Issue No 9 18 June - 2 July 2010

An initiative of VŠĮ Mes Medija

www.litnews.lt Ūsas drowned - autopsy Vilnius, June 15 (ELTA) - An autop- was drunk, had taken medicines sy has showed that Andrius Ūsas or other substances. drowned; no external violence As reported, Ūsas, the only de- marks were found on his body. fendant in the so-called Kaunas According to preliminary data, pedophile, was found face down it is likely that Ūsas had health in water in a ditch in Eigirdonys problems. Such information was village at about 4 p.m. on Sunday. presented by chief prosecutor One of the locals found Ūsas’ body, next to him there was Ūsas’ Zenonas Burokas of the Division four-wheeled motorcycle with of Pre-trial Investigation Con- the engine still running. trol of the Prosecutor General’s Office at a news conference on At the end of May, Panevėžys Tuesday. city local court was supposed to start hearing the case on the “It is likely that he drove into sexual abuse of Drąsius Kedys’ the water and climbed down, then daughter, which involved only Photo: Džoja Gunda Barysaitė. perhaps stumbled. It is likely that one suspect - Ūsas, however, the he might have had health prob- hearing was postponed until June lems”, the prosecutor said. 16 as Ūsas’ lawyer did not arrive Grybauskaitė Address to It is not clear yet whether Ūsas to the court. the Nation: Citizen - State - Future

Vilnius, June 8 (ELTA) - At the Sei- sessing the state of each sector of ties of interest groups, the domi- mas Lithuanian President Dalia the state economy, but analysing nance of departmental goals over Grybauskaitė delivered her Annual the moral state of the country and the interests of the state. State of the Nation Address. its citizens, the reasons of the crisis According to Grybauskaitė the As required by the Constitution, in the underlying values, discuss- interests of Lithuanian people are the president reviewed the coun- ing human values and the impor- the priority not only of domestic, try’s political, economic, social, tance of each and every citizen in but also of foreign policy. and cultural affairs and presented supporting the state and creating “The strategic direction is one proposals on how to solve certain the future of . and unquestionable. It is the repre- problems. According to the president it is sentation of the interests of the peo- The head of the state was not as- not the lack of money that makes ple of Lithuania and their goals, the people indignant, but the lack of assertion of national dignity in the justice and solidarity. international arena. This has to be “If we truly seek for real changes achieved through the protection of Subscribe in the country, we have to turn to state interests in the European Un- its highest values - the people. This ion, guaranteeing national security to LiTnews guide is applied generally - from by maximizing Euro-Atlantic co- Secure your copy of LiTnews by the highest officials to the servants operation, by developing mutually getting it home delivered. of the lowest units, and at the same respectful and beneficial relations time - to each and every citizen,” with neighbouring countries,” said For 30 a quarter you will receive the president. each issue of LiTnews delivered said the head of state. Summarizing the situation of the to your door by post. The president called corruption state the president highlighted the one of the vices that demean hu- That’s LTL30 in Lithuania, $30 alienation of society, the painful man dignity and called to strength- for America, Australia and expression of this alienation - emi- en penalties for corruption-related other countries outside of the gration - and called upon citizens crimes and to adopt the drafted EU, and €20 for postal delivery for the responsible creation of the laws aimed at fighting against cor- future of Lithuania. within the EU. ruption as soon as possible. “I invite all of us to relate to the LiTnews is published fortnight- In her annual report the President state as ‘our own’, to perceive its ly and features news, analysis also named specific ways to reform problems as ‘our own’, and to ad- and statistics important to the judicial system and to return dress them resolutely and creative- Lithuania. public confidence in justice. ly as ‘our own’. I invite each and For more details on sub- The person, the state, the future every citizen of Lithuania to vote scriptions and advertising - are the key words that according with great responsibility, to put email: [email protected] or call to the president should serve as forward just and fair demands, and +370 617 28606. guidelines in legislation in the fight to show a good personal example,” against the non-transparent activi- said the president. News LiTnews

New Visaginas Nuclear Power Lithuania seeks EU support Plant - important project for the to build new nuclear power region: IAEA head plant Vilnius, May 27 (Bloomberg-ELTA) Visaginas, June 15 (ELTA) - - Lithuania is seeking the European The construction of new Visaginas Commission’s support to it help build Nuclear Power Plant is an impor- a new nuclear power plant. Call or check on the internet for session tant project for the entire region, “We are in talks with the European times. All film titles written in original lan- says International Atomic Energy Commission to provide us with some guage, all films shown with original sound Agency (IAEA) Director General financial instruments,” Energy Minis- and Lithuanian subtitles. Yukiya Amano, who visited Ign- ter Arvydas Sekmokas said at a brief- alina on Tuesday. ing in Vilnius on Thursday. “Lithua- During his visit, Yukiya Amano nia has fulfilled its commitments by closing its nuclear power plant and inspected the Ignalina Nuclear we expect European solidarity and a Power Plant that was closed in • Photo: Valdas Kopūstas (ELTA). joint-effort to develop the Visaginas 2009, he was presented with the nuclear plant.” plant’s decommissioning process Genocide day commemorated in Baltics The Baltic nation wants to build a and the process of the new power (alfa.lt) Lithuanian, Latvian and Es- phasized that June 14 is not only mourn- new nuclear source of energy to re- plant implementation project. tonian leaders commemorated the ing, but also a hopeful day for Lithuania. place the Soviet-era Ignalina plant, Energy Minister Arvydas remembrance of the victims of Soviet “Commemorating the defenders of the which stopped production in Decem- Sekmokas, who spoke at the oppression on Monday. freedom today, let‘s not forget, that today ber to comply with pre-accession Whip it presentation, noted that the two President Dalia Grybauskaitė said in a it‘s also a day for hope, a hope that with- commitments to the EU. Riedòk projects were coordinated by commemoration event that all of the be- stands the threats of alien militaries and The government is looking for a strong teams. According to the reavements have to be evaluated for the nurtures generations for freedom, a hope, strategic investor for the plant, which Director: Drew Barrymore that transforms a small nation into a proud minister, Lithuania’s energy sec- good of the future, the Baltic News Serv- may cost as much as 5 billion euros. Starring: Ellen Page, Marcia Gay Harden, ice reported. fighter and helps to win the fight for truth,” Lithuania is in talks with Iberdrola SA, tor is currently experiencing an Kristen Wiig, Drew Barrymore, Juliette said Degutiene. Spain’s largest power producer, and exceptional period when one “All of those losses – not forgetting Lewis, Jimmy Fallon, Alia Shawkat a single man – have to be named and Latvian president Valdis Zatlers, speak- four other undisclosed candidates to power plant is closed and the con- evaluated for the good of the future. So ing to thousands of Latvians gathered build the plant. TDrama USA 2009 Subtitles: Lithuanian struction of another plant is being around the monument of Freedom, said that it would never repeat again, and The government will invite the five The directorial debut of Drew Berrymore. planned. those losses would remain the most pain- that what happened, cannot be forgotten. shortlisted investors to place binding Bliss Cavendar has grown unhappy with All these processes mean that ful period in the history of this nation,” the “It cannot be forgotten, it was genocide of bids by September 1, Sekmokas said small-town Texas life. She allows her mother the Lithuanian energy sector is Lithuanian president said. Latvian people.” on Thursday. to push her into entering beauty pageant af- switching to a market economy. The Estonian president stated that the The day of the mourning and hope is Statute amendment to accel- ter beauty pageant, despite having no inter- commemorated in Lithuania, remember- historical truth has to be protected, be- The construction of a new power erate legislation est herself. Bliss loves her mother and wants plant will ensure our energy inde- ing the June 14 of 1941, when the exile cause hard work has been done to ascer- Vilnius, June 7 (ELTA) - An amend- to please her and that becomes the strongest pendence and integration into the began after the Soviet Union had occu- tain it, BNS reported. pied Lithuania in 1940. ment to the Statute of the Seimas, dilemma for her: how to establish a sense international energy community. under which the Government would of self while still fulfilling her obligations to Seimas speaker Irena Degutienė em- Welcoming the attendees, IAEA be obliged to present conclusions on other people. All that Bliss wants is to get out Director General Yukiya Amano the bills on time, was submitted to the of her old life. And she gets an opportunity to said that it was of a great inter- Lithuanian and EU Development Seimas. find her way when she picks up a flyer for a est for him to inspect the ongoing Under the amendment to the Stat- Roller Derby event and finds the courage to Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant de- Vision discussed in Vilnius ute, registered by Members of the Se- try it. Bliss sees she needs to take charge in commissioning project. imas Vidmantas Žiemelis and Mantas other aspects of her life, such as her first love Varaška, if the Government does not According to him, the ongo- for a lanky young guitarist and singer named provide conclusions on the bills on Oliver and her relationship with her parents, ing processes show that the com- time (within 4 weeks), it will be consid- pany is undergoing the necessary a loving but controlling mother and an ami- ered that the Government approves of able but clueless father who seldom opposes changes, because decommission- the bill. The parliamentarians expect ing is a long and complex task. the amendment to accelerate the con- his wife’s parental decisions. The experience gained by the sideration and adoption of legislation IAE professionals and managers A round table discussion “Europe Public”. in the Seimas. 2030: Do We Have a New Approach?” will be of a great importance for In her introductory remarks, “Very often, this term is not met and was held on 4 June in Vilnius. It was Lithuania’s Foreign Vice-Minis- as a result, the further consideration other countries engaged in similar organized by the Office of Lithuania’s ter Asta Skaisgirytė Liauškienė of the bill is postponed for an indefi- projects. Prime Minister, the Ministry of For- stressed that, considering the les- nite period of time. The introduction eign Affairs and the European Law The IAEA head is convinced sons learnt during the crisis, the EU of the proposed amendment to the Department under the Ministry of that the construction of the new and Lithuania currently face impor- Statute of the Seimas would provide Justice. nuclear power plant is an impor- tant choices, when short-term meas- for the timely hearing and adoption of Small crime tant energy project for the entire The participants discussed the ures for the economy’s recovery are legislation. Moreover, the amendment Micro eglima region. European Union’s and Lithuania’s not sufficient and essential difficult would oblige the Government to pro- decisions need to be taken. DIRECTOR Christos Georgiou New Visaginas Nuclear Power development vision with respect to vide necessary conclusions on time,” said MPs Žiemelis and Varaška. Plant Director General Šarūnas the recent EU strategic documents: The participants of the discus- CAST: Antonis Katsaris, Aris Servetalis, Viki the report “Project Europe 2030. sion in Vilnius agreed that further Vasiliauskas welcomed the fact Rail Baltica to continue Papadopoulou, Rania Oikonomidou Challenges and Opportunities” by deepening and strengthening of that Lithuania had the infrastruc- the EU Reflection Group and the the EU internal market was an im- Zaragoza, June 9 (ELTA) - The rep- Comedy, Greek, Subtitles: Lithuanian ture necessary to develop nuclear report of former EU Commissioner portant guideline to strengthen the resentatives of the transport ministries energy that would contribute to for Internal Market Mario Monti, “A EU’s competitiveness, but some of Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia Leonidas is assigned to a remote island in the development of the European New Strategy for the Internal Mar- aspects, such as fiscal coordination, and Finland have expressed their po- the Aegean Sea. He dreams of solving im- nuclear energy. ket: Serving the Economy and the remained ambiguous. litical will to continue the project Rail portant crimes, but there are few to be found Baltica by signing a memorandum. in the sleepy beach community. Each day at Contacts LiTnews is available from ma- The memorandum was signed in the town café, Leonidas and the other locals LiTnews is published by jor hotels, restaurants, airports Zaragoza, Spain, currently holding watch the beautiful Angeliki, the small is- VŠĮ Mes Medija and tourism information offices the EU presidency. land’s most famous daughter, as she hosts a The views expressed in these throughout Vilnius and Lithuania. This memorandum obliges Lithua- popular talk show on national TV. These daily nia to carry out all the works that rituals are shattered when the island experi- pages are not necessarily were laid down in the Government’s ences what appears to be an actual crime - those of the publisher. LiTnews is also distributed through our priority partners: approved plan of urgent actions that the island drunk, Zacharias, is found dead at are to be taken to implement the Rail the base of a cliff. Leonidas soon finds clues Telephone: +370 5 2122448 Baltica project. that tie the victim to Angeliki, who returns to Mobile: +370 617 28606 Holiday Inn The project provides for the recon- the island and joins the investigation. Editor Šeimyniškių g. 1, Vilnius, Lithuania struction of the broad gauge (1,520 Ray Vyšniauskas Tel: +3705 210 30 00 mm) railway line from the Polish- [email protected] Email: [email protected] Lithuanian border to Marijampolė- Deimantė Dokšaitė www.holidayinnvilnius.lt Kazlų Rūda-Kaunas by linking this to [email protected] a standard rail gauge (1,435 mm) or building an additional European rail Alistair Day-Sirrat Reval Hotel Lietuva gauge along the existing railway line. [email protected] Konstitucijos pr. 20, Vilnius, Lithuania All the works will be carried out by Tel: (85) 261 15 16 Tel: + 370 5272 6272 Information, Editorial, January 2014. In addition the Kaunas Šv.Ignoto 3/4, Vilnius Administration, Subscription, Email: [email protected] logistics centre will be set up by the Distribution: [email protected] www.revalhotels.com beginning of 2015. www.kinopasaka.lt LiTnews News

Prosecutors should Government proposes to extend invite independent retirement age and retain current saving experts - Degutiene measures Vilnius, June 15 (ELTA) - The Govern- cided upon the maternity (paternity) Vilnius, June 16 (ELTA) - Speaker ment proposes to freeze the salaries of leave benefits. of the Seimas Irena Degutiene says politicians and state officials, to retain Prime Minister Andrius Kubilius that the prosecutors investigating the the 2 percent contributions to private counts that all the measures imple- death of businessman Andrius Usas pension funds, and to gradually in- mented within two years would bring and other deaths in the famous Kau- crease retirement age starting from from 1.3 to 1.5 billion litas. Accord- nas pedophilia case should invite in- 2012. ing to the head of the Government, dependent forensic experts. these measures would be in force “for These proposals were agreed upon an indefinite period of crisis”. According to the head of the Sei- at a Government sitting on Tuesday; mas, the society is so overheated, appropriate law amendments will The Government aims at reducing Photo: Džoja Gunda Barysaitė. that it is hard to believe in what is soon reach the Seimas. the budget deficit to 3 percent of GDP. This means that around 4.5 billion li- published in the media. According The retirement age would be gradu- No matter how far from home, you to Irena Degutiene, in order to avoid tas need to be found. It is expected ally raises up to 65 years, by annually that additional 2 billion litas would be speculation it is necessary to invite adding 4 months for women, and 2 received from the recovering econ- protect the interests of Lithuania independent forensic experts. months for men. omy, the remaining amount - from Vilnius, June 14 (ELTA) - June 11, tions, but are also actively involved in “From what I hear, everything is So far, the Government has not de- various saving measures. Friday, President Dalia Grybauskaitė, civil work and joint projects. very strange - Drasius Kedys choked, accompanied by the Chief of Defence The president also visited the Lithua- Usas drowned. Everything is like in a Politicians’ salaries to remain reduced of Lithuania, Major General Arvydas nian Special Operations Forces de- detective story. Indeed, it is necessary Pocius, visited Lithuanian troops in ployed in Afghanistan’s southern Kan- next year as well - Kubilius Afghanistan’s Ghor and Kandahar to ensure more clarity and transpar- dahar Province to get acquainted with Vilnius, June 14 (ELTA) - The salaries provinces, and in Kabul, the presi- ency, and this is what is needed most ues, the politicians - the Seimas and its tasks and preparedness. The presi- of politicians and civil servants will re- dential press service reports. of all today, because the case is very the Government - were entitled to dent gave high assessment to the fact main reduced next year. Prime Minister take measures to address the prob- responsible and scandalous, in order The president and her delegation that NATO partners describe the special Andrius Kubilius intends to propose to lems of the emergency finance situ- to ensure that the question of whether flew to Afghanistan by a small jet plane operation unit of Lithuania as one of the extend the validity of reduced salaries ation. offered by the United States European a pedophile network is really operat- most professional in Afghanistan. for the following year as well. “The emergency financial situation, Command. ing in Lithuania, the prosecutor’s of- we believe, will continue until we re- US Ambassador to Lithuania, Anne “We decided that politicians’ sala- President Grybauskaitė went to Af- fice has to find out everything and turn back to the main macroeconomic Derse, travelled to Afghanistan together ries, as well as the other reductions, ghanistan to get on real information provide society with answers to all parameters of 2008. And this is not with Dalia Grybauskaitė. should remain reduced next year as about the activities of Lithuanian troops questions,” Irena Degutiene told on certainly going to happen next year,” “No matter how far from your home- well. serving within the International Security Ziniu Radijas on Wednesday. said Kubilius. Assistance Force and to discuss with land you serve, your work and dedica- Irena Degutiene pointed out that “First of all, I have in mind the re- According to him, it is also planned members of the Lithuanian-led Provin- tion protect the interests of Lithuania there were a number of unclear things duction of politicians’, civil servants’ to implement the SoDra reform, de- cial Reconstruction Team in Ghor the and make it stronger. The experience in the deaths of Drasius Kedys, An- and other officials’ salaries,” Prime cide upon the retirement age, the province’s development agenda. you have gained is and will be needed. drius Usas and Jonas Furmanavicius, Minister Andrius Kubilius said after transformation of maternity benefits, You are the pillar of further moderniza- the meeting of the ruling coalition According to the president, it is im- and those deaths needed to be inves- and other issues, such as state pen- portant that specialists from the US, tion of the Lithuanian Armed Forced. I partners with Speaker of the Seimas tigated very thoroughly. That would be sions. Japan, Denmark, Ukraine, and Georgia wish you to serve safely and success- Irena Degutienė on Monday. a real test for new Prosecutor General The prime minister said that the stationed with the Lithuanian-led PRT fully here and - when you come back Darius Valys. According to him, the Constitution- Government intended to propose the are engaged not only in security opera- home - in Lithuania,” the president said. al Court has determined that while the Seimas to adopt some decisions dur- emergency financial situation contin- ing this session. Amendment proposes Seimas allows more to deprive Paksas of There should be less MPs - poll presidential title Vilnius, May 11 (ELTA) - The number of sentatives to the parliament in one- Vilnius, June 4 (ELTA) - It is pro- people to have dual parliamentarians at the Seimas should mandate constituencies, where it is posed to deprive the persons who be smaller than 141, as it is now. Such directly voted for the candidates, not were removed from office following opinion is shared by 91.7 percent of for the list drawn up by the party. citizenship impeachment proceedings, of the title Lithuanian residents, however, people Only 5.8 percent of the respondents of President of the Republic of Lithua- do not have a unanimous opinion on would like to elect members of the Vilnius, June 4 (ELTA) - The Sei- from the Republic of Lithuania what the optimum number of parlia- nia. Seimas from the list drawn up by the mas decided to allow more people by a state border. mentarians should be. Conservative Saulius Pečeliūnas parties, whereas 7.6 percent of those to have dual citizenship. On Friday, such a proposal registered such amendment at the According to the poll conducted polled did not have opinion or did not was approved of at the Seimas. Secretariat of the Seimas Sittings. by the public opinion and market re- answer the question. Under the amendment to the Law on Citizenship, those peo- 74 MPs voted in favour, 3 MPs The draft project proposes to leave search company Spinter Tyrimai, 3.2 Another 17.3 percent of people ple who departed from Lithua- against, and 14 MPs abstained the title of the president only to those percent of the respondents thought said that the Seimas election system that the number of MPs should be re- nia after March 11, 1990 - the from voting. persons who carried out their duties could remain as it is - mixed. Un- duced from 141 to 120, 25 percent - to by fair means and were not removed der the mixed electoral system, half restoration of Lithuanian inde- Under the current Law on 100, and 85 percent of the respond- of the Seimas members are elected pendence - will be able to have Citizenship, persons of Lithua- from presidency via impeachment. ent thought that the number of MPs in one-mandate constituencies, and a dual citizenship, if they are nian origin who had Lithuanian “Retaining the title of president of should stand at 85. half - in one multi-mandate constitu- of Lithuanian origin and if they citizenship and were evicted or the republic of Lithuania for life is a Another 40.4 percent of the polled ency, where the parliamentarians are have a citizenship of a European departed from Lithuania over privilege granted by legislature to a said there should be less than 85 par- elected from the lists drawn up by person who was elected to this posi- liamentarians at the Seimas. the parties and the voters can slightly Union or North Atlantic Treaty the period of 15 June 1940 and tion, who had the nation’s confidence Moreover, 69.3 percent of Lithua- change the sequence of the candidates Organizations country and live March 11, 1990 can have dual and carried out his duties with dignity. nian voters would like to elect repre- in the list. in a country that is separated citizenship. Therefore, a person who lost the na- tion’s confidence and was removed from office through impeachment proceedings for violating the Consti- tution, law, who put personal or group interests above public interests, and discredited the state by his actions cannot be granted such privilege. The state cannot grant such privilege to a person who discredited it,” said Pečeliūnas. Should Parliament approve of the changes to the law, Leader of the Or- der and Justice political party, MEP Rolandas Paksas would no longer hold the title of President of the Re- public of Lithuania. On Thursday, the Seimas adopted amendments to the Diplomatic Serv- ice Act, allowing Rolandas Paksas to retain his diplomatic passport. Events and Tourism

Dambrava honoured on 90th birthday Vytautas Antanas Dambrava, con- America as well as the Lithua- na, Brazil and Uraguay, and from sidered by many to be the father nian newspaper Draugas. 1999 - 2004 was Lithuania’s Am- of Lithuanian diplomacy, was hon- He joined the US diplomatic bassador to Spain, Morocco and oured by friends and colleagues corps in 1969 and become head Andora. at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Media Relations in the US Many friends and former min- recently. • Empire of the Sun Embassy in South America. isters spoke about the influence Born in 1920, Dambrava left When Lithuania restored its Dambrava had upon their careers Lithuania in 1944 making his independence Dambrava was ap- and praised him for his total com- Be2Gether Beckons way to the US where he worked pointed Lithuanian Ambassador mitment to his duties, as well as as a journalist for the Voice of to Venezuela, Columbia, Argenti- his endearing character. on the last weekend Remembering Crimes of June Music and arts festival Be2Gether Club Tent. The Old School night Against Humanity will take place on June 25 – 27 in program featurs all-night old Norviliškės. Around 50 different school hip-hop with Svaras ir DJ On 10 June in Washington, DC, artists from all around the world Mamania projects Gatvės lyga Lithuania‘s Ambassador to the USA. will perform at Lithuania’s biggest soundsystem, Justas Fresh, Qua- festival. Audrius Brūzga laid a wreath at the zar, Manfredas, MC Messiah, Monument to the Victims of Commu- This year organizers are happy Shidlas, Lietuva, Dee & Kamy, nism. to present an interesting program Repo seniai, the world’s most for all music fans. The line-up famous beatboxer Killa Kela The Ambassador attended a com- includes such artists as Empire and Dj First Rate. Silence family memoratory event that was organ- of the Sun, rockers Skunk Anan- program will present Leon So- ized by the Victims of Communism sie, hip – hop stars Roots Manu- mov & Jazzu, Vidis, Few Nolder, va and Killa Kella with DJ First Memorial Foundation. Monika Liu, Adomas, Mario Ba- Rate, shocking Ruble and many Foreign ambassadors of the others. sanov. countries that had suffered from The Big Stage program at On Sunday the festival climax Communism, representatives from Be2gether has such additions with the notes of Roko maršai non-governmental organizations as acrobatic show actors Instru- (Rock Marches). Until late at and members of the US Congress menti, Belosrussian rock legend night the big stages will host took part in the ceremony. Liavon Volski and Open Space Bix, Antis, Žas, Poliarizuoti stik- band. The festival organizers are lai, Svastikos Sukitės Greitai, The goal of this commemoration also happy to present the modern Freaks On Floor. You will also is to remember the consequences jazz project BrassBastardz who be able to watch the Paskutiniai of crimes against humanity, which have been captivating audiences Brėmeno muzikantai (The Last have not yet been fully evaluated with melodic sounds of soul, Bremen Musicians) presented by historically, and to honour the vic- jungle, hip-hop, house, big beat the Keistuolių teatras (Cranky and drum&bass. BrassBastardz Theatre). tims of this regime. call their mix “new groove acid jazz”. This year Be2Gether will also Festival club ZIP FM is pre- offer a movie night, football senting Be2gether Fresh pro- competition, anti-stress activi- gram. It is featuring talented ties, on-site steam bath and ex- music projects by young artists, otic massages, a separate stage such as guests from Moscow, in- for art performances, the first die rockers Everything is made Lithuanian space volleyball Bos- in China, stylish Gerai gerai & saball tournament and a mass Miss Sheep, theatric and cool wedding. Liūdni Slibinai (Sad Drag- Even more information about ons) , the winners of Blogiukai (Bad Guys) music competition Be2gether Festival can be found – Vilnius band The Dominoes, at www.b2g.lt progressive Avaspo and other A three-day festival pass costs unique artists. LTL130, one-day pass LTL70. Dance music virtuosi will show Ticket prices will rise after 25 the best turntable skills in the May. LiTnews Culture and Events Lithuania determined to Andrius Kubilius to Lecture in London Andrius Kubilius, Prime Minis- continue supporting EHU ter of the Republic of Lithuania, is to give a public lecture at the Lithuania intends to continue its budget, that are adopted by the support to the Vilnius-based Euro- London School of Economics at Governing Board of the EHU. 6.30 pm, 22 June. pean Humanities University (EHU) Currently, the Trust Fund has until this education institution is become the main source of the As well as his duties in poli- able to be settled again in Minsk, EHU’s financial stability. The tics, Kubilius is interested in the country’s Minister of Foreign fund is supported by the European political science, history and Affairs Audronius Ažubalis said on the knowledge economy. He Commission, Nordic Council of 2 June in Vilnius, addressing the is Chairman of the Policy participants of the third EHU Trust Ministers, the USA, the Czech Committee of the Knowledge Fund Donor Assembly, informs Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Economy Forum, and has been Finland, France, Greece, Ireland, Ministry of Foreign Affairs. a Member of the international • President Grybauskaitė with Dr Birutė Galdiakas. Photo: Džoja Gunda Barysaitė. Lithuania, Norway, Poland, Spain, Advisory Board of the Bal- According to the minister, and Sweden. tic Development Forum since Lithuania’s decision to open the Advisory Committee of the 2001. To preserve nature, we first EHU in Vilnius was based on re- fund was established aiming to The lecture is free and open spect to democracy values, free- effectively attract funding from dom and human rights, but the to all, however a ticket is re- have to change ourselves governments and private sources. quired and can be requested mission of the EHU is impossible Members of the committee are President Dalia Grybauskaitė without the support from partners. from: www2.lse.ac.uk experience, enthusiasm and high representatives of Estonia, Lithua- met with Dr. Birutė Galdikas, the aspiration to stop the demoli- Minister Ažubalis thanked the nia, Norway, and the USA. Lithuania to consider well-known Lithuanian Canadian tion of nature is an example to European Commission and the The first Donor Assembly was primatologist, conservationist, Nordic Council of Ministers, the easing visa rules for be followed and a great incen- held on 23 October 2008 in Brus- ethologist, and author of several tive to protect our surroundings. biggest donors of the university, books relating to the endangered sels, the second was organized Kaliningrad We cannot live for this day only. and expressed hope that the sup- orangutan. port of these institutions would not on 2 June 2009 in Vilnius. The To change the situation, we first third assembly was attended by Vilnius, May 31 (RIA Novosti- decrease in the future. ELTA) - Lithuania may once Their conversation centered have to change ourselves: we representatives of the European on Dr. Galdikas’ research, con- “The EHU is one of the most Commission, Nordic Council of again consider adding its name must preserve nature for those prominent international projects servation activities and plans for Ministers, McArthur Foundation, to a Russian-Polish request to who will come after us,” the of democracy promotion, and it the future. The President under- United States Agency for Interna- the European Commission ask- President said. became a reality because of your lined that Birutė Galdikas, who tional Development, the EHU, the ing for the easing of visa rules support”, the Minister told the par- for the Russian Baltic exclave is internationally recognized for The President expressed her Czech Republic, Denmark, Es- ticipants of the donor conference. of Kaliningrad, the country’s environmental initiatives, was strong hope that Birutė Galdi- tonia, Finland, France, Hungary, prime minister told RIA Novosti making a significant contribution kas, whose environmental ac- Minister Ažubalis also noted Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway, in an interview on Monday. to protecting animals and their tivities were promoting the that the EHU is an important pro- Poland, Sweden, and the U.S.A. moter of Belarusian culture and natural habitats and to fighting name of Lithuania around the The European Humanities Uni- The European Parliament’s identity. Therefore, in the opin- resolution 1931/2006 allows the destruction of living nature. world, would share her price- ion of the head of Lithuania’s di- versity was originally based in less experience and knowledge Minsk, but in 2004 it was closed states parties to the Schengen “The Earth is our only refuge plomacy, it would make sense to agreement to establish a sim- with Lithuanian researchers and down for political reasons. At the and home. By devastating the teach more subjects in the Bela- plified visa regime for people students by including them into invitation of the Government of environment, we are devastat- rusian language, in addition to the living in the 30-km (or 50-km) ing ourselves. Your invaluable joint work projects. existing studies of Belarus. Lithuania, the university moved zone from both sides of the ex- In 2008, Trust Fund was estab- to Vilnius in 2005. In 2006, it was ternal border. lished at the initiative of the Euro- granted the status of a Lithuanian university. Currently, it is has In July 2009, Lithuania, Po- Lithuania Leading in pean Commission. The fund aims land and Russia started prepar- more than one and a half thousand to guarantee continuous funding ing a request to the European Broadband and Digital TV to the EHU, it is administrated by Belarusian students. Union’s main executive body, The 15th Progress Report on the Nordic Council of Ministers, By inviting this Belarusian uni- seeking to extend the resolu- were provided using a non-DSL the Single European Electronic which makes payments for the ac- versity to renew its activities in tion to all Kaliningrad Region technology in January 2010, tivities of the university only ac- Vilnius, Lithuania undertook a residents. Lithuania, however, Communications Market – 2009 largely above the EU average of cording to the strategic plan and commitment to support it. later withdrew from the prepa- prepared by the European Com- 21%. And with the completion rations. mission places Lithuania among of the publicly funded rural fibre Global Internet Governance “We will once again consider EU’s leading countries in terms of network project (called RAIN), [joining the request], I think the the development of broadband in- access to broadband will be Forum to be held in Vilnius issue got stuck somewhere on frastructure, mobile communica- available to 98% of the Lithua- the bureaucratic level. I always tions as well as digital television. nian population. The Global Internet Governance The Global Forum will provide speak in favor of easier travel Digital terrestrial television Forum 2010, which will be held in an opportunity to instigate dis- of citizens... It may need some Lithuania is ranked 3rd lead- (DTTV) network covers 92% of Vilnius on 14-17 September 2010, cussions regarding the above- time, but I think the issue will ing among EU-27 in the devel- will provide new opportunities mentioned problems and enable be solved. I’m optimistic about opment of fibre and wireless the territory of Lithuania, and it for Lithuania in the generation to make solutions meet future re- it,” Andrius Kubilius said. broadband connections, outpac- is in service for 95% of the popu- of a knowledge society and par- quirements and facilitate the tack- Sandwiched between Poland ing Denmark, Norway, Sweden, lation. In terms of the develop- ticipation in the formatting of new ling of problems in the future. and Lithuania, Russia’s west- the Netherlands, Luxembourg ment of the DTTV network, information and communication Lithuanian business representa- ernmost Kaliningrad Region and Germany. In 2009 up to 64% Lithuania stands in one line with technology policies, as well as fa- tives will be able to participate has no land border with Russia. of broadband lines in Lithuania France, the UK and Slovakia. cilitating the development of new in Forum discussions and present business contacts. their aspect towards the global “The Global Internet Govern- topicalities of the internet. Main ance Forum to be held in Vilnius topics – management of critical provides a particular opportunity information resources, openness for the presentation of Lithuania as and privacy, access and diversity, a modern country and increasing internet management develop- the influence on the management ment, internet management and of social processes, as well as en- the future. During the event, dis- hancing international business re- cussions will be also held regard- lations in the field of information ing such advanced technologies as and communication technologies, cloud computing of data, software attracting the attention of poten- in the internet. tial investors”, said Vice-Minister The Global Internet Govern- Rimvydas Vaštakas. ance Forum in Vilnius is arranged According to the Vice-Minister, by the United Nations Secretariat increasing attention of politicians General and by Lithuanian part- is necessary for the improvement ners – the Ministry of Transport of internet management, solution and Communications and the In- of contents development issues, formation Society Development safety and reliability problems. Committee. Economics & Finance LiTnews

Lithuania to sell euro- State Budget collects more denominated domestic debt income than planned in May from July Vilnius, June 11 (ELTA) - Over May (€20.72 million) were received Vilnius, June 14 (Bloomberg- this year the state budget received from income tax as compared ELTA) - Lithuania plans to be- LTL1.657 billion (€0.479 billion), to the planned LTL76.8 million gin sales of euro-denominated while the projected revenues stood (€22.23 million). bonds in domestic auctions from at LTL1.223 billion (€0.354 billion). Over a period of five months next month to diversify borrowing According to the Finance Min- this year, the state budget collected opportunities. istry, the state budget collected LTL8.382.2 billion together with The notes, which will be auc- most revenues from value-added the funds of the European Union tioned at the NASDAQ-OMX tax (VAT). Over May, revenues and other countries (the EU funds Vilnius, are expected to hold stood at LTL2.489.6 billion). from VAT amounted to LTL585.6 maturities of more than one year, million (€169.52 million) com- Over the five months of the Finance Ministry said in an pared with the expected LTL518.6 2010, the state budget received emailed statement. billion (€150.13 billion). LTL5.892.6 billion as compared Vilnius Declaration Over the said month, revenues to the planned LTL5.489.4 billion. Zero inflation predicted for of LTL256 million (€74.10 mil- In 2010, the state budget deficit from the Council of the June lion) were received from excise stands at LTL4.930 billion. All ad- duty as compared to the predicted ditional income is used to reduce Vilnius, June 14 (ELTA) - The LTL280 million (€81.05 million). the budget deficit, states the report Baltic Sea States Department of Statistics fore- casts that inflation measured by In May, LTL71.6 million of the Finance Ministry. The Heads of Government and other take a shared responsibility for sus- high-level representatives of Denmark, tainable development. the harmonized index of con- sumer prices will stand at 0.0 Estonia, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Regional economic growth benefits Belgian Etex Group Opens a Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, from an integrated maritime policy percent in June, as compared Russia, Sweden and the President of and well-interconnected transport with May. Plant in Lithuania the European Commission gathered networks. The Belgian industrial group, for its state-of-the-art building in Vilnius on 1-2 June 2010 for the 8th According to the Department, specialising in the manufacture with modern technology and the Baltic Sea States Summit. All countries in the Region enjoy annual inflation will reach 0.8 and marketing of high quality latest quality standards. the results of integrated energy mar- percent, while average annual The Summit stated its conviction kets, improved energy efficiency and building materials and systems, The capacity of the new plant that the Baltic Sea Region, on the ba- inflation will stand at 0.9 percent Etex Group, opened its new fi- extended use of clean and renewable will be 2-3 times higher than the sis of: energy. in June. bre cement roofing sheet plant in entire production of fibre cement 1. respect for democratic principles, The inflation rate predicted for Lithuania, the only one of its kind The people of the Region benefit sheets in the past, says the newly human rights and the rule of law, June will be slightly influenced by in the Baltic States. from positive dynamics of socio-eco- established Eternit Baltic’s Di- 2. active civil societies, nomic development, ensuring good rising transport prices as well as With over 110 employees, the rector Gediminas Vaitkevicius. 3. increasingly integrated and interde- public health and social well-being. the prices for foodstuffs and non- company aims to produce about The company expects to ex- pendent economies, The countries of the Region are alcoholic beverages. The overall 7 million square meters of fibre port the fibre cement sheets to 4. developed social dialogue and so- effectively reducing unemployment, price growth will be stopped by cement sheets in its eco-friendly Latvia, Estonia, Poland, Germa- cial cohesion, social exclusion and inequality in the declining prices of stationery and factory building which required ny, Romania, Russia and other labour market. has the potential to become one of office supplies and a decrease in an investment of over 70 million European countries. the most prosperous, innovative and The Region benefits from advanced regional networks built on active ap- the prices of ready-made apparel competitive regions in the world, us- and footwear. ing the strengths of the Council of plication of information technologies. Summer season increases the Baltic Sea States and other exist- The people of the Region are ex- passenger flows ing Baltic Sea regional cooperation periencing a steady progress in com- Top 10 Richest Lithuanians frameworks. bating terrorism, in enhancing the Veidas magazine recently Vilnius, June 3 (ELTA) - In the five protection and resilience of critical son, the variety of scheduled and The Summit made a strong politi- published their list of the richest months this year, Vilnius Inter- charter flights attract consider- cal commitment to turn into reality infrastructure and in fighting organ- people in Lithuania. national Airport (TVOU) served able number of passengers trav- the following Vision for the Baltic ized crime, especially trafficking in 517,170 passengers, an increase elling via Vilnius airport,” says Sea Region by 2020: human beings, including children, The richest person is Bronis- of 10% as compared with the same TVOU CEO Tomas Vaišvila. The Region has a well-balanced and in illegal drugs. lovas Lubys (LTL1.2 billion), a period last year. According to him, Vilnius intergovernmental structure for po- A strong regional identity is emerg- major shareholder of Achemos ing, fostered by research, education, captured the second place, after litical dialogue and practical coopera- grupė. In April (134,000), the number tion. culture, and the common heritage of Riga (1.621 million passengers), Next on the list, in order of of passengers increased by 19% The Baltic Sea is regaining its eco- the region. among the airports of the Baltic wealth are: Nerijus Numavičius as compared with the same month States, whereas Tallinn remained logical health, with its littoral States The Region benefits from promo- tion of tolerance and extended peo- (LTL1.1 billion, Vilniaus preky- last year. in the third place (495,257 pas- playing a leading and exemplary role in dealing with the environmental ple-to-people contacts. ba), Darius Mockus (LTL1 bil- Comparing the results of April sengers). challenges. and May this year, passenger The Summit expressed its grati- lion. MG Baltic), Augustinas and This year Copenhagen, Riga, Marked progress has been achieved tude to Lithuania for its Presidency Artūras Rakauskas (LTL726 flow increased by 37% in May. London, Frankfurt, Prague, Dub- in fostering investment-friendly of the CBSS during 2009-2010, and million, Senukai), Žilvinas Over a period of five months, the lin, Helsinki, Warsaw, Moscow economies and innovation driven welcomed Norway as the incoming Marcinkevičius (LTL648 million, number of flights increased by and Vienna remain the most pop- production. Presidency for 2010-2011. 23% (10,868) and the amount of Vilniaus prekyba), Dainus Dun- ular destinations. The Summit welcomed the invita- Using the potential of public- dulis (LTL600 million, Rivona), cargo transported grew to 2,052 Vilnius International Airport private partnerships and driven by a tion from Germany to host the 9th tons. expects to serve about 2 million common understanding, the public Baltic Sea States Summit in June Vidmantas Kučinskas (LTL525 “The beginning of summer sea- passengers this year. sector and the business community 2012. million, Arvi ir ko), Arūnas Martinkevičius (LTL504 million, SBA), Ramūnas Karbauskis (LTL486 million, Agrokoncernas) and Nerijus Dagilis (LTL323 mil- lion, Hermis Capital).

Hourly labour costs down by 10.3% in Q1 y-o-y Vilnius, June 10 (ELTA) - In the first quarter of this year, compared with the first quarter of 2009, hourly labour costs in industrial, construction and serv- ices companies, including sole proprietorships, went down by 10.3%. In business companies, hourly labour costs dropped by 10.8%, the Department of Statis- tics reports. LiTnews Economics & Finance Totals and changes in trade with key foreign partners The EU is interested in trade relations with the east - Ažubalis Jan –April Jan – April The European Union is economi- World Trade Organization, as it 2010 2010. cally interested to reach an agree- is especially important for the ment on stable and global rules- Exports against Jan– Imports against Jan– economy of the European Un- April 2009, April 2009, LTL million % LTL million % based trade relations with its ion. growth, drop growth, drop neighbours in the East as soon In Minister A.Ažubalis’s opin- (-), % (-), % as possible, Lithuania’s Minis- ion, during the negotiations with ter of Foreign Affairs Audronius Total 14691.9 100 17.2 Total 16814.4 100 21.8 Ukraine on free trade the EU Ažubalis said during the meeting EU 9341.4 63.6 14.8 EU 9117.4 54.2 10.6 with Péter Balás, Deputy Director has to aim to make an ambitious agreement and, at the same time, General of the European Com- CIS1 3492.5 23.8 26.3 CIS1 6415.5 38.2 49.6 mission’s Directorate-General for the EU has to be prepared to Trade in Vilnius on 11 May. demonstrate flexibility, especial- EFTA2 448.4 3.1 -1.5 EFTA2 119.1 0.7 -20.7 ly regarding the opening of the The goal of this meeting was agricultural produce market. It is Russia 1956.9 13.3 23.6 Russia 5963.1 35.5 52.2 to discuss important issues of important to conclude this agree- the European Union’s (EU) trade ment as soon as possible and in Germany 1634.2 11.1 40.8 Germany 1747.2 10.4 9.7 policy. Special attention was this way to support European in- dedicated to the EU’s trade rela- tegration aspirations of Ukraine. Latvia 1357.6 9.2 5.7 Poland 1455.0 8.7 4.7 tions with Russia and Ukraine, Poland 1164.6 7.9 58.3 Latvia 905.1 5.4 2.6 projects of the Eastern Partner- When discussing the EU’s Eastern Partnership programme, ship initiative and an appropriate Estonia 782.8 5.3 -5.0 Netherlands 652.2 3.9 2.2 use of EU’s instruments of trade the Minister said that Lithuania protection. aimed to use the projects that Belarus 760.2 5.2 26.8 Belgium 566.9 3.4 41.5 were based on this initiative During the conversation the to have the EU open talks with Minister stressed that during Netherlands 723.4 4.9 20.5 Italy 518.8 3.1 13.3 Georgia on Deep and Compre- negotiations with Russia on the UK 677.9 4.6 22.8 Sweden 498.6 3.0 34.2 new Partnership and Coopera- hensive Free Trade Agreement as soon as possible. tion Agreement, the European Sweden 578.1 3.9 17.2 France 438.6 2.6 26.0 Commission must persistently According to Minister aim at having Russia’s clear A.Ažubalis, instruments of trade USA 563.3 3.8 32.1 Estonia 433.9 2.6 23.2 commitments in the area of for- protection must remain an im- Denmark 549.6 3.7 2.8 China 433.3 2.6 0.2 eign trade, in compliance with portant means of ensuring fair the rules that are set out by the trade. Ukraine 528.0 3.6 78.8 Denmark 321.7 1.9 -11.4 Western Union is yet another result of Other 3415.3 23.5 - Other 2880.0 16.9 -

consistent effort 1 Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan. Prime Minister Andrius Kubilius known companies are going to 2 Island, Lichtenstein, Norway, Switzerland. welcomed the choice of Western follow the footsteps of Barclays, Union, the international financial IBM, Fermento and now West- services company and leader of ern Union”, said Prime Minister Lithuanian Foreign trade innovations, to invest in Lithuania Kubilius. and stressed that this move was The services centre in Vilnius yet more proof that consistent is going to be the fourth interna- January – April 2010 efforts by the Government to at- tional centre of Western Union. Statistics Lithuania reports that, based tract global high-tech leaders to Western Union has more than In April 2010, compared to March 36.6% – plastics and plastic products, Lithuania yields excellent results. on non-final data obtained from cus- 2010, exports and imports increased a 3.2-fold increase in exports of ships, 6,000 employees, and its turno- toms declarations and Intrastat report- by 7.6 and 8.6% respectively; mineral ver was US$5.1 billion in 2009. boats and floating structures, and a “I am glad that more and more ing data, exports in April 2010 amount- products excluded, exports increased 27.2% increase in exports of motor ed to LTL 4.1 billion, imports – LTL innovation and high-tech lead- In March 2010 the global for- by 2.9%, while imports decreased by vehicles. The increase in imports was 4.9 billion. The foreign trade deficit of 4.3%. Exports of goods of Lithuanian ers, of all the countries around eign direct investment monitor influenced by a 71.8% increase in the world, choose Lithuania as database FDiMarkets.com an- Lithuania amounted to LTL 0.8 billion, origin grew by 12.2%; mineral prod- which is 2.6 times more than in April ucts excluded, exports of goods of imports of crude oil, 30.2% – motor the best place to establish their nounced that 28 foreign inves- vehicles, 59.2% – organic chemicals. advanced service centres. This tors entered the Lithuanian mar- 2009. Data on trade with EU countries Lithuanian origin grew by 6%. The was adjusted after VAT returns data increase in exports was influenced In January–April 2010, the most shows that we are able to win in ket in 2009; they invested over by a 28.4% increase in exports of pe- the global competition for talent LTL3.5 billion (€1 billion) and had been received. important partners in exports were troleum oils and oils obtained from Russia (13.3%), Germany (11.1%), and attraction of high technolo- created 5,300 new jobs. In April 2010, compared to April bituminous minerals, 41.7% – fer- Latvia (9.2%), Poland (7.9%), in gies, as well as provide the best Moog Medical, the US manu- 2009, exports and imports increased tilisers. The increase in imports was environment for investment”, by 36.2 and 46.9% respectively; min- influenced by a 2.1-fold increase in imports – Russia (35.5%), Germa- facturer of medical devices, ny (10.4%), Poland (8.7%), Latvia said Prime Minister Kubilius. launched production, services eral products excluded, exports and imports of crude oil. (5.4%). “Investments like this will and R&D of medical devices in imports increased by 22.5%. Exports In January–April 2010, compared of goods of Lithuanian origin grew not only lead to the creation of to the same period in 2009, exports In January–April 2010, the larg- Lithuania. The leading ventila- by 37.2, mineral products excluded new jobs in Lithuania and in- tion company, Sweden’s Syste- and imports grew by 17.2 and 21.8% est share in exports fell within min- – by 15.8%. The increase in exports respectively; mineral products ex- eral products (22.5%), machinery crease in export of the Lithua- mair plans to open a new venti- was influenced by a 2.3-fold increase cluded, exports increased by 12.7, and mechanical appliances, electri- nian services, but they will also lation equipment manufacturing in exports of petroleum oils and oils imports – by 8.1%. Exports of goods cal equipment (9.4%), vehicles, air- stimulate Lithuania to make a plant in Ukmergė, and Spain’s obtained from bituminous minerals, of Lithuanian origin grew by 16.7%; craft, vessels and associated transport breakthrough moving towards Gruppo Sopena plans to open an a 47.7% increase in exports of motor mineral products excluded, exports of the high value-added economy. aluminium parts plant in Alytus vehicles, 24.3% – plastics and plas- goods of Lithuanian origin grew by equipment (8.9%), in imports – min- I know that a number of well- industrial park. tic products. The increase in imports 10%. An impact on the increase in ex- eral products (35.1%), products of the was influenced by a 2.8-fold increase ports was made by a 37.9% increase chemical or allied industries (12.1%), In May SoDra benefits exceeded in imports of crude oil and a 66.2% in exports of petroleum oils and oils machinery and mechanical applianc- revenues by LTL246.3 mill increase in imports of motor vehicles. obtained from bituminous minerals, es, electrical equipment (11%). Vilnius, June 15 (ELTA) - Accord- sources. ing to preliminary data, in May In May 2010, monthly benefits 2010, SoDra budget revenue stood at 1.920,2 billion litas, which stood at 845.9 million litas (244.88 is 42.7 million litas or 4.1 percent million euros), which is 12 mil- more than planned. As compared to lion litas (3.47 million euros) or the same period last year, the ben- 1.4 percent more than planned efits were 101.1 million litas or 8.5 and 70.2 million litas (20.32 mil- percent smaller. lion euros) or 7.7 percent less as In May this year, monthly ben- compared with the same period efits exceeded revenues by 246.3 last year. million litas (71.30 million euros). In May, as planned, SoDra re- Over five months this year, SoDra ceived 29 million litas (8.38 million received 4.24,7 billion litas reve- euros) assignations from the state nues, which is 114.7 million litas or budget and other state financial re- 2.9 percent more than planned. Sport LiTnews

Kurtinaitis Cut Loose It’s official, will Sport Shorts be looking for a new job next season. Lietuvos Rytas has signed Croatian Macijauskas Retires Drazen Anzulovic to take the reigns Arvydas Macijauskas announced his guard reluctantly contacted the Lithua- of the Vilnius club, and the new retirement from . The Lithua- nian Basketball Federation with his re- coach was in Vilnius for a few days nian Kalashnikov, as he was sometimes tirement decision because he was on recently to meet some of the players referred to, cited back problems as the the preliminary list for the national team. and advise them on their training re- reason. gime. After training hard in Miami for the last Earlier surgery to his Achilles tendon month he realised the extent of the in- Kurtinaitis and Vainauskas are said resulted in a back problem that would jury and says that he wants to continue to have held talks and Kurtinaitis need surgery and another year of reha- a career in basketball, but this time call- stated on the TV program Panorama bilitation, and the 30 year old shooting ing the shots rather than making them. that the club basically needed a coach with a lower salary. Lithuanians pull out of NBA draft Both parties are said to have parted Both of Lithuania’s brightest prospects stock for next year and a better chance amicably and appreciate each other’s for the NBA draft have withdrawn their of being a first round pick. position as well as their work togeth- applications, opting instead for another er over the preceding year and a half. Donatas Motiejūnas had pulled out of year in the European leagues. Kurtinaitis presided over one of the the draft a bit earlier after a somewhat more successful eras of Lietuvos Ry- had offers from disappointing season in Italy. many NBA clubs to participate in train- tas, but management was concerned ing camps, but in the end decided to Many experts cited his reliance on about the fall in form from Febru- take up the invitation for the National natural ability rather than hard graft for ary, and the hardship in overcoming Team Second Squad. Žalgiris who were playing without a his fall from grace, but both boys need coach for most of the LKL final se- It was also expected that Kuzminskas more experience and a lot of time in the ries. would only be picked in the second weight room before they can be consid- The need for change was probably round and he hopes to improve his ered legitimate NBA contenders. the over-riding factor as both camps Savickas lifts another Strongman Trophy hope to reinvigorate their efforts next season. • Stepas Babrauskas will sadly not don a Rytas uniform next season. Žydruūnas Savickas was equal first in The battle for third was equally enthral- Robert Stelmahers has been ap- the Strongman Champions League–Ire- ling as Agris Kazelniks pipped Alexan- pointed assistant coach and Arvydas land contest on 6 June. der Klyushev by three points after being Gronskis retains his position as sec- Off Season sparks tied coming into the final event. ond assistant coach. Savickas tied with Terry Hollands after a count-back failed Ireland turned on On the player front Aron Baynes, wholesale changes for to separate the a nice sunny Sun- Stepas Babrauskas, Donatas Za- two big men. Both day in Limerick for vackas, Vidas Ginevičius and Justas competitors had the first Strong- Sinica have left the team. Lithuanian basketball taken three wins, man Champions Again money is the central issue two second plac- League to be held and Rytas would probably like to with coach Drazen Anzulovic before. The management in Kaunas are ings and a fourth on the Emerald retain some of their services, but un- Nalga is said to be an intelligent tall also looking to sign a new point on the day, so the Isle and organis- able to match offers they can get on guard and centre for next season, and judging committee who will play second big man behind ers, fans and com- the open market. there is some talk that they might lend took the rare deci- Valančiunas. petitors are looking Baynes and Sinica were not per- some of their younger players to oth- sion of announc- There is a lot of excitement around forward to making forming as hoped and management er clubs where they would get more ing them joint win- the development of the 210 cm the trip again next had lost faith in them. Sinica might court time, leaving room for other ners. Valančiūnas who many regard as the Courtesy of IronMind Enterprises, Inc. year. still play with Perlas. new signings. next Sabonis, so much so in fact that CRandall J. Strossen As far as the coaching position The players remaining at Rytas will there is said to be a lot of interest from goes, there was talk of Kurtinaitis and be Jonas Valančiūnas, Milko Bjelica, Olympiacos in buying his contract. Kenan Bajramovic, Artūras Joman- Chomičius being possible candidates. tas, the new team captain, Žydrūnas Still, at 18 it is expected he will Kurtinaitis has all but ruled himself Kelys, Martynas Gecevičius, Simas remain in Lithuania at least for next out after meeting Romanov and stat- Buterlevičius and Igor Milosevic. season where he will receive the court ing he wants a say in recruitment, as time he still needs in his development. well as total control of the team. New signings are Australian Brad Newley, Šiauliai forward Arvydas Kurtinaitis is still awaiting further Šiksnius and with an eye on de- Žalgiris offers and has stated he wants to coach in Euroleague next season. veloping young talent, three Per- Žalgiris will go into next season las players; Giedrius Staniulis, with a much more stable line-up. Paulius Dambrauskas and Eimantas Only three players are out of con- Off Court Bendžius. tract - Povilas Čukinas,Travis Watson The off court banter continues with Negotiations were concluded in the and Tadas Klimavičius. Given public letters flying both ways. Jonas signing of the two final players for Klimavičius’ performance last sea- Vainauskas is still threatening Ro- the roster; point guard Jerry Johnson son, especially in the finals, the club manov with libel, who in turn said and centre Cemal Nalga. is expected to work hard to retain his he would agree to apologise if Jonas Johnson will be the main point services. All three have a plus one admits he suggested buying the LKL guard for the team and has played clause in their contracts. title in jest.

Dancing for the Championships Šiauliai, Vilniaus Lietuvos Rytas and Kau- Rytas, Kaunas Žalgiris and Amber Dance nas Žalgiris, as well as Amber Dance from stood above the rest and will be recom- It’s not just the men that have to per- Vilnius, Energym from Panevėžys and mended for Eurobasket 2011, though form for the European Championships to Arebescas from Marijampolė all had to there was still room for improvement. be held in Lithuanian next year. Recently perform seven routines in Klaipėda where Further she said that hopefully it will seven Lithuanian dance groups were put they were judged on dance, acrobatics, be all Lithuanian dancers used for the through their paces to see if they qualify dress and communication with the audi- tournament and if Šiauliai should work on for the upcoming championships. ence, among other things. their routines they have the best chance The basketball team dancers for Irena Valantinienė said that Lietuvos of also making the grade.