPIRANT COUNTRIES FOREIGN
MINISTERS HAVE CONFIRMED. THE THREE NEW NATO MEMBERS' FM'S
ARE ALSO EXPECTED TO ATTEND.
9. (c) CIS DIVISION CHIEF IGNATAVICIUS COMMENTED ON THE
SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP LITHUANIA HAS WITH KALININGRAD AND
PROGRAMS UNDERWAY, BILATERALLY AND WITH THE HELP OF THE
USG, FOR COOPERATION AND DEVELOPMENT. EVEN THOUGH RUSSIAN
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS ARE OVER, LITHUANIA STILL IS
WATCHING CLOSELY REGIONAL ELECTIONS FOR KALININGRAD'S
GOVERNOR AND DUMA THIS YEAR. IGNATAVICIUS SAID THAT THOSE
OFFICIALS ARE AT LEAST AS IMPORTANT AS THOSE IN MOSCOW FOR
3
LITHUANIAN'S BILATERAL RELATIONSHIP. HE NOTED THAT
KALININGRAD IS AND WILL FOR THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE BE TIED
TO MOSCOW. IGNATAVICIUS ADDED, HOWEVER, THAT WITH
DETERIORATING SOCIO-ECONOMIC CONDITIONS AND KALININGRAD'S
SPECIAL STATUS AS A FUTURE ENCLAVE SURROUNDED BY THE EU,
THIS MAY CHANGE. THE YOUNGER GENERATION OF KALININGRAD'ERS
SEEM MORE ORIENTED TO THE WEST. AS AN EXAMPLE STATISTICS
SHOW THAT TWO THIRDS OF THEM HAVE NEVER EVEN BEEN TO RUSSIA
PROPER, PREFERRING TO TRAVEL AND WORK IN POLAND AND EUROPE.
SEIMAS MEMBERS WORRIED ABOUT NMD, RUSSIA, BELARUS
10. (C) DURING A VERY FRIENDLY HOUR DISCUSSION, COMMITTEE
MEMBERS EMPHASIZED THEIR STRONG SUPPORT FOR NATO MEMBERSHIP
AND THE MAP PROCESS, AND NOTED THAT LITHUANIA TRIES TO BE
VERY ACTIVE IN AS MANY PFP PROGRAMS AS POSSIBLE. SEVERAL
MEMBERS EXPRESSED THEIR MISGIVINGS ABOUT THE NEW RUSSIAN
PRESIDENT AND AGREED THAT RUSSIA IS GOING TO BE TOUGHER ON
ALL THE BALTIC STATES IN THE COMING MONTHS. THE COMMITTEE
CHAIRMAN KATKUS QUESTIONED WHETHER MISSILE DEFENSE ISSUES
WILL COMPLICATE NATO ENLARGEMENT AND IF THE BALTS WOULD BE
SACRIFICED IN A DEAL WITH RUSSIA ON NMD. AS IN EVERY OTHER
MEETING WITH GOL OFFICIALS, THE MPS EXPRESSED CONCERN ABOUT
ESDI AND EU INVOLVEMENT IN EUROPEAN SECURITY. THE
LITHUANIANS SEE NATO AS THE ONLY POSSIBLE GUARANTOR OF
EUROPEAN SECURITY AND WANT THE U.S. TO STAY FULLY ENGAGED.
MORE THAN ONE MP STRESSED THAT A RUSSIAN-BELARUSAN MILITARY
UNION IS A THREAT TO ITS NEIGHBORS. ONE NOTED THAT RUSSIA
HAS SIMPLY MOVED ITS BORDER TO THE WEST AS A RESPONSE TO
NATO ENLARGMENT. ANOTHER MP PLEADED FOR CONTINUED U.S.
ATTENTION TO BELARUS AND FUNDING FOR PROGRAMS WHICH SUPPORT
DEMOCRACY IN BELARUS.
DINNER WITH GOL OFFICIALS
11. (C) AT A DINNER WITH GOL OFFICIALS FROM THE FINANCE,
DEFENSE, AND FOREIGN MINISTRIES AND THE SEIMAS DAS
INFORMALLY DISCUSSED THE LITHUANIAN PARLIAMENTARY
ELECTIONS, THE STRUGGLING LITHUANIAN ECONOMY, AND NATO
MEBERSHIP. THE GENERAL
CONSENSUS AMONG THE LITHUANIANS WAS THAT THE RESULTS OF THE
MARCH MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS, IN WHICH THE RULING CONSERVATIVE
PARTY FINISHED THIRD, REFLECTED A MOVE TOWARD POPULISM BY
THE ELECTORATE. PARTIES EXPLOITING THIS POPULIST
SENTIMENT, ESPECIALLY STRONG IN THE RURAL AREAS,
CAPITALIZED ON THE GENERAL DISSATISFACTION RESULTING FROM
CONFIDENTIALSECTION 03 OF 03 VILNIUS 000900
EUR FOR DAS ANDRUSYSZYN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 4/6/2010
TAGS: PREL, NATO, ECON, LH, RS
SUBJECT: LITHUANIAN CONCERNS ABOUT NATO, ESDI, AND RUSSIA
ARE THE DOMINANT THEMES OF EUR/DAS ANDRUSYSZYN'S VISIT
THE 1999 ECONOMIC CRISIS. ON THE ECONOMY, MINISTER OF
FINANCE DUDENAS NOTED THAT THE PRIMARY REASON FOR THE
CRISIS WAS THE EFFECT OF THE RUSSIAN CRISIS. PREVIOUS
GOVERNMENTS HAD NOT CORRECTLY EVALUATED THE IMPACT THE
RUSSIAN CRISIS WOULD HAVE ON THE LITHUANIAN ECONOMY, WHICH
WAS HEAVILY DEPENDENT ON TRADE WITH RUSSIA, AND FAILED TO
PREPARE FOR IT. DUDENAS NOTED THAT THE AUSTERITY PROGRAMS
OF THE KUBILIUS GOVERNMENT WERE WORKING, AND THAT WHILE
THERE WAS NO ECONOMIC REVIVAL YET, THE ECONOMY WAS
POSITIONED TO TAKE OFF. HOWEVER, IT WILL COME TOO LATE TO
STOP VOTERS FROM EXPRESSING THEIR STRONG DISSATISFACTION.
BREAKFAST WITH WILLIAMS
4
12. (C) THE DAS HAD A VERY PRODUCTIVE MEETING WITH WILLIAMS
INTERNATIONAL, DURING WHICH HE DISCUSSED THE CRUDE SUPPLY
NEGOTIATIONS, FINANCING, AND ISSUES. WILLIAMS REPORTED
THAT CRUDE SUPPLY NEGOTIATIONS WERE GOING SLOWLY, AND THAT
LUKOIL WAS STALLING UNTIL AFTER THE FALL PARLIAMENTARY
ELECTIONS BROUGHT A NEW GOVERNMENT WILLING TO GIVE LUKOIL
AN EQUAL EQUITY AND MANAGEMENT STAKE IN THE REFINERY IN
RETURN FOR A CRUDE OIL AGREEMENT. WILLIAMS STATED THAT
NEGOTIATIONS WITH YUKOS FOR A CRUDE SUPPLY DEAL
TRANSFERRING A 10& STAKE IN THE REFINERY WERE GOING WELL,
BUT THAT LUKOIL'S POSITION AS RUSSIAN COUNTRY COORDINATOR
THREATENED EVEN THIS SUPPLY. WILLIAMS ALSO NOTED THAT THE
CURRENT IMPASSE ON FINANCING FOR THE REFINERY RENOVATION
GAVE LUKOIL ADDITIONAL LEVERAGE OVER THE REFINERY. THE
FINANCING IS ESSENTIAL FOR THE PROFITABILITY OF THE DEAL,
BUT EBRD HAS INFORMALLY STATED THAT IT WILL NOT SUPPORT THE
DEAL WITHOUT A LONG-TERM CRUDE SUPPLY AGREEMENT. LUKOIL
KNOWS THIS, AND THUS BELIEVES THAT IT CAN FORCE WILLIAMS TO
ACCEPT EQUAL EQUITY AND MANAGEMENT AS A CONDITION FOR A
SUPPLY DEAL THAT WILL UNLOCK THE FINANCING. WILLIAMS
REQUESTED USG INTERVENTION WITH THE IFIS AS A MEANS TO DE-
LINK THE FINANCING FROM THE CRUDE SUPPLY DEAL. WILLIAMS
ALSO RAISED PROBLEMS WITH THE GOL, SUCH AS SLOW ISSUANCE OF
ENVIRONMENTAL PERMITS AND TITLE TO THE REFINERY LAND. THE
DAS URGED WILLIAMS TO WORK THROUGH THESE ISSUES QUICKLY,
AND SUGGESTED THAT WILLIAMS AND THE GOL WORK CLOSELY TO
SOLVE THE SUPPLY AND FINANCING PROBLEMS. SMITH
5
Norland, Richard B. (EUR)
From:
WHSR
Sent:
Friday, March 31, 2000 11:25 AM
To:
Blinken, Antony J. (EUR); Cables; Norland, Richard B. (EUR)
Subject:
SCENESETTER FOR U/S LARSON VISIT TO LITHUANIA
ActionAddees:
RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1560
Classification:
UNCLASSIFIED
Date Time:
311507Z MAR 00
Distribution:
SIT: Blinken NSC Norland
Identifier:
M4372794
InfoAddees:
RUEHTL/AMEMBASSY TALLINN 5211
RUEHRA/AMEMBASSY RIGA 1476
RUEHWR/AMEMBASSY WARSAW 2869
RUEHSM/AMEMBASSY STOCKHOLM 1459
RUCNNEI/NORTHERN EUROPEAN INITIATIVE COLLECTIVE
Line1:
PAAUZYUW RUEHVLA0847 0911507-UUUU--RHEHAAX.
Line2:
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
Line3:
P 311507Z MAR 00
Line4:
FM AMEMBASSY VILNIUS
Originator:
AMEMBASSY VILNIUS
Precedence:
PRIORITY
Profiles:
BLINKENA
CABLES
NORLANDR
StationRoutingIndicator:
RUEHVL
StationSerialNumber:
0847
TimeOfReceipt:
03/31/2000 11:26:27 ET
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 VILNIUS 000847
STATE FOR EB
WARSAW FOR PHILLIPS
STOCKHOLM FOR PILMANIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON PREL OTRA LH
SUBJECT: SCENESETTER FOR U/S LARSON VISIT TO LITHUANIA
1. SUMMARY: YOUR VISIT TO LITHUANIA COMES AT A KEY TIME,
AS LITHUANIA SLOWLY BEGINS ITS RECOVERY FROM AN ECONOMIC
CRISIS AND A YEAR OF POLITICAL TURMOIL. YOUR MESSAGE
THROUGHOUT YOUR VISIT SHOULD BE TO CONGRATULATE THE
KUBILIUS GOVERNMENT FOR ITS COMMITMENT TO ECONOMIC REFORM
AND FINANCIAL AUSTERITY, AND ENCOURAGE IT TO CONTINUE ITS
REFORM PROGRAM IN THE RUN-UP TO THE FALL PARLIAMENTARY
ELECTIONS. THIS IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT SINCE KUBILIUS'
CONSERVATIVE PARTY FINISHED A DISTANT THIRD IN THE RECENT
MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS, AND IS UNDER PRESSURE TO ADOPT
POPULIST MEASURES TO GET VOTES. OTHER IMPORTANT THEMES
YOU SHOULD STRESS INCLUDE SUPPORT FOR LITHUANIA'S EARLY
MEMBERSHIP IN NATO, EU, AND WTO; SUPPORT FOR THE WILLIAMS
OIL DEAL AND LITHUANIA'S EFFORTS TO RESIST RUSSIAN OIL
BLACKMAIL; AND ENCOURAGEMENT FOR INCREASED LITHUANIAN
EFFORTS TO CONFRONT HOLOCAUST-RELATED ISSUES. END
SUMMARY.
2. YOUR VISIT TO LITHUANIA WILL BE HIGHLIGHTED BY YOUR
CO-CHAIRMANSHIP OF THE ECONOMIC BILATERAL WORKING GROUP
(EBWG) MEETING, WHICH WILL FOCUS ON KEY MULTILATERAL,
REGIONAL, AND BILATERAL ISSUES OF INTEREST TO THE UNITED
STATES AND LITHUANIA. THE LITHUANIAN DELEGATION WILL BE
LED BY VICE MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS RIMKUNAS, WHO
ALSO SERVES AS LITHUANIA'S WTO NEGOTIATOR. AN
EXPERIENCED NEGOTIATOR, YOU CAN EXPECT RIMKUNAS TO
ATTEMPT TO GATHER DEFINED COMMITMENTS FROM THE U.S.
1
DELEGATION ON KEY ISSUES SUCH AS WTO ACCESSION,
DECOMMISSIONING FINANCING FOR IGNALINA NUCLEAR POWER
PLANT (INPP) UNIT 1, AND ON REGIONAL ENERGY ISSUES. THE
LITHUANIANS CONSIDER THE EBWG A KEY BILATERAL FORUM, AND
HAVE SPENT CONSIDERABLE TIME PREPARING FOR THE TALKS.
RIMKUNAS WOULD LIKE TO LEAVE THE TABLE WITH SOME REAL
DELIVERABLES, AND YOU CAN EXPECT HIM TO MAKE A STRONG
PITCH ON THE ABOVE ISSUES.
3. RIMKUNAS WILL PRESS FOR INCREASED FLEXIBILITY IN THE
U.S. WTO ACCESSION POSITION, PARTICULARLY REGARDING
AGRICULTURAL ISSUES. THE GOL BELIEVES THAT IT IS
UNLIKELY ANY POTENTIAL CENTER/LEFT GOVERNMENT THAT COMES
TO POWER AFTER THE FALL ELECTIONS WILL CONTINUE MOVEMENT
ON WTO MEMBERSHIP, AND THEREFORE BELIEVES THE TIME IS NOW
FOR WTO. THE GOL BELIEVES ITS POSITION IS REASONABLE
GIVEN ITS LARGE (35&) AGRICULTURAL SECTOR, AND LOOKS TO
THE U.S. TO BE MORE FLEXIBLE IN OUR CONSIDERATION OF THE
LATEST GOL MANDATE. SPECIFICALLY, THE GOL WANTS U.S.
ACCEPTANCE OF TIME-PHASED, AS OPPOSED TO IMMEDIATE,
ELIMINATION OF AGRICULTURAL SUPPORT MEASURES.
4. ON INPP UNIT 1, THE GOL WILL SEEK U.S. COMMITMENT TO
ASSIST WITH FUNDING FOR THE DECOMMISSIONING. THIS ISSUE
IS PARTICULARLY TIMELY FOR THE GOL, AS IT HAS JUST
SCHEDULED A DONORS' CONFERENCE FOR JUNE. AS WITH WTO,
THE GOL BELIVES THAT PROGRESS ON THIS ISSUE MAY FALTER
AFTER THE ELECTION, AND WILL USE THIS POINT TO TRY TO
LEVERAGE IMMEDIATE MANIFESTATIONS OF FINANCIAL
DECOMMISSIONING ASSISTANCE IN ALL AREAS, INCLUDING SOCIAL
PROGRAMS FOR THE ETHNIC-RUSSIAN POPULATION OF THE TOWN
DEPENDENT ON INPP.
5. ALSO IN THE ENERGY SECTOR, THE GOL WILL SEEK U.S.
SUPPORT FOR THE CREATION OF A COMMON BALTIC ENERGY
MARKET. THIS ISSUE, ALONG WITH ENERGY SECTOR
PRIVATIZATION, WAS RECENTLY HIGHLIGHTED DURING ENERGY
SECRETARY RICHARDSON'S VISIT AND AT THE BALTIC ENERGY
CONFERENCE HELD IN VILNIUS. THE GOL WILL LOOK FOR U.S.
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND ALSO FOR STRATEGIC PARTNERS
WILLING TO ENTER THE BALTIC MARKET AS THE NATIONAL ASSETS
ARE PRIVATIZED.
6. YOUR VISIT WILL ALSO INCLUDE MEETINGS WITH U.S.
INVESTORS AND LITHUANIAN GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS. EACH OF
THESE MEETINGS WILL GIVE YOU THE OPPORTUNITY TO ADVANCE
U.S. INTERESTS AND SUPPORT CONTINUED MARKET REFORM WITHIN
THE LITHUANIAN GOVERNMENT. YOUR DINNER WITH MAJOR U.S.
INVESTORS WILL ALLOW YOU TO HEAR FIRST-HAND THE
CHALLENGES OF DOING BUSINESS IN LITHUANIA, AND ALLOW YOU
TO QUERY THE ATTENDING GOL OFFICIALS ON HOW REFORMS WILL
BOTH BENEFIT U.S. BUSINESSES CURRENTLY IN LITHUANIA AND
ATTRACT ADDITIONAL U.S. AND OTHER FOREIGN INVESTMENT.
7. YOUR MOST IMPORTANT PRIVATE SECTOR MEETING WILL BE
WITH WILLIAMS INTERNATIONAL WILLIAMS, WHICH TOOK A 33&
SHARE AND MANAGEMENT CONTROL OF MAZEIKIU NAFTA (OIL
REFINERY, PIPELINE, AND TERMINAL) COMPLEX IN A
CONTROVERSIAL DEAL SIGNED LAST OCTOBER, HAS BEEN BLOCKED
BY LUKOIL (THE RUSSIAN OIL SUPPLY COORDINATOR FOR
UNCLAS SECTION 02 OF 02 VILNIUS 000847
STATE FOR EB
WARSAW FOR PHILLIPS
STOCKHOLM FOR PILMANIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON PREL OTRA LH
SUBJECT: SCENESETTER FOR U/S LARSON VISIT TO LITHUANIA
2
LITHUANIA) IN ITS ATTEMPT TO SECURE A LONG-TERM RUSSIAN
CRUDE OIL SUPPLY FOR THE REFINERY. WITHOUT A LONG-TERM
SUPPLY CONTRACT, EBRD AND OTHER LENDERS ARE UNWILLING TO
PROVIDE THE FINANCING NECESSARY FOR THE RENOVATION OF THE
REFINERY, WHICH IS AN ESSENTIAL PART OF WILLIAMS BUSINESS
STRATEGY AND CRUCIAL FOR LITHUANIA'S ECONOMIC RECOVERY.
WILLIAMS WILL PROVIDE UPDATED INFORMATION ON CRUDE OIL
SUPPLY AND FINANCING NEGOTIATIONS. YOUR SUPPORT FOR USG
INTERVENTION WITH EBRD IN FAVOR OF THE DEAL WILL HELP
THIS STRATEGIC PROJECT MOVE FORWARD, AND MAY PROVIDE
WILLIAMS THE FLEXIBILITY TO NEGOTIATE A CRUDE SUPPLY WITH
RUSSIAN SUPPLIERS ON MARKET COMMERCIAL TERMS.
8. IN YOUR MEETING WITH THE PRIME MINISTER, YOU SHOULD
PRAISE HIM FOR HIS DECISIVE LEADERSHIP AND HIS TOUGH
FINANCIAL DECISIONS WHICH HAVE LED LITHUANIA FROM THE
BRINK OF INSOLVENCY TO THE BEGINNING OF RECOVERY. YOU
SHOULD ALSO PRAISE HIS SUPPORT FOR THE WILLIAMS DEAL, AND
HIS RESOLVE IN RESISTING RUSSIAN EFFORTS TO GAIN CONTROL
OF THE REFINERY THROUGH A CRUDE OIL BLOCKADE. YOU SHOULD
ENCOURAGE HIM TO STAY THE COURSE ON THE ECONOMIC REFORMS,
AND TO IMPLEMENT THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE "SUNSET"
COMMISSION (DEALING WITH ELIMINATING GOVERNMENT
BUREAUCRACY) AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. YOU MAY ALSO WISH TO
ENCOURAGE HIM TO MOVE FORWARD ON PRIVATIZATION,
PARTICULARLY IN THE ENERGY FIELD. IN THIS REGARD, YOU
SHOULD EXPRESS SUPPORT FOR THE U.S. "POWERBRIDGE"
PROJECT, WHICH WILL EXPORT LITHUANIAN POWER TO EUROPE.
YOU CAN EXPECT KUBILIUS TO ASK FOR INCREASED U.S. SUPPORT
FOR LITHUANIAN MEMBERSHIP IN NATO, EU, AND WTO.
9. FOREIGN MINISTER SAUDARGAS WILL HIGHLIGHT THE GOOD
RELATIONS LITHUANIA HAS WITH THE U.S. AND OUR STRONG
BILATERAL TIES. HE WILL ALSO STRESS U.S. SUPPORT FOR
NATO, EU, AND WTO MEMBERSHIP, AND MAY PARTICULARLY
HIGHLIGHT WTO (DEPENDING ON THE RESULTS OF THE EBWG).
SAUDARGAS MAY ALSO COMMENT ON REGIONAL ISSUES, AND YOU
SHOULD USE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO DRAW OUT HIS OPINION ON
THE IMPACT PUTIN'S ELECTION WILL HAVE ON LITHUANIAN-
RUSSIAN RELATIONS, AND ON RELATIONS WITH THE BALTIC
NATIONS AS A REGION. YOU MAY ALSO WISH TO RAISE
LITHUANIA'S EFFORTS TO CONFRONT ITS HOLOCAUST HISTORY, IN
PARTICULAR THE WORK OF ITS HISTORICAL COMMISSION.
10. LITHUANIA'S GENERAL FINANCIAL SITUATION AND THE
WILLIAMS FINANCING WILL BE THE MAJOR TOPICS OF YOUR
DISCUSSIONS WITH THE MINISTER OF FINANCE. ON THE
POSITIVE SIDE, THE GOL RECENTLY NEGOTIATED AN IMF
STANDBY, AND EXPECT TO RECEIVE A WORLD BANK STRUCTURAL
ADJUSTMENT LOAN THIS SUMMER. THIS, ALONG WITH THE
AUSTERITY BUDGET AND DEMONSTRATED COMMITMENT OF THE GOL
TO STICK TO IT, HAS LED TO LITHUANIA'S FINANCIAL RATING
BEING CONFIRMED, AND ITS OUTLOOK BEING CHANGED TO
"STABLE". ON THE NEGATIVE SIDE, REVENUE COLLECTION IS
WELL SHORT OF EXPECTATIONS, AND (UNLESS THIS TREND
REVERSES) THE GOL WILL COME UNDER SIGNIFICANT PRESSURE
LATER IN THE YEAR TO INCREASE ITS BUDGET DEFICIT. THIS
TREND COULD BE REVERSED IF THE REFINERY FINANCING CAME
THROUGH, AS THE REFINERY PROVIDES APPROXIMATELY 10& OF
GDP AND GOVERNMENT REVENUES. YOU SHOULD EXPRESS YOUR
SUPPORT FOR THE MINISTER'S AUSTERITY BUDGET, FINANCIAL
DISCIPLINE, AND SOLICIT HIS INPUT ON HOW THE USG CAN BEST
ENGAGE THE EBRD AND OTHER LENDERS IN SUPPORT OF THE
WILLIAMS DEAL.
SMITH
3
Norland, Richard B. (EUR)
From:
WHSR
Sent:
Wednesday, March 22, 2000 2:59 PM
To:
Cables; Norland, Richard B. (EUR)
Subject:
FORMER PRESIDENT'S VIEW OF WILLIAMS LUKOIL NEGOTIATIONS
ActionAddees:
RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1514
RUEADOC/USDOE WASHDC PRIORITY
Classification:
CONFIDENTIAL
Date Time:
221518Z MAR 00
Distribution:
SIT: NSC Norland
DECLASSIFIED
Identifier:
M4356122
InfoAddees:
RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 1511
PER E.O. 13526
Line1:
PAACZYUW RUEHVLA0746 0821518-CCCC--RHEHAAX.
2016. 0384- M (1.62)
Line2:
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
Line3:
P 221518Z MAR 00
KBH 6/23/2023
Line4:
FM AMEMBASSY VILNIUS
Originator:
AMEMBASSY VILNIUS
Precedence:
PRIORITY
Profiles:
CABLES
NORLANDR
StationRoutingIndicator:
RUEHVL
StationSerialNumber:
0746
TimeOfReceipt:
03/22/2000 14:59:33 ET
ONFIDENTIALSECTION 01 OF 02 VILNIUS 000746
STATE FOR S/NIS, S/NISC, EB/CBED, EUR/RUS, EB/ESC
DOE FOR SECRETARY RICHARDSON AND DAS FARIELLO
E.O. 12958: DECL: 3/21/10
TAGS: ECON, POL, LH
SUBJECT: FORMER PRESIDENT'S VIEW OF WILLIAMS LUKOIL
NEGOTIATIONS
1. CLASSIFIED BY AMBASSADOR KEITH C. SMITH,
REASONS 1.5 (B) AND (D).
2. SUMMARY ON MARCH 22, AMBASSADOR SMITH MET WITH
FORMER PRESIDENT BRAZAUSKAS TO DISCUSS THE WILLIAMS
LUKOIL NEGOTIATIONS FOR LONG TERM OIL SUPPLIES FOR THE
MAZAIKU REFINERY. BRAZAUSKAS IS WELL CONNECTED WITH
LUKOIL AND HAS ACTED ON THEIR BEHALF. BRAZAUSKAS
COMMENTED THAT WILLIAMS APPEARS NAIVE IN THEIR
NEGOTIATIONS AND THAT NO AGREEMENT WOULD BE REACHED.
HE EXPLAINED THAT RUSSIAN OIL ENTERPRISES ARE
GOVERNMENT CONTROLLED, THAT THE OIL EXPORT COORDINATOR
IS A GOVERNMENT TOOL USED TO CONTROL FLOW AND PERHAPS
LUKOIL WAS MERELY FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS. HE STATED
THAT THE ENERGY COMMISSION HAD DECIDED NOT RPT NOT TO
EXPORT OIL TO LITHUANIA. BRAZAUSKAS CONFIRMED THAT
LUKOIL WANTED EQUAL EQUITY WITH WILLIAMS AND A SHARED
MANAGEMENT POSITION IN THE REFINERY. THE AMBASSADOR
EXPRESSED CONCERN THAT THE NEGOTIATIONS SEEM MORE AND
MORE POLITICALLY MOTIVATED. PRESIDENT BRAZAUSKAS
COMMENTED THAT THE RECENTLY APPROVED EBRD LOAN SEEMED
TO BE A VOTE OF CONFIDENCE FOR LUKOIL. THE AMBASSADOR
EXPLAINED THAT THE APPROVAL CAUSED A LENGTHY DEBATE,
THAT THE LOAN CAME WITH TRANSPARENCY REQUIREMENTS AND
THAT IT WAS HOPED THAT LUKOIL WOULD PROVE RUSSIAN FIRMS
CAN RECOGNIZE WIN/WIN SITUATIONS AND NEGOTIATE ON
PURELY ECONOMIC GROUNDS. END SUMMARY.
3. FORMER PRESIDENT BRAZAUSKAS STATED THAT HE WAS NOT
1
OPPOSED TO THE WILLIAMS COMPANY, WHICH HE BELIEVES, IS
A SERIOUS INTERNATIONAL FIRM. HE DID EXPRESS CONCERN
THAT PUBLIC COMMENTS BY WILLIAMS SEEM TO REFLECT
WISHFUL THINKING RATHER THAN THE FACTS AS HE SEES THEM.
BRAZAUSKAS BELIEVES THE SITUATION CONCERNING OIL
SUPPLIES FOR MAZAIKU NAFTA ESPECIALLY AT CONCESSIONAIRE
PRICES IS MORE COMPLEX THAN WILLIAMS ADMITS. BASED ON
HIS UNDERSTANDING OF THE WILLIAMS BUSINESS PLAN WITHOUT
A LONG TERM SUPPLY AGREEMENT WITH LUKOIL, WHICH
BRAZAUSKAS BELIEVES WILLIAMS WILL NOT GET, WILLIAMS HAS
NO FINANCIAL FUTURE IN LITHUANIA. HE BELIEVES THAT
WILLIAMS IS BEING NAIVE TRYING TO REACH AN AGREEMENT
FOR OIL AT PRICES EQUAL TO THOSE GRANTED TO BELARUS, AS
ALL RUSSIA CONSIDERS BELARUS A DOMESTIC DESTINATION AND
LITHUANIA A FOREIGN DESTINATION.
4. AMBASSADOR SMITH COMMENTED THAT IT WAS VERY
DIFFICULT FOR WILLIAMS TO REACH A BUSINESS AGREEMENT
WITH ANY RUSSIAN OIL SUPPLIER BECAUSE OF THE RUSSIA OIL
EXPORT COORDINATOR SYSTEM. LUKOIL, AS THE COORDINATOR
FOR EXPORTS TO LITHUANIA WITH A MONOPOLY POSITION
CONTROLLING ALL EXPORTS, IS CAPABLE OF PREVENTING ANY
AGREEMENT. PRESIDENT BRAZAUSKAS AGREED AND STATED THAT
THE SYSTEM WILL NOT CHANGE. BRAZAUSKAS EXPLAINED THAT
WHILE RUSSIAN OIL ENTERPRISES HAVE BEEN PARTIALLY
PRIVATIZED, MAJORITY CONTROL IS STILL IN THE HANDS OF
THE GOVERNMENT. THE COORDINATOR SYSTEM IS THE MEANS,
THE TOOL THE GOVERNMENT USES TO CONTROL ALL OIL
TRANSACTIONS. ALL OIL EXPORT QUOTAS ARE SET BY A
TWENTY (20) MEMBER ENERGY COMMISSION THAT CONTROLS ALL
FLOW AND SETS QUARTERLY QUOTAS FOE EVERY PIPELINE AND
TERMINAL. BRAZAUSKAS STATED THAT THERE WOULD BE NO OIL
FOR LITHUANIA AS IT HAS BEEN ELIMINATED FROM THE EXPORT
QUOTA LIST.
5. AMBASSADOR SMITH STATED THAT OUR PERCEPTION WAS THE
NEGOTIATIONS SEEM TO BE GETTING MORE POLITICALLY RATHER
THAN ECONOMICALLY MOTIVATED. LUKOIL SEEMS TO HAVE
CHANGED THEIR REQUIREMENTS FROM REQUIRING A CONTROLLING
EQUITY POSITION TO REQUIRING AN EQUITY POSITION WITH A
SHARED MANAGEMENT ROLE. BRAZAUSKAS STATED THAT HE IS
WELL ACQUAINTED WITH LUKOIL'S ALEGPEROV AND MET WITH
HIM AS RECENTLY AS LAST YEAR. BRAZAUSKAS'
INTERPRETATION IS THAT LUKOIL NEVER WANTED A
CONTROLLING EQUITY POSITION BUT THEY DO WANT EQUITY,
PERHAPS AS MUCH AS THIRTY-THREE (33) PERCENT, WITH
SHARED MANAGEMENT ALONG THE LINES THAT EXIST WITH OTHER
WESTERN FIRMS SUCH AS IN KAZAKHSTAN. BRAZAUSKAS OPINED
THAT THIS TYPE OF ARRAIGNMENT WAS WORKING VERY WELL IN
OTHER VENTURES INVOLVING LUKOIL AND RUSSIAN OIL FIRMS.
6. AMBASSADOR SMITH COMMENTED THAT SINCE THE LOSSES
SUFFERED AS A RESULT OF THE 1998 CRISIS, INTERNATIONAL
LENDERS ARE LEERY OF SHARED MANAGEMENT ARRANGEMENTS
WHILE EQUITY POSITIONS ARE NOT A PROBLEM. LUKOIL
APPEARS TO BE A GOOD COMPANY WITH GOOD PROSPECTS BUT IN
THIS INSTANCE SEEMS TO BE ACTING WITH SHORT TERM
POLITICAL MOTIVATIONS OF CONTROLLING OIL FLOW RATHER
THAN WITH A LONG TERM ECONOMIC MOTIVATION OF SUSTAINED
PROFITS. BRAZAUSKAS COMMENTED THAT PERHAPS LUKOIL IS
SIMPLY BEING TOLD WHAT TO DO AS RUSSIA HAS BEEN AND
CONFIDENTIAL SECTION 02 OF 02 VILNIUS 000746
STATE FOR S/NIS, S/NISC, EB/CBED, EUR/RUS, EB/ESC
DOE FOR SECRETARY RICHARDSON AND DAS FARIELLO
E.O. 12958: DECL: 3/21/10
TAGS: ECON, POL, LH
SUBJECT: FORMER PRESIDENT'S VIEW OF WILLIAMS LUKOIL
2
NEGOTIATIONS
REMAINS IRRITATED AT THE WAY LITHUANIA SHUT OUT RUSSIA
FROM THE WHOLE WILLIAMS DEAL. BUT PRESIDENT BRAZAUSKAS
COMMENTED THAT THE SAME INTERNATIONAL LENDERS (EBRD)
PREVIOUSLY SET AGAINST LUKOIL SHARED MANAGEMENT HAVE
NOW APPROVED A 250 MILLION DOLLAR CREDIT LINE FOR
LUKOIL. AMBASSADOR SMITH ADVISED THAT THE LOAN WAS
LINKED TO CERTAIN TRANSPARENCY REQUIREMENTS AND THAT AS
YET NO MONEY HAD MOVED. HE ALSO EXPLAINED THAT THE
APPROVAL OF THE LOAN PROVOKED LENGTHY DEBATE. THE US
DECISION WAS TO TAKE A POLITICAL RISK AND APPROVE THE
LOAN HOPING THAT LUKOIL WOULD TAKE A MORE ECONOMICALLY
BASED POSITION IN NEGOTIATION WITH WILLIAMS AND
LITHUANIA. THE AMBASSADOR COMMENTED THAT IN STRICTLY
ECONOMIC TERMS A LONG TERM AGREEMENT COULD BE A WIN-WIN
SITUATION FOR EVERYBODY. RUSSIA'S ABILITY TO RECOGNIZE
THE WIN-WIN ASPECTS OF THIS DEAL IS BEING SEEN BY MANY
AS A LITMUS TEST OF THE ABILITY TO NEGOTIATE AND DEAL
WITH RUSSIAN FIRMS ON A STRICTLY ECONOMIC BASIS.
PRESIDENT BRAZAUSKAS COMMENTED THAT ECONOMIC CONCERNS
SHOULD BE PRIMARY.
7. COMMENT. PRESIDENT BRAZAUSKAS HAS VERY CLOSE TIES
WITH ALEGPEROV AND OTHER RUSSIAN BUSINESS LEADERS. WE
ARE CONFIDENT THAT THE ENTIRE CONVERSATION WILL BE
REPORTED. END COMMENT
SMITH
3
Withdrawal/Redaction Marker
Clinton Library
DOCUMENT NO.
SUBJECT/TITLE
DATE
RESTRICTION
AND TYPE
004. report
re: Russia's Lukoil [partial] (4 pages)
03/17/2000
P1/b(1)
COLLECTION:
Clinton Presidential Records
National Security Council
European Affairs (Richard Norland)
OA/Box Number: 2630
FOLDER TITLE:
Lithuania [6]
2011-1038-F
kh1049
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P5 Release would disclose confidential advice between the President
information [(b)(4) of the FOIA]
and his advisors, or between such advisors [a)(5) of the PRA]
b(6) Release would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of
P6 Release would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of
personal privacy [(b)(6) of the FOIA]
personal privacy [(a)(6) of the PRA]
b(7) Release would disclose information compiled for law enforcement
purposes [(b)(7) of the FOIA]
C. Closed in accordance with restrictions contained in donor's deed
b(8) Release would disclose information concerning the regulation of
of gift.
financial institutions [(b)(8) of the FOIA]
PRM. Personal record misfile defined in accordance with 44 U.S.C.
b(9) Release would disclose geological or geophysical information
2201(3).
concerning wells [(b)(9) of the FOIA]
RR. Document will be reviewed upon request.
DECLASSIFIED IN PART
SECRET
3.5(c)
PER E. O. 13526
Central & East European Update
17 March 2000
2016-0384-M [1.63]
KBH 6/23/2023
Special Analysis
Russia's Lukoil Still Playing Hardball Over
Lithuanian Oil Supplies
3.5(c)
The Russian oil giant Lukoil may be holding off
refinery through monthend. Further delays in
until after Lithuania's Seimas (parliamentary)
reaching a supply agreement, however, would
election this fall on a long-term deal to supply
force Vilnius to draw down its strategic fund to
Lithuania's Mazeikiu Nafta (MN) oil refinery,
pay for MN's losses and would exacerbate
Butinge terminal, and pipeline complex in hopes
Lithuania's already serious fiscal problems,
that a more favorable government will come to
1.4(c)
power in Vilnius.
Tax revenue from MN's refinery is drying up,
In a late January meeting with the US firm that
threatening Lithuania's slow recovery from the
bought a 33-percent stake in MN last year, Lukoil
Russian financial crisis
1.4(c)
renewed its demands for at least equal equity and
management rights in MN and for deep discounts
MN accounts for about 10 percent
for MN's refined products-in some cases the
of Lithuania's GDP.
price paid would be below the cost of refining-
1.4(c)
MN officials recently said that lack of regular
crude oil supplies for its refinery-which was
At the same time, Lukoil may be positioning
idle for 56 days last year-accounts for one-third
itself to forgo MN and concentrate instead on
of its $32.7 million loss last year. MN refined
its recent refinery acquisitions in Bulgaria,
4.56 million tons last year-one-third less than
Romania, and Ukraine if it realizes that it
cannot get at least an equal share
of MN
3.5(c)
Lukoil Has the Upper Hand
Lukoil's hardball tactics in
negotiations with MN and the US oil
firm probably are based on the
Russian firm's perception that the
LUK
much lower prices of Russian
crude-compared to alternative
suppliers-give it the upper hand.
MN has imported enough North
Sea crude-more expensive than
Russian crude-to operate the
©
Lukoil's Alekperov (top) collaborating with ex-Prime Minister Paksas (right)
against the Kubilius (left) government?
9
SECRET
3.5(c)
SECRET
3.5(c)
Central & East European Update
17 March 2000
in 1998 and far short of its 12 million ton annual
Vilinus Weighing Options
capacity-according to press reports
3.5(c)
Vilnius seems to realize that a long-term supply
If Lukoil uses its political clout to disrupt oil
agreement with a Russian firm may be the most
deliveries to MN-even from other Russian
viable option economically, but it remains
suppliers beholden to it-political rather than
concerned that continued dependence will make it
commercial interests would probably be the
vulnerable to Russian pressure and to costly supply
primary motive.
cutoffs, as occurred a few times last year. To help
ease its vulnerability to Lukoil's tough negotiating
Prime Minister Kubilius last month
1.4(c)
tactics, the Lithuanian Government has decided to
believed a deal was not likely
delegate a government representative to participate
because Lukoil-
1.4(c)
in talks between MN and Russian crude oil suppliers
and has begun exploring alternative deals with other
was
Russian firms.
using the oil issue to drive his Conservative Party
out of office.
Officials from Yukos-Russia's second-larget oil
company-and the US firm were scheduled to
Paksas has been the most popular Lithuanian
meet on March 17 to discuss a deal in which
politician since he resigned last October after
Yukos would provide firmer guarantees of crude
refusing to sign an agreement with the US oil
oil supplies in exchange for a stake in MN,
firm. He would be a likely prime ministerial
according to press reports.
candidate if his Liberal Union Party-currently
ahead in the polls-wins a plurality.
3.5(c)
According to press reports, Lithuania wants 6
million tons of crude annually for 10 years and
To date, the extent of Russian Government
would consider selling at least a 10-percent stake
involvement in Lukoil's pressure on Vilnius
to a Russian supplier. Press reports indicate
remains unclear, but senior Russian officials at a
Yukos is prepared to buy such a stake.
minimum have provided tacit support for Lukoil's
efforts to gain control of Lithuania's energy sector.
Yukos last month supplied almost half of
The Russian Embassy has supported Lukoil's
Russia's 60,000-barrel-per-day deliveries to
campaign to discredit the US firm since late 1997,
Lithuania.
1.4(c), 3.5(c)
and Moscow's new Ambassador to Lithuania spent
the last year of his 22-year KGB/SVR career serving
as liaison between the SVR and Lukoil,
1.4(c)
10
SECRET
3.5(c)
SECRET
3.5(c)
Central & East European Update
17 March 2000
Russia: Renewed Pressure on the Baltic States
3.5(c)
After a year of relative quiet, Russia has once again stepped up its criticism of Latvia's treatment of its
ethnic Russian minority. This campaign-which is probably aimed at weakening Riga's EU and
NATO bids-has dashed Baltic officials' hope that Acting President Putin would be more constructive
toward them. Putin's tough tone may in part reflect Russian electoral politics, but his actions-and
those of other Russian officials-suggest there is little chance for near-term improvement in
Russian-Baltic relations.
Putin last month sent a letter to the Latvian President warning that the late January conviction of an
elderly Soviet-era veteran for war crimes could harm future Russian-Latvian relations, and Foreign
Minister Ivanov has complained about the case to US, EU, and Council of Europe officials.
1.4(c)
Dmitri Rogozin, the new leader of the Duma's influential Foreign Affairs Committee and founder of
a group to protect ethnic Russians abroad, plans to submit to the Duma later this month bills on
economic sanctions against Latvia and on providing aid to Latvia's Russian-speaking population.
3.5(c)
1.4(c), 3.5(c)
11
SECRET
3.5(c)
1.4(c), 1.4(d), 3.5(c)
03/16/00 THU 16:36 FAX 202 647 4037
EB/ESC/IEC
5
001
FAX
TO: Dick Norland, NSC
FROM: Russ Trowbridge, EB/ESC/EPC
TEL: 647-1476 FAX: 647-4037
Four pages plus cover
Dick:
I could not get through on your email.
Therefore attached is the memo for the files
I did to update the status of Williams in
Lithuania.
Russ
03/16/00 THU 16:36 FAX 202 647 4037
EB/ESC/IEC
002
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED
March 16, 2000
MEMORANDUM
FROM: EB/ESC/EPC - Russ Trowbridge
TO:
The Files
SUBJECT: Update on Williams project in Lithuania
On March 15, I had a conference call with Randy Majors
(Williams Project Manager for Lithuania) and Glenn Jackson
(Williams Rep, Washington) to get an update on Williams'
status in Lithuania.
Yukos:
Williams has been in discussions with Yukos for the past 18
months concerning their interest in acquiring a 10% equity
in the refinery (Mazeikiu Nafta - MN) Yukos claims that if
they obtain an equity position, Russian law guarantees their
right to ship to the refinery. Williams has accepted this
assertion at face without additional checking or analysis.
Majors described the Williams/Yukos discussions as straight
forward with no hidden agenda, based on a profit motive. If
the price is right, the two sides will probably cut a deal.
Majors predicted the sides would reach agreement soon
because Yukos is realistic and the gap between the bid/offer
proposals is narrow at this point. Williams Intl President
Bumgartner and MN President Hunkus will meet with Yukos
Friday March 17 to see how close they are to an agreement.
A key part of the element would be that Lukoil provide 1.7
million tons of crude to the refinery annually, out of a
total refining capacity of 16 million tons once the refinery
is upgraded. While this is only about 10 percent of the
refinery's total needs, Williams sees it has very
significant because it would break the stranglehold that
Lukoil has on shipments to Lithuania under the current
coordination system.
Asked about the role of the GOL in the negotiations on an
equity position for Yukos, Majors said the GOL was on board
in principle and Williams was keeping the GOL fully in the
loop. Williams would recommend to the GOL the terms it
would like for Yuko's participation and Williams would be in
the lead on negotiations. (Yukos equity position would be
transferred from the GOL's owernship interest, but would
03/16/00 THU 16:36 FAX 202 647 4037
EB/ESC/IEC
003
2
reduce the maximum equity position that Williams could
acquire in the future.)
Williams had told Lukoil about its intentions to negotiate
an equity position with Yukos, and Lukoil voiced "no major
objections."
Buying oil from Yukos
Majors said that Williams had been "playing it soft" in
their overall business relationship with Yukos (i.e., no
hardball tactics), which includes contracting for crude
supplies in addition to the negotiations for an equity
position.
However, Yukos was frustrated on the crude supply
negotiations because Williams was playing them off against
Sibneft as a supplier; and this was transparent.
Sibneft and the Butinge Terminal
I asked about the Sibneft contract that had just been
announced. (See below.) Majors said the press item was
accurate. He also noted that March for the first time
Butinge had been offered more oil than it could handle.
A benchmark would be set in two weeks when Butinge would
ship its one millionth ton of oil from the commencement of
operations.
Sibneft To Export Crude Through Butinge
VILNIUS, Mar 14, 2000 -- (Reuters) Russian oil company
Sibneft is planning to export some 75,000 metric tons of
crude through Lithuania's Butinge oil terminal starting
March 25, daily Lietuvos rytas reported on Tuesday.
Sibneft would be the third Russian oil company that will
export crude through Butinge, a part of local Mazeikiu Nafta
oil concern, one third owned and operated by U.S. Williams
International , the newspaper said.
The land-based Butinges terminal with a floating buoy has an
annual capacity to export annually eight million metric tons
of crude and currently has agreements to handle some 4.8
million metric tons this year, the newspaper quoted unnamed
sources as saying.
03/16/00 THU 16:37 FAX 202 647 4037
EB/ESC/IEC
004
3
Relationship with Lukoil
The relationship with Lukoil remains problematic. A Sibneft
source characterized as reliable told Majors that they had
been warned off of doing business with Lithuania. (Majors
said the warning had come from either Lukoil or the Ministry
of Fuels and Energy -- he did not know which.)
Despite Lukoil's hardball tactics, Williams is attempting to
maintain good relations with Lukoil based on the reality
that Lukoil is the "big fish" in the region and the largest
potential supplier for the refinery.
Williams' has attempted to make it clear within the region
that their business plan does not include freezing out the
Russians. As a result, they have taken several steps that
have generated criticism against them in Lithuania
including:
a) signing an agreement to supply Lukoil's gas station
network (Lukoil Baltica); and
b) agreeing to resupply Kaliningrad with fuel.
Majors said there were a number of cries to apply tactics
that Lukoil would have used -- cut off the gas stations and
Kaliningrad. RussiLithuanian press got flack.
Game plan is not to block out Russians. Should have just
cut off stations.
Proposal for a New Russian Refinery in Latvia
I asked whether the report of a new Russian oil refinery in
Latvia was a pressure tactic on Williams to cut a deal with
Lukoil.
(Note: See press release below. MN is currently the only
refinery in the Baltic States and furnishes all three
markets.)
Majors said he had heard about the proposal several weeks
ago. The number don't add up -- it made no sense for a
small refinery (40,000 bpd) to attempt competing with MN
(four or five times larger) on price terms. While he did
not rule out the possibility that an investor might step
forward, he noted that any competent investor would be well
aware that he was probably writing off $200 million.
03/16/00 THU 16:37 FAX 202 647 4037
EB/ESC/IEC
005
4
Furthermore, nobody seems to be aware of this project. The
Latvian Minister of the Economy said it was news to him, and
a senior Williams contact in the Russian oil and gas
federation (who should have know about it) said he was
unaware of it.
Russian Oil Companies Consider Latvian Refinery, Interfax
Says
Moscow, March 15 (Bloomberg) -- Russian oil companies are
in talks with Latvian authorities over construction of a
$200 million refinery in Latvia, Russian news agency
Interfax reported, citing Aivar Lemberg, the mayor of
Ventspils without elaborating on the negotiations'
participants. The refinery will have 2 million tons of oil
processing capacity. The refinery's oil products would be
marketed locally and in the Kaliningrad region in Russia,
the agency said.
From: Embassy of Lithuania To: Richard B. Norland
Date: 2000.03.21 Time: 21:51:44
Page 1 of 1
LITHUANIAN MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
INFORMATION AND CULTURE DEPARTMENT, PRESS DIVISION
J.TUMO VAIZGANTO g., LT-2600, VILNIUS, LITHUANIA.
Tel.:(370-2)+62 16 57, +22 12 89; Fax.:(370-2)+620 752, +618 689, +221 287, E-mail:[email protected]
PRESS RELEASE
March 15, 2000
NATIONAL HOLOCAUST EDUCATION PROJECT TO BE LAUNCHED IN
LITHUANIA
Lithuania increases its attention to the projects of the education about the
Holocaust, investigation and preservation of the Jewish history and culture in
Lithuania.
In the beginning of 2000, the Lithuanian Foreign Ministry established a position
of Ambassador for Special Assignments. Alfonsas Eidintas, a former Lithuanian
Ambassador to the US (1993-1997) and Canada (1997-2000) was appointed to the
new position. Working in the Institute of the Lithuanian History Dr. Eidintas as early
as in 1990 together with Alan Nadler, Director of the Institute of Jewish History
(YIVO), New York, organized the first conference of Lithuanian and Jewish historians.
Ambassador Eidintas has paid much attention to the cultural cooperation of Lithuanians
and Jews while working in the US.
Ambassador for Special Assignments Eidintas will take care of relations with
the Jewish Diaspora in the world, communities of the Litvaks, NGO's, take part in
decision making process on the above mentioned issues.
In order to invigorate cooperation between Lithuania and international group
for Holocaust education, Task Force, on March 14, the Lithuanian Foreign Ministry
and the International commission for the assessment of crimes committed by Nazi and
Soviet rules established by the President of Lithuania organized a meeting of the
representatives of about 30 governmental institutions and NGO's. The list of the
institutions represented at the meeting included the Ministry of Education and Science,
the Human Rights and Minorities' Issues Committee of the Seimas (Parliament) of
Lithuania, the Lithuanian Jewish community, historians, journalists. The participants of
the meeting led by Ambassador Eidintas discussed the first national project on the
Holocaust education.
The Task Force was established in 1998, on the initiative of the Swedish Prime
Minister as an intergovernmental organization embracing Italy, Israel, the United
States, Great Britain, Poland, the Netherlands, Sweden, Germany and France. The aim
of the Task Force is to encourage international cooperation in the field of the
Holocaust education, remembrance and investigation, assistance for certain projects.
The Lithuanian Prime Minister Andrius Kubilius expressed the interest of Lithuania to
cooperate with the Task Force in his speech in the international Holocaust forum in
Stockholm in January, 2000.
Norland, Richard B. (EUR)
From:
Storey, Sharon V. (NSA)
Sent:
Monday, March 06, 2000 8:21 PM
To:
Norland, Richard B. (EUR); Blinken, Antony J. (EUR); @NSA - Natl Security Advisor;
@EUROPE - European Affairs
Subject:
RE: Landsbergis/SRB [CONFIDENTIAL]
SRB has seen and regrets. thanks
Original Message
From:
Norland, Richard B. (EUR)
Sent:
Friday, March 03, 2000 2:52 PM
To:
Blinken, Antony J. (EUR); @NSA - Natl Security Advisor; @EUROPE - European Affairs
Subject:
RE: Landsbergis/SRB [CONFIDENTIAL]
Lithuanian Ambassador called to see what prospects are for this meeting taking place. He
made clear it's understood if SRB can't do it, and Landsbergis' schedule is tight, but
obviously they would be delighted if this could happen. Bottom line: It is not in the must
do category, at this stage.
Original Message
From:
Blinken, Antony J. (EUR)
Sent:
Tuesday, February 29, 2000 6:08 PM
To:
@NSA - Natl Security Advisor; @EUROPE - European Affairs
Subject: Landsbergis/SRB [CONFIDENTIAL]
TO: Sandy
THRU: Tony Blinken
From: Dick Norland
As he noted to you this morning, Lithuanian Ambassador Sakalauskas is
requesting that you meet briefly on March 6-9 with Vytautas Landsbergis,
Chairman (Speaker) of the Lithuanian Parliament, who will be visiting Washington
in connection with numerous events that week marking the 10th anniversary of
the restoration of Baltic independence. Landsbergis would use the meeting to
thank you for U.S. support, discuss regional security and relations with Russia,
and press for support for Lithuanian membership in NATO. Landsbergis is one of
the original historical figures in the events that led to the breakup of the Soviet
Union; a meeting with him would have important symbolic value.
Landsbergis sought a meeting with you when he last visited in November -- you
proposed that Jim Steinberg do the meeting, but a meeting between Jim and
Landsbergis did not work out for scheduling reasons.
OK - schedule meeting March 6-9
Decline
Discuss
DECLASSIFIED
E.O. 13526
White House Guidelines, September 11, 2006
By KBH NARA, Date 7-18-2013
2011-1038-F
1
Norland, Richard B. (EUR)
From:
Norland, Richard B. (EUR)
Sent:
Monday, March 06, 2000 11:44 AM
To:
Norland, Richard B. (EUR); Blinken, Antony J. (EUR); @NSA - Natl Security Advisor;
@EUROPE- European Affairs
Subject:
RE: Landsbergis/SRB [CONFIDENTIAL]
If there is no word on this before I leave with Jim for Belfast today (about 4 pm), NANCY will pass the word to the
Lithuanians.
Original Message
From:
Norland, Richard B. (EUR)
Sent:
Friday, March 03, 2000 2:52 PM
To:
Blinken, Antony J. (EUR); @NSA - Natl Security Advisor; @EUROPE - European Affairs
Subject:
RE: Landsbergis/SRB [CONFIDENTIAL]
Lithuanian Ambassador called to see what prospects are for this meeting taking place. He
made clear it's understood if SRB can't do it, and Landsbergis' schedule is tight, but
obviously they would be delighted if this could happen. Bottom line: It is not in the must
do category, at this stage.
Original Message
From: Blinken, Antony J. (EUR)
Sent:
Tuesday, February 29, 2000 6:08 PM
To:
@NSA - Natl Security Advisor; @EUROPE - European Affairs
Subject: Landsbergis/SRB [CONFIDENTIAL]
TO: Sandy
THRU: Tony Blinken
From: Dick Norland
As he noted to you this morning, Lithuanian Ambassador Sakalauskas is
requesting that you meet briefly on March 6-9 with Vytautas Landsbergis,
Chairman (Speaker) of the Lithuanian Parliament, who will be visiting Washington
in connection with numerous events that week marking the 10th anniversary of
the restoration of Baltic independence. Landsbergis would use the meeting to
thank you for U.S. support, discuss regional security and relations with Russia,
and press for support for Lithuanian membership in NATO. Landsbergis is one of
the original historical figures in the events that led to the breakup of the Soviet
Union; a meeting with him would have important symbolic value.
Landsbergis sought a meeting with you when he last visited in November - -- you
proposed that Jim Steinberg do the meeting, but a meeting between Jim and
Landsbergis did not work out for scheduling reasons.
OK - schedule meeting March 6-9
Decline
Discuss
DECLASSIFIED
E.O. 13526
White House Guidelines, September 11, 2006
By уКВИ NARA, Date 7-18-2013
2011-1038-F
1
Norland, Richard B. (EUR)
From:
Norland, Richard B. (EUR)
Sent:
Friday, March 03, 2000 2:52 PM
To:
Blinken, Antony J. (EUR); @NSA - Natl Security Advisor; @EUROPE - European Affairs
Subject:
RE: Landsbergis/SRB [CONFIDENTIAL]
Lithuanian Ambassador called to see what prospects are for this meeting taking place. He
made clear it's understood if SRB can't do it, and Landsbergis' schedule is tight, but
obviously they would be delighted if this could happen. Bottom line: It is not in the must do
category, at this stage.
Original Message
From:
Blinken, Antony J. (EUR)
Sent:
Tuesday, February 29, 2000 6:08 PM
To:
@NSA - Natl Security Advisor; @EUROPE - European Affairs
Subject:
Landsbergis/SRB [CONFIDENTIAL]
TO: Sandy
THRU: Tony Blinken
From: Dick Norland
As he noted to you this morning, Lithuanian Ambassador Sakalauskas is requesting
that you meet briefly on March 6-9 with Vytautas Landsbergis, Chairman (Speaker)
of the Lithuanian Parliament, who will be visiting Washington in connection with
numerous events that week marking the 10th anniversary of the restoration of Baltic
independence. Landsbergis would use the meeting to thank you for U.S. support,
discuss regional security and relations with Russia, and press for support for
Lithuanian membership in NATO. Landsbergis is one of the original historical figures
in the events that led to the breakup of the Soviet Union; a meeting with him would
have important symbolic value.
Landsbergis sought a meeting with you when he last visited in November - you
proposed that Jim Steinberg do the meeting, but a meeting between Jim and
Landsbergis did not work out for scheduling reasons.
OK - schedule meeting March 6-9
Decline
Discuss
DECLASSIFIED
E.O. 13526
White House Guidelines, September 11, 2006
By KBH NARA, Date 7-18-2013
1
2011-1038.F
Norland, Richard B. (EUR)
From:
Blinken, Antony J. (EUR)
Sent:
Tuesday, February 29, 2000 6:08 PM
To:
@NSA - Natl Security Advisor; @EUROPE - European Affairs
Subject:
Landsbergis/SRB [CONF IDENTIAL]
TO: Sandy
THRU: Tony Blinken
From: Dick Norland
As he noted to you this morning, Lithuanian Ambassador Sakalauskas is requesting that
you meet briefly on March 6-9 with Vytautas Landsbergis, Chairman (Speaker) of the
Lithuanian Parliament, who will be visiting Washington in connection with numerous
events that week marking the 10th anniversary of the restoration of Baltic
independence. Landsbergis would use the meeting to thank you for U.S. support,
discuss regional security and relations with Russia, and press for support for Lithuanian
membership in NATO. Landsbergis is one of the original historical figures in the events
that led to the breakup of the Soviet Union; a meeting with him would have important
symbolic value.
Landsbergis sought a meeting with you when he last visited in November -- you
proposed that Jim Steinberg do the meeting, but a meeting between Jim and
Landsbergis did not work out for scheduling reasons.
OK - schedule meeting March 6-9
Decline
Discuss
DECLASSIFIED
E.O. 13526
White House Guidelines, September 11, 2006
By КВИ NARA, Date 7-18-2013
2011-1038-F
1
04/28 '00 06:47
ID:LANIERFAX3800
FAX:
PAGE
1
LIETUVOS RESPUBLIKOS AMBASADA
EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF LITHUANIA
VASINGTONAS
WASHINGTON, D.C.
February 29, 2000
The Honorable Samuel Berger
National Security Advisor
National Security Council
The White House
Washington, DC 20501
Excellency,
On March 6-9 Hon. Vytautas LANDSBERGIS, Chairman (Speaker) of the
Lithuanian Parliament, will be visiting Washington, D.C. His delegation will comprise of
Mr. Rimantas DAGYS, Deputy Speaker and Mr. Emanuelis ZINGERIS, Chairman of the
Human Rights Committee. I would avail myself of this opportunity to extend the
Chairman's personal request for a meeting with you.
During the meeting the Chairman would first of all like to express his gratitude
for your support for Lithuania and the Baltics. The Chairman would also discuss regional
stability and the role of the US in the Baltic region; situation in Russia and Belarus; ESD
and NATO.
Thank you for your kind attention and looking forward to receiving a reply.
Yours sincerely,
Halalard Stasys Sakalauskas
Ambassador
SS:ah
04/28 '00 06:45
D:LANIERFAX3800
FAX:
PAGE
1
Embassy of the Republic of Lithuania
2622 Sixteenth Street, NW
Washington, DC 20009-4202
Date: 02/24/2000
No. of pages Including cover sheet:
2
FAX
To:
From:
Mr Ridwed Norlawd
starys Sahwlauskas
Director
Ambassactor
Phone:
202-234-5860
Phone:
Fax Phone:
202-328-0466
Fax Phone:
Email:
[email protected]
CC:
Internet Site:
http://[email protected]
Thank you for your message / letter / fax / communication.
Thank you for your assistance.
Referring to your message / letter / fax / communication.
Thank you for your information.
As per our conversation.
As per your request.
As agreed earlier.
Your response is kindly requested.
Your viewpoint would be appreciated.
Your requested information unfortunately is not available.
Your request was registered. The information / material will be sent to you.
Please contact our office.
Other:
Pliase forward the letter to the Honoroble
famiel Began, Thouli you,
The Embassy greatly appreciates your interest in Lithuania. If more information or clarification
is needed, please feel free to contact us.
SS:ah
2622 16TH STREET. N.W. . WASHINGTON, D.C. 20009 . TEL. (202) 234-5860 . FAX: (202) 328-0466
US COMMITTEE ON NATO
2127 CALIFORNIA STREET, N.W., SUITE 507
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20008
E-MAIL: [email protected]
FACSIMILE TRANSMITTAL SHEET
TO:
Richard Norland
FROM:
COMPANY:
DATE: 2-29-00
FAX NUMBER:
TOTAL NO. OF PAGES INCLUDING COVER: /
PHONE NUMBER:
SENDER'S REFERENCE NUMBER:
(202) 588-5876
NOTES/COMMENTS:
The US Committee on NATO
requests the pleasure of your company
at a reception in honor of
pleaset
The Honorable Vytautas Landsbergis,
Chairman of Parliament In Lithuania
regutted
Monday March 6th from 6-8 p.m.
at the residence of Julie Finley
3221 Woodland Drive, N.W.
Please RSVP to Julie Finley at (202) 338-2849
PHONE: (202) 986-3453
FAX: (202) 588-5876
Feb. 28 2000 06:18PM P1
PHONE NO. : 301 215 7644
FROM : Barbara Rein & Assoc.
Norland, Richard B. (EUR)
From:
WHSR
Sent:
Thursday, February 17, 2000 11:04 AM
To:
Babbitt, James F. (VP); Bolan, Christopher J. (VP); Cables; Davidson, Leslie K. (VP);
Feldman, Daniel F. (MULTI); Guarnieri, Valerie N. (MULTI); Mclean, Matthew K. (MULTI);
Naplan, Steven J. (MULTI); Norland, Richard B. (EUR); Patten, Wendy L. (MULTI);
Schwartz, Eric P. (MULTI); Vaccaro, Jonathan M. (Matt) (MULTI); Wilcox, Richard M.
(MULTI); Yee, Hoyt B. (EUR)
Subject:
LITHUANIAN HOLOCAUST TRIALS UPDATE: CRIMINAL CODE AMENDED,
DEFENDANTS TO BE TRIED IN ABSENTIA
ActionAddees:
RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1376
RUEAWJB/DEPT OF JUSTICE WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEHRA/AMEMBASSY RIGA 1417
RUEHTL/AMEMBASSY TALLINN 5150
RUEHTV/AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV 0134
RUEHWR/AMEMBASSY WARSAW 2850
RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA 0010
RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 1484
RUEHSK/AMEMBASSY MINSK 0932
Classification:
UNCLASSIFIED
Date Time:
171540Z FEB 00
Distribution:
SIT: BABBITT BOLAN NSC DAVIDSON FELDMAN GUARNIERI MCLEAN NAPLAN
NORLAND
PATTEN SCHWARTZ VACCARO WILCOX YEE
PRT: JACOBSON
Identifier:
M4299806
InfoAddees:
IIII
Line1:
PAAUZYUW RUEHVLA0422 0481540-UUUU--RHEHAAX.
Line2:
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
Line3:
P 171540Z FEB 00
Line4:
FM AMEMBASSY VILNIUS
Originator:
AMEMBASSY VILNIUS
Precedence:
PRIORITY
Profiles:
BABBITTJ
BOLANC
CABLES
DAVIDSOL
FELDMAND
GUARNIEV
MCLEANM
NAPLANS
NORLANDR
PATTENW
SCHWARTE
VACCAROJ
WILCOXR
YEEH
StationRoutinglndicator:
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StationSerialNumber:
0422
TimeOfReceipt:
02/17/2000 10:56:24 ET
UNCLAS VILNIUS 000422
STATE FOR S/WCI, EUR/RHA, AND EUR/NB
JUSTICE FOR OSI ROSENBAUM
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL, PGOV, PHUM, CJAN, LH
SUBJECT: LITHUANIAN HOLOCAUST TRIALS UPDATE: CRIMINAL CODE
AMENDED, DEFENDANTS TO BE TRIED IN ABSENTIA
1. ON FEBRUARY 15, THE LITHUANIAN PARLIAMENT AMENDED THE
COUNTRY'S CRIMINAL CODE TO ALLOW GENOCIDE CASES TO GO AHEAD
WITHOUT THE PRESENCE OF DEFENDANTS TOO ILL TO ATTEND COURT
HEARINGS. THIS VOTE COULD CLEAR THE WAY FOR THE TRIAL OF
1
FORMER AMCIT ALEKSANDRAS LILEIKIS TO PROCEED (LILEIKIS IS
ACCUSED OF THE MURDER OF JEWS WHILE HE WAS HEAD OF THE
VILNIUS SECURITY SERVICE OF NAZI OCCUPIED LITHUANIA).
2. THE NEW LEGISLATION ALLOWS DEFENDANTS TOO ILL TO
ATTEND COURTROOM SESSIONS TO PARTICIPATE IN TRIAL
PROCEEDINGS VIA CLOSED CIRCUIT TELEVISION OR TO BE
REPRESENTED ONLY BY LEGAL COUNSEL. THE AMENDED CRIMINAL
CODE COULD ALLOW TRIALS OF SEVERAL DOZEN ACCUSED WAR
CRIMINALS FROM NAZI AND SOVIET OCCUPATION PERIODS.
SENTENCES IN THESE TRIALS WOULD BE SET ASIDE AND ENFORCED
ONLY AFTER THE DEFENDANT RECOVERS. THE DRAFTERS OF THE
AMENDMENTS BELIEVE THAT THEY COULD BE APPLIED IN ABOUT 80
CASES. THE HEAD OF THE PARLIAMENTARY HUMAN RIGHTS
COMMITTEE, MP EMANUELIS ZINGERIS, WHO SPONSORED THE
AMENDMENT, SAID THAT NINE OF THOSE CASES ARE RELATED TO THE
NAZI HOLOCAUST, WHILE THE REST ARE CASES OF SOVIET POST-WAR
REPRESSION IN LITHUANIA.
3. LOCAL PRESS HAS REPORTED ON THE AMENDMENTS AS HAVING
"LEGALIZED AN UNPRECEDENTED PROCEDURE." THE PRESS HAS
SUGGESTED THAT THE AMENDMENT WAS THE RESULT OF FOREIGN
PRESSURE. SOME PARLIAMENTARIANS HAVE ALSO PROTESTED,
CALLING THE AMENDMENTS A "MOCKERY OF LITHUANIAN LAW."
ANOTHER MP (FROM THE NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC PARTY) ADDED THE
AMENDMENTS SHOULD BE SEEN AS AN OUTCOME OF POLITICAL
PRESSURE, PUT BY FOREIGN STATES AND PUBLIC ORGANIZATIONS ON
LITHUANIA. A CONSERVATIVE MEMBER OF THE MAJORITY CLAIMED
THE AFOREMENTIONED AMENDMENTS LEGALIZED TRIAL IN ABSENTIA,
NOT PRACTICED BY EUROPEAN STATES.
4. THE AMENDMENTS WERE PASSED BY 54 VOTES TO SIX WITH
SEVEN ABSTENTIONS. THE CONSERVATIVE MAJORITY BACKED THE
VOTE WITH THE CENTRE UNION PARTY LEADING THE OPPOSITION.
THE AMENDMENTS TO THE CRIMINAL CODE WILL COME INTO FORCE
AFTER THE COUNTRY'S PRESIDENT SIGNS THEM.
5. COMMENT: WHILE THE PASSING OF THESE AMENDMENTS IS A
WELCOME STEP TOWARD TRYING LILEIKIS AND OTHER ACCUSED WAR
CRIMINALS (WHO CLAIM POOR HEALTH), THERE REMAINS A QUESTION
OF WHETHER THE POLITICAL WILL TO DO SO WILL PREVAIL. WITH
MUNICIPAL AND PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS SLATED TO CHANGE THE
POLITICAL LANDSCAPE LATER THIS YEAR, EMBASSY IS
ANTICIPATING INCREASINGLY LESS INTEREST IN CARRYING THROUGH
ON POLITICALLY UNPOPULAR WAR CRIMES TRIALS. SPAKAUSKAS
2
From: Embassy of Lithuania To: Richard B. Norland
Date: 2000.02.15 Time: 22:11:16
Page 1 of 1
LIETUVOS RESPUBLIKOS AMBASADA
EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF LITHUANIA
VAŠINGTONAS
WASHINGTON, D.C.
NEWS RELEASE
Contact: Rolandas Kacinskas
February 15, 2000
Phone: (202) 234-5860 X 21
LITHUANIA PASSED LEGAL AMENDMENTS ON WAR CRIMES TRIALS
VILNIUS-WASHINGTON, DC - On February 15, the Lithuanian Parliament passed a legal
amendment to the code of criminal procedure that will allow the resumption of genocide
trials by allowing seriously ill defendants to monitor hearings by video outside the court,
eliminating the need for their physical presence at trials.
If a person charged with genocide "cannot for reasons of his physical condition, according
to the findings of experts, be present at the place of the hearing, the defendant shall be
provided technical facilities at the place where he is staying to directly take part in the
hearing by giving evidence to the court, putting questions to other participants of the
hearing and taking part in other proceedings", the amendment states. The court may also
decide to convene at the defendant's location if this is not inconsistent with the findings of
the medical experts.
The amendment will apply in cases of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity.
2622 16TH STREET, NW - WASHINGTON, D.C. 20009 - PHONE (202) 234-5860 FAX (202) 328-0466
Norland, Richard B. (EUR)
From:
WHSR
Sent:
Thursday, February 10, 2000 6:43 PM
To:
Bolan, Christopher J. (VP); Cables; Davidson, Leslie K. (VP); Ficklin, John W. (RECORDS);
Millison, Cathy L. (EXSEC); Norland, Richard B. (EUR); Wasserman, Elaine P. (EXSEC);
Yee, Hoyt B. (EUR)
Subject:
NATIONAL DAY MESSAGE FOR LITHUANIA
ActionAddees:
AMEMBASSY VILNIUS PRIORITY 0089
Classification:
UNCLASSIFIED
DateTime:
102328Z FEB 00
Distribution:
SIT: BOLAN NSC DAVIDSON Ficklin Millison NORLAND Wasserman YEE
PRT: JACOBSON
Identifier:
M4289103
InfoAddees:
IIII
Line1:
PAAUZYUW RUEHCAA4952 0412329-UUUU--RHEHAAX.
Line2:
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
Line3:
P 102328Z FEB 00
Line4:
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
Originator:
SECSTATE WASHDC
Precedence:
PRIORITY
Profiles:
BOLANC
CABLES
DAVIDSOL
FICKLINJ
MILLISOC
NORLANDR
WASSERME
YEEH
StationRoutingIndicator:
RUEHC
StationSerialNumber:
4952
TimeOfReceipt:
02/10/2000 18:42:59 ET
UNCLAS STATE 024952
E.O. 12958: DECL: N/A
TAGS: OPDC, LH
SUBJECT: NATIONAL DAY MESSAGE FOR LITHUANIA
1. PLEASE DELIVER FOLLOWING MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT CLINTON
TO PRESIDENT ADAMKUS AT APPROPRIATE TIME PRIOR TO FEBRUARY
16. THE WHITE HOUSE DOES NOT PLAN TO RELEASE TEXT OF
MESSAGE BUT HAS NO OBJECTION IF GOVERNMENT OF LITHUANIA
WISHES TO DO SO. THERE WILL BE NO SIGNED ORIGINAL.
2. BEGIN TEXT:
DEAR MR. PRESIDENT:
ON BEHALF OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE, I CONGRATULATE YOU AND
THE PEOPLE OF LITHUANIA ON THE EIGHTY-SECOND ANNIVERSARY OF
YOUR DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE ON FEBRUARY 16.
THROUGHOUT THE PAST CENTURY, THE UNITED STATES HAS REMAINED
BY LITHUANIA'S SIDE AS A CLOSE FRIEND. UNDER THE U.S.-
BALTIC CHARTER AND YOUR GOVERNMENT'S LEADERSHIP, OUR
RELATIONSHIP WILL CONTINUE TO GROW STRONGER.
WE APPRECIATE LITHUANIA'S ONGOING CONTRIBUTIONS TO REGIONAL
SECURITY AND ITS EXEMPLARY "GOOD NEIGHBOR" POLICIES. WE
ENCOURAGE ALL LITHUANIANS TO CONTINUE PERSEVERING ON THE
PATH TO PROSPERITY.
AS WE COMMEMORATE THE TENTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE RESTORATION
OF LITHUANIA'S INDEPENDENCE, LET ME REITERATE THAT
1
LITHUANIA'S SECURITY, STABILITY, AND PROSPERITY ARE
INEXTRICABLY LINKED TO THE SUCCESS OF EUROPE IN THE NEW
MILLENNIUM. WE REMAIN COMMITTED TO SUPPORTING LITHUANIA
AS IT WORKS TOWARD FOR MEMBERSHIP IN ALL EURO-ATLANTIC
INSTITUTIONS, INCLUDING NATO.
SINCERELY,
WILLIAM J. CLINTON
END TEXT.
ALBRIGHT
2
ADAMKUS VISIT? ?
Norland, Richard B. (EUR)
From:
Norland, Richard B. (EUR)
Sent:
Monday, February 14, 2000 10:15 AM
To:
@BLINKEN
Subject:
Lithuanian President [CONFIDENTIAL]
Tony, per our discussion:
Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus wrote POTUS on November 30 to say that he was gratified that the President, in
Istanbul, "accepted the possibility to visit Lithuania next year." Adamkus repeated his invitation "to pay an official visit to
Lithuania," the date for which "can be fixed through diplomatic channels."
In congratulating Lithuania on EU accession talks, POTUS on Dec. 22 wrote Adamkus: "Thank you also for your invitation
to visit Lithuania. I hope we will be able to see each other again before too long."
Amb. Stasys Sakalauskas contacted me last week to ask for an update on the possibility of scheduling a visit to Lithuania,
or a meeting with Adamkus at the White House. Such a visit/meeting would be in keeping with the notion of a POTUS
"victory lap" to mark 10 years since Baltic independence was restored, and would reaffirm U.S. commitment to Baltic
sovereignty and participation in Euro-Atlantic institutions.
DECLASSIFIED
E.O. 13526
White House Guidelines, September 11, 2006
By KBHNARA, Date 7-18-2013
2011-1038-F
1
01/28 '00 07:03
ID:LANIERFAX3800
FAX:
PAGE 1
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LIETUVOS RESPUBLIKOS AMBASADA
EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF LITHUANIA
VASINGTONAS
WASHINGTON, D.C.
in 2896
November 30, 1999
Mr. Richard Norland, Director
Central & Eastern European Affairs
National Security Council
Washington, DC
Dear Mr. Norland:
It is my pleasure to forward to you a copy of the letter from H. E. Valdas
Adamkus, President of Lithuania to be delivered to H.E. William J. Clinton, President of
the United States. The original letter will follow in the mail.
Sincerely,
Hahalawdy Stasys Sakalauskas
Ambassador
Enclosure: 2
SS/ah
01/28 '00 07:03
ID:LANIERFAX3800
FAX:
PAGE 2
Enter into system.
Inform Republitive
Translation
Vilnius, November
, 1999
Dear Mr. President,
I remember with pleasure our recent meeting during the Istanbul OSCE Sum-
mit. It is gratifying that you have accepted the possibility to visit Lithuania next year.
I avail myself of this opportunity to repeatedly invite you, Mr. President, to pay
an official visit to Lithuania. The date of the visit can be fixed through diplomatic
channels.
Please accept the assurances of my highest consideration.
/s/
Valdas Adamkus
His Excellency
William J. Clinton
President of the
United States of America
226422 Z 370 YVY 14:31 86. 29911
33 2
CONFIDENTIAL
RECORD ID: 9908781
NSC/RMO PROFILE
RECEIVED: 02 DEC 99 15
TO: PRESIDENT
FROM: ADAMKUS, VALDAS
DOC DATE: 29 NOV 99
SOURCE REF:
KEYWORDS: LITHUANIA
HS
AP
PERSONS:
SUBJECT: INVITES POTUS TO LITHUANIA
ACTION: NO FURTHER ACTION REQUIRED
DUE DATE: 14 DEC 99 STATUS: C
STAFF OFFICER: NORLAND
LOGREF:
FILES: PA
NSCP:
CODES:
DOCUMENT DISTRIBUTION
FOR ACTION
FOR CONCURRENCE
FOR INFO
NORLAND
NSC CHRON
COMMENTS:
DISPATCHED BY
DATE
BY HAND W/ATTCH
OPENED BY: NSDMK
CLOSED BY: NSGP
DOC 1 OF 1
DECLASSIFIED
CONFIDENTIAL
E.O. 13526
White House Guidelines, September 11, 2006
By KBH NARA, Date 7-18-2013
2011- 1038.F
CONFIDENTIAL
RECORD ID: 9908781
ACTION DATA SUMMARY REPORT
DOC ACTION OFFICER
CAO ASSIGNED ACTION REQUIRED
001 NORLAND
Z 99120215 PREPARE MEMO FOR BERGER
001
X 99122807 NO FURTHER ACTION REQUIRED
DISPATCH DATA SUMMARY REPORT
DOC DATE
DISPATCH FOR ACTION
DISPATCH FOR INFO
001 991129 STATE
CONFIDENTIAL
Norland, Richard B. (EUR)
From:
WHSR
Sent:
Wednesday, December 22, 1999 5:34 PM
To:
Blinken, Antony J. (EUR); Cables; Crawford, Bernard T. (EUR/INTERN); Davidson, Leslie K.
(VP); Ficklin, John W. (RECORDS); Kass, Nicholas S. (EUR); Millison, Cathy L. (EXSEC);
Munter, Cameron P. (EUR); Norland, Richard B. (EUR); vonLipsey, Roderick K. (SEE);
Wasserman, Elaine P. (EXSEC); Yee, Hoyt B. (EUR)
Subject:
POTUS LETTER FOR PRESIDENT ADAMKUS ON EUR ACCESSION
ActionAddees:
RUEHVL/AMEMBASSY VILNIUS IMMEDIATE 9742
Classification:
UNCLASSIFIED
DateTime:
222230Z DEC 99
Distribution:
SIT: BLINKEN NSC CRAWFORD DAVIDSON Ficklin KASS Millison MUNTER NORLAND
VONLIPSEY Wasserman YEE
Identifier:
M4215932
InfoAddees:
RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS IMMEDIATE
Line1:
OAAUZYUW RUEHCAA1066 3562230-UUUU--RHEHAAX.
Line2:
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
Line3:
O 222230Z DEC 99
Line4:
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
Originator:
SECSTATE WASHDC
Precedence:
IMMEDIATE
Profiles:
BLINKENA
CABLES
CRAWFORB
DAVIDSOL
FICKLINJ
KASSN
MILLISOC
MUNTERC
NORLANDR
VONLIPSR
WASSERME
YEEH
StationRoutingIndicator:
RUEHC
StationSerialNumber:
1066
TimeOfReceipt:
12/22/1999 17:33:55 ET
UNCLAS STATE 241066
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL, ECIN, EUN
SUBJECT: POTUS LETTER FOR PRESIDENT ADAMKUS ON EUR
ACCESSION
1. (U) POST IS REQUESTED TO DELIVER THE FOLLOWING LETTER
FROM THE PRESIDENT TO PRESIDENT ADAMKUS AT THE EARLIEST
OPPORTUNITY. THE WHITE HOUSE DOES NOT PLAN TO RELEASE
TEXT OF MESSAGE BUT HAS NO OBJECTION IF THE GOVERNMENT OF
LITHUANIA WISHES TO DO SO. NO SIGNED ORIGINAL WILL
FOLLOW.
2. (U) BEGIN TEXT:
DEAR MR. PRESIDENT:
CONGRATULATIONS ON LITHUANIA'S INVITATION TO BEGIN
ACCESSION NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE EUROPEAN UNION. THE EU
DECISION TO BEGIN MEMBERSHIP TALKS WITH LITHUANIA IS A
TRIBUTE TO THE PROGRESS YOU HAVE MADE OVER THE PRECEDING
DECADE. LITHUANIA'S ADMISSION TO THE EU WILL GO A LONG WAY
TO ADVANCE DEMOCRACY, STABILITY, AND GREATER PROSPERITY
FOR ALL THE CITIZENS OF EUROPE.
IT WAS GOOD TO SEE YOU IN ISTANBUL LAST MONTH. PLEASE LET
1
ME TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO REITERATE MY APPRECIATION FOR
YOUR SUPPORT FOR AMERICAN INVESTMENT IN LITHUANIA. CLOSER
ECONOMIC AND COMMERCIAL COOPERATION IS AN IMPORTANT ASPECT
OF OUR SHARED GOALS. I AM CERTAIN, WITH YOUR SUPPORT,
COOPERATION WILL CONTINUE TO GROW.
THANK YOU ALSO FOR YOUR INVITATION TO VISIT LITHUANIA. I
HOPE WE WILL BE ABLE TO SEE EACH OTHER AGAIN BEFORE TOO
LONG.
SINCERELY,
WILLIAM J. CLINTON
END TEXT.
PICKERING
2
CONFIDENTIAL
RECORD ID: 9908781
NSC/RMO PROFILE
RECEIVED: 02 DEC 99 15
TO: PRESIDENT
FROM: ADAMKUS, VALDAS
DOC DATE: 29 NOV 99
SOURCE REF:
KEYWORDS: LITHUANIA
HS
AP
PERSONS:
SUBJECT: INVITES POTUS TO LITHUANIA
ACTION: PREPARE MEMO FOR BERGER
DUE DATE: 14 DEC 99 STATUS: S
STAFF OFFICER: NORLAND
LOGREF:
FILES: PA
NSCP:
CODES:
DOCUMENT DISTRIBUTION
FOR ACTION
FOR CONCURRENCE
FOR INFO
NORLAND
BERGER
BLINKEN
BRADTKE
HILLIARD
PASCUAL
RUDMAN
STATE
STEINBERG
COMMENTS: NFAR - POTUS letter of Dec.22, 1999 responds t
President Adamlus' invitation
DISPATCHED BY
DATE
BY HAND W/ATTCH
OPENED BY: NSDMK
CLOSED BY:
DOC 1 OF 1
DECLASSIFIED
CONFIDENTIAL
E.O. 13526
White House Guidelines, September 11, 2006
By KBH NARA, Date 7-18-2013
2011-1038-F
FAX:
PAGE 2
Enter into system.
8781
Republities
Translation
Vilnius, November
, 1999
Dear Mr. President,
I remember with pleasure our recent meeting during the Istanbul OSCE Sum-
mit. It is gratifying that you have accepted the possibility to visit Lithuania next year.
I avail myself of this opportunity to repeatedly invite you, Mr. President, to pay
an official visit to Lithuania. The date of the visit can be fixed through diplomatic
channels.
Please accept the assurances of my highest consideration.
/s/
Valdas Adamkus
His Excellency
William J. Clinton
President of the
United States of America
222442 Z 370 PAY 14:31 66. 29/11
00
ID:LANTERFAX3800
FAX:
PAGE 2
Enter into system.
8781
Intern Republition
Translation
Vilnius, November
, 1999
Dear Mr. President,
I remember with pleasure our recent meeting during the Istanbul OSCE Sum-
mit. It is gratifying that you have accepted the possibility to visit Lithuania next year.
I avail myself of this opportunity to repeatedly invite you, Mr. President, to pay
an official visit to Lithuania. The date of the visit can be fixed through diplomatic
channels.
Please accept the assurances of my highest consideration.
/s/
Valdas Adamkus
His Excellency
William J. Clinton
President of the
United States of America
225422 Z 370 FAX 14:31 66. 29/11
33
N
01/28 '00 07:03
ID: :LANIERFAX3800
FAX:
PAGE 1
Enter ints System.
LIETUVOS RESPUBLIKOS AMBASADA
EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF LITHUANIA
VASINGTONAS
WASHINGTON, D.C.
in 2896
November 30, 1999
Mr. Richard Norland, Director
Central & Eastern European Affairs
National Security Council
Washington, DC
Dear Mr. Norland:
It is my pleasure to forward to you a copy of the letter from H. E. Valdas
Adamkus, President of Lithuania to be delivered to H.E. William J. Clinton, President of
the United States. The original letter will follow in the mail.
Sincerely,
Mahalamshy Stasys Sakalauskas
DEC 215:26
Ambassador
Enclosure: 2
SS/ah
From: Embassy of Lithuania To: richard B. Norland
Date: 2000.02.09 Time: 18:14:48
Page 1 of 1
LIETUVOS RESPUBLIKOS AMBASADA
EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF LITHUANIA
VAŠINGTONAS
WASHINGTON, D.C.
NEWS RELEASE
Contact: Rolandas Kacinskas
February 9, 2000
Phone: (202) 234-5860 X 21
FIVE MAJOR LITHUANIAN PARTIES SIGNED JOINT COMMUNIQUÉ
ON COUNTRY'S NATO INTEGRATION
VILNIUS - On 28 January 2000, on the initiative of the Prime Minister, the five largest
Lithuanian parties, holding most of the seats in the current Parliament, have signed a
declaration to "spare no effort" in the country's NATO integration. Five major parties
expressed their determination to steadfastly aspire for Lithuania to be invited to accede to
the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in the next phase of enlargement.
In near future, the parties shall prepare a statement noting that in terms of European and
Euro-Atlantic integration, Lithuania is entering a particularly significant stage, i.e. the
practical realization of the objectives set by the state, which will serve as a major
contribution towards the modernization of the economy of Lithuania, enhancement of its
people's will-being, and safeguarding of their security.
2622 16TH STREET, NW - WASHINGTON, D.C. 20009 - PHONE (202) 234-5860 FAX (202) 328-0466
Joseph Sala
The ANN Group
Nancy plexplain
1221 Maryland Ave., N.E.
Apt. B-1
Washington, D.C. 20002
I cait "chir" :-
N. meetips Iselend for Thx. Dick. week.
202-543-8420
prements
done
Mr.Dick Norland
National Security Council
Washington, D.C.
Mr.Norland:
Mr. Rolandas Paksas, former Prime Minister of Lithuania, will be in Washington on a private
visit on February 8-9. He currently serves as the Representative of Lithuanian President Valdas
Adamkus for Special Projects related to strategic energy. Mr. Paksas resigned as Prime Minister
on October 27 in protest over the decision by the Cabinet to approve the purchase of a 51% share
in the Mazheikiu Nafta oil refinery by the Tulsa-based firm Williams Companies. His Minister
of Economics and Minister of Finance resigned as well.
Mr. Paksas would like to meet with you to discuss the "Williams case," as well as NATO
expansion and Lithuanian integration into the EU A meeting with he Department of State's
Bureau of European Affairs is currently being arranged by Andrew Silski, Desk Officer for
Lithuania. Mr. Paksas will adjust his schedule to make himself available at a time that is
convenient to you.
If a meeting is possible, would you please contact me at the telephone number listed above.
Your consideration is appreciated.
Sincerely,
Joseph Sala
Norland, Richard B. (EUR)
From:
WHSR
Sent:
Tuesday, February 01, 2000 2:39 AM
To:
Black, Steven K. (VP); Brody, Richard J. (VP); Brzezinski, Mark F. (RUE); Cables;
Davidson, Leslie K. (VP); Duncan, John D. (INTECON/DOS); Elkind, Jonathan H. (RUE);
Lee, Malcolm R. (NEC); Medish, Mark C. (RUE); Roberts, Michael W. (VP); Saunders,
Richard M. (VP); Tedstrom, John E. (RUE); Weiss, Andrew S. (RUE)
Subject:
LUKOIL VS. WILLIAMS: IDENTIFYING LEVERAGE
ActionAddees:
RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6641
Classification:
CONFIDENTIAL
Date Time:
010702Z FEB 00
Distribution:
SIT: BLACK BRODY BRZEZINSKI NSC DAVIDSON DUNCAN ELKIND LEE MEDISH
ROBERTS SAUNDERS TEDSTROM WEISS
PRT: FUERTH
Identifier:
M4270473
InfoAddees:
RUEHVL/AMEMBASSY VILNIUS 1855
RHEBAAA/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHDC
DECLASSIFIED
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC
PER E.O. 13526
RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC
RHEHAAA/WHITE HOUSE WASHDC
2014-0384-m (1.64)
RUEHRA/AMEMBASSY RIGA 4138
RUEHTL/AMEMBASSY TALLINN 1519
KBH 6/23/2023
Line1:
OAACZYUW RUEHMOA2454 0320702-CCCC--RHEHAAX.
Line2:
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
Line3:
O 010702Z FEB 00
Line4:
FM AMEMBASSY MOSCOW
Originator:
AMEMBASSY MOSCOW
Precedence:
IMMEDIATE
Profiles:
BLACKS
BRODYR
BRZEZINM
CABLES
DAVIDSOL
DUNCANJ
ELKINDJ
LEEM
MEDISHM
ROBERTSM
SAUNDERR
TEDSTROJ
WEISSA
StationRoutinglndicator:
RUEHMO
StationSerialNumber:
2454
TimeOfReceipt:
02/01/2000 02:37:50 ET
CONFIDENTIAL MOSCOW 002454
STATE FOR S/NIS, EUR/RUS, EB/ESC
WHITE HOUSE FOR OVP/FUERTH, NSC/MEDISH
USDOC FOR 1003/ITA/JKALICKI,6340/JWILSON
USDOC ALSO FOR 4231/JBROUGHER,3133/USFCS/OIO/CPOZA
DOE FOR GOLDWYN/GEE/HUGHES/CASTELLI/EKIMOFF/COBURN
E.O. 12958: DECL 01/31/10
TAGS: EPET, ENRG, RS, LH
SUBJECT: LUKOIL VS. WILLIAMS: IDENTIFYING LEVERAGE
REFS: A) VILNIUS 263 B) MOSCOW 524 C) 99 MOSCOW 31970
1. (U) CLASSIFIED BY MINISTER COUNSELOR FOR ECONOMIC
AFFAIRS MICHAEL MATERA, REASONS 1.5 (B) AND (D).
2. (C) SUMMARY. THE LUKOIL-WILLIAMS MEETING REPORTED REF
A Is WHOLLY IN CHARACTER WITH LUKOIL'S HARD-BALL NEGOTIATING
STYLE. REGARDLESS OF LUKOIL'S MOTIVES, THE IMMEDIATE ISSUE
1
IS HOW TO HELP OVERCOME THE CURRENT IMPASSE. THE LEVERAGE
AVAILABLE TO THE U.S. GOVERNMENT IS MODEST, AND AT THE END
OF THE DAY, ENLIGHTENED SELF INTEREST WILL DICTATE THE TERMS
OF ANY AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE TWO COMPANIES. GIVEN THE
IMPORTANCE OF CEO-TO-CEO RELATIONS IN RUSSIAN BUSINESS
CULTURE, IT WOULD BE BENEFICIAL IF WILLIAMS' BUMGARTNER WERE
ABLE, IF POSSIBLE, TO KEEP TO THE SCHEDULED FEBRUARY 7
MEETING WITH LUKOIL PRESIDENT ALEKPEROV. THOUGH REITERATION
OF U.S. INTEREST IN WILLIAMS' CASE MAY HELP FRAME GOR
PERCEPTIONS, ULTIMATELY, THE GOR MUST BE PERSUADED THAT
HIGH-LEVEL INTERVENTION IS IN RUSSIA'S INTEREST IF
RESOLUTION IS TO COME FROM THAT QUARTER. WILLIAMS IS IN THE
BEST POSITION TO MAKE THIS ARGUMENT TO THE GOR. WILLIAMS
WILL NEED TO COME TO TERMS WITH LUKOIL DIRECTLY, RECOGNIZING
THAT CONSTANT "RENEGOTIATION" IS LIKELY. END SUMMARY.
HARDBALL REDUX: CEO-CEO CONTACT KEY
3. (C) THE RETURN-TO-SQUARE-ONE POSITIONS ADVANCED BY
LUKOIL NEGOTIATORS DESCRIBED IN REF A WOULD BE FAMILIAR TO
MANY WESTERN VETERANS OF NEGOTIATIONS WITH RUSSIAN BUSINESS
PARTNERS. LIKE MANY OTHER RUSSIAN COMPANIES, LUKOIL HAS IN
OTHER NEGOTIATIONS IN THE PAST ADVANCED BLUSTERY, MAXIMALIST
POSITIONS LONG AFTER THEY WERE BELIEVED TO HAVE BEEN DEAD
AND BURIED. WHILE BUOYANT WORLD OIL PRICES MAY WELL HAVE
CONTRIBUTED TO LUKOIL "FEELING ITS OATS," THE PATTERN OF THE
COMPANY'S NEGOTIATIONS WITH WILLIAMS ALSO SUGGESTS A
TACTICAL MOTIVE. THAT SAID, WE BELIEVE THAT IT WOULD BE IN
WILLIAMS' INTEREST TO PURSUE THE PROPOSED FEBRUARY 7 MEETING
WITH LUKOIL PRESIDENT ALEKPEROV. ONE OF THE UNIVERSAL
FEATURES OF SUCCESSFUL RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN U.S. COMPANIES
AND RUSSIAN PARTNERS IS A WELL-ESTABLISHED CEO-TO-CEO
RELATIONSHIP. THIS IS ESPECIALLY THE CASE WITH LUKOIL AND
ALEKPEROV. IF GROUND RULES FOR THE MEETING ACCEPTABLE TO
WILLIAMS CAN BE AGREED UPON (SETTING ASIDE THE DRAFT MOU,
PERHAPS) SUCH A RELATIONSHIP-BUILDING OPPORTUNITY SHOULD NOT
BE MISSED.
GOR LEVERAGE COULD HELP
4. (C) EMBASSY MOSCOWS PAST EXPERIENCE WITH SIMILAR
DISPUTES, INCLUDING A SPAT BETWEEN A U.S. OIL MAJOR AND
LUKOIL THAT DRAGGED ON FOR ALMOST A YEAR, INDICATES THAT
DIRECT LOBBYING OF HIGH LEVELS OF THE GOR BY THE U.S.
COMPANY INVOLVED OFFERS THE BEST PROSPECT OF SUCCESS. WHILE
GOVERNMENT-TO-GOVERNMENT CONTACT CAN HELP TO FRAME THE
DEBATE, THE U.S. COMPANY INVOLVED IS IN THE BEST POSITION TO
ARGUE ITS CASE EFFECTIVELY. SETTING ASIDE THE COMMERCIAL
COMPONENT OF THE RELATIONSHIP, THE OPERATIVE ISSUE FOR
WILLIAMS IS TO IDENTIFY RUSSIAN INTERESTS AT STAKE THAT
WOULD MOTIVATE, OR EVEN COMPEL, THE GOR TO INTERVENE AS
PEACEMAKER. OUR EXPERIENCE IN ANALOGOUS DISPUTES SUGGESTS
THAT THE GOR MUST BE PERSUADED OF AT LEAST TWO THINGS:
FIRST, THAT IT IS IN RUSSIA'S INTEREST TO RESOLVE THE
DISPUTE BETWEEN LUKOIL AND WILLIAMS OVER MAZEIKIAI, AND
SECOND, THAT DECISIVE INTERVENTION AT EXTREMELY HIGH LEVEL
(READ PRIME MINISTER) IS CALLED FOR. APPEALS TO THE
MINISTRY OF FUELS AND ENERGY ARE WASTED EFFORT.
BUT WHAT RUSSIAN INTERESTS AT STAKE?
5. (C) GIVEN CURRENT HIGH WORLD OIL PRICES AND LUKOIL'S
ABILITY TO EXPORT CRUDE AT WILL VIA OTHER EXPORT TERMINALS,
IT IS NOT IMMEDIATELY APPARENT WHAT RUSSIAN NATIONAL
2
INTERESTS WOULD BE SERVED BY THE GOR LEANING ON LUKOIL TO
MAKE PEACE WITH WILLIAMS. UNLIKE IN OTHER CASES WHERE THE
GOR DID INTERVENE AT PM LEVEL, SUCH AS IN THE CASE OF THE
CASPIAN PIPELINE CONSORTIUM, WHERE THERE WAS A GOR EQUITY
STAKE AND GEOPOLITICAL INTEREST IN OIL TRANSPORTATION VIA
RUSSIA, RUSSIA'S INTEREST IN CRUDE OIL EXPORTS VIA LITHUANIA
AND THE SUCCESS OF WILLIAMS' MAZEIKIAI INVESTMENT ARE LESS
WELL DEFINED. APPEALS TO THE OBVIOUS RUSSIAN NATIONAL
INTEREST IN PROMOTING ECONOMIC INTEGRATION WITH THE WEST VIA
COOPERATION WITH LITHUANIA ARE ABSTRACT AND AFFECTED BY THE
CHARGED RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES. SOME ROLE
FOR LUKOIL THAT IS ACCEPTABLE TO WILLIAMS COULD CHANGE THIS
PICTURE.
WILLIAMS AND THE GOR
6.
(C)
AGAINST THIS BACKGROUND, WE BELIEVE THAT IT IS
INCUMBENT UPON WILLIAMS TO ENGAGE THE GOR AT THE HIGHEST
LEVEL TO EXPLORE AREAS OF MUTUAL INTEREST RELATING TO THE
MAZEIKIAI DEAL. WHETHER BY DESIGN OR DEFAULT, IN THE
RUSSIAN VIEW, WILLIAMS HAS NOT YET ADEQUATELY ADDRESSED THE
SPECIFIC INTERESTS OF MAZEIKIAI'S PAST PRINCIPAL SUPPLIER,
OR OF LITHUANIA'S POWERFUL NEIGHBOR IN GENERAL. REGARDLESS
OF WILLIAMS' FRUSTRATION WITH THE CURRENT SITUATION,
REACHING A MODUS VIVENDI WITH RUSSIA MAY WELL NUMBER AMONG
THE PRECONDITIONS FOR WILLIAMS' SUCCESS IN LITHUANIA.
DESPITE CLAIMS THAT IT COULD OPERATE ECONOMICALLY USING
NORTH SEA OR OTHER CRUDE, WILLIAMS' REPEAT RE-ENGAGEMENT OF
VARIOUS POTENTIAL RUSSIAN SUPPLIERS AND ENTREATIES TO THE
U.S. TO USE LEVERAGE ON LUKOIL TO MAKE TERMS SIGNALS TO
RUSSIAN INTERLOCUTORS, AT LEAST, THAT WILLIAMS NEEDS THEM.
DESPITE OUR REQUESTS, THE ABSENCE OF CONTACT WITH WILLIAMS
EXECUTIVES DURING THEIR VISITS TO MOSCOW HAS MADE IT
DIFFICULT FOR US TO IMPRESS UPON THEM THE NEED TO ESTABLISH
CONTACTS AT THE HIGHEST LEVELS OF THE GOR. WILLIAMS MAY NOT
BE OPERATING IN RUSSIA, BUT SUCH CONTACTS CAN BE DECISIVE.
THE U.S. ROLE AND THE PRACTICALLY OBTAINABLE
7. (C) U.S. LEVERAGE OVER THE GOR TO HELP PERSUADE LUKOIL
TO AGREE TO TERMS ACCEPTABLE TO WILLIAMS IS LIMITED.
REITERATION OF OUR HOPE THAT THE GOR WILL USE ITS GOOD
OFFICES HAS RESULTED IN GOR REFERENCES TO ONGOING COMMERCIAL
NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN TWO COMPANIES WHICH THEY MUST RESOLVE
THEMSELVES. BEYOND REPEATING THE MESSAGE THAT IT IS IN
EVERYONE'S INTEREST TO RESOLVE THE IMPASSE BETWEEN LUKOIL
AND WILLIAMS AND THEREBY SIGNALING OUR SUSTAINED INTEREST IN
THE CASE, OUR OPTIONS ARE CIRCUMSCRIBED. WHILE WE CAN RAISE
OBJECTIONS TO ABUSE BY LUKOIL OF ITS COORDINATOR POSITION
FOR LITHUANIA, IT WOULD BE INADVISABLE FOR THE USG TO GO ON
RECORD ENCOURAGING THE GOR TO EXPAND THE MARKET DISTORTING
"COORDINATOR" PRACTICE, AS SOME HAVE SUGGESTED, AT THE SAME
TIME THAT INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS ARE PRESSING
RUSSIA TO IMPLEMENT FAIR AND TRANSPARENT PIPELINE ACCESS
RULES. EXHORTING THE GOR TO ENSURE FREE AND FAIR ACCESS TO
THE LITHUANIAN MARKET APPEARS TO BE A MORE CONSISTENT
APPROACH, WITH ALBEIT, LIKELY MODEST IMPACT.
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS LOOM
8. (C) IN ANY EVENT, IT IS HIGHLY UNLIKELY THAT THE GOR
WILL UNDERTAKE ANY MAJOR POLICY INITIATIVES PRIOR TO THE
MARCH 26 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION. LUKOIL'S RECENT PURCHASE OF
A MAJOR NEWSPAPER PRINTING HOUSE REFLECTS THE IMPORTANT ROLE
3
THAT LUKOIL AND OTHER ENERGY COMPANIES PLAY IN FINANCING AND
INFLUENCING ELECTORAL CAMPAIGNS AS WELL AS SHAPING THEIR
AFTERMATH. REGARDLESS OF THE OUTCOME OF THE ELECTIONS, IT
IS HARD TO IMAGINE THAT LUKOIL WOULD NOT REMAIN WELL-
POSITIONED AND INFLUENTIAL. WHILE LUKOIL'S CONTINUED
INFLUENCE WILL CERTAINLY HAVE IMPLICATIONS FOR WILLIAMS, THE
TACTICAL ISSUE IS TO RECOGNIZE THAT LITTLE PROGRESS IS
LIKELY UNTIL AFTER THE ELECTION AND FORMATION OF A NEW
GOVERNMENT. WILLIAMS SHOULD USE THE TIME TO MAKE PROGRESS
WHERE MOVEMENT IS POSSIBLE, SPECIFICALLY IN CEMENTING TOP-
LEVEL RELATIONS WITH LUKOIL AND OTHER RUSSIAN OIL COMPANIES.
COMMENT
9.
(C)
SEEN FROM MOSCOW, LUKOIL'S ANTICS REFLECT THE NO-
HOLDS-BARRED APPROACH OF A RUSSIAN COMPANY THAT SEEMS TO
BELIEVE THAT IT HAS NOTHING TO LOSE BY ASKING FOR THE STORE.
IN THE ABSENCE OF IMMEDIATELY APPARENT REAL LEVERAGE, IT
APPEARS THAT WILLIAMS HAS LITTLE CHOICE BUT TO PURSUE A TWO-
TRACK APPROACH OF NEGOTIATING WITH LUKOIL AND EXPLORING
AREAS OF COMMON INTEREST WITH THE GOR. U.S. IMPRECATIONS TO
THE GOR TO HELP FOSTER GOOD RELATIONS BETWEEN THE COMPANIES
APPEARS TO GENERATE LITTLE RESONANCE, THOUGH THE U.S. CAN
CONTRIBUTE TO FRAMING THE DEBATE IN CONTACT WITH THE GOR.
IN OUR VIEW, A SUCCESSFUL RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN WILLIAMS AND
LUKOIL IS PREDICATED ON AT LEAST THREE COMPONENTS: CLOSE
HIGH-LEVEL TIES BETWEEN LUKOIL AND WILLIAMS; HIGH-LEVEL
ENGAGEMENT BY THE GOR IN SUPPORT OF A MAZEIKIAI DEAL IN
RUSSIAN NATIONAL INTEREST AS EXPLAINED BY WILLIAMS, AND
FINALLY, AN INCENTIVE FOR LUKOIL THAT IS ACCEPTABLE TO
WILLIAMS. THOUGH INSPIRED, WILLIAMS' EFFORTS TO OUTMANEUVER
LUKOIL BY FORGING ALLIANCES WITH OTHER RUSSIAN OIL COMPANIES
SUCH AS YUKOS SEEM UNLIKELY TO SUCCEED, GIVEN LUKOIL'S
DOMINANT ROLE IN THE RUSSIAN OIL SECTOR. END COMMENT.
COLLINS
4
Norland, Richard B. (EUR)
From:
WHSR
Sent:
Friday, January 28, 2000 9:44 AM
To:
Black, Steven K. (VP); Brody, Richard J. (VP); Brzezinski, Mark F. (RUE); Cables;
Davidson, Leslie K. (VP); Duncan, John D. (INTECON/DOS); Elkind, Jonathan H. (RUE);
Lee, Malcolm R. (NEC); Medish, Mark C. (RUE); Tedstrom, John E. (RUE); Weiss, Andrew
S. (RUE)
Subject:
RUSSIA'S LUKOIL BACKS AWAY FROM DEAL -
WITH WILLIAMS CLASSIFIED BY
AMBASSADOR KEITH SMITH, REASONS 1.5 B AND D
ActionAddees:
RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1289
Classification:
CONFIDENTIAL
Date Time:
281407Z JAN 00
Distribution:
SIT: BLACK BRODY BRZEZINSKI NSC DAVIDSON DUNCAN ELKIND LEE MEDISH
TEDSTROM WEISS
Identifier:
M4265779
InfoAddees:
RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 1461
RUEHRA/AMEMBASSY RIGA 1386
RUEHTL/AMEMBASSY TALLINN 5119
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC
DECLASSIFIED
RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS
PER E.O. 13526
Line1:
RAACZYUW RUEHVLA0263 0281407-CCCC--RHEHAAX.
Line2:
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
2016-0384-M 2016-0384-M(1.65) (1.65)
Line3:
R 281407Z JAN 00
KBH 6/23/2023
Line4:
FM AMEMBASSY VILNIUS
Originator:
AMEMBASSY VILNIUS
Precedence:
ROUTINE
Profiles:
BLACKS
BRODYR
BRZEZINM
CABLES
DAVIDSOL
DUNCANJ
ELKINDJ
LEEM
MEDISHM
TEDSTROJ
WEISSA
StationRoutinglndicator:
RUEHVL
StationSerialNumber:
0263
TimeOfReceipt:
01/28/2000 09:42:54 ET
CONFIDENTIAL SECTION 01 OF 02 VILNIUS 000263
DEPT FOR DS TALBOTT, EUR FOR AS GROSSMAN,
EB FOR DAS WAYNE
TREASURY FOR DAVID WRIGHT
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/29/2010
TAGS: PREL, EPET, ENRG, EINV, LH
SUBJECT: RUSSIA'S LUKOIL BACKS AWAY FROM DEAL
-
WITH WILLIAMS
CLASSIFIED BY AMBASSADOR KEITH SMITH, REASONS 1.5 B
AND D
1. (C) SUMMARY: LUKOIL AND WILLIAMS HAD A VERY
UNPRODUCTIVE MEETING JANUARY 25-26 IN VIENNA. WILLIAMS
HAD AGREED TO THE MEETING EXPECTING TO REACH A FINAL
DEAL ON OIL SUPPLIES AND TO CONFIRM A FEBRUARY 7
DINNER BETWEEN LUKOIL PRESIDENT ALEKPEROV AND WILLIAMS
PRESIDENT BUMGARNER. UNFORTUNATELY, WILLIAMS WAS
GIVEN A DRAFT PROTOCOL BY LUKOIL THAT WOULD GIVE THE
1
RUSSIAN COMPANY EQUAL EQUITY AND MANAGEMENT HOLD IN
THE LITHUANIAN OIL INDUSTRY, A POSITION THAT LUKOIL
HAD PREVIOUSLY BACKED AWAY FROM.
LUKOIL ALSO CONFIRMED THAT THEY INTENDED TO USE THEIR
ROLE AS 'COORDINATOR' FOR ALL RUSSIAN OIL SHIPMENTS TO
LITHUANIA TO PREVENT WILLIAMS FROM REACHING A LONG-
TERM DEAL WITH OTHER RUSSIAN SUPPLIERS FOR ADEQUATE
CRUDE DELIVERIES. LITHUANIA'S MINISTER OF ECONOMY
ASKED FOR USG HELP IN SECURING MOSCOWS AGREEMENT TO
ASSIGN SEVERAL COORDINATORS FOR OIL SHIPMENTS TO
LITHUANIA, SUCH AS NOW EXISTS WITH LATVIA. BOTH
WILLIAMS AND THE GOL ARE DISAPPOINTED THAT LUKOIL IS
BACK TO HARD-BALL NEGOTIATING TACTICS. THE MAJOR
ISSUE NOW IS WHETHER LUKOIL WILL CARRY THROUGH WITH
ITS THREATS BY BLOCKING NEWLY CONTRACTED SUPPLIES FROM
YUKOS. END SUMMARY
2. (C) THE EMBASSY WAS GIVEN AN EXTENSIVE DE-BRIEF ON
THE VIENNA MEETING AND WAS PROVIDED A COPY OF LUKOIL'S
DRAFT MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (COPIES SENT TO EB
AND EUR). THE MEMORANDUM APPEARS TO SIGNAL A RETURN
TO LUKOIL'S 1997-98 POSITION THAT IT SHOULD BE GIVEN
AT LEAST EQUAL EQUITY AND MANANGEMENT RIGHTS TO THOSE
GRANTED TO WILLLIAMS, A POSITION STRONLY OPPOSED BY
THE LITHUANIAN GOVERNMENT, WILLIAMS AND CHASE
MANHATTAN, WHICH HOLDS MOST OF THE REFINERY'S DEBT. IN
ADDITION, LUKOIL DEMANDED DEEP DISCOUNTS FOR MAZEIKIAI
NAFTA'S REFINED PRODUCTS, IN SOME CASES THE PRICE PAID
WOULD BE BELOW THE COST OF REFINING; SIMILAR TO THE
KIND OF DEAL THEY HAD IN THE PAST.
3. (C) RANDY MAJORS OF WILLIAMS STATED THAT AT THE
VIENNA MEETING LUKOIL ADMITTED THAT THEIR OWN EXPORT
CAPACITY WAS FULLY COMMITTED TO OTHER COUNTRIES.
NEVERTHELESS, THEY COULD MAKE SURE THAT SUFFICIENT
SUPPLIES OF OIL WOULD BE FORTHCOMING FROM OTHER
RUSSIAN COMPANIES IF WILLIAMS SIGNED THE MEMORANDUM OF
UNDERSTANDING AND IF WILLIAMS AGREED TO A PAY LUKOIL A
COMMISSION ON EACH BARREL SHIPPED TO LITHUANIA. WHEN
WILLIAMS REJECTED THE TERMS OF THE MEMORANDUM AND
ADDITIONAL ORAL DEMANDS, THE LUKOIL REPS REMARKED THAT
THERE WAS NO BASIS FOR A FEBRUARY 7 MEETING BETWEEN
THE TWO PRINCIPLES.
4. (C) ACCORDING TO WILLIAMS, THE VIENNA MEETING AND
THE IDEA FOR A BUMGARNER/ALEKPEROV MEETING WAS THE
BRAIN-CHILD OF FORMER MINISTER OF ECONOMICS MALDEIKAS,
WHO RESIGNED IN PROTEST OVER THE WILLIAMS DEAL.
(COMMENT: WITH MALDEIKIS TRYING TO ACT AS MIDDLE-MAN
IT LOOKS MORE AND MORE LIKE HE WAS LOOKING OUT FOR
LUKOIL'S, RATHER THAN LITHUANIA'S, INTERESTS DURING
THE CONTENTIOUS NEGOTIATIONS. THERE HAVE BEEN RUMORS
HERE THAT THE RUSSIANS 'HAVE SOMETHING ON HIM' AS A
RESULT OF HIS 8 YEARS EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND IN
MOSCOW.)
5. (C) MAJORS REPORTS THAT LUKOIL'S OFFICIAL REP IN
LITHUANIA, PALEICHIK, WAS VISIBLY UNCOMFORTABLE WITH
THE RETURN BY HIS COMPANY TO A TOUGHER STANCE ON
COOPERATION WITH WILLIAMS. PALEICHIK HAD EARLIER
ASSURED WILLIAMS THAT THEY WERE CLOSE TO REACHING A
LONG-TERM AGREEMENT WHICH WOULD PROTECT THE INTERESTS
OF BOTH SIDES.
6. (C) AT A JANUARY 27 MEETING WITH ENERGY MINISTER
EUGENIJUS MILAKNIS, ATTENDED BY THE AMBASSADOR,
WILLIAMS AGREED TO GIVE THE MINISTER BY COB TODAY A
MEMORANDUM WITH SEVERAL DRAFT SCENARIOS WHICH COVER
POSSIBLE SALES OF EQUITY IN EXCHANGE FOR GUARANTEED
2
OIL SUPPLIES. THE MINISTER IS INTERESTED IN EXPLORING
WITH YUKOS OR OTHER COMPANIES SOME WAY OF ESCAPING
FROM LUKOIL'S 'STRANGLEHOLD' (HIS WORDS). THE
MINISTER REMARKED THAT HE DID NOT HAVE MUCH CONFIDENCE
CONFIDENTIAL SECTION 02 OF 02 VILNIUS 000263
DEPT FOR DS TALBOTT, EUR FOR AS GROSSMAN,
EB FOR DAS WAYNE
TREASURY FOR DAVID WRIGHT
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/29/2010
TAGS: PREL, EPET, ENRG, EINV, LH
SUBJECT: RUSSIA'S LUKOIL BACKS AWAY FROM DEAL
-
WITH WILLIAMS
IN HIS GOVERNMENT'S ABILITY TO CONVINCE MOSCOW TO
ALLOW SEVERAL RUSSIAN COORDINATORS, SUCH AS EXISTS
WITH LATVIA AND OTHER COUNTRIES. MILAKNIS ASKED THE
AMBASSADOR WHETHER THE USG WOULD APPROACH RUSSIAN
OFFICIALS FOR FLEXIBILITY' ON THE COORDINATOR ISSUE.
THE AMBASSADOR PROMISED TO REPORT HIS REQUEST TO
WASHINGTON.
7. (C) COMMENT: THE EMBASSY BELIEVES THAT WILLIAMS
HAS BEEN TOO NAIVE IN ITS DEALINGS WITH LUKOIL. IT
APPEARS TO US THAT HIGHER INTERNATIONAL OIL PRICES
COMBINED WITH POLITICAL SIGNALS FROM PEOPLE LIKE
FORMER MINISTER MALDEKIS HAVE ONLY ENCOURAGED LUKOIL
TO HARDEN ITS POSITION. WILLIAMS HAS NAIVELY ASSUMED
THAT LUKOIL WILL BE MOTIVATED BY SHORT AND MEDIUM-TERM
ECONOMIC INTERESTS TO REACH A DEAL WITH THEM. LUKOIL
IS MORE INTERESTED IN LONG-TERM CONTROL OF
LITHUANIA'S' ENERGY SECTOR AND WILL WORK TO UNDERMINE
WILLIAM'S ABILITY TO MAKE THIS EFFORT BY A U.S.
STRATEGIC INVESTOR SUCCEED. END COMMENT.
SMITH
3
From: Embassy of Lithuania To: richard B. Norland
Date: 2000.01.24 Time: 19:12:10
Page 1 of 1
LIETUVOS RESPUBLIKOS AMBASADA
EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF LITHUANIA
VAŠINGTONAS
WASHINGTON, D.C.
NEWS RELEASE
Contact: Rolandas Kacinskas
January 23, 2000
Phone: (202) 234-5860 X 21
LITHUANIAN FINANCE MINISTER WRAPS UP U.S. VISIT
WASHINGTON, Jan 23 - Lithuanian Finance Minister Vytautas Dudenas completed his
visit in the United States on 21st of January, where he discussed financial and economic
issues with representatives of International Monetary Fund and World Bank, high officials
of the US administration, representatives of various US companies.
Minister V.Dudenas met U.S. Energy Department's Secretary Bill Richardson and
discussed his visit in Lithuania scheduled for Feb. 2-3 where he will open joint US-Baltic
conference on possibilities of investments into energy sector of the Baltic region. At the
meeting with Lithuanian Minister Dudenas, Secretary Richardson noted that the decision
on organization of the conference in Lithuania was prompted by considerable US
investments in the state.
During the visit, Minister Dudenas visited the state of Oklahoma where he met the leaders
of 'Williams International' and the members of the U.S. Congress from the state of
Oklahoma - Sen. Don Nickles, Congressmen Ernest Istook, Steve Largent, Wes Watkins
and Tom Coburn. The directors of 'Williams International' energy group stressed that the
investment in Lithuania's 'Mazeikiu Nafta' [Mazeikiai Oil] is the corporation's first energy
project in Europe, adding that exceptional attention is being paid to ensure its success.
The Minister also met representatives of other U.S. companies that already have or are
planning on investing in Lithuania. In an attempt to improve the exchange of information
between the Lithuanian government and American investors, American investors took a
decision to establish Lithuanian-US Business Council in Washington.
Lithuania's NATO aspirations topped the agenda of the meeting between the Lithuanian
official and representatives of the U.S. Congress, administration and non-governmental
organizations contributing to the formation of U.S. foreign policy.
For the record: Minister Vytautas Dudenas is an American-Lithuanian and has 30-year experience in
American banking. He withdrew to the West together with his parents in 1944. Vytautas Dudenas
returned to Lithuania in 1991 and he was appointed to the current post as a Minister of Finance in
November 1999.
2622 16TH STREET, NW - WASHINGTON, D.C. 20009 - PHONE (202) 234-5860 FAX (202) 328-0466
Norland, Richard B. (EUR)
From:
WHSR
Sent:
Wednesday, January 19, 2000 7:19 AM
To:
Blinken, Antony J. (EUR); Bolan, Christopher J. (VP); Crawford, Bernard T. (EUR/INTERN);
Davidson, Leslie K. (VP); Kass, Nicholas S. (EUR); Munter, Cameron P. (EUR); Norland,
Richard B. (EUR); vonLipsey, Roderick K. (SEE); Yee, Hoyt B. (EUR)
Subject:
LITHUANIA NAMES TOP DIPLOMAT AS HEAD EU NEGOTIATOR
Classification:
UNCLASSIFIED
Distribution:
SIT: BLINKEN BOLAN CRAWFORD DAVIDSON KASS MUNTER NORLAND VONLIPSEY
YEE
PRT: JACOBSON
Identifier:
R85a5ac0
Originator:
Reuters
Precedence:
RUSH
TimeOfReceipt:
01/19/2000 07:17:16 ET
a0929
^BC-LITHUANIA-EU-NEGOTIATIONS
^Lithuania names top diplomat as head EU negotiator
VILNIUS, Jan 19 (Reuters) - The Lithuanian government on
Wednesday named Deputy Foreign Minister Vygaudas Usackas to head its
membership talks with the European Union (EU).
He is an experienced diplomat, well-prepared to carry out
the job entrusted to him," Foreign Minister Algirdas Saudargas told
cabinet, which made the nomination.
The final appointment, expected on Thursday, must be made
by President Valdas Adamkus.
Lithuania was invited to begin detailed accession talks in
December.
Usackas, 35, has worked in the foreign ministry since 1991,
the year Lithuania regained independence from the Soviet Union. He was
named political director in 1996, deputy foreign minister in July 1999
and is fluent in English, Russian and French.
He will retain his position at the ministry.
The full delegation is expected to include 35 officials,
29 of which will negotiate on separate entry chapters.
RB-- 01/19/00 06:53:16
1
From: Embassy of Lithuania To: richard B. Norland
Date: 2000.01.17 Time: 18:44:48
Page 1 of 2
LIETUVOS RESPUBLIKOS AMBASADA
EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF LITHUANIA
VAŠINGTONAS
WASHINGTON, D.C.
PRESS RELEASE
Contact: Rolandas Kacinskas
January 17, 2000
Phone: (202) 234-5860 x 21
ON THE 2ND ANNIVERSARY OF THE U.S.-BALTIC
(LITHUANIA, LATVIA, ESTONIA) CHARTER OF PARTNERSHIP
The following is a Press Release of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuanian
regarding the U.S.-Baltic Charter of Partnership:
Two years ago, on January 16, 1998, the Presidents of the United States, Lithuania, Latvia
and Estonia signed the US-Baltic Partnership Charter which began a new chapter in the
cooperation of Lithuania and the two other Baltic states with the United States of America.
The Charter has reaffirmed the common goal of creating conditions for the integration of
Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia into European and Trans-Atlantic political, economic and
security institutions, NATO included. The proof to the US commitment is expressed in the
statement made by the US President Bill Clinton at the signing ceremony saying that
"NATO's door is and will remain open for every partner nation, and America is determined
to create the conditions under which Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania can one day walk
through that door".
The US-Baltic Partnership Charter demonstrates the United States attention to the Baltic
region, and manifests the vision of indivisible and free Europe. The Charter stresses
common will for the enhancement of bilateral relations, the Baltic integration, political
stability, democracy and prosperity.
The Partnership Commission created according to the provisions of the Charter has become
an important forum for bilateral consultations. During the recent two years Lithuania and
the United States have hold a number of regular consultations on economic and security
issues. One of the key goals of the security consultations is the strengthening of Lithuanian
national defense and Lithuania's preparation for the membership in the Alliance by creating
modern, effective and NATO compatible armed forces.
During the period of two years the US military experts have prepared a comprehensive
study of the Lithuanian armed forces, which serves as the basis of the development strategy
of the Lithuanian armed forces. The most vivid examples of the US assistance for the
Lithuanian defense system have been the funding of the establishment of the regional
airspace control center, assistance in setting up a joint Lithuanian-Polish battalion, handing
over US excessive armament and military equipment, training of Lithuanian officers in the
2622 16ᵀᴴ STREET, NW - WASHINGTON, D.C. 20009 - PHONE (202) 234-5860 FAX (202) 328-0466
From: Embassy of Lithuania To: richard B. Norland
Date: 2000.01.17 Time: 18:44:48
Page 2 of 2
2
0117-Baltic Partnership
United States. A number of joint military exercises have been held in Lithuania with the
participation of the military from the United States and regional neighbors.
We hope that the Lithuanian efforts to enhance its national security as well as constant US
political and practical support will promote Lithuania for NATO membership in the next
stage of the enlargement.
The United States has become an active economic and political partner in the Baltic region.
It is the leader among foreign investors in Lithuania. This provides solid foundation for the
economic development of the country and well being of its people. Growing trade turnover
between the US and Lithuania and recent US investment into the Lithuanian energy sector
reflect the implementation of the goals of the Charter in practice.
In the spirit of the Charter, Lithuania will continue the preparation for its membership in
NATO, active cooperation with the United States, Poland, the Baltic states and other
neighboring countries, as well as will encourage mutually beneficial economic relations thus
ensuring security and stability in the region.
From: Embassy of Lithuania To: richard B. Norland
Date: 2000.01.12 Time: 22:10:20
Page 1 of 2
Linking Russia with new Europe
Vygaudas Usackas
Vice Foreign Minister of Lithuania
The Washington Times
January 12, 2000
Over the past decade we have become accustomed to hearing of crises and
trouble-spots in the post-Cold War Central and Eastern Europe. By contrast, the
Baltic Sea region has been marked by economic growth and political stability. But
such growth and stability cannot be taken for granted. Extensive multilateral efforts
have taken us where we are today, and additional work will be required to fully
exploit the Baltic Sea region's cooperative potential. I have in mind our neighbors, the
Kaliningrad region of the Russian federation.
Half the size of Maryland and with a population of less than a million, the
Kaliningrad region is a Russian enclave located on the Baltic Sea coast, between
Lithuania and Poland. From the Cold War era, Kaliningrad has inherited many
problems. Its economy is lagging badly behind the general growth of the Baltic Sea
region. There are severe social problems, an unstable legal environment, an
unattractive investment climate, the inability to pay debts, corruption, crime,
smuggling, excessive militarization, and a military complex which until recently
dominated the region's industry.
Following restoration of the Baltic states' independence, Kaliningrad found itself
separated from the rest of Russia. Once Lithuania and Poland join the European
Union and Lithuania joins NATO (Poland is already a member), what used to be
considered a "garrison" will feel encircled and find itself surrounded by, but not
taking part in, the European integration process. This undoubtedly presents a
challenge for all concerned: Russia, Lithuania, Poland, the EU, and NATO. If the
political, economic, and social situation in Kaliningrad deteriorates further, and
solutions for its development are not found, the area may become a "black hole" and
a source of instability for the entire Baltic Sea region.
On the other hand, with additional efforts to guide the region toward European
integration, Kaliningrad could become Russia's gate of opportunity for political and
economic cooperation with an undivided Europe. From the Lithuanian perspective,
the Kaliningrad region offers a unique opportunity for promoting Russia's
modernization. It is in our interest to contribute to a smooth development of the
region by engaging it in practical, cooperative projects, regional and cross-border
activities, and people-to-people contacts. It would also help to mitigate the emerging
fears of some Russians that the region might be "closed" or "isolated."
Even in the early aftermath of the Cold War, the United States understood the
importance of a regional approach to the Baltic Sea area. The U.S. strategy in the
From: Embassy of Lithuania To: richard B. Norland
Date: 2000.01.12 Time: 22:10:20
Page 2 of 2
region has been outlined in its Northern European Initiative (NEI), introduced in
September 1997. It aims to help build a stronger, more unified, and more stable
region which includes parts of Northwestern Russia, both economically and socially,
through cooperation and cross-border ties. The United States could also encourage
American investment in Kaliningrad.
That would help ensure that the Baltic Sea region becomes a gathering of prosperous
and eventually developing countries. Initiatives to downscale its military forces could
also be designed.
For its part, at the height of the 1998 Russian economic crisis, Lithuania provided
humanitarian assistance to Kaliningrad's schools, kindergartens and its hospitals by
sending truckloads of medicine and food. Since then, as this year's chair of the
Council of the Baltic Sea States - a unique regional body comprised of the Nordic
and Baltic States (Germany, Poland, and Russia) - Lithuania has initiated numerous
practical, cooperative efforts with Kaliningrad in a number of areas, such as transport
and energy, environmental protection education, health care, cross-border
cooperation trade and investment, and combating crime. Growing investment in
Kaliningrad, including that of Lithuania, has created new employment opportunities
for the local population and serves as the best practical example of the modern
approach to bilateral
cooperation in the region.
Within the European Union's Northern Dimension (ND) framework, the prime
ministers of Lithuania and Russia have agreed to prepare a joint proposal for the EU,
which would involve Kaliningrad in the ND regional programs.
NATO also has many opportunities at its disposal to contribute to stability here.
The alliance could well aid in the conversion of Kaliningrad's military industry, the
disposal of chemical weapons, and the development of a civil emergency response
plan. Since there are over 30,000 military personnel in Kaliningrad, more inclusive
cooperation with the Russian military is necessary. Indeed, Poland as a new NATO
member is already maintaining contacts with the Russian Baltic Fleet based in
Kaliningrad, thereby contributing to increased confidence between NATO and
Russia in the Baltic area.
Overall, the situation of Kaliningrad should be seen not only as an obstacle but
also as an opportunity and an asset. Kaliningrad presents itself as a test of Russia's
"Europeanization" vis-a-vis the processes of Euro-Atlantic integration. Conversely,
for the Kaliningrad region neighbors, as well as for the transatlantic community as a
whole, it is a test of how to create an integrated Europe without creating new lines of
division. Continuous attention to the issues concerning Kaliningrad is essential in
international efforts to strengthen relationships with Russia and to further
development of the Baltic Sea region in this period of transformation.
Norland, Richard B. (EUR)
From:
WHSR
Sent:
Wednesday, January 12, 2000 5:15 AM
To:
Black, Steven K. (VP); Brody, Richard J. (VP); Brzezinski, Mark F. (RUE); Cables;
Davidson, Leslie K. (VP); Elkind, Jonathan H. (RUE); Pascual, Carlos E. (RUE); Tedstrom,
John E. (RUE); Weiss, Andrew S. (RUE)
Subject:
WILLIAMS VS. LUKOIL DISPUTE UPDATE SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED - PROTECT
ACCORDINGLY.
ActionAddees:
RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5262
RUEHVL/AMEMBASSY VILNIUS 1824
Classification:
UNCLASSIFIED
DateTime:
121013Z JAN 00
Distribution:
SIT: BLACK BRODY BRZEZINSKI NSC DAVIDSON ELKIND PASCUAL TEDSTROM
WEISS
Identifier:
M4241167
InfoAddees:
RUEHRA/AMEMBASSY RIGA 4106
RUEHTL/AMEMBASSY TALLINN 1491
RHEBAAA/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHDC
RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC
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OAAUZYUW RUEHMOA0524 0121013-UUUU--RHEHAAX.
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ZNR UUUUU ZZH
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FM AMEMBASSY MOSCOW
Originator:
AMEMBASSY MOSCOW
Precedence:
IMMEDIATE
Profiles:
BLACKS
BRODYR
BRZEZINM
CABLES
DAVIDSOL
ELKINDJ
PASCUALC
TEDSTROJ
WEISSA
StationRoutingIndicator:
RUEHMO
StationSerialNumber:
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TimeOfReceipt:
01/12/2000 05:14:09 ET
UNCLAS MOSCOW 000524
SENSITIVE
STATE FOR S/NIS, S/NISC, S/CBED, EUR/RUS, EB/ESC
USDOC FOR 1003/ITA/JKALICKI/JWILSON/JBROUGHER
USDOC ALSO FOR 3133/USFCS/OIO/CPOZA
DOE FOR GOLDWYN/GEE/HUGHES/CASTELLI/EKIMOFF/COBURN
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EPET, ENRG, RS, LH
SUBJECT: WILLIAMS VS. LUKOIL DISPUTE UPDATE
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED - PROTECT ACCORDINGLY.
REF: A) VILNIUS 3583 B) MOSCOW 31970
1. (SBU) COINCIDENT WITH A RECENT REUTERS REPORT OF A JOINT
WILLIAMS-LUKOIL PRESS CONFERENCE IN VILNIUS PREDICTING
IMMINENT RESOLUTION OF THE CONFLICT, MOSCOW-BASED FINANCIAL
ANALYSTS WERE UPBEAT ON RESOLUTION OF THE LONG-RUNNING
DISPUTE BETWEEN THE COMPANIES OVER CRUDE OIL SUPPLY TO THE
MAZEIKIAI REFINERY IN LITHUANIA. ONE MOSCOW INVESTMENT
HOUSE ISSUED A "BUY" RECOMMENDATION FOR LUKOIL SPECIFICALLY
CITING THEIR EXPECTATION THAT THE SPAT WILL SOON BE OVER AND
A LONG-TERM SUPPLY CONTRACT CONCLUDED.
1
2. (SBU) EMBOFF CONTACTED WILLIAMS' MOSCOW REPRESENTATIVE
AND LUKOIL FOR AN UPDATE ON ONGOING NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN THE
COMPANIES ON RUSSIAN CRUDE OIL SUPPLY TO MAZEIKIAI.
WILLIAMS' MOSCOW REPRESENTATIVE ALEKSANDR RODIONOV DECLINED
TO COMMENT ON THE TALKS. LUKOIL INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
DEPARTMENT CHIEF MIKHAIL BESKADAROV SAID THAT ALTHOUGH THE
WIRE SERVICE REPORT ANTICIPATED EVENTS, HE IS CONFIDENT THAT
AGREEMENT CAN BE REACHED. BESKADAROV ADDED THAT RESOLUTION
OF THE LONG-RUNNING CONFLICT IS IN EVERYONE'S INTEREST. THE
LUKOIL EXECUTIVE NOTED THAT THE REFINERY HAD BEEN
CONSTRUCTED TO RUN ON RUSSIAN CRUDE, AND SAID THAT WHILE
MAZEIKIAI HAS REFINED IMPORTED NON-RUSSIAN CRUDE, LONG-TERM
PROJECT ECONOMICS REQUIRED RUSSIAN CRUDE INPUT.
3. (SBU) COMMENT. UPBEAT INDICATIONS OF POSSIBLE
RESOLUTION OF THIS PROTRACTED CONFLICT ARE WELCOME. GIVEN
THE RANCOROUS PAST OF THE CONFLICT, THE PROCESS OF THE TWO
COMPANIES COMING TO TERMS WILL LIKELY BE DIFFICULT, BUT
THEIR ENGAGEMENT IS THE CENTRAL COMPONENT OF ACHIEVING A
WORKABLE OUTCOME ON THE BASIS OF COMMERCIAL IMPERATIVES.
END COMMENT.
COLLINS
2
Norland, Richard B. (EUR)
From:
Norland, Richard B. (EUR)
DECLASSIFIED
Sent:
Friday, January 07, 2000 2:38 PM
E.O. 13526, Sec. 3.5 (b)
To:
Blinken, Antony J. (EUR)
White House Guidelizaes, September 11, 2006
Cc:
@EUROPE - European Affairs
By KBH NARA, Date 6/23/2023
Subject:
Lithuania [CONFIDENTIAL]
2014-0384-m
Points for meeting with Stasys and Deputy Defense Minister Kilikauskas:
EU Accession
Congratulations again on being invited to start accession talks with the EU -- President Clinton was pleased to write
directly to President Adamkus last month to offer his own congratulations.
NATO
As Ron Asmus told you yesterday, we remain firm in our "open door" policy on Baltic state membership in NATO.
Of course, the final decision will be up to our successors.
We commend you for your good work thus far on MAP and on economic and social components of becoming a viable
NATO member.
Strobe Talbott will be speaking in Tallinn on Jan. 24th and will reaffirm this message.
- K613 PR campaign your Williams.
Williams Deal
Lukoil Williams anyoxixy now.
"betten
How concerned should we be about anti-American perceptions created by the Williams deal?
they
What is your government's position on this -- frankly, it is a little worrisome to receive private assurances from some
officials that they will support the deal, only to find that publicly they criticize American business practices. [note: we
are talking about Keith Smith being told one thing by President Adamkus, only to have him say something completely
different in public.]
We are concerned about Russian pressure on Lithuania through the energy sector, and we are gathering more
information in an effort to be supportive.
Nazi War Crimes
I gather there's been a flap in the press over the past few days regarding Tom Lantos' meeting with the state
prosecutor -- what's your sense of what happened?
I understand the prosecutor or his representative may be coming to the U.S. soon to meet with people at Justice --
this would be helfpul.
I don't need to remind you how important it is for there to be continued progress in addressing the crimes of the past.
(Note: Cameron reports a rumor that Stasys is leaving this summer -- I might prod gently after the meeting, unless you
want to.)
1
Norland, Richard B. (EUR)
From:
WHSR
Sent:
Friday, January 07, 2000 11:28 AM
To:
Babbitt, James F. (VP); Blinken, Antony J. (EUR); Cables; Davidson, Leslie K. (VP);
Feldman, Daniel F. (MULTI); Guarnieri, Valerie N. (MULTI); Mclean, Matthew K. (MULTI);
Naplan, Steven J. (MULTI); Norland, Richard B. (EUR); Patten, Wendy L. (MULTI);
Schwartz, Eric P. (MULTI); Stromseth, Jane E. (MULTI); Vaccaro, Jonathan M. (Matt)
(MULTI)
Subject:
LITHUANIAN PROSECUTOR'S REMARKS ON HOLOCAUST WAR CRIMINALS AND DOJ
ASSISTANCE. CLASSIFIED BYAMB. KEITH C. SMITH, REASON 1.5
ActionAddees:
SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1217
Classification:
CONFIDENTIAL
Date Time:
071234Z JAN 00
Distribution:
SIT: BABBITT Blinken NSC Davidson FELDMAN GUARNIERI MCLEAN NAPLAN
Norland PATTEN SCHWARTZ STROMSETH VACCARO
Identifier:
M4235719
InfoAddees:
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FM AMEMBASSY VILNIUS
Originator:
AMEMBASSY VILNIUS
Precedence:
IMMEDIATE
Profiles:
BABBITTJ
DECLASSIFIED
BLINKENA
PER E.O. 13526
CABLES
DAVIDSOL
(1.46)
FELDMAND
KBH 4/23/2023
GUARNIEV
MCLEANM
NAPLANS
NORLANDR
PATTENW
SCHWARTE
STROMSEJ
VACCAROJ
StationRoutinglndicator:
RUEHVL
StationSerialNumber:
0072
TimeOfReceipt:
01/07/2000 11:27:20 ET
CONFIDENTIAL SECTION 01 OF 02 VILNIUS 000072
DEPT FOR EUR- RON ASMUS
DEPT FOR PA - JAMES RUBIN
E.O. 12958: DECL:01/07/10
TAGS: PHUM, PREL, LH, SNAR, CJAN
SUBJECT: LITHUANIAN PROSECUTOR'S REMARKS ON
HOLOCAUST WAR CRIMINALS AND DOJ ASSISTANCE.
CLASSIFIED BYAMB. KEITH C. SMITH, REASON 1.5
REF: A.) VILNIUS 00051 B.) VILNIUS 00050
1. (e) SUMMARY: EMBASSY BELIEVES THAT CONTROVERSY
SURROUNDING PROSECUTOR GENERAL'S PRIVATE REMARKS TO
CONGRESSMAN LANTOS HAVE RESULTED IN HEIGHTENED
RECOGNITION THAT THE JUDICIAL PROCESS DIRECTED AGAINST
NAZI-ERA WAR CRIMINALS SHOULD BE ACCELERATED. IN
ADDITION THE PROSECUTOR GENERAL HAS ISSUED A PUBLIC
STATEMENT STATING THAT DOJ ASSISTANCE HAS BEEN VERY
HELPFUL TO HIS OFFICE AND HE HAS INVITED DOJ PERSONNEL
TO COME TO LITHUANIA FOR SEVERAL MONTHS TO HELP
DEVELOP PROSECUTABLE CASES. WE STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT
1
THE PRESS STATEMENT DRAFTED BY EUR STRIKES A PERFECT
BALANCE BETWEEN THE NEED FOR U.S. TO PROMOTE FASTER
ACTION ON THE PART OF THE LITHUANIA PROSECUTORS OFFICE
AND THE DANGER OF FANNING UP THE LATEST ANTI-SEMITISM
THAT IS STILL PRESENT IN MANY OF THE 50& GENERATION. THE
DRAFT STATEMENT WE HAVE SEEN FROM DOJ/OSI WOULD
PLAY INTO THE HANDS OF THE NATIONALIST ELEMENTS AND
PUT ON THE DEFENSIVE THOSE NATIONALIST ELEMENTS
REPRESENTED BY THE PRESIDENT, PRIME MINISTER, JEWISH
MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT, AND THIS EMBASSY WHO VERY MUCH
WANT TO SEE THESE HOLOCAUST-ERA KILLERS BROUGHT TO
JUSTICE BEFORE THEY DIE. END SUMMARY
2. (C) THE EMBASSY HAS REPORTED EXTENSIVELY ON THE
PUBLIC CONTROVERSY RESULTING FROM CONGRESSMAN
LANTOS JANUARY 4TH MEETING WITH LITHUANIAN PROSECUTOR-
GENERAL PEDNYCIA (SEE REFTEL A-B) AS A RESULT OF THE
PROSECUTORS REMARKS THAT THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF
JUSTICE HAS FAILED TO RESPOND TO REQUESTS FOR
INFORMATION, HE AND HIS OFFICE HAVE COME UNDER INTENSE
CRITICISM FROM THE PRESIDENT'S OFFICE, THE PRIME MINISTER
AND FOREIGN MINISTRY. THE PROSECUTOR HAS ISSUED
SEVERAL STATEMENTS, EACH ONE MORE POSITIVE ABOUT THE
HELP HIS OFFICE HAS RECEIVED FROM DOJ. THE PROSECUTOR
AND HIS ASSISTANT CAME TO THE EMBASSY AND MET WITH THE
AMBASSADOR. AT THE MEETING HE APOLOGIZED FOR LEAVING
THE IMPRESSION WITH LANTOS THAT THE SLOW PACE OF
INVESTIGATIONS IS A RESULT OF FOOT-DRAGGING BY DOJ. HE
REITERATED HIS PUBLIC STATEMENT THAT DOJ'S ASSISTANCE
HAS BEEN EXCELLENT AND THAT IT IS IMPORTANT TO THE
EFFORT TO BRING HOLOCAUST-ERA WAR CRIMINALS TO
JUSTICE. MORE SIGNIFICANTLY, HOWEVER, THE PROSECUTOR
STATED PRIVATELY AND PUBLICLY THAT HE WOULD WELCOME
DOJ'S SENDING AT LEAST TWO OFFICIALS TO LITHUANIA TO WORK
FOR SEVERAL MONTHS SIDE-BY-SIDE WITH LITHUANIAN
PROSECUTORS IN ORDER TO DEVELOP STRONG JUDICIAL CASES
WHICH CAN BE MOVED MORE RAPIDLY TO TRIAL. HE REMARKED
THAT HIS GOAL IS TO RECEIVE TECHNICAL ADVICE ON HOW TO PUT
STRONG CASES TOGETHER AND TO DEMONSTRATE, THROUGH OPENNESS
AND TRANSPARENCY, THE GOOD WILL OF HIS OFFICE.
3. (C) IT HAS TAKEN TOO LONG FOR THE PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE
AND THE LITHUANIAN GOVERNMENT TO MOVE FORWARD WITH
THE TRIALS OF SUSPECTED WAR CRIMINALS WHO HAVE
RETURNED INVOLUNTARILY FROM THE U.S. THE SLOW PACE IS A
RESULT OF WEAK POLITICAL COMMUNICATIONS, PARTICULARLY
BY PAST GOVERNMENTS, INEXPERIENCE AND INEFFECTIVENESS BY
THE PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE AND RESIDUAL ANTI-SEMITISM BY
MANY IN OVER-50'S GENERATION. PRESIDENT ADAMKUS,
HOWEVER, TOOK THE LEAD IN THE BALTICS IN ESTABLISHING A
HISTORICAL COMMISSION TO EXAMINE AND REPORT ON NAZI-ERA
AND SOVIET-ERA WAR CRIMES. THIS COMMISSION, WHICH CONTAINS
SEVERAL MEMBERS FROM THE JEWISH COMMUNITY, IS NOW UP AND
RUNNING, AND IT LOOKS LIKE IT WILL SOON HAVE A MEMBER FROM YAD
VASHEM.
4. (C) WHILE ONLY PART OF THE PROBLEM, THE PROSECUTOR
GENERAL IS FACED WITH THE LEGAL PROBLEM OF NOT BEING ABLE
TO CONTINUE TRIALS OF SUSPECTED WAR CRIMINALS
WHO ARE MEDICALLY-CERTIFIED AS BEING UNABLE TO STAND
TRIAL PHYSICALLY. IN ALMOST ALL COUNTRIES, INCLUDING THE
U.S., A TRIAL CANNOT PROCEED IF THE DEFENDANT IS DECLARED UNFIT
MEDICALLY TO APPEAR IN COURT. THERE IS A BILL NOW WORKING ITS
WAY THROUGH THE LITHUANIAN PARLIAMENT WHICH WOULD ALLOW FOR
TRIAL IN ABSENTIA, PERHAPS THROUGH VIDEO CONFERENCING. ACCORDING
TO THE HEAD OF THE PARLIAMENT'S HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE,
EMMANUELAS ZINGERIS, THE BILL STANDS A BETTER THAN 50/50 CHANCE
OF APPROVAL--EVEN THOUGH THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE HAS
REPEATEDLY INFORMALLY EXPRESSED ITS OPPOSITION TO THE
BILL.
2
5. (C) COMMENT: THE EMBASSY BELIEVES CONGRESSMAN LANTOS WAS
EXTREMELY SUCCESSFUL IN INCREASING GOVERNMENTAL AND PUBLIC
AWARENESS OF THE NEED FOR LITHUANIANS TO CONFRONT THE DARK SIDE
OF THEIR HISTORY-- THE PARTICIPATION OF SOME LITHUANIANS IN THE
MURDER OF OVER 220,000 JEWS DURING THE WORLD WAR TWO . HIS WELL-
RECEIVE SPEECH TO THE PARLIAMENT STRUCK JUST THE RIGHT BALANCE
CONF N SECTION 02 OF 02 VILNIUS 000072
DEPT FOR EUR - RON ASMUS
DEPT FOR PA - JAMES RUBIN
E.O. 12958: DECL:01/07/10
TAGS: PHUM, PREL, LH, SNAR, CJAN
SUBJECT: LITHUANIAN PROSECUTOR'S REMARKS ON
HOLOCAUST WAR CRIMINALS AND DOJ ASSISTANCE.
IN ADMONISHING LITHUANIA FOR FOOT-DRAGGING, WHILE REMARKING THAT
WE ALL, INCLUDING THE U.S., HAVE DARK CHAPTERS IN OUR HISTORY.
THIS APPROACH TO THE WAR CRIMES ISSUE IS THE BEST WAY TO MOVE
THE LITHUANIANS TO ACTION BEFORE THE SUSPECTS DIE OFF. AN OVERLY
CRITICAL APPROACH BY THE U.S. WOULD CAUSE A STRONGLY
NATIONALISTIC REACTION, PLAY INTO THE HANDS OF THE
REMAINING ANTI-JEWISH ELEMENTS AND THOSE WHO WOULD WRAP
THEMSELVES IN THE FLAG SAND TIE "PRESSURE FROM THE U.S." TO THE
STRONG PUBLIC OPPOSITION TO THE INVESTMENT BY THE WILLIAMS
COMPANY. THEREFORE, WE BELIEVE THAT THE BALANCED DRAFT PUBLIC
STATEMENT PREPARED BY THE DEPARTMENT ON JANUARY 6, SHOULD BE
RELEASED AS IS. THE STRONGLY CRITICAL DRAFT PREPARED BY
DOJ WOULD PLAY INTO THE HANDS OF THOSE OPPOSED TO
DEALING WITH THIS SORRY CHAPTER IN LITHUANIA'S HISTORY.
SMITH
3
Norland, Richard B. (EUR)
From:
WHSR
Sent:
Friday, January 07, 2000 9:59 AM
To:
Blinken, Antony J. (EUR); Cables; Davidson, Leslie K. (VP); Norland, Richard B. (EUR)
Subject:
REP. LANTOS' VISIT TO LITHUANIA HAS POSITIVE IMPACT (U) CLASSIFIED BY
POL/ECON CHIEF MARILYN ERESHEFSKY FOR
ActionAddees:
RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1221
RUEHVL/AMEMBASSY VILNIUS
Classification:
CONFIDENTIAL
DateTime:
071432Z JAN 00
Distribution:
SIT: Blinken NSC Davidson Norland
Identifier:
M4235536
InfoAddees:
RUEHRA/AMEMBASSY RIGA 1364
RUEHTL/AMEMBASSY TALLINN 5097
RUEHCP/AMEMBASSY COPENHAGEN 1571
Teny -
Line1:
OAACZYUW RUEHVLA0074 0071432-CCCC--RHEHAAX.
Line2:
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
Line3:
O 071432Z JAN 00
Line4:
FM AMEMBASSY VILNIUS
Originator:
AMEMBASSY VILNIUS
Precedence:
IMMEDIATE
Profiles:
BLINKENA
CABLES
DAVIDSOL
NORLANDR
DECLASSIFIED
StationRoutingIndicator:
RUEHVL
PER E.O. 13526
StationSerialNumber:
0074
TimeOfReceipt:
01/07/2000 09:58:26 ET
2016.0384.r (1.67)
KBH 6/23/2023
CONFIDENTIAL VILNIUS 000074
DEPT FOR EUR/NB DAMIAN LEADER AND DAS ASMUS
PLEASE PASS TO DOJ/OSI
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/05/10
TAGS: KNAR, PGOV, PREL, CJAN, LH
SUBJECT: REP. LANTOS' VISIT TO LITHUANIA HAS POSITIVE IMPACT
(U) CLASSIFIED BY POL/ECON CHIEF MARILYN ERESHEFSKY FOR
REASON 1.5 B.
1. (C) SUMMARY: WITH THE EXCEPTION OF ONE MEETING WITH THE
PROSECUTOR, CONGRESSMAN LANTOS ENJOYED A WARM RECEPTION FROM
EVERY LITHUANIAN OFFICIAL HE MET, INCLUDING THE PRESIDENT, PRIME
MINISTER, SPEAKER OF THE PARLIAMENT AND THE FOREIGN MINISTER.
LANTOS GAVE A VERY WELL-RECEIVED SPEECH TO THE LITHUANIAN
PARLIAMENT AND WAS GIVEN A STANDING OVATION BEFORE AND AFTER HE
SPOKE. HE ALSO MET WITH MEMBERS OF THE PARLIAMENT'S COMMITTEES
ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS, SECURITY, AND HUMAN RIGHTS, WITH MEMBERS OF
THE LITHUANIAN HISTORICAL COMMISSION INTO NAZI AND SOVIET
CRIMES, WITH THE LOCAL SOROS FOUNDATION HEAD, AND WITH JEWISH
COMMUNITY LEADERS. REP. LANTOS' ADDRESS TO THE LITHUANIAN
PARLIAMENT WAS ESPECIALLY EFFECTIVE AND PRESS COVERAGE OF THE
LANTOS' SPEECH AND THE FILM WERE QUITE POSITIVE. AS LANTOS WAS
?
ABLE TO SEE FOR HIMSELF, LITHUANIAN GOVERNMENT LEADERS ARE
UNANIMOUS IN THEIR BELIEF THAT LITHUANIA MUST TAKE POSITIVE
STEPS TO DEMONSTRATE THAT IT IS WILLING TO DEAL WITH ITS
TERRIBLE HISTORY DURING THE NAZI ERA. THE LANTOS VISIT GAVE
THEM A PLATFORM TO MAKE THAT POINT PRIVATELY AND PUBLICLY. END
SUMMARY
2.
(e) (C) LANTOS' MESSAGE ABOUT THE NEED FOR LITHUANIA TO FACE
1
ITS PAST WAS SURPRISINGLY WELL-RECEIVED, PARTICULARLY IN THE
PARLIAMENT. LANTOS SAID IN HIS SPEECH THAT ALL DEMOCRATIC
COUNTRIES HAVE TO COME TO TERMS WITH THEIR "HYPOCRISY GAP,"
NOTING THAT THE U.S. HAD HAD TO FACE UP TO THE LEGACY OF
SLAVERY. HE APPEALED TO THEIR SENSE OF PATRIOTISM AND SAID THAT
THIS WAS A QUESTION OF THE HONOR OF LITHUANIA. LANTOS ALSO
PLEDGED THAT HE WOULD BE LEADING SUPPORT IN THE CONGRESS FOR
LITHUANIA'S MEMBERSHIP IN NATO -- THE LINE WHICH GARNERED THE
MOST APPLAUSE FROM THE MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT. SEIMAS MEMBERS
HAVE TOLD US THAT THE SPEAKER LANDSBERGIS THOUGHT IT WAS ONE OF
THE BEST SPEECHES EVER GIVEN IN THE PARLIAMENT AND THAT MPS
ACROSS THE POLITICAL SPECTRUM THOUGHT IT WAS A GOOD SPEECH.
3. (C) THE PRESIDENT, PRIME MINISTER AND CHAIRMAN OF THE
PARLIAMENT ALL ISSUED STATEMENTS EXPRESSING THE NEED FOR
LITHUANIA TO DEAL WITH ITS PAST AND TO PROSECUTE THOSE ACCUSED
OF CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY. THE FILM ALSO RECEIVED POSITIVE
NOTICE, INCLUDING ONE VERY FINE PIECE IN "LIETUVOS AIDAS" (E-
MAILED TO EUR/NB SILSKI.) MANY LITHUANIANS COMMENTED THAT THE
FILM SHOULD GET A WIDER SHOWING IN LITHUANIA AND THE EMBASSY IS
TRYING TO ARRANGE A SCREENING ON LITHUANIAN TELEVISION. SINCE
THE FILM FOCUSES ON EVENTS IN HUNGARY, LITHUANIAN VIEWERS WERE
ABLE TO SEE THAT THERE IS A MUCH WIDER EUROPEAN CONTEXT FOR
NAZI-ERA HORRORS -- THAT IT IS NOT JUST LITHUANIA OR LITHUANIANS
WHO ARE BEING HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR SOME OF THE CRIMES COMMITTED.
4. (C) COMMENT: WITH ALL THE BROUHAHA ABOUT LANTOS' MEETING
WITH THE PROSECUTOR THIS SHOULD NOT BE DISMISSED AS JUST SOME
"ASIDE FROM THAT, MRS. LINCOLN HOW WAS THE PLAY" THINKING.
LANTOS GOT HIS MESSAGE ACROSS IN A VERY EFFECTIVE, YET SENSITIVE
MANNER. IT IS VERY GOOD FOR THIS SOCIETY TO HAVE ITS TOP
LEADERS ALL DECLARE THE NEED FOR THE COUNTRY TO DEAL WITH ITS
PAST. IT IS ALL THE MORE UNFORTUNATE THAT THE POSITIVE FEELINGS
ACHIEVED BY REP. LANTOS' VISIT WERE SO OVERSHADOWED A DAY LATER
BY THE PRESS AND ONE MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT TRYING TO SOW
CONFLICT. EMBASSY BELIEVES THAT REP. LANTOS' PUBLIC REMARKS
STRUCK JUST THE RIGHT CHORD AND WERE UNDERSTOOD BY POLITICIANS
ACROSS THE POLITICAL SPECTRUM. THERE WILL BE NO INSTANTANEOUS
RESULTS, HOWEVER. NO WAR CRIMINALS WILL BE PROSECUTED
IMMEDIATELY. IF THE BILL IN PARLIAMENT TO ALLOW TRIALS IN
ABSENTIA FOR THOSE ACCUSED OF CRIMES OF GENOCIDE PASSES --
PROBABLY SOME TIME IN MARCH - THE PROSECUTORS WILL BE ABLE TO
PROCEED QUICKLY ON TWO SUSPENDED TRIALS. AS EMBASSY HAS MADE
CLEAR IN OTHER CABLES, HOWEVER, WE HAVE VERY LITTLE CONFIDENCE
IN THE PROSECUTORS ABILITY TO ASSEMBLE AND ARGUE THEIR CASES, SO
FURTHER RESULTS MAY STILL BE SLOW IN COMING. SMITH
2
Norland, Richard B. (EUR)
From:
WHSR
Sent:
Friday, January 07, 2000 9:59 AM
To:
Blinken, Antony J. (EUR); Cables; Davidson, Leslie K. (VP); Norland, Richard B. (EUR)
Subject:
REP. LANTOS' VISIT TO LITHUANIA HAS POSITIVE IMPACT (U) CLASSIFIED BY
POL/ECON CHIEF MARILYN ERESHEFSKY FOR
ActionAddees:
RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1221
RUEHVL/AMEMBASSY VILNIUS
Classification:
CONFIDENTIAL
Date Time:
071432Z JAN 00
Distribution:
SIT: Blinken NSC Davidson Norland
DECLASSIFIED
Identifier:
M4235536
PER E.O. 13526
InfoAddees:
RUEHRA/AMEMBASSY RIGA 1364
RUEHTL/AMEMBASSY TALLINN 5097
2016- (1.63)
RUEHCP/AMEMBASSY COPENHAGEN 1571
KBH 4/23/2023
Line1:
OAACZYUW RUEHVLA0074 0071432-CCCC--RHEHAAX.
Line2:
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
Line3:
O 071432Z JAN 00
Line4:
FM AMEMBASSY VILNIUS
Originator:
AMEMBASSY VILNIUS
Precedence:
IMMEDIATE
Profiles:
BLINKENA
CABLES
DAVIDSOL
NORLANDR
StationRoutingIndicator:
RUEHVL
StationSerialNumber:
0074
TimeOfReceipt:
01/07/2000 09:58:26 ET
CONFIDENTIALVILNIUS 000074
DEPT FOR EUR/NB DAMIAN LEADER AND DAS ASMUS
PLEASE PASS TO DOJ/OSI
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/05/10
TAGS: KNAR, PGOV, PREL, CJAN, LH
SUBJECT: REP. LANTOS' VISIT TO LITHUANIA HAS POSITIVE IMPACT
(U) CLASSIFIED BY POL/ECON CHIEF MARILYN ERESHEFSKY FOR
REASON 1.5 B.
1. (C) SUMMARY: WITH THE EXCEPTION OF ONE MEETING WITH THE
PROSECUTOR, CONGRESSMAN LANTOS ENJOYED A WARM RECEPTION FROM
EVERY LITHUANIAN OFFICIAL HE MET, INCLUDING THE PRESIDENT, PRIME
MINISTER, SPEAKER OF THE PARLIAMENT AND THE FOREIGN MINISTER.
LANTOS GAVE A VERY WELL-RECEIVED SPEECH TO THE LITHUANIAN
PARLIAMENT AND WAS GIVEN A STANDING OVATION BEFORE AND AFTER HE
SPOKE. HE ALSO MET WITH MEMBERS OF THE PARLIAMENT'S COMMITTEES
ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS, SECURITY, AND HUMAN RIGHTS, WITH MEMBERS OF
THE LITHUANIAN HISTORICAL COMMISSION INTO NAZI AND SOVIET
CRIMES, WITH THE LOCAL SOROS FOUNDATION HEAD, AND WITH JEWISH
COMMUNITY LEADERS. REP. LANTOS' ADDRESS TO THE LITHUANIAN
PARLIAMENT WAS ESPECIALLY EFFECTIVE AND PRESS COVERAGE OF THE
LANTOS' SPEECH AND THE FILM WERE QUITE POSITIVE. AS LANTOS WAS
ABLE TO SEE FOR HIMSELF, LITHUANIAN GOVERNMENT LEADERS ARE
UNANIMOUS IN THEIR BELIEF THAT LITHUANIA MUST TAKE POSITIVE
STEPS TO DEMONSTRATE THAT IT IS WILLING TO DEAL WITH ITS
TERRIBLE HISTORY DURING THE NAZI ERA. THE LANTOS VISIT GAVE
THEM A PLATFORM TO MAKE THAT POINT PRIVATELY AND PUBLICLY. END
SUMMARY
2.
(C) LANTOS' MESSAGE ABOUT THE NEED FOR LITHUANIA TO FACE
1
ITS PAST WAS SURPRISINGLY WELL-RECEIVED, PARTICULARLY IN THE
PARLIAMENT. LANTOS SAID IN HIS SPEECH THAT ALL DEMOCRATIC
COUNTRIES HAVE TO COME TO TERMS WITH THEIR "HYPOCRISY GAP,"
NOTING THAT THE U.S. HAD HAD TO FACE UP TO THE LEGACY OF
SLAVERY. HE APPEALED TO THEIR SENSE OF PATRIOTISM AND SAID THAT
THIS WAS A QUESTION OF THE HONOR OF LITHUANIA. LANTOS ALSO
PLEDGED THAT HE WOULD BE LEADING SUPPORT IN THE CONGRESS FOR
LITHUANIA'S MEMBERSHIP IN NATO -- THE LINE WHICH GARNERED THE
MOST APPLAUSE FROM THE MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT. SEIMAS MEMBERS
HAVE TOLD US THAT THE SPEAKER LANDSBERGIS THOUGHT IT WAS ONE OF
THE BEST SPEECHES EVER GIVEN IN THE PARLIAMENT AND THAT MPS
ACROSS THE POLITICAL SPECTRUM THOUGHT IT WAS A GOOD SPEECH.
3. (C) THE PRESIDENT, PRIME MINISTER AND CHAIRMAN OF THE
PARLIAMENT ALL ISSUED STATEMENTS EXPRESSING THE NEED FOR
LITHUANIA TO DEAL WITH ITS PAST AND TO PROSECUTE THOSE ACCUSED
OF CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY. THE FILM ALSO RECEIVED POSITIVE
NOTICE, INCLUDING ONE VERY FINE PIECE IN "LIETUVOS AIDAS" (E-
MAILED TO EUR/NB SILSKI.) MANY LITHUANIANS COMMENTED THAT THE
FILM SHOULD GET A WIDER SHOWING IN LITHUANIA AND THE EMBASSY IS
TRYING TO ARRANGE A SCREENING ON LITHUANIAN TELEVISION. SINCE
THE FILM FOCUSES ON EVENTS IN HUNGARY, LITHUANIAN VIEWERS WERE
ABLE TO SEE THAT THERE IS A MUCH WIDER EUROPEAN CONTEXT FOR
NAZI-ERA HORRORS - THAT IT IS NOT JUST LITHUANIA OR LITHUANIANS
WHO ARE BEING HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR SOME OF THE CRIMES COMMITTED.
4. (C) COMMENT: WITH ALL THE BROUHAHA ABOUT LANTOS' MEETING
WITH THE PROSECUTOR THIS SHOULD NOT BE DISMISSED AS JUST SOME
"ASIDE FROM THAT, MRS. LINCOLN HOW WAS THE PLAY" THINKING.
LANTOS GOT HIS MESSAGE ACROSS IN A VERY EFFECTIVE, YET SENSITIVE
MANNER. IT IS VERY GOOD FOR THIS SOCIETY TO HAVE ITS TOP
LEADERS ALL DECLARE THE NEED FOR THE COUNTRY TO DEAL WITH ITS
PAST. IT IS ALL THE MORE UNFORTUNATE THAT THE POSITIVE FEELINGS
ACHIEVED BY REP. LANTOS' VISIT WERE SO OVERSHADOWED A DAY LATER
BY THE PRESS AND ONE MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT TRYING TO SOW
CONFLICT. EMBASSY BELIEVES THAT REP. LANTOS' PUBLIC REMARKS
STRUCK JUST THE RIGHT CHORD AND WERE UNDERSTOOD BY POLITICIANS
ACROSS THE POLITICAL SPECTRUM. THERE WILL BE NO INSTANTANEOUS
RESULTS, HOWEVER. NO WAR CRIMINALS WILL BE PROSECUTED
IMMEDIATELY. IF THE BILL IN PARLIAMENT TO ALLOW TRIALS IN
ABSENTIA FOR THOSE ACCUSED OF CRIMES OF GENOCIDE PASSES --
PROBABLY SOME TIME IN MARCH- THE PROSECUTORS WILL BE ABLE TO
PROCEED QUICKLY ON TWO SUSPENDED TRIALS. AS EMBASSY HAS MADE
CLEAR IN OTHER CABLES, HOWEVER, WE HAVE VERY LITTLE CONFIDENCE
IN THE PROSECUTORS ABILITY TO ASSEMBLE AND ARGUE THEIR CASES, SO
FURTHER RESULTS MAY STILL BE SLOW IN COMING. SMITH
2
Withdrawal/Redaction Marker
Clinton Library
DOCUMENT NO.
SUBJECT/TITLE
DATE
RESTRICTION
AND TYPE
012. letter
DOB (Partial) Personal (Partial) (1 page)
01/06/2000
P6/b(6)
COLLECTION:
Clinton Presidential Records
National Security Council
European Affairs (Richard Norland)
OA/Box Number: 2630
FOLDER TITLE:
Lithuania [6]
2011-1038-F
kh1049
RESTRICTION CODES
Presidential Records Act ⑉ [44 U.S.C. 2204(a)]
Freedom of Information Act - [5 U.S.C. 552(b)]
P1 National Security Classified Information [(a)(1) of the PRA]
b(1) National security classified information [(b)(1) of the FOIA]
P2 Relating to the appointment to Federal office [(a)(2) of the PRA]
b(2) Release would disclose internal personnel rules and practices of
P3 Release would violate a Federal statute [(a)(3) of the PRA]
an agency [(b)(2) of the FOIA]
P4 Release would disclose trade secrets or confidential commercial or
b(3) Release would violate a Federal statute [(b)(3) of the FOIA]
financial information [(a)(4) of the PRA]
b(4) Release would disclose trade secrets or confidential or financial
P5 Release would disclose confidential advice between the President
information [(b)(4) of the FOIA]
and his advisors, or between such advisors [a)(5) of the PRA]
b(6) Release would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of
P6 Release would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of
personal privacy [(b)(6) of the FOIA]
personal privacy [(a)(6) of the PRA]
b(7) Release would disclose information compiled for law enforcement
purposes [(b)(7) of the FOIA]
C. Closed in accordance with restrictions contained in donor's deed
b(8) Release would disclose information concerning the regulation of
of gift.
financial institutions [(b)(8) of the FOIA]
PRM. Personal record misfile defined in accordance with 44 U.S.C.
b(9) Release would disclose geological or geophysical information
2201(3).
concerning wells [(b)(9) of the FOIA]
RR. Document will be reviewed upon request.
03/06 '00 02:24
ID:LANIERFAX3800
FAX:
PAGE
1
LIETUVOS RESPUBLIKOS AMBASADA
EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF LITHUANIA
VASINGTONAS
WASHINGTON, D.C.
January 6, 2000
Office of Mr. Antony Blinken
Attn.: Nancy Maxfield
mary
Fax: 202-447-9050
1
cleared
Dear Ms. Maxfield:
Please find enclosed information regarding the attendees to the meeting on January
7, 2000 at 3:00 p.m.:
Mr. Stasys Sakalauskas, Ambassador
Embassy of Lithuania
[012]
(b)(6)
Mr. Kestutis Jankauskas, Minister-Counsellor, Embassy of Lithuania
(b)(6)
Mr. Romas Kilikauskas, Deputy Minister, Ministry of National Defence of Lithuania
(b)(6)
Mr. Page Raffc, Attorney at Law
If you will have any additional questions or concerns, please contact me at 202-234-
5860 ext11.
Sincerely,
aoing Heality
Adrija Henley
Assistant to the Ambassador
From: Embassy of Lithuania To: richard B. Norland
Date: 2000.01.05 Time: 18:47:56
Page 1 of 1
LIETUVOS RESPUBLIKOS AMBASADA
EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF LITHUANIA
VAŠINGTONAS
WASHINGTON, D.C.
NEWS RELEASE
Contact: Rolandas Kacinskas
January 05, 2000
Phone: (202) 234-5860 X 21
LITHUANIAN DEFENSE VICE MINISTER ROMAS KILIKAUSKAS'
VISIT TO WASHINGTON, D.C.
WASHINGTON, Jan 05 - Lithuanian National Defense Vice Minister Colonel Romas
Kilikauskas started on Tuesday his four-day visit to the United States. Vice Minister
R.Kilikauskas' stay in Washington includes visits to the U.S. Congress, the Pentagon, CIA,
NSC and Department of State. Vice Minister Kilikauskas is also scheduled to meet
experts of non-governmental and academic organizations participating in the formation of
the U.S. security and foreign policies (RAND, Institute of Foreign Policy Analysis,
Committee on NATO Expansion).
The main topics of the discussions are the modernization of Lithuanian armed forces, the
implementation of Lithuanian National NATO integration program (MAP), and
perspectives of Lithuania's membership in NATO.
COL Romas Kilikauskas, U.S. Air Force/Retired, served 37 years in the Air Force
Intelligence Service. He is a graduate of the Armed Forces Staff College, Norfolk, VA.,
Air War College and Air Command and Staff College, Montgomery, AL., and the Defense
Intelligence College, Washington, D.C. He served in Germany, Vietnam, and completed
two tours in the Pentagon - once as a Soviet Strategic Analyst at Headquarters. U.S. Air
Force and once as Director of Warning (J-2W). He also served as the Duty Director for
Intelligence in the National Military Intelligence Center (NMIC) during Operation Desert
Storm (Persian Gulf War). Following his retirement in 1992, COL Kilikauskas held a post
of Vice Minister in the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Lithuania from March 1997 to
March 1998. COL Kilikauskas was appointed to the current post as Vice Minister of the
Ministry of National Defense on August 25, 1999 where he replaced another former U.S.
Colonel Juozas Kronkaitis after appointment of latter as a Commander of Lithuanian
Armed Forces on June 24, 1999.
2622 16TH STREET, NW - WASHINGTON. D.C. 20009 - PHONE (202) 234-5860 FAX (202) 328-0466
Norland, Richard B. (EUR)
From:
Norland, Richard B. (EUR)
Sent:
Wednesday, January 05, 2000 4:58 PM
To:
Blinken, Antony J. (EUR)
Cc:
@EUROPE - European Affairs
Subject:
Lithuanian appt. request [UNCLASSIFIED]
Tony, Stasys just called to ask if he could bring in his deputy defense minister to see you and me on Friday. The Deputy
DefMin, Romas Kilikauskas, is a former U.S. colonel (army or USAF), and he has had meetings this week at DOD, State,
CIA, etc. This would be a good chance to get caught up on the Lithuanian domestic political picture, Williams, etc.
Stasys is proposing either 9 a.m. Friday, or anytime after 2 pm that day. If you can't do it, I will plan to receive them
myself. Dick.
Fri:
Jan. 7
3p.m 3
will paride dob into
1
Norland, Richard B. (EUR)
From:
Quinn, Mary E. (EUR)
Sent:
Wednesday, January 05, 2000 4:10 PM
To:
Norland, Richard B. (EUR)
Subject:
You received a phone call from Ambassador Stasys from Lithuania. [UNCLASSIFIED]
Called:
0
Phone Number:
234-5860 ext. 11
Please Contact:
Ambassador Stasys from Lithuania
PleaseCall:
-1
ReturnedCall:
0
Wants ToSee:
0
WillCall:
0
Dep. Af.Min. : Romas Kilikauskas
fame U.S. colord, (Amg)
Tony:
9:00
an
saw Gen. Sheltons
aftern fth
2pm.
6a. Gamett
Desustarin -
Dga. PM. -
1