CIA prisons in Lithuania as plausible as the adventures of James Bond

The TV station Russia Today reported on the alleged location of a CIA prison on a former Soviet military base in Rudninkai, 40 kilometres from Vilnius.  Lithuanian daily Vilniaus Diena in its editorial on 27 August voiced its suspicions regarding the report.

The news about the exceptional attention paid to the godforsaken Rudninkai by the most powerful spy agency of the most powerful country on the planet, just as the hypothesis about the CIA prison in Lithuania, surprised our country’s leaders, who may have ruled the country without even knowing what was happening here.

The surprise that was showed by the then Prime Minister Algirdas Brazauskas and the then President Valdas Adamkus might seem somewhat fake – theoretically at least one of them (most likely the latter) must have known about the existence of such a secret site.

On the other hand, considering the trust among NATO allies, one cannot rule out the possibility that the prison was simply marked as secret object XY, and the president did not even need to know what was behind those letters. It is even more likely that the very secret information about this very secret object did not go beyond the walls of Lithuania’s special services and was available only to the persons of those services who belong to the so called statesmen clan.

However, in the race who will be the first to find the site of the CIA prison in Lithuania, another question (which has become secondary) is important: Why was this information disclosed only now?

If it is true that the CIA prison was established in our country and if it is true that it happened back in 2001, then this reveals exceptional trust in Lithuania. Since then, the situation has changed a little bit over the years. Lithuania’s relations with the US have not become warmer; there have been essential changes in Washington and Vilnius, however.

In the US, the Guantanamo prison’s political status changed. In Lithuania, Dalia Grybauskaite, who for now demonstrates exceptional attention to Lithuania’s partners on the old continent and clearly wants to boost the front of our country’s allies inside the EU, replaced pro-American President Adamkus.

Both circumstances create quiet favourable conditions for weakening Lithuania’s pro-American positions. Who benefits from increased anti-American moods in Lithuania? This question should be addressed to those who claimed they were the first to “discover” the CIA prison branch in Vilnius region but failed to provide witnesses or strips of prison clothes that would support this version. Without evidence, the appearance of Rudninkai on the map of the world’s most important intelligence agencies seems as plausible as the adventures of the famous 007 agent – James Bond

Dual citizenship remains core issue for Lithuania’s émigré community

As the BNS writes the Lithuanians living abroad are content with neither the Citizenship Law currently in force, nor the one under consideration in the Seimas.

This issue on 8 July  will be addressed in the 13th Seimas session of the World Lithuanian Community (WLC).

“Citizenship is at the core of our community. Citizenship acts as our most meaningful tie with our homeland. And this issue is yet to be fixed in Lithuania. The law currently in force will no longer be valid at the end of the year. There will be no law on this at all. How can a nation exist without a Citizenship Law?” Chairwoman of the WLC Regina Narusiene rhetorically asked in the session.

The law currently being mulled in the Seimas is no good, said she. “It’s no good for either the welfare of the Lithuanian state nor, with regards to the émigré community, the nation,” Narusiene stressed.

Both of the bills on citizenship speak not of granting citizenship but of revoking it, said the WLC chair.

“The possibility of having our citizenship revoked, especially for those of us with a birthright – Lithuanians by origin – is outright offensive. We are not traitors – while we may be physically distant, our hearts, our actions extend to Lithuania,” said she to BNS.

Narusiene noted that the WLC Seimas is certain to pass a resolution on this issue.

Under a draft piece of legislation landed for consideration in the Seimas, dual citizenship can be extended to persons who left Lithuania before the independence period and their descendants, while persons who emigrated after 1990 will not be eligible for dual citizenship, which would only be granted to their children born abroad, as is the procedure at this time.

Under article 12.2 of the Constitution, no one can hold the citizenship of Lithuania and another country at the same time, save for a few exceptions. The constitutional provision can only be revised via a referendum.

According to the draft bill, Lithuanians who emigrated after the reestablishment of independence will be granted dual citizenship only by way of exception, for example by marrying a foreign citizen whose country has legitimized dual citizenship and thus acquiring it. On the other hand, their children, born abroad, will be eligible for dual citizenship as is currently stipulated in the country’s legislation.

Discussions on dual citizenship roused after the Constitutional Court in the fall of 2006 found that the country’s main law provides for dual citizenship as rare exceptions, declaring laws allowing dual citizenship as running counter the Constitution.

The WLC Seimas will be in session in Vilnius until 10 July. The session will also work to operationalize the concept of a Lithuanian living abroad, discuss what kind of support is needed from Lithuania to retain nationhood abroad, also issues concerning Lithuanian language education, Lithuanian community archives, etc.

US President Obama called Lithuania’s President Adamkus

Lithuania’s outgoing President Valdas Adamkus on 23 June had a phone conversation with US President Barack Obama as the BNS informed.

The two presidents discussed President Barack Obama’s upcoming July 6 visit to the Russian Federation and addressed the situation in Georgia, the Lithuanian president’s press service said in a statement.

Obama noted Lithuania as being an important partner to the US in the region and thanked President Adamkus for his contribution to developing bipartite relations.

Adamkus, in turn, said he was hopeful that Lithuania and US maintain successful cooperation in promoting democracy and transatlantic integration. Adamkus also added he feels the US and the European Union (EU) should spare more attention to Europe’s Eastern neighbours and thus help stabilize the region.

Speaking on the situation in Georgia, Adamkus underlined the need for the country’s ruling and opposition political forces to steer clear of further confrontations and adhere to principles of democracy BNS wrote.

Lithuania is Among Top Five Enemies of Russia

Lithuania is among the top five enemies of Russia. This was revealed by a recent public opinion poll in Russia. One can say that the notion of Lithuania as an enemy was inculcated into the heads of common Russians by the Kremlin’s propaganda. This is true, but it does not change the essence of the issue. Unlike in 1990-1991, today Lithuania would not be able to count on moral support from Russians, which was one of the reasons why we were successful in our quest for independence. Later, when we were negotiating over the withdrawal of Russian troops from Lithuania, favourable opinion about us among common Russians was also a very important factor.

Even ten years later, when we were trying to join NATO, one of the arguments our politicians and diplomats used in the talks with the Western partners was a poll that showed the majority of Russians did not object to our membership in the alliance. The poll also said that our membership in the alliance would not harm Russia’s relations with NATO, something Moscow’s politicians were trying to claim. Therefore, Russian politicians drew certain conclusions and started fixing the mistake of their propaganda, which at that time still counter-positioned the “good” Lithuania against the “bad” Latvia and Estonia.

Thanks to the efforts by the Kremlin’s propaganda masters, in 2004-2005 Vilnius got involved in a fierce verbal war against Moscow. The war lasted till 2008 and did not produce anything good for Lithuania: The Druzhba [friendship] oil pipeline was not reopened, the talks over compensation for the occupation damages did not commence, the Medininkai murderers were not extradited. The only thing we achieved was the loss of allies in the EU.

Russia, meanwhile, gained a strong argument in the discussions with the EU and NATO. From dawn till dusk the EU and NATO were told: “Did we not tell you that by accepting those intrigue-loving Baltic states, you would gain a source of constant disagreements with Russia?”

In 2004-2005, Russians’ opinion about the Baltic States, Poland, Ukraine, and Georgia has started to get worse. This showed that harming the ties with the closest neighbours in Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union was a deliberate and pre-planned policy of Moscow.

A fruit of this policy could be observed in May 2007, when during rioting by Russian-speakers in Tallinn hundreds of thousands of Russians, without having been urged by anyone, got involved in cyber attacks against Estonian websites. A year later, we witnessed another result of this policy in Georgia. That time, as the Russian tanks were rolling towards the neighbouring country, not only Vladimir Putin, but also millions of Russians, overcome by chauvinistic orgasm, were demanding to hang Mikhail Saakashvili “by his balls.”

If the Kremlin started some sort of a political or economic pressure campaign against Lithuania, the support from Russian citizens would be just as enthusiastic.

Source BBC Monitoring

Lithuanian intermin sees no obstacles for hosting Guantanamo prisoners

As the BNS wrote after countries of the European Union (EU) and the Schengen zone agreed on information exchange, no more obstacles remain for receiving prisoners from the US Guantanamo base, says Lithuanian Interior Minister Raimundas Palaitis.

“Schengen countries agreed that under their laws and decisions they may take in detainees but the recommendation is to host inoffensive persons only. Information exchange will be necessary,” Palaitis told BNS in a telephone interview from Luxembourg after attending a meeting of EU colleagues on 4 June.

In his words, should Lithuania decide to take in one of a few Guantanamo detainees, they will have to send applications to the Migration Department.

Lithuania is holding negotiations with the United States on hosting two prisoners from Guantanamo. Reports earlier on Thursday suggested that the EU could host a total of a few dozen people. The biggest problem until now was the possibility for inmates to travel from one Schengen country to another without any obstacles BNS informs.

“The recommendation is to only host the detainees who are harmless and clear for release, an agreement was also reached to exchange information among countries before the decision on hosting in one country or another, as well as during integration, regarding movement, etc.,” said Palaitis to the BNS.

The minister stressed that political aspect of hosting Guantanamo detainees should be discussed by EU foreign ministers shortly.

Lithuania has been considering the possibility of taking in for political asylum two inmates of the US Guantanamo Bay detention camp.

Shortage of flights to Vilnius may put dent in Dweezil Zappa family’s plans to attend Lithuania concert

As the BNS announced the legendary musician Frank Zappa’s son Dweezil Zappa, scheduled next week for a concert in Lithuania, may have to come without his family, which, despite of wanting to see the concert and Frank Zappa’s monument in Vilnius, may not get to see their plans through because of shortage of flights to Lithuania.

Frank Zappa’s widow Gail Zappa is an active supporter of Lithuania’s idea to dispatch a twin of the monument erected for American musician Frank Zappa in Vilnius to his native Baltimore, Dweezil Zappa’s visit organizers said, noting that Gail would like to see the original monument in Vilnius together with her daughter.

However, Gail Zappa’s plan may be foiled by the high prices of the flight from the United States to Lithuania and two transfers.

Two key events in connection with Dweezil Zappa’s visit are scheduled in Vilnius next Thursday, namely, his concert titled Zappa Plays Zappa where his band will perform his father’s songs and unveiling of a bronze copy of the Zappa sculpture that will later be shipped to the US.

Organizers say that the events will contribute to the promotion of Lithuanian name on the international arena – thousands of Zappa fans following news about Zappa’s monument in Lithuania and the trip of its copy to Baltimore will come across names of Lithuania and Vilnius.

Dweezil Zappa agreed to hold the only concert in the Baltic states in Vilnius after long negotiations only, organizers maintain. The performer will arrive in the Lithuanian capital on a tour bus from Poland and will proceed to Finland afterwards.

The monument in honour of rock pioneer Frank Zappa was uncovered in Vilnius in 1996.

Lithuania’s Parliament panel proposes tighter rules for dual citizenship

As the BNS writes the Lithuanian parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee suggests tightening the conditions for granting dual citizenship.

After discussing the proposed new version of the Citizenship Law, the committee objected introduction of the so-called Lithuanian Charter, which is not regulated in the new edition of the law. The committee’s proposals are still to be considered by the Committee on Law that plans to hold discussions on the proposed changes to the legislation.

The Foreign Affairs Committee suggest an amendment so that a person who automatically acquires foreign citizenship should decide on which passport he wants to keep. Under the current language of the law, children born abroad who are automatically granted the country’s citizenship are allowed to keep Lithuanian citizenship, as well. Meanwhile, the committee proposes that persons between ages of 18 and 21 should choose the citizenship he wants to retain. The parliamentary panel also suggests setting a period for decisions of persons who automatically acquire foreign citizenship by way of marriage.

Under a draft legislation proposed by a task force set up by the president, dual citizenship can be extended to persons and progeny of those who left Lithuania from Jan. 9 of 1919 to March 11 of 1990, thus extending the period and the number of descendants eligible for dual citizenship. Meanwhile, the Foreign Affairs Committee wants the same legal regulation, which provisioned dual citizenship only for three generations – children, grandchildren and great grandchildren of those who held Lithuanian citizenship before June 15 1940.

The new version envisages dual citizenship for those who left Lithuania before the independence period and their descendants, while persons who emigrated after 1990 are not eligible for dual citizenship, which would only be granted to their children born abroad, as the procedure is now.

The draft bill also provides that dual citizenship would be granted to all descendants of deported Lithuanian citizens, while the Foreign Affairs Committee suggests trimming down the provision to three generations.

Under article 12.2 of the Constitution, no one can hold citizenship of Lithuania and another country at the same time, with a few exceptions. The constitutional provision can only be revised via a referendum.

Lithuanians who emigrated after the reestablishment of independence will be granted dual citizenship only by way of exception, for example by marrying a foreign citizen whose country has legitimized dual citizenship and thus acquiring it. On the other hand, their children, born abroad, will be eligible for dual citizenship as is currently stipulated in the country’s legislation.

Discussions on dual citizenship roused after the Constitutional Court in the fall of 2006 found that the country’s main law provides for dual citizenship as rare exceptions, declaring laws allowing dual citizenship as running counter the Constitution.

The Citizenship Law approved by the Seimas last summer provisioned granting dual citizenship to children of Lithuanian emigrants born abroad and Lithuanian nationals who are acquiring citizenship of countries that have an agreement with Lithuania on double citizenship. Lithuania so far hasn’t signed any such agreements with another country.

Source BNS

Zappa sculpture to be shipped from Lithuania to US

As the BNS announced a bronze sculpture of rock legend Frank Zappa will be officially presented in 1st floor the foyer of the Vilnius Municipality before being shipped to the United States.

The presentation ceremony scheduled for June 4 should be attended by Zappa’s son Dweezil Zappa, also a musician.

The monument will be exhibited for two weeks, the Vilnius City Municipality said.

Later this summer, the copy of the Zappa sculpture will be delivered to the United States and should be erected in Baltimore city centre.

Built in Vilnius in 1996, the monument to the legendary rock musician remains the only sculpture in the world dedicated to the modern music genius.

The sculpture to be granted to the US is a copy of the monument in the Kalinausko Square in central Vilnius.

Source BNS

A Lithuanian male is kept in a hospital for checks on swine flu

A private Lithuanian news radio Ziniu radijas and the Delfi.lt portal announcing that a Lithuanian male is treated in a Vilnius AIDS centre against an A type influenza virus.  He checked into the clinics today, on the 28^th of April.

It is announced that this male felt ill after retuning from Mexico on the 23^rd of April. His samples were sent to London for further investigation.  According to the announcement the doctors advised the petitioned to remain under surveillance in the hospital.

Lithuanian pharmacies cleared of anti-viral drugs amid swine flu panic

As the Lietuvos Rytas daily writes stocks of anti-viral drugs costing more than 100 litas (EUR 29) have been swept out of Vilnius pharmacies, although the medication is only sold on prescription. Pharmaceutical companies believe this is due to the threat of swine influenza pandemic.

Staff of pharmacies said that the need for anti-viral drugs went up following reports about the new-structure flu virus discovered in Mexico.

According to the daily, among buyers of the anti-viral medication were persons whose families live in the United States, with plans to mail them by post or hand over in some other way.

GlaxoSmithKline Lietuva CEO Kestutis Cereska said the stock of Relenza medication was formed this year in accordance to the 2008 need, adding that it would suffice for 2,000 patients.

Rasa Jonusiene, CEO of the company Roche that manufactures Tamiflu, said that no applications had been received from state institutions for additional purchase of the medication. The current stock would be sufficient for treating just over 2,500 patients in Lithuania.

Meanwhile, the Extreme Situations Management Centre is now monitoring the global situation and issued a list of precautionary measures against the swine influenza.

Later this week, persons coming to Lithuania will be offered to fill out health declarations. Travellers running a fever or feeling bad will be directed to medical services at international airports.

The Kaunas Zoo will close up Vietnamese pigs and peccaries that belong to the same type of animals.

Staff of the zoo will be provided with special clothing and footwear to be worn in the premises of these animals. The outfits will be disinfected after every visit.

Souirce BNS and Lietuvos Rytas