DOPESHEET:

Lithuanian State Security Department warned about provocation on the Internet calling to sign a petition on incorporation of Klaipeda region into Russia amid concerns over crisis in Ukraine.

In a press release, the Department said that the petition on Klaipeda was published on the New York-registered Internet portal avaaz.org.

The portal has already contained a few provocative initiatives; however, since it is nearly unknown, they did not achieve any goal. This time, the petition on Klaipeda was 'discovered' and published by figures advocating Russian interests in Lithuania.

The State Security Department urges Internet users and the media to take a clear-headed and pragmatic stance on provocations and steer clear of them. Lithuanians are urged to follow the example of advanced citizens of Ukraine -- their response to far sharper provocations from the Kremlin.

The department also reminds that public calls to violate sovereignty or territorial integrity of the Republic of Lithuania are treated as a crime and may be punishable by up to five years in prison.

Representatives of Lithuania's largest parties -- the ruling Social Democrats and the opposition Conservatives -- expressed indignation over the Internet provocation on incorporation of the Klaipeda region into Russia.

Representatives of Russian community in Klaipeda also condemned the initiative.

Klaipeda region was annexed from Lithuania by Nazi Germany in 1939. In the final stages of the WWII it was occupied by Soviet forces, and was formally annexed by the Soviet Union, cleared of its native German population, and made a part of the Lithuanian SSR in 1948.

Since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1990, it has been part of the Republic of Lithuania as it was during Interwar period.

As of 2007, the population in Klaipeda was 186 thousand, 74% of them Lithuanians and almost 20% Russians.

SHOTLIST

Vs Russian petition in avaaz.org urging to sign on incorporation of Klaipeda region into Russia

Representatives of Lithuanian State Security Department arriving at the presser:

Soundbite (Lithuanian), GEDIMINAS GRINA, Director of Lithuanian state security department:
We do not see this a simple crime, but as a threat to national security. If persons who do this will be identified, then law enforcement institutions might step in and act according to criminal code, investigating a crime, not a threat.

More of avaaz.org petition

Soundbite (Lithuanian), ARTURAS PAULAUSKAS, Chairman of Parliamentary Committee for National Security and Defense:
This is a prompt to violate our sovereignty and territorial integrity. A criminal case has to be opened; a trial has to be started. If needed, cooperation, for example with United States has to be started in order to receive judicial help, to investigate who started this, what are their aims. However, I think that symptoms are clear and investigation has to be started. We will address the prosecutor.

Vs of Klaipeda city

Soundbite (Lithuanian), ALEKSANDR MICHAILOV, Representative of Russian community in Klaipeda:
If you see this only in shallows, this is a simple hooliganism. But in fact, this petition aims to instigate Lithuanian citizens, Russians, Ukrainians and Lithuanians. I see this as political provocation. A responsibility has to be applied, because there a laws in all countries that prohibits such activity.

More of Klaipeda

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