VZCZCXYZ0095
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHC #9024 2950240
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O R 220016Z OCT 09
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE IMMEDIATE 4709
INFO RUEHVL/AMEMBASSY VILNIUS 2773

UNCLAS STATE 109024 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: OSCE PREL PGOV LI
SUBJECT: OSCE: RESPONSE TO LITHUANIAN FM USACKAS 
 
¶1. (U) Post is authorized to deliver the following statement 
at the October 22, 2009, Permanent Council meeting in Vienna: 
 
Begin text: 
 
Thank you, Madam Chair. 
 
We warmly welcome you to the Permanent Council, Mr. Minister. 
 
 
As Chairman of the Council of the Baltic Sea States, you have 
seen first hand how effective cross-border cooperation can 
help states advance their mutual interests.  In an even 
broader sense, the OSCE is a uniquely comprehensive platform 
for regional cooperation. 
 
Our shared concept of security as comprehensive and 
cross-dimensional is the foundation of the OSCE, and makes 
this organization our best platform for political dialogue on 
a range of issues, including both current and newly emerging 
security-related concerns in Europe.  As you note, Mr. 
Minister, the OSCE faces numerous challenges, and we all must 
work to develop joint responses. 
 
The August 2008 war in Georgia highlighted continuing threats 
to security and stability in the OSCE region, and 
demonstrated that the OSCE's capacity for early action must 
be strengthened.  In our Corfu Process discussions, we and 
other participating States have stressed this point, and 
urged that the OSCE's ability to prevent and respond to 
conflict must be improved.  My delegation shared a concept 
for a new conflict prevention and crisis response mechanism 
earlier this week, and is eager to discuss this concept and 
to explore ways of strengthening the OSCE's ability to 
proactively address acute and immediate threats to security. 
 
Like you, Mr. Minister, we believe the protracted conflicts 
in Georgia, Moldova, and Nagorno-Karabakh are among the most 
pressing challenges the OSCE faces today.  Collective action 
and political will are key to resolving these conflicts; we 
urge all parties to work toward peaceful long-term, 
comprehensive settlements.  In this context, we reiterate our 
firm belief that an OSCE presence in Georgia can play a key 
role in conflict resolution, and should be re-established. 
We appreciate the concerted efforts of the Greek Chairmanship 
in this regard, and remain committed to the OSCE's continued 
involvement in Georgia. 
 
Turning to other matters, Mr. Minister, we believe that the 
OSCE can play a critical role in enhancing energy security 
and in combating trafficking in human beings, weapons and 
drug smuggling, organized crime, and terrorism.  These are 
complex threats that ignore borders, and make joint action 
and regional cooperation absolutely essential.  The OSCE is 
already active in these areas, but we can and should do more, 
particularly in Afghanistan.  We echo your call, Mr. 
Minister, to expand existing border security projects in 
Central Asia, and to work regionally and with other 
international partners to build law enforcement capacity and 
tackle critical security threats. 
 
Finally, Mr. Minister, we wish to stress the continuing 
importance we place on the OSCE's human dimension.  Our core 
objective remains the same: to promote human rights, 
democracy, minority rights, and the rule of law, and to 
combat intolerance and discrimination.  We must continue to 
advance these values and ensure the full implementation of 
our common commitments.  We must address negative 
developments, such as growing restrictions on freedom of the 
media, freedom of assembly, or freedom of religion, as well 
as growing anti-Semitism, and strive to protect fundamental 
rights and freedoms across the OSCE region. 
 
We look forward to working with you, Mr. Minister, as 
Lithuania prepares to assume the OSCE Chairmanship in 2011, 
and begins to work more closely with Kazakhstan as part of 
the OSCE Troika next year.  We have been impressed with your 
early preparations, and appreciate your clear commitment to 
the OSCE's human dimension activities, its conflict 
prevention and resolution efforts, and its comprehensive and 
cross-dimensional approach to security. 
 
Mr. Minister, the United States looks forward to continued 
close cooperation with Lithuania, both within the OSCE and 
bilaterally, and trusts that you will provide strong and 
effective leadership in 2011.  You can count on our full 
support. 
 
Thank you, Madam Chair. 
CLINTON