LITHUANIAN MFA STATEMENT
Created 2003-01-30
Lithuania has aligned itself with the UN Security Council Resolution on Iraq and regards it as the gravest signal for Saddam Hussein’s regime to disarm.
In Lithuania’s opinion, this resolution has demonstrated that the international community acts in accordance with the international law and with respect to the authority of the United Nations (UN).In Lithuania’s opinion, Iraq’s non-cooperation and scarcity of information on weapons of mass destruction in its arsenal over twelve long years make for assumptions that the threat posed by Saddam Hussein’s regime to the international community is real.
Lithuania strongly believes that only full and unconditional cooperation by Iraq with the international inspectors may help avoid serious consequences to Hussein’s regime, which were stipulated by the UN Security Council resolution clearly and unambiguously.
Lithuania supports the international coalition, which is being formed by the US against the current regime of Iraq and deliberates Lithuanian contribution to it.
Lithuania has received an official address from the US administration on the country’s contribution to the possible military operation in Iraq.
In response to that, Lithuania has prolonged the permanent clearance issued during the anti-terrorist campaign in Afghanistan for aircraft of the US and other NATO allies for overflight and landing.
Maintaining its commitments, Lithuania shall enhance protection of the US institutions situated in the Lithuanian territory.
Lithuania has also resolved to dispatch one Lithuanian officer to the US Central Command (CENTCOM), where the progress of the Iraq operation would be coordinated from.
The issue of Lithuania’s specialised troops (military medics and others) participation in the possible operation in Iraq is also currently being discussed.
Lithuania believes that the preparatory actions by the international coalition as well as its anticipatory and consistent planning will serve as additional means of pressure on Hussein’s current regime in forcing it to disarm.
