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Ambassador John Cloud has been in Lithuania for just under two years now, and in that time he has become known as one of the hardest working and best informed ambassadors in Vilnius. While often visible at official functions in Vilnius, he is just as likely to be spotted in Kaunas, Mažeikiai, Šiauliai, Panevėžis or Biržai – making a real effort to get out of the capital. This effort to better understand the issues affecting Lithuanians, and represent the Lithuanian-American relationship outside of Vilnius has put Ambassador Cloud in much demand as a speaker and a voice of authority on many of the international bilateral issues affecting our countries, as well as for his appreciation of the local concerns.

Ambassador Cloud holds a Bachelors degree from the University of Connecticut, and earned a Masters degree in International Affairs from The George Washington University. He is married with two children.

Can you tell us about your diplomatic career?

I have spent a rewarding 30 years as an American diplomat.   I have spent most of the last 20 years working on the changing Europe.  From serving in Poland during the last days of Communism, to Germany shortly after reunification, to our Mission to the European Union at the beginning of this decade.  This background has allowed me to experience the two major changes in Europe over the past twenty years: the end of Communism and the formation of a broader European Union.

What were your memories of your years working at the White House?

It was a privilege and an honor to serve President Bush on the National Security Council staff from 2001-2003.  I was fortunate to be involved in a very active time of U.S. economic diplomacy.  We worked for a major expansion of trade liberalization both multilaterally through the Doha talks and bilaterally through a series of free trade agreements.  I had the opportunity to work with some extraordinarily talented people, who were (and are) working for the good of their country and the world. 

What did you know about Lithuania before being assigned to the Vilnius position?

My wife, Mary, had visited Vilnius in 1997 and told me of the beauty and the charm of the city.  I had also worked in the office responsible for Lithuania in the State Department from 1989-1991.  I remember the excitement as you regained your independence.  I had also read some history on Lithuania and realized the great accomplishments of the past.

Diplomatic relations between Lithuania and the USA have always been quite good, what are the main issues today?

Diplomatic relations, and people to people relations, between our two countries remain strong to this day.  The U.S. and Lithuania have extensive cooperation between our governments and our militaries.  Our soldiers serve side-by-side in Iraq and Afghanistan and in NATO and Coalition forces.  Lithuania is playing a vital role in fostering transatlantic relations with its work under the NATO banner in Afghanistan while, most importantly, also ensuring security and helping democracy take root in Ghor Province.

It is a well known fact that our diplomatic relations have always been strong, but also significant is the exchange experiences between our two societies.  American and Lithuanian participants in the Fulbright program travel across the Atlantic every year to broaden knowledge and share ideas.  This summer, as in previous years, hundreds of young Lithuanians will travel to the U.S. on the Summer Work and Travel program to become directly involved in the daily life of the people of the United States through travel and work.

As a very active ambassador, what are your impressions of contemporary Lithuania and the problems it faces?

I think Lithuania has made tremendous progress over the past 17 years.  I see this progress everywhere I go.  But I am even more impressed by your young people.  I frequently speak to student groups and your young people are very impressive.  I recognize that your membership in the European Union gives them the opportunity to live and work throughout Europe.  I hope many of them will find success here in Lithuania.

How far off is visa-free travel to the USA for Lithuanians?

We are continuing our work with the Lithuanian government to help Lithuania meet the requirements for the Visa Waiver Program as outlined in the Visa Waiver Roadmap the U.S. Government and the Lithuanian Government agreed to in 2005.  Since that time, Lithuania has been on a steady path to gain admission into our visa waiver program. 

As a further step, in March, the United States and Lithuania signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).  The MOU clarifies the requirements for joining the Visa Waiver Program and how the U.S. government and the Lithuanian government will work together to achieve this.  Recently, as part of the MOU, the Lithuanian government began sharing information about lost and stolen passports with our government. 

Additionally, a team of technical experts visited Lithuania the first week of June to research Lithuania's ability to meet U.S. legal requirements for entry into the program.  The results of this visit were encouraging and, I believe, one more forward movement in a series of positive steps that are placing Lithuania closer to becoming part of the Visa Waiver Program. 

There are two key numbers that Lithuania must achieve in order to qualify for the program:  visa refusal rate and overstay rate.  In both cases, these numbers have been moving in the right direction over the past few years.  I remain confident that Lithuania will qualify for the program in the future.

Will the introduction of visa-free travel provide some sort of amnesty for Lithuanians living illegally in the USA now?

The Visa Waiver Program enables citizens of certain countries to travel to the United States for short-term leisure or business visits without a visa.  The Visa Waiver Program allows entry into the United States as a nonimmigrant visitor for 90 days or less.  The Visa Waiver Program does not include immigrant visas.  Therefore, someone wishing to immigrate to the U.S. legally would be required to obtain an American immigrant visa regardless of whether they are citizens of a country in the Visa Waiver Program or not.  The purpose of the Visa Waiver Program is to eliminate unnecessary barriers to travel, encourage business contacts and stimulate the tourism industry, and permit the Department of State to focus consular resources in other areas.

The introduction of the Visa Waiver Program to Lithuania will have no affect on the status of those residing illegally in the U.S.  Anyone remaining illegally in the United States will face the consequences of their choice, including the possibility that they will be deported and become permanently ineligible for a visa.

What kind of help can the USA offer to Lithuania’s maturing economy and democracy, and what can the USA learn from Lithuania?

Lithuania has accomplished a great deal since its transition to democratic government.  Lithuania is now sharing its transitional experiences with its friends in the region.  Lithuania has demonstrated leadership and commitment to the spread of democracy among its neighbors such as Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia,  through such initiatives as hosting the European Humanities University and providing a large number of observers during Georgia’s presidential elections earlier this year. 

Lithuania is still a new democracy and especially with its entry into the EU, Lithuania is encountering new situations and new people.  Tolerance and multicultural understanding are essential features of democracies.  Perhaps this is an area where the United States and its experiences could be beneficial to Lithuania. 

Lithuania's economy has been solidly growing since the early 90s and is still showing growth better than most of Western Europe.  One of my main priorities here is to bring more American investment to Lithuania.  This country offers promising opportunities to U.S. investors and boasts many business advantages, including a sound economy, educated workforce, and stable government.  I have been working with Lithuanian authorities and business groups to make Lithuania an even more attractive venue for foreign investment.  There are a few key measures that Lithuania can implement – such as making the residency laws less restrictive, putting a cap on SODRA payments, and simplifying procedures for foreign businesses to pay taxes – that would significantly enhance the business climate and turn around the decrease in foreign direct investment.  Our Embassy would be happy to facilitate whatever contacts are necessary to help Lithuania further develop its economy. 

I think that Americans can always learn something from our friends.  What the people of Lithuania did during independence was incredible and reminded the people of the United States how essential living in a democratic society really is.  Americans can see, based on the experiences of their Lithuanian friends, how difficult it is to create sound change and how much perseverance and hard work it requires. 

What are your main objectives during your time in Lithuania?

My main objective is to nurture the wonderful relationship that exists between our two countries.  For this reason, I have spent so much time travelling around your beautiful country and meeting Lithuanians.   I have found all of my travels interesting and rewarding.

How have you found living in Lithuania personally? What do you miss most from the US, and what have been the unexpected delights of living here?

My wife and I have found living in Lithuania to be very congenial. .  What we miss most are our two daughters who are grown and live in Paris and Washington.  We don’t get to see the as much as we would like.

 We have found many special pleasures in Lithuania from walks in Vingis park or through Old Town to visits to the Curonian Spit or your beautiful lakes.

I have also enjoyed Lithuanian basketball.  There is something very special about a Rytas-Zalgiris game.  My university in the United States is famous for both its men’s and women’s basketball teams so I have also enjoyed watching Teo play.  I believe women’s basketball is underappreciated in Lithuania.

By Ray Vyšniauskas