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Office of Defense Cooperation (ODC) Inauguration Ceremony

August 7, 2000

What: Office of Defense Cooperation (ODC) Inauguration Ceremony

Where: The American Center, Pranciskonu 3/6
When: Monday, August 7, 2000, 14.00hrs

Contact: Imsre Sabaliunas, Media Specialist, Tel. 660-330

Vilnius, August 7, 2000--  The purpose of the Office of Defense Cooperation Inauguration Ceremony is to acknowledge a passing – a graduation of the type of cooperation between the United States and Lithuania.  Most NATO countries long ago established separate Office of Defense Cooperation (ODC) offices.  This graduation from the security “assistance” status to a defense “cooperation” status is not simply one of terminology.  It is a true representation of  Lithuania’s efforts to develop its defense and to progress towards full membership in NATO.  It is also an acknowledgement by the U.S. of Lithuania’s progress, and a pledge by the U.S. to continue its support on mutual terms.   The U.S. fully supports the open door to NATO membership for Lithuania and the ODC office is doing all it can to assist Lithuania to walk through that open door at the earliest possible moment.

Through the Foreign Military Funding Program, the ODC office will be fully supporting these future programs:

· Development of the mapping and cartography center in Kaunas

· Development of Lithuania’s military airfields and Baltic airlift capability

· Procurement of air defense an anti-tank weaponry

· Development of defense capabilities against nuclear or chemical attack

· Development of English language capability for increased interoperability in all NATO arenas

· Support of the Membership Action plan

The Security Assistance Office (SAO) was first established in December 1995. Since the SAO began, it has coordinated: $14.4 million in foreign military financing, known also as Warsaw Initiative Funding.  Since 1996 the Ministry of National Defense has received over $8.9 million of excess U.S. military equipment. 

The mission of the SAO/ODC was and is very simple and direct:  The SAO/ODC coordinates the international programs that provide U.S. military articles and services.  The SAO/ODC oversees:                    

· Foreign military sales and funding programs

· Direct U.S. commercial sales

· International military education and training, known as IMET

· Economic support fund

· Peacekeeping operations.

Specific SAO/ODC Programs include: upgrading of communication equipment with Harris radios, the regional airspace surveillance coordination center, the English language centers and laboratories, BALTBAT equipment, Baltic Defense College instructors, U.S. publications and regulations, CUCV trucks and spare parts for maintenance, M16, M60, and M14 rifles and ammunition, and flight suits.  The SAO/ ODC is responsible for services including Defense Department surveys and assessments.

Also, the SAO/ODC has sponsored 7 young Lithuanians at U.S. military academies and supports the programs of the George C. Marshall Center in Garmish Germany. 

Finally, the SAO/ODC conducts humanitarian programs from the European Command – such as orphanage renovation and furniture donation associated with Baltic Challenge, and the recent Empire Medex in Kaunas, and the future hospital renovation projects in Taurage and Siauliai.