Norwegian Ambassador to Lithuania Steinar Gil expressed his disappointment about lack of reactions from the Lithuanian political elite regarding nationalistic youth rally on 11 March in Vilnius.  More than 500 nationalistic youth marched from the St. Ann’s church to former the Vilnius Sports palace.

The Ambassador expressed his disappointment during a seminar “European and Lithuanian Values: Identical or Different?”held on 19 March in Parliament.  During discussion the Ambassador said, “These people were shouting – Lithuania for Lithuanians. Two years ago they were shouting “Juden Raus.” We know the history of Lithuania during the 2nd World War… My question is – how many parliamentarians have spoken up against this kind of demonstration? How many officials in Lithuania have spoken up against this kind of manifestation?”

The Norwegian Ambassador reminded that the same authorities that issued a permit for this rally to take place in the centre of Vilnius are refusing to do the same for the Baltic Pride.  The Baltic Pride permitted to be held away from the Centre of Vilnius.  Steiner Gil noted that, “All foreigners in Lithuania noticed this, we’re aware of this and I must say we are quite shocked. The gay parade is not about likes or dislikes, it is not about tolerance, it is about respect and it is about rights. Whether we like it or not, we have to respect the rights”.

Lithuania’s Member of the European Parliament Leonidas Donskis who also participated in the event called on the Lithuanian political establishment not to be afraid of loosing their political capital in talking about problems of tolerance in Lithuania.  The politicians should also remember that they must lead.  MEP Donskis on Alfa.lt said that he is surprised that Lithuania’s Prime Minister and President did not comment on the 11 March rally.

According to BNS the letter was sent to Lithuania a month ago and signed by Thorbjørn Jagland.  Mr Jagland said that his predecessor had already asked for information on any involvement of public figures, by action or omission, in the deprivation of liberty of transport of detainees.  The secretary also informed that this information relevant to an inquiry on CIA detention centres in Europe launched back in November 2005.

BNS quoted the letter in which Mr Jagland addresses to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, “I should be grateful if you could provide me with any information available at this stage which could be useful for the purposes of the inquiry”.

On 14 January the Lithuania Member of European Parliament Leonidas Donskis confirmed that the European Parliament is also planning to bring the allegations of the CIA prisons in Lithuania.  “I’ve no doubt that the European Parliament will bring this up. Since Lithuania ran the probe itself, questions about it are to be expected in the European Union,” the MEP said to BNS.

The Parliamentarian Committee on State Security and National Defence conducted a probe into the allegations of secret CIA prisons in Lithuania.  It concluded that even though there were preconditions for the terrorist suspects to be held in Lithuania it could not find any proof of it.

Today, the Parliament is holding a second hearing on the CIA prisons probe conclusions.  The Social Democrat faction suggested to include an article which would state that the Humans Rights, in regards to secret CIA prisons, were not breach on the Lithuanian soil.

BNS states that unofficial sources hinted that a group of the MEPs preparing a verbal inquiry to the European Commission.  MEP said to BNS, “I’ve no doubt that the European Parliament will bring this up. Since Lithuania ran the probe itself, questions about it are to be expected in the European Union,” the MEP said.

Nevertheless, the MEP added that, “the fact that Lithuania couldn’t refute all the guesswork, but instead started investigating allegations head-on is no big advantage for the country.”

Today the Parliamentarian Committee of the National Security and Defence will present its conclusions top the Parliament on it is investigation into allegations of the CIA prisons in Lithuania.

According to Lithuania’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Vygaudas Ušackas, the Snow Meeting, which has become traditional, received considerable attention from experts. 

“This is an informal forum that puts forward ideas and proposals regarding the EU and NATO policy towards Russia, further prospects of the Eastern neighbourhood, as well as the NATO and EU enlargement. Such events help Lithuania to become a co-author and implementer of intellectual ideas and initiatives,” the Minister said, the Ministry’s web site informs.

This year 30 high-ranking strategists from Europe and North America will participate in the event. Among the guests there are: foreign ministers of Sweden, Ireland, Hungary, Greece, Latvia, Romania, Slovakia and Moldova, high-ranking officials from institutions of the European Union, shapers of public opinion, foreign policy analysts and researchers from institutes of international relations of the United Kingdom, U.S.A., Germany, Estonia, Portugal and Iceland.

Prime Minister of Lithuania Andrius Kubilius, Minister of National Defence Rasa Juknevičienė, Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the Seimas (Parliament) Audronius Ažubalis, members of the Seimas Juozas Olekas and Emanuelis Zingeris, Member of the European Parliament Leonidas Donskis, political scientists, and diplomats will attend the Snow Meeting.