Lithuania Expels Russian Diplomat on Suspected Spying
Lithuania's Prime Minister Gediminas Kirkilas confirmed yesterday the information about expelling on spying a top-rank diplomat of Russia. The name of persona non grata is yet unclear. So far, the RF Foreign Ministry has received no official note from Vilnius.
Lithuania’s intention to expel high-rank official of Russia’s embassy was reported by local mass media past Sunday. No name was given, though the media had enough data to specify that the diplomat was declared persona non grata for spying and for attempts to influence Lithuania’s standing concerning settlement of Russia's-Georgian conflict.
Official Lithuania hadn’t commented on the information till yesterday. It was Prime Minister Gediminas Kirkilas that was the first to formally confirm shocking rumors.
Lithuania expels a diplomat if he is guilty, Kirkilas told the national radio broadcaster yesterday, i.e. on the 15-year anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations with Russia. Now, Lithuania is waiting for Moscow response, the PM said.
The incident won’t affect relations of Russia and Lithuania, Kirkilas made clear. The diplomat is expelled because of his actions, not because of today’s aggravation of Russia’s-Georgian relations, the PM said without elaborating.
Briefer of Russia’s embassy in Lithuania, Yevgeny Ustinov declined to comment on the issue yesterday. He didn’t give the name of the diplomat either.
www.kommersant.com
All the Article in Russian as of Oct. 10, 2006
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