NEW DISCUSSION – FROM 8 MARCH 2011: 

63% of Lithuanian women are   victims of violence  63.3 % of Lithuanian women have been victims of male physical or sexual violence or threats after their 16th birthday. This represents today such a severe problem for this country that, in my opinion, President Grybauskaite should personally get involved and take the necessary measures to turn around this devastating trend.

 

Grant Gochin 

Violence is a natural byproduct of a society where brown is red, justice is ideological, the Prosecutors office is a haven of thugs, and people with PhD's in history can't read or write.
A society that values swastika's and acquits Stankeras is a society of hate and violence. Where is any misunderstanding?

Ieva Vozbutaite Dear Grant, a man allowing himself such statements, should base them on facts. Otherwise - it is merely splashes of ignorance on your part. I am a member of this society and with full responsibility I tell you that we dont value swastica or anything of the sort. As in any democratic nation, freedoms of speech and religion are allowed, which I admit, sometimes end in individual acts that are condemned by many. Your generalizations are inaccurate to say the least and I would hope you would know better.

Ieva Vozbutaite And... Lets not forget that Lithuanian women are also the most educated in EU... Conclusion: still many problems to be solved (give us a break - we only have 20 years under our belt), but with potential like that - beware :)

Aage Myhre Dear Grant and Ieva, First of all, is it ok for you if I publish this discussion in tonight's edition of www.VilNews.com? GRANT: I agree with Ieva that you are too rancid in your comment. I understand why you feel a need to react against the authorities and courts here, as they too often do not make their decisions based on honesty and common sense but instead let own interests prevail. But you must also not condemn an entire country and people in such a black and white background.

Aage Myhre 

IEVA: I agree with you that Lithuania has a good basis for improvements. But I am also very disappointed that the young people, like you, have not taken over more of the governance of this country. You know as well as me that Lithuania will...

Ieva Vozbutaite Aage, you have my permission to publish my opinion. Also, I would like to draw your attention to what I think is misinterpretation of certain facts. 63% if you read the study have experienced violence AND/OR threat of such acts. it is, in my opinion, a little different then saying the first part and cutting the last... :)

Aage Myhre Might be... But if you read Dr. Giedrė Purvaneckienė's report at www.VilNews.com, i think you will agree with me that this is scary and deeply sad.

Ieva Vozbutaite Of course... and should not be tolerated...

Aage Myhre FYI, Ieva, Grant lives in California so it may take some time before we'll get his comments...

 

Ieva Vozbutaite March 8 at 1:53pm Report

Sending these links both to mr. Grant and Aage... Violence against women is a crime to be persecuted in all countries... I do hope that you both agree with me... 
http://www.saynotoviolence.org/join-say-no/violence-against-women-israel-men-are-breaking-cycle

http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/ns_me/2011-01-07/201404611186.html

violence against women in Israel: Men are breaking the cycle | Say NO - UNiTE

www.saynotoviolence.org

By Irit HakimSafe World's Israel correspondent reporting from Tel Aviv.IN MEMORY OF THE VICTIMSIn 2010, Eighteen Israeli women were murdered by their spouses or family members. This is the highest number since 2004.Each murdered woman carried a world of wishes, hopes, aspirations, loves, and dreams

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Zilvinas Beliauskas The USA ambassador to Lithuania Anne Derse says that "even such countries like the US and Lithuania" are still encountering this problem" and "Lithuania today occupies leader's position for women's rights" - http://www.alfa.lt/straipsnis/10720168/?JAV.ambasadore..smurtas.pries.moteris..ne.kulturinis.dalykas..o.nusikaltimas=2011-03-08_10-51

 

At least there was one

A number of years ago a friend in Vilnius, a well know musician, needed important surgery.  So his musical colleagues help a benefit concert to raise the funds for his "free" medical care..  And to everyone's astonishment, the surgeon refused any payment (the rest took theirs)  so at least there was one honest and honourable man.

David O’Rourke, USA

 

No mention of the rampant bribe-taking?

What, no mention of the rampant bribe-taking that goes on? That’s curious …

Gintautas Kaminskas, AUSTRALIA

National priorities for Lithuania - a Canadian`s perspective

Professor Vic Pakalnis

I had a wonderful trip to Vilnius this past summer and I came away with a view of Lithuania that was full of admiration and hope. It filled me with pride that my parents were born there and that my DNA is tied to that corner of the world.  

I have made a few observations of issues while I was there that I feel need to be addressed and discussed. While I am no expert on everything, I know mining, nuclear power, and the public service, so this is what I will share with you. Lithuania does not seem to have any natural resources; this is amazing to me, for all around Lithuania are countries with oil, minerals and industrial materials. Despite all of this, there is nothing major within Lithuanian borders. Either Lithuania is truly a barren place or you need some expertise in geological and mineral exploration.

We can help with this!

In Canada the largest mining show in the world happens in Toronto, Ontario. For instance, next week at the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC), the Lithuanian government could provide an incentive to mining developers, such as a tax break, and let them find the mineral wealth that likely exists in the land. The TMX (who operates our stock exchange) also finances over 70% of all mining deals in the world.

Canada can do good work with Lithuania, and I for one would love to see both our countries prosper.

Read more...

“You ask about new ideas for Lithuania? My only idea for all young people here is: Leave this country as fast as you can!”

Aage Myhre, Editor.

She did not have much good to say about her homeland, the young woman who wrote to me yesterday. She is unfortunately one of very many who do not feel good about today's leaders or the administration, and she mentions specifically that she over the recent months was in regular contact with representatives of both the president and government, connected with her job, and that she came out from each of these meetings shaking her head. Another well-educated young professional in a good job that no longer sees great hope for the homeland.

Here as a bit more from what she wrote:

“Things here will not change in several generations.... Just look what is now happening with the municipal elections... Disgusting... I do not want to spend my best years waiting till those generations of leaders have changed... Yes, I want to help our people as much as I can... I have really tried, but... After some communication with our presidency lately, al I’m hearing and experiencing is how everybody is just looking for how to divide money between ministries and business holdings - no chance that life will be better here even in 10-15 years...Your article, your way of thinking - very good, but unfortunately utopian.... It should be done with this country as they do in the building industry - knock everything down (including media, that also in tight relation with the rulers), and then start from zero....

Lithuania has no VISION!

Jeff Lewis.

Lithuania has no VISION ! riddled with corrupt practice - offer to help and even friends take advantage, poor education standards , and poor quality of life. They leave to achieve a better qualification and job opportunity. Let each company linking with schools produce a common policy to address corrupt practice, energy conservation and its still icy underfoot in the countries capital...

Corruption is the major root of Lithuania's problems – an anti-corruption campaign is needed to foster a sense of national spirit

Gintautas Kaminskas,
Australia.

I have given a lot of thought to Lithuania's problems and have tried to figure out if there is on major root cause of most of Lithuania's problems.  The word/thought that keeps occurring to me is CORRUPTION.   I think that an anti-corruption campaign, if effective, would not only start to ensure that more litai or euros are spent the way they were supposed to be (and that more people start paying as much tax as they're supposed to be!) but it would have a unifying effect, fostering a sense of national spirit.  Lithuanians have rallied together in the past in the face of external threats.  Now they have to rally against the threat from within – corruption.

I have my own thoughts about how an anti-corruption campaign could be conducted, but I think it would be much better if Lithuanians in Lithuania would think about that and come up with a plan.  Here's a concrete suggestion for you:  why doesn't VilNews sponsor a function one day (or even two, weekend perhaps) at which such ideas could be 'brainstormed'?  Call it a seminar, or even a 'brainstorming session', whatever you want.  Corruption and how to eliminate or minimise it doesn't have to be the only topic.  Maybe the theme of the whole function could be a question something like "What does Lithuania really need right now?".  In my vision of such a thing, I would recommend that the findings or recommendations of the event should be written up and formally forwarded to both the Seimas and the President with a request for their reaction to it.  At the same time the media should play a major role in making the recommendations/ideas known to the public, to stimulate discussion.  It would be great if the media could then invite various people, either alone or in small groups (e.g. President, Prime Minister, other Ministers) to come and discuss these matters and to tell the public what they concretely plan to do about them.  It's democracy in action, holding politicians, etc. accountable for their positions to the public that pays their salaries.

Gintautas Kaminskas
Australia

 

Two good debates from 2010

To give you a better idea of the debates we've had in the previous year, we reproduce below two articles and the subsequent response to these received from our readers:

Arrogance, ignorance and   an airport comparison   Arrogance and ignorance are not particularly positive characteristics of anyone, and I understand it well if some of our VilNews' readers, who see that I use these words together with a picture of our Prime Minister, predict that I will now be criticising him. So let me hurry to say that these two words are meant for all questionable behaviours seen performed by our governing forces since 1990, not solely for Mr. Kubilius. Read more...

Andrius Kubilius, Lithuania's Prime Minister

 

LACK OF COMMON SENSE BY PEOPLE POSITIONED AND TASKED WITH LEADERSHIP

Thank you Mr. Myhre for this copy and mostly for your gallant effort in pointing to the lack of common sense by people positioned and tasked with leadership in very important matters. After decades of Communist style living it is possible that the population has not yet regained clarity, confidence and with it the will to keep self serving arrogance out of ranks of the Nation's leaders.  

Best regards,

Algirdas Vaitkus

Mission Viejo, California

 

I CONGRATULATE YOU ON YOUR COURAGE AND CLARITY

Dear Aage,

Bravo on an excellent issue. I congratulate you on your courage and clarity. Whether people agree or disagree with whatever point, I do hope many understand how much love, care and constructive friendship you are offering to your adopted country. Nothing can be better for a new democracy than a spirit of free civic debate and encouraging more and more local people to.... stay and debate!

Cheers

Dovid Katz

North Wales 

 

 

THE NECESSITY TO DEVELOP A CULTURE OF MUTUAL TRUST AND RESPECT

Dear Aage!

Could not resist myself writing you and congratulating you for very good article! Enjoyed reading it!

It illustrates perfectly the Adizes management methodology (ref. www.adizes.com), which I am working with currently. It talks about necessity to develop a culture of mutual trust and respect within any organization in order to be successful (could be business organization or country). And one of the important elements creating such culture is willingness to hear and understand other people and other opinions.

You just provided a perfect example about the lack of mutual trust and respect in Lithuanian society! Very well done!

Best regards,

Virginijus Kundrotas

Kaunas

 

 

ANOTHER WELL-WRITTEN AND INFORMATIVE ISSUE OF VILNEWS

Hello Aage,

Congratulations on another well-written and informative issue of VilNews. The issues addressed speak for themselves.

I would like to bring to your attention another issue that you might like to look into, i.e. the subject of Lithuanian artists abroad. There is currently an exhibit at Radvilu Rumai Museum focusing on Lithuanian artists abroad. One of the featured artists, Danute Nitecki, is local to the San Francisco Bay Area, http://www.ldm.lt/RRM/Dovana_nepriklausomai_Lietuvai.htm

Danute opened her home to the local Lithuanian community this Easter for a 4th year in a row. Her biggest concern these days is finding a long term home for her art. I would bet that her concern is common to other Lithuanian artists living abroad.

Do you think that this is something the national government might like to address, or would it be better to approach local municipalities, or private organizations.

Best regards,
Algis Ratnikas
San Francisco, USA

 

 

WE SHOULD BE GLAD THAT OUR LEADERS HAVE BEEN FINANCIALLY CONSERVATIVE

Hi,

I am new to your newsletter, but I find your observations thought provoking, which is always good, whether one agrees or not, as it provides a basis for growth. So much in circulation in today's media is just fluff with little meaning or value. 

One point in counterbalance. There is a lot of criticism of Lithuania's government, and while I agree that things could have been done better, we should be very, very glad that our leaders have been financially conservative, unlike the leadership of Vilnius, which has created huge debts for our children to pay, while goods and services were bought at inflated prices that helped cronies. 

People look to the fantasy of the US and think that government can spend freely. The US is truly living in a fantasy world that works so long as they can convince foreign countries to hoard US dollars and keep them off the domestic US market. This option is not available for Lithuania. The result, sooner or later, is super inflation like what existed in Germany around 1923 when the taxi drivers purposely drove their fares by a bak so they could adjust the rate by the latest mark value. I myself have a couple billion marks from that time. 

Iki,

Arturas Baranauskas

Vilnius

 

 

EASIER TO OBTAIN AN AUDIENCE WITH THE POPE,

THAN WITH A MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF LITHUANIA

Dear Mr. Myhre,

I enjoy your positive articles about Lithuania and send them to some 70 friends around the world. The less positive, I keep to myself.

You have lived long enough in Lithuania and must realize that many of the problems of the present day Lithuania are due to their reluctance to learn from the Western countries or accept advice from Lithuanians who lived and studied in the West. The relative success of Lithuania after World War I was largely due to the replacement of Russian educated officials by those who got their degrees in the West. My own father was the first Lithuanian with a degree in forestry from a Western university and introduced major reforms in the forest management, which survived even during the Communist occupation.

Alas, after 20 years of restoration of independence to paraphrase Kipling "The East is East, the West is West and the twain shall never (so far) meet". I spoke to a number of Lithuanians with degrees from top Western universities, who don't want to return to Lithuania - according to them, the "natives" know everything better.

I might add that for me it was easier to obtain an audience with the Pope, than with a Minister for Foreign Affairs of Lithuania.

Yours sincerely,

Ambassador Algirdas Zemaitis (ret.)

Vilnius – Rome

 

 

LISTEN TO SCANDINAVIAN ADVICE, NOT ARROGANTLY

ASSUMING THAT WE THE LITHUANIANS KNOW BEST

Hello Aage,

Hope you had a good Easter.  I have just read the latest edition of VilNews, thank you for another good job.  I agree with your editorial comments.  In particular: "Being a Norwegian, I believe Norway and the other Scandinavian countries would have been willing to stretch to great lengths to provide help and advice for the crisis–hit Lithuania and the two other Baltic States. But they had to be asked.  Our Lithuanian leaders should refrain from arrogance and avoid ignorance by seeking advice where good help and advice is to be found, domestically and internationally. Can they do that, there is every reason to foresee a bright future for this nation."

I have two comments to make on that.  First, I believe that even now it's not too late to ask the Scandinavian countries for help.  But you are exactly right: the Scandinavian countries would want in return a guarantee that whatever help they give will be used wisely, listen to Scandinavian advice, not arrogantly assuming that we the Lithuanians know best.  Closely linked to this is the second thing: no one wants to give help if they think it's going to be wasted corruptly.  Lithuanians need to be able to give the Scandinavian aid-givers a chance to supervise what is going on, the right to inspect and audit, to make sure that the aid is being used as agreed, and not to build the villas of mafiozai and corrupt politicians and public servants on land that they have misappropriated from public forests and lakefronts.

Which brings me back to my key theme (sorry if I'm repetitious):  Lithuania will not make much serious progress until bigger efforts are made to stamp out bribery and corruption.  

Best regards
Gintautas Kaminskas 
Wollongong, Australia

 

 

"DUMMHEIT UND STOLZ WACHSEN AUF EINEM HOLZ".

Dear Aage,

Thank you for the fine arrogance story.  Along the lines of your airport comparison, attached is another shameful blemish on the airport. I wholeheartedly agree that the airport is the first image of a country to the visitor. The dungeon like interior structure for processing the arriving passengers certainly doesn't leave much of an image.

I wrote a story in Draugas on robber like taxi fees from the airport to downtown Vilnius.  Also that the taxicabs are drenched with nicotine odor and loud blaring Russian radio music listened by mostly Russian speaking taxicab drivers, causing my daughter to ask whether we really have arrived in Lithuania. 

There is no cash pay-phone at the airport. To make even a local call one has to buy an expensive multiple call pay phone card, and how would a non-Lithuanian speaking visitor find out about that. Moreover, lack of an official non-commercial welcome and information center or booth to the arriving non-Lithuanian speaking foreigner is another striking example of not understanding the impact of an image that a foreign visitor receives. 

On arrogance. Several months ago I had arranged a visit between the minister of energy and a CEO of an important nuclear reactor manufacturer. The meeting was supposed to be for the benefit of the minister on information of what is forthcoming in the future, particularly in small reactors and the possibility of establishing a European affiliate of the company in Lithuania. 

The minister graciously extended an invitation to the CEO, but the minister's secretariat refused to extend even the slightest courtesy to this visit, such as picking up the visitor from the airport and transporting him to the meeting, setting up a meeting agenda, or even providing to the visitor's office the address of the ministry.  They claimed that this was just another sales visit, and the visitor should take care of everything on his own.  As a result the CEO canceled the meeting and eventually went to London. The European affiliate was established in the UK. Thus through such arrogance another opportunity was lost.   

There is a lot truth in the German proverb "Dummheit und Stolz wachsen auf einem Holz".

Best regards,

Stan Backaitis

Washington, USA

 

 

SENDING E-MAIL TO LITHUANIA IS LIKE

SENDING IT TO THE BLACK HOLE OF THE UNIVERSE

Dear Aage:

I wish to ad another bit of advise to your fine article on Ignorance.

Lithuania's business people and government officials are yet to learn the necessity of good communications. Without a two way communication there is no possibility for further contacts. One of the most frustrating experiences I had was in e-mail (before that it was in regular "snail mail") communications.  I would write and write but receive no reply (with only a few exceptions). 

When I was working, our management had a rule - "answer all letters received in not more than three days.  If there is no answer to be given, than at least acknowledge the receipt". 

One of my American colleagues, who was sincerely trying to help Lithuania, said "Sending e-mail to Lithuania is like sending it to the black hole of the universe.  Everything goes one way and nothing comes back".  No wander he is now disenchanted and helping others.

Vytautas Sliupas, P.E.

www.aukfoundation.org

Burlingame, California

 

 

LITHUANIA'S BUSINESS PEOPLE AND GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS

ARE YET TO LEARN THE NECESSITY OF GOOD COMMUNICATIONS

Dear Aage:

I totally agree with Mr. Sliupas! [ref. his above letter]  I once sent an e-mail to a Lithuanian who responded eight months later! And that is just one example -- there have been numerous others.  Perhaps they just prefer face-to-face communication, but don't know how to communicate that to you :-).

Jennifer Lambert

USA

 

What can be done to improve Lithuania's reputation to the rest of the world? A reader who responded to our latest VilNews issue argues that we have begun to go in the footsteps of other Lithuanian media in describing Lithuania in a rather negative way. I can well understand such a reaction, but it must also be said that unfortunately there has been a relatively large number of cases and circumstances in this country that deserve to be described in quite critical terms, such as: • Lithuania's economy and population, especially the weakest groups, are very hard hit by the economic crisis that has affected the world over the last couple of years, and one must be allowed to make critical remarks on how this country's authorities have acted in the handling of the crisis. It seems to me that Lithuania's government has been more concerned with finding their own solutions, trying to 'reinvent the wheel' rather than to learn from what other nations have made with regard to stimulus packages, lowered interest rates, etc. in these times of crisis, which in my view unnecessarily sets Lithuania several years back in time compared to many other countries.  Read more...

 

Dear Aage, I am an American-Lithuanian born in the US. My father was a 'DP' after the war, my mother was born in the US. My wife is Lithuanian-American and our four children speak Lithuanian. We have been active in Lithuanian-American post WWII immigration, activities all our lives. We lived in Lithuania 1992 -95 when I was a consultant for the US Treasury there at the Bank of Lithuania. You did "stick your neck out" in making the comments you did but I, for one, agree with you wholeheartedly. I think many others, particularly those who have lived both in Lithuania and outside the country, also agree. The trick is, what to do about it or, for those of us living outside, why should we be concerned? As life goes on, roots are deepened overseas and Lithuania turns its back on us or makes no effort to either woo back the Diaspora, attract tourists or foreign investment (are these all culturally linked?) an "ace up Lithuania's sleeve" will be lost forever. To be sure, internally generated progress over the last 20 years has been great and the cultural life, in Vilnius particularly, makes life here in Cleveland, or almost anywhere else I can afford to live, pretty dull. Lithuania, however, given its precarious geographic position and small population needs to be exceptional in how it organizes itself and how it takes advantage of every scrap of resource (particularly human) that it can. Good luck to you Aage. Rimas Aukstuolis, Cleveland (American-Lithuanian) Vice President Structured Trade Finance, Fifth Third Bank

Dear Aage, Your critical comments on, and wishes for, Lithuania in this issue are excellent. I agree with every word, and can only hope that more Lithuanians would take your very informed, friendly, and insightful message to heart! Best wishes, Mykolas J. Drunga, Kaunas (American-Lithuanian) Broadcaster at Lithuanian State Radio

Hello and better year 2010! I agree 100 % with you about the thesis you wrote in this issue of the journal. Things in reality are exactly as you clearly and straight have written. The reason why you often get critics is the limited knowledge of short-term "visitors", such as business consultants, diplomat crops, coming here for some years and then trying to make a picture from official Lithuanian sources or lousy press articles. I think especially you and partly me (14th year passing here) with our good touch with local population, business-life, some understanding of language and Scandinavian background, values, are looking around without coloured spectacles. Still, almost every day on, with one's private and business life meet corruption, centralization of business (Rubikon, VP etc) and pre-agreed tenders, cartels. Lithuania has got a lot of very good opportunities to become one of the success stories in Europe for agriculture, tourism, ITservices, leading harbour country by the Baltic Sea etc. but the style must be changed as you say. Thanks, Aage, for your brave and honest articles earlier, now and in the future.  Krister Kastren, Klaipeda (Finnish)

Dear Aage, Many thanks. That is a beautiful piece of writing and a well laid out story perfectly befitting the January 13th.  May I have permission to send this to the Lithuanian daily 'Draugas' for publication in Lithuanian and 'Bridges' for publication in English? Best regards, Stasys Backaitis, Washington dc (American-Lithuanian)

Dear Aage: Many thanks for writing your Chronicle of Lithuania! We, Lithuanians in diaspora or in Lithuania itself, should be very grateful and obliged to Great Friends of Lithuania like you! With all due respect, I believe your criticism is too mild though. Unfortunately, the "inconvenient truth" is that the Soviet communist nomenklatura has hijacked Lithuania's development in the last almost two decades and, consequently, our country has largely horribly wasted a truly impressive and immense political and economic capital of global good will, so excruciatingly hard earned by the Victims of the January 13th, 1991 brutal Soviet aggression and by the blood and brains of the legendary Lithuanian freedom fighters, world renowned anti-communist dissident movements, and political refugees in the West in the post-WW II years. Wishing you all the best for 2010 and beyond, I remain Yours sincerely, Valdas Samonis, PhD, CPC (Canadian – Lithuanian) The Web Professor of Global Management(SM)

Hi Aage. Scary reading, but nevertheless correct, unfortunately. Well and brave done! Best regards, Arthur Simonsen, Vilnius (Norwegian)

Responses to VilNews 7 January

Email 1 from Mr. Andrius Pauga, Consellor at the Embassy of Lithuania in Portugal: Dear. Mr. Myhre, Again and again, negative information prevails in your newsletter, as if nothing good happens in Lithuania (except road fatalities down). Even the Capital of Culture is described as a failure. I am very disappointed that you follow this bad tradition of Lithuanian media. Another thing: two Lithuanian ministers are criticised in the first article, many quotes of their critics, but no quote of any of the ministers. That's really partial.   Email 2 from Mr. Pauga: Thank you for your answer. I fully agree with you that telling truth is of utmost importance. What I am very concern about is that Lithuanian media (perhaps 90 percent of it) for many years keeps trying to pre-select the truth, to manipulate with truth - not only by giving most of attention to negative facts, but also by constant devaluating and depreciating any positive facts or developments in our country. What we have as a result is a prevailing negativism and lack of patriotism among Lithuanians, and this is worse than any economic crisis. I am deeply convinced that the mission of mass media is to form our society in a positive way, to help our people to discover real values, to teach them how to love their country, to help them to understand finally that there is no better place in the world for Lithuanians (and maybe for some expatriates as well) than Lithuania. I really hope that your newsletter, while being addressed more to international than local readers, will notice and discover all the colours of Lithuania, not only dark ones. I am looking forward to read next issues of it. By the way, have you heard that, according to 2010 Quality of Life Index published by the "International Living" magazine (http://www1.internationalliving.com/qofl2010/), Lithuania is 21-st country among the best in the world, with better quality of life than most other countries of Central and Eastern Europe (and even ahead of some countries in Western Europe). Even if this is just one of ratings, it is a good example that many Lithuanians still don't understand they are blessed by having been born here. I wish you every success in your journalist work and all the happiness for your family. Sincerely, Andrius Pauga, Lisbon (Lithuanian) Consellor at the Embassy of Lithuania in Portugal

Hi Aage, My guess is that most of the people who have complained about the newsletter are probably people in the Lithuanian government. Of course, they themselves are not angels when it comes to manipulating media, and the very fact they are complaining directly to you only shows that they are exerting pressure so that you fashion a message that justifies the institutional bullshit they tell themselves and that they want everyone else to buy into. This is a problem not just in Lithuania, but it is still a Lithuanian problem. On this topic, two quotes bear remembering: "Propaganda is to a democracy what the bludgeon is to a totalitarian state." Noam Chomsky, the famous MIT linguist. "Political language -- and with variations this is true of all political parties, from Conservatives to Anarchists -- is designed to make lies sound truthful and murder respectable, and to give an appearance of solidity to pure wind." George Orwell Darius Ross, Vilnius (Canadian-Lithuanian) Journalist

Dear Darius, Believe me, I have not received a single negative comment or complaint from anyone in the government or from other Lithuanian politicians. If to be even more precise, I have not received any comments from that side, at all…. Aage

Dear Aage,  Greetings and best wishes from Virginia. Aage I think telling as you see it should be a good example to Lithuanian news media and political commentators. The Chronicle you wrote is excellent. You have done a great job and should be proud of it.  I tend to agree with Valdas Simonis, PhD that your criticism of things that are not right are too mild if anything.  I wish you continued success. Jonas Kronkaitis, Virginia USA (American-Lithuanian) Brigadier General, former Commander of Lithuania's Armed Forces #

Dear Jonas and Valdas Simonis, I cannot completely agree with you that my criticism has been too mild. I know very well that there are also among today's Lithuanian politicians individuals who really want to do their very utmost to contribute to better conditions and a more positive development for this country, so I have not wanted to be too harsh or drastic when I first decided to make my views known. I hope however that my comments and the ensuing debate may have some positive impact. I also can not totally agree with you, Valdas, that the Soviet-inspired 'nomenclature' here has 'hijacked' Lithuania's development. It was rather the freedom movement Sajudis that 20 years ago was able to take over the ship from the Soviet nomenclature that until then had ruled Lithuania. Unfortunately, it soon turned out that the new crew was too young and inexperienced to get the ship on a steady course towards the west as the plan had been. This was further exacerbated when the new crew's intended pilot, Stasys Lozoraitis did not reach up when the Lithuanians in 1993 held its first presidential election, and then died so tragically just a year after. The Sajudis' barricade-captain who became famous when he gathered his people to quietly protests over the mighty Soviet power in 1991, quickly gained reputation for being too intellectual and artistic to be able to steer the ship, and even his own crew began gradually to mismatch in all directions. As is well known, the winner of the election in 1993 was the former Communist leader Algirdas Brazauskas, who apparently let the ship continue its course towards the west, but now in a rather leisurely pace. The reduced speed gave the ship's former owners a good opportunity to come aboard to destroy all the old log books, and it also gave the new captain and his closest officers plenty of time to fill their pockets with different gems and precious stones from the many dinghies around that needed the mother ship's favour. A lot of the originally small vessels learned quickly how they could grow at the expense of other small boats, and they also learned how much they had to pay to the mother ship's officers to look the other way when the smaller vessels were robbed.  The Sajudis crew who had represented so much of hope of a steady course and a better future for Lithuania in 1990-91 became older and disillusioned, with ever-new factions and officers. None of them succeeded in convincingly show their abilities to take over management of the ship, while the nomenclature crew on the other hand used the time well to take positions and places that they retain to this day. Still, the ship and the fleet around it proceeded slowly forwards, until finally also the nomenclature captain reached the age of retirement. None of his former top officers convinced as he had done. Then came the year 2008, and the ship again got a captain and a crew with roots in the original Sajudis crew. Unfortunately for them, the wind had increased sharply exactly when they took over, and they have since been forced to fight a terrible storm that still has not settled. Many small boats, especially the oldest and weakest ones, have already capsized and disappeared in the waves, often because the mother ship has not provided them with fuel and provisions but rather has sought to rescue the mother ship.  Fortunately, there has during this time been more experienced larger vessels and fleets from Western countries nearby, and many ask themselves today why the new crew of the Lithuanian mother ship has not been much more willing to ask for help and supplies from these even when the number of small boats that capsized was tragically high. Meanwhile the old ship owners have taken advantage of the situation by seemingly reaching out a helping hand to many of those who already 20 years ago doubted whether Sajudis' route to the west was the best choice. But the journey is not over, so maybe there is still hope for a steady course and an open attitude from the now one year old crew to learn from and seek help and assistance from more advanced ships and barges farther west and to work hard to develop leadership skills and attitudes that can make a true change to the better for the people of Lithuaniar?   13 January 1991 was a day of triumph for Sajudis, why not pick up the baton? Aage

Dear Aage I have found your article and the responses I have seen so far  quite fascinating. At first I wondered why you had written it. Generally you are writing to an expat communtity and are we a force for change or does hope spring eternal? But on reflection I can see the merit of such a discussion. I have worked and lived here for only some 10 years, rathes less than you. Ten years ago I was hugely concerned that amongst the 3 Baltic States Lithuania was the most entrenched in its old ways and the most reluctant to change. But I still fought hard to preserve my firms's investment and continuing investment in Lithuania as one day "they would get it right". Sadly 10 years on "they" have not and my initial fears have proved right. Yes, professional firms (such as my own former firm) have managed some reasonable growth and pretty marginal profitability but no where near the advancement that should have been possible. But the culture of political governance has changed very little if at all. And this has constrained the development of a proactive and sustainable business culture. Lithuania is short of natural resources (apart from timber and fresh water). Its main potential economic resource is its people. And if properly lead by quality politicians, good business leaders  and a forward thinking educational system that could mean a lot. Lithuanians have a reputation as being hard working and diligent. But sadly their reputation as "ëntrepreneurs" is better known as thieves of one sort or another. What is lacking is LEADERSHIP. I speak of political leadership which cares for the development of the country rather than politicians' own wallets. (Just look at the energy crisis now facing the country. This was forseeable at least 10 years ago. Various solutions were proposed THEN but no action taken – probably because political leaders could not agree on how to share out the "goodies".) I have spoken to many people (including my wife!) with strong political views (with which I may or not agree – but that is not the point). But when I say why don't you get diretly involved in politics? They wan't no part of it – the political system has no credibility. In terms of business leadership of Lithuanian companies, with a very few exceptions, I see a serious lack of role models for the budding entrepreneur. The young people I speak to do not see any future in joining a Lithuanian company  as a route to developing a career. They would prefer to look overseas. And I also see the major shareholders of successful Lithuanian companies uprooting their investments away from Lithuania as they do not see their future potential as being encouraged here. I am also concerned that the educational system is weak in terms of its business training . I come from the UK and was Treasurer of a significant university and on the Board of a major business school. We strived for good involvement of businesses from all spheres (banking to manufacturing, Japanese, German, even American) and generally achieved it. My attempts in Lithuania fell on deaf years. So Aage, I generally agree with your sentiments and those of some of your respondents. You are short on solutions as I think are most of us who care about Lithuania, especially in the short term. But the long term requires strong, ethical and transparent leaders in all aspects of political and business life. Where will we find them? I would welcome any comments. Good luck! Hugh Tomas, Vilnius (British) Former Senior Partner of PriceWaterhouseCoopers

Lithuania's way of treating their people living abroad (VilNews 13 January)

I am one of those Lithuanians whose family emigrated to the United States in the aftermath of World War II. My parents sent us to Lithuanian school every Saturday, so that we grew up reading, writing, and speaking the language fluently. This makes my trips to Lietuva so much more pleasant. I can relate to my cousins, I can make new friends, and I appreciate the history. On one of my visits to Lietuva, I noted that there is a definite prejudice against American-Lithuanians such as myself. You noted that the indigenous Lithuanian people need to appreciate what the diaspora has done in terms of raising support and goodwill worldwide. I wholeheartedly agree, and I appreciate your opinions. Viso gero, Jurate Burns, Destin Florida USA (American-Lithuanian) Destin Library Director

Dear Jurate, Sorry to hear, but as I said in my comment article; 'One of Lithuania's most prominent human resources is undoubtedly the country's large diasporas around the globe, groups of people and their descendants who left their mother country because of war, difficult economic conditions, political persecution, etc. These diaspora groups are in my view too little listened to or consulted from the Lithuanian authorities, which is very sad for a nation that so desperately needs all possible support and assistance from the hundreds of thousands who still have Lithuania in their hearts.' Let's see what we can do to change this kind of attitude from authorities and common people here… Aage

Good morning world – this is VilNews Lithuania!

VilNews is a brand new, online e-magazine that offers:

FRESH NEWS, BLOGS AND COMMENT ARTICLES FROM AND ABOUT LITHUANIA AND LITHUANIAN MATTERS AROUND THE GLOBE

 

It was in September 2001 – almost ten years ago – that our Vilnius International Club (VIC) held its very first meeting, in a Vilnius Old Town pub.

Not long after that we began publishing a bashful little newsletter for our members. It soon turned out that our writings achieved great popularity, even outside the borders of Lithuania, and in 2010 we experienced that our VilNews newsletter reached an audience of 10 000 - 15 000 readers for most of the weekly releases, reaching absolutely all corners of the world...

It was against this background that last autumn we decided to turn the newsletter into an online e-magazine. And here is the result!

We are proud to offer no less than 24 sections with an infinitely great variety of articles, comments, photos, online booking of hotels and travel, extensive news archives, and much, much more.

We are still in an early phase, so there will certainly be errors and omissions, but we will improve ...

We have been very pleased to see the amazingly great support that we have received from our readers, writers and contributors, from around the world, and this fact makes us confident that we will establish and continue to develop VilNews' position as the world's leading English-language e-publication from and about Lithuania! Our goal is to have a readership minimum of 100 000 persons worldwide by the end of 2011.

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OPINIONS

Here you will find letters from people who have comments to our articles or to topics connected to this section of VilNews...

We would also be happy to receive letter from people who have suggestions for us about new articles, events, ideas and more...

• 
  
  Carol Luschas, Pennsylvania, USA
  

  New ideas for
  Lithuania?

  Since the fall of the Soviet Union, Lithuania has struggled to define itself. It turned its back to "Mother Russia" and looked toward the west becoming a member of NATO and later formed and economic union by joining the EU. Unfortunately, the "Baltic Brain Drain" is still occurring, as the youth have their sights set on the West seeking comfort of material wealth and goods accompanied with a lack of a moral compass, values or care and compassion for humanity. This is extremely dangerous and is causing Lithuania to collapse and fall behind.
  
  Now this small Baltic Republic must look towards itself to inspire a new generation to have a sense of national pride, spirit, and above all hope for the future. The country needs to believe that giving back is ultimately about serving others and having a positive impact on people's happiness, health and well-being.
  
  Read more...
  
  

A new European alliance?

Too long, information given by foreign representatives has been based either on official Lithuanian sources or yellow newspaper articles

(this is an opinion letter from last Setpember)

I liked very much that you made a summary of the "bad boys and girls". As we know, there is not any source for foreigners in Lithuania to follow those cases or even to be aware of them. This information is valuable in two ways - to show the world that there is some justice in Lithuania and to tell that black forces are still existing. Too long a time the information given by the foreign representatives has been based on either official Lithuanian sources or the (light) yellow newspapers articles. It is very important that you are taking those things into the light in a simplified form for everybody to read. Unfortunately this is only the top of an iceberg and there is still so much to take up and solve until even the most horrible cases are over.

Anyway, Aage, you are again doing something great. But I must admire your brave!

Regards
Krister Castren
Honorary Consul of Finland in Klaipeda

Lada letter from New Zealand

A friend of mine whose brother lives in Lithuania sent me a copy of your article Back to the USSR in Vilnews for 28th September 2010 which I read with interest. Regarding your comments on buying cars during Soviet times reminded me that when my father purchased his car in 1969 (and for many years after), it was not possible to buy a new car in New Zealand unless you had access to overseas funds, which meant that you had to be someone like a dairy farmer who was exporting...
Read more...
John lavas, New Zealand

This is what makes VilNews so worthy

Having been a regular reader of VilNews (thanks for including me in your mail list) for over a year, I feel it's high time I wrote a proper "thank-you" message.
I am truly amazed at how much a person can achieve if he has a passionate interest in what he is doing. Being quite a 'critical reader", I can not always agree with the way you present events and characters or interpret facts, but this is exactly the thing that makes VilNews so worthy. The good debate you advocate for is just what we need to combat indifference and kindle healthy interest in what is happening to us and the world around.
As a rule I try to abstain from breaking into people's private space, I mean forwarding lots of available e-reading stuff .... I have to confess: I've done it with VilNews!
Wishing good luck to you and your other initiatives.
Olga Medvedeva,
International project co-ordinator, Vilnius

Courage and clarity

Bravo on an excellent issue. I congratulate you on your courage and clarity. Whether people agree or disagree with whatever point, I do hope many understand how much love, care and constructive friendship you are offering to your adopted country. Nothing can be better for a new democracy than a spirit of free civic debate and encouraging more and more local people to.... stay and debate!
Professor Dovid Katz, North Wales

Good example to Lithuanian news media

I think telling as you see it should be a good example to Lithuanian news media and political commentators. The Chronicle you wrote is excellent. You have done a great job and should be proud of it.
Jonas Kronkaitis, former Commander in Chief of Lithuania's Armed Forces

I'm impressed

Thanks for the newsletter. It has renewed my interest in Lithuania at a time when I am more involved in other countries. Keep the good work going. I'm impressed.
Keith C. Smith, Former US Ambassador to Lithuania, Washington DC - USA

Bringing out different points of view

I very much enjoy reading VilNews and appreciate your efforts at bringing out different points of view and including viewpoints not normally considered by ethnic Lithuanian society such as non-Lithuanians living or working in Lithuania or other interested parties.
Rimantas Aukstuolis, Vice President, Fifth Third Bank, Cleveland, Ohio

Fascinating

Thank you so VERY much for sending on the VilNews... I found the text fascinating... hmmm... I would LOVE to receive more of the Lithuania newsletter, if possible.
Marcia Theriault, Canada