A Charter of Partnership

"The Partners view their partnership in the areas of political, economic, security, defense, cultural, and environmental affairs as contributing to closer ties between their people and facilitating the full integration of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania into European and transatlantic structures."

...from The Charter of Partnership, Jan. 16, 1998

A Meaningful Beginning

The Charter is an executive agreement, not a treaty, that provides a mechanism to deepen and broaden the relations between our countries. The United States of America acknowledges a real, profound, and enduring interest in the independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity and security of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia.

To effectuate the goals set out in the agreement, the Charter provides for a Partnership Commission that will meet at least once a year. This Commission will be headed by Deputy Secretary of State, Strobe Talbott. It is further expected that there will be established two bilateral-lateral working groups. One such group will be on defense/military, headed by U.S. Defense Undersecretary Slocombe, and the other on economic issues, headed by U.S. State Undersecretary Stuart Eizenstat.

This document is a meaningful agreement but, it is only a beginning. It must be funded by sufficient resources and provide for the actual implementation of the goals and objectives.

NATO Considerations

Missing from the Charter are a number of Lithuania's concerns. It does not address Lithuania's security concerns from Belarus and Kaliningrad. The threat from Belarus is posed by the growing dictatorship in that country. In addition, Russian demands a permanent transit corridor through Lithuania for their military operations in Kaliningrad. Lithuania and Poland separate Kaliningrad from Russia.

Though the Charter commits the United States to help Lithuania prepare for NATO membership, it does not commit the U.S. to support its candidacy for NATO membership.

The Charter does recite that the three Baltic nations reaffirm their goal to become full members of NATO, and the the U.S. welcomes their aspirations. The U.S., also, supports the efforts of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia to join NATO and acknowledges that all the three Baltic countries are aspiring members of NATO.

In his remarks at the Charter-signing ceremony, President Clinton made it clear that America's security is tied to Europe and that Europe will never be fully secure if Baltic security is in doubt.

He further went on to say, "NATO's door is and will remain open to every partner nation, and America is determined to create the conditions under which Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia can one day walk through that door."

What Lithuania Deserves

In July, 1997, Secretary of State Madeleine Albright said publicly that Lithuania is a "serious candidate" for NATO membership.

We, Lithuanian-Americans, certainly know that NATO is the most successful war deterrent in history. NATO is the most effective means we have for joint military action with countries that share our interests and values. We were disappointed when Lithuania was not invited to join last year, but we firmly believe Lithuania should be invited to join NATO in 1999.

We sincerely hope Congress will appropriate sufficient funds to effectuate the Charter; that it will earmark sufficient funds in the foreign operations bill for 1999 to help prepare Lithuania for NATO membership; and extend U.S. technical assistance past fiscal year 1999 to at least fiscal year 2001. More assistance is necessary in the areas of health care reform and anti-organized crime efforts.

XXX

The Lithuanian-American Community welcomes the Charter, but we expect more. As Americans of Lithuanian heritage, we celebrate the deepening bonds of friendship and mutual support between the two democracies which have enriched our lives.

Introductory remarks are given by President Clinton before the Charter of Partnership was signed by the presidents of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia.

Photo: Asta Banionis