Lithuania's President Visits New York

Pres. Valdas Adamkus addressed the participants of the United Nations General Assembly's 53rd session on Tuesday, Sept. 22nd. He expressed concern about the worsening ecological status in the world, and urged the UN to pay more heed to tackling these issues.

"Today we all face the challenges of the contemporary world, which have been caused by rapidly developing technologies and negligent human activities. These challenges, although not as evident as open military conflicts, are no less threatening. A devastated and deteriorating environment may cause conflicts of a scale unknown before," Adamkus said.

Once an American environmental expert, the Lithuanian leader insisted that ecology should top the agenda for the United Nations. "Lithuania will support every initiative to preserve and conserve natural resources," he said.

Pres. Adamkus signed onto the Kyoto protocol of the UN General Convention on climate changes aimed to temper emission of gas causing the so-called greenhouse effect. He also hailed a recent signing of the PIC Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade, hailing it as "a remarkable example of prospective activities of the United Nations system."

He continued with the assertion that each human being was entitled to live in a clean and healthy environment, reminding the audience of the 50th anniversary of Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted by the UN General Assembly. The president pointed to the sphere of human rights as craving wider attention. "We likewise welcome the ongoing institutional reforms of human rights protection and propose to employ, with greater effectiveness, the experience and intellectual potential of such regional bodies as the Council of Europe and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe."

Adamkus greeted the passage of the regulations of International Criminal Court, and measures taken to curb international crime and terrorism as a great accomplishment. He also voiced criticism of nuclear tests seen in India and Pakistan.

The Lithuanian leader spoke indirectly for admission of Germany and Japan in the UN Security Council; saying he stood for increasing Council member numbers.

Regarding Lithuania's desire for NATO membership, Adamkus stated, "The security of the individual will be best ensured, if the state he lives in is secure. Good neighborly relations and close regional co-operation are prerequisite conditions of peaceful coexistence of nations to which all the peoples of the world aspire." He added that Lithuanian security would be ensured by entry to NATO.

Pres. Adamkus also met with U.S. President Bill Clinton confirming plans to meet on October 19th for a discussion of issues pertinent to both countries. When an American reporter asked Adamkus to comment on the White House sex-and-perjury scandal, he replied that the international community was satisfied with Clinton, adding that a distinction should be drawn between his policies and his private life.

During this New York stay, the Lithuanian president also met with Japanese Premier Keizo Obuchi to discuss Lithuania's decision to set up its embassy in Tokyo. Needed funds for this project will be earmarked in next year's budget. Obuchi remarked that the Lithuanian diplomatic mission would add up to enhancing bilateral political, economic, and cultural ties.

During a meeting with managers of Lehmans Brothers, an investment company, the managers praised Lithuania for the headway made to stabilize the financial market. They sounded very positive about the 1998 figures and the promising forecast for 1999. In the context of the world market, Lehmans portrayed Lithuania as having a stable currency and pursuing a strict monetary policy. This would help Lithuania dodge the after-effects of the Russian crisis.

Following an interview with members of the American Jewish Committee, the president had lunch with representatives of the J.P. Morgan investment company. They had acquired Lithuanian Eurobonds worth 200 million litas ($50 million U.S. dollars). Following this meeting, Adamkus went to Wall Street, New York's Stock Exchange, where he was given a tour of the hall and handed a sculpture representing the symbols of the exchange Ö a bull and bear. At 4:00 p.m., Adamkus rang the bell announcing a closed trade session.

Overall, President Adamkus expressed that he was very satisfied with the meetings he had, and felt that this will facilitate co-operation with businesses and open up opportunities to draw investments.

Mrs. Alma Adamkiene did not accompany her husband back to Vilnius. She headed from New York to Chicago, where she stayed to nurse her 92 year-old mother.