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LITHUANIA'S POSITION (The Jerusalem Post, Aug. 19, 2008)

Lithuania's position. Sir, - The Embassy of the Republic of Lithuania would like to draw your attention to the Lithuanian leaders' position concerning any expression of anti-Semitism ("Yad Vashem blasts Lithuania for Holocaust revisionism, anti-Semitism," August 12).

When the act of vandalism was perpetrated against the Lithuanian Jewish community building, President Valdas Adamkus stated that "the contempt targeted at the nation which has suffered from genocide is not casual hooliganism. It is a destructive and sordid act against Lithuania as a whole, not only Lithuania's Jewish community. I underline that there is no, and will never be, room for hatred and instigation of discord in Lithuanian society. I have no doubt the organizers and perpetrators of the act will be identified and punished. At the time when the traditions of tolerance and respect for human rights are being consolidated in Lithuania and when Lithuania is helping other states to consolidate freedom and democratic values, I consider such disreputation of our country a harsh provocation against Lithuania. I call on all people of Lithuania to be intolerant to the instigation of hatred whatever form it may take."

Prime Minister Gediminas Kirkilas sharply condemned the acts of vandalism when swastikas and other offensive signs were sprayed on the walls of the Jewish community center in Vilnius. "Lithuanian citizens of Jewish origin have substantially contributed to the fame of our native country. The Holocaust tragedy during the war years should remind us all how disastrous the policy of racial and ethnic hatred can be."

On August 11 Finance Minister Rimantas Šadžius, who was acting prime minister during Gediminas Kirkilas's summer holidays, made a phone call to Simonas Alperavičius, chairman of the Lithuanian Jewish community, and expressed his solidarity with the community concerning the malicious attack. He also called upon Police Commissioner General Vizgirdas Telyčėnas to investigate the incident and find the perpetrators as soon as possible. The police are now conducting its investigation in close cooperation with other law enforcement institutions that have come across similar incidents before.

We sincerely hope that these facts will find reflection in your newspaper.

By ASTA SKAISGIRYTĖ LIAUŠKIENĖ
Ambassador
Republic of Lithuania
Tel Aviv