C O N F I D E N T I A L VILNIUS 000022
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/12/2019
TAGS: ENRG, EPET, PREL, MOPS
SUBJECT: MEETING BETWEEN EUR ASSISTANT SECRETARY DANIEL
FRIED AND LITHUANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER VYGAUDAS USACKAS,
PRAGUE, JANUARY 8, 2009
Classified By: DCM Damian Leader for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) Summary: A/S Fried and FM Usackas discussed the
continuing negotiations to resolve the gas cut-off to
Ukraine. They agreed that Russia had shown itself to be an
unreliable supplier, and the current crisis may build support
for greater diversification of supplies. A/S Fried stressed
to need to try to work constructively with Russia, while
pushing back when necessary. He said that the re-unification
of Georgia will be a long-term project. FM Usackas asked for
assistance in meeting with Secretary-designate Clinton in
February, for continued NATO Air Policing, and defense
planning. A/S Fried assured him of U.S. support for Air
Policing and NATO defense planning. He further urged
Lithuania to act now on Jewish communal property restitution,
which FM Usackas promised to do. FM Usackas concluded by
asking A/S Fried to convey to the Secretary his deep
appreciation for her support of Lithuania's inclusion in
NATO. End Summary.
2. (C) A/S Fried began the meeting by noting that the EU
Foreign Ministers statement on Ukraine was adequate. It was
now clearer than ever that the (German) argument that Russia
needed the EU as a gas consumer and thus had no leverage over
Europe was flawed. Russia is not a reliable supplier of gas.
FM Usackas said Ukraine appears to be acting in good faith,
and this is increasingly the view among EU foreign ministers.
A/S Fried replied that the problem is and remains Ukraine's
unending political paralysis; the impasse in Kiev erodes its
credibility. However, Russian PM Putin's January 5
television appearance convinced many, who earlier thought
both parties were at fault, that Russia has politicized this
commercial dispute.
3. (C) FM Usackas said that France is now a positive force
within EU discussions, stressing that Russia is flexing its
muscles and was encouraged that the Commission has spoken
strongly in support of the Nabucco pipline, reflecting
growing understanding of the need to invest in alternate
routes. A/S Fried responded that he made that same point
during the 2006 cutoff, but the Europeans have not seriously
pursued alternate routes since.
4. (C) FM Usackas agreed that the real problem is energy
inter-connectivity, and that he is pushing to get the Baltic
countries better connected. This would include building an
electrical link to Sweden, which could be done within a year
if there is political will. The current gas crisis may help
Lithuania address its energy isolation, FM Usackas said, by
providing a sense of urgency. A German diplomat had told him
earlier that day that the crisis will, in a similar manner,
help his government explain to its citizens why it should
reach out to the Caucasus, since that region is the key to
several present and potential transit pipelines. A/S Fried
said he understood that German public opinion is less
favorable toward Russia's energy policy now; this was
overdue, but welcome.
5. (C) FM Usackas said he wants to visit Washington for the
formal re-opening of the Lithuanian Embassy on February 16,
and he would like to meet with Secretary-designate Clinton.
A/S Fried said that he could not speak for the new
administration. He observed that in March,
Secretary-designate Clinton may in Europe for the NATO
ministerial.
6. (C) A/S Fried raised the issue of Jewish communal
property restitution with FM Usackas. He noted he had raised
it a year earlier, and it is something that Lithuania must do
now. It is losing the support of key people in the American
Jewish community, and the GOL must work with its friends in
that community to reach agreement on an adequate program for
restitution. The issue will not go away and the new
administration will not understand why Lithuania is fifteen
years behind Poland (for example) in taking action. FM
Usackas said that Lithuania is moving on this, but that there
are domestic political complications, as well as divisions
within the Lithuanian Jewish community. He promised A/S
Fried that Lithuania would resolve Jewish communal property
restitution soon.
7. (C) FM Usackas then asked A/S Fried to support continued
NATO Air Policing in the Baltic countries. A/S Fried said he
supported maintaining the program. FM Usackas replied that
Lithuania wants more defense planning, and A/S Fried said
that we are handling this issue through NATO -- U.S. NATO
Ambassador Volker is a strong supporter.
8. (C) FM Usackas concluded by asking A/S Fried to convey to
the Secretary his thanks for all of her work and leadership
in bringing Lithuania into NATO. A/S Fried promised to do
so, while also encouraging FM Usackas to write directly to
the Secretary once she leaves office.
9. (U) Assistant Secretary Fried has cleared this message.
CLOUD