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Statement by William Davnie given at Press Conference

September 12, 2001

September 12, 2001 , 1 p.m., American Center, Pranciškonų 3/6

My name is William Davnie, I am the Charge d’Affaires at the American Embassy. As you know, Ambassador Tefft is in the United States to accompany President Adamkus. President Adamkus has received Secret Service protection from his arrival in the United States on, and is safe.

We have called this press conference for two reasons. First, on behalf of this Embassy and the United States Government, I want to express our gratitude and appreciation to the Lithuanian Government and to private Lithuanians for your reaction to the tragedy that took place in my country yesterday. Senior Lithuanian officials took special security precautions for our Embassy before we could even ask for help. We received phone calls of sympathy and support throughout the evening. Private citizens have called, brought flowers, and expressed their sympathy. We all here are deeply touched, and deeply appreciative. As I told the Foreign Minister last evening, it is most reassuring to serve in a country that is both capable of providing for our security, and ready to do so.

Secondly, I want to stress that Lithuania has responded to protect it’s own strategic sites as well – the Ignalina nuclear plant, Mazeikiu Nafta, and others. This reminds us that while this terrorist incident yesterday was an attack on the United States, it was more than that. As many world leaders have pointed out, the fight is not between the United States and terrorism, but between democracy and civilized values, and those who reject them. Lithuania’s actions to protect my Embassy, and to protect its own key sites, remind us once again that the United States and Lithuania share common commitments and values. They are the basis of the healthy relationship between our peoples and our governments, and the basis of Lithuania’s quick reaction yesterday for which I am thanking you today.

Finally, let me stress that the U.S. Embassy remains open for business in Vilnius. We did not evacuate our Embassy yesterday, as some have suggested. We did permit employees to depart early, because clearly everyone’s interest was in the terrible events in the United States, and none of us we able to focus on normal work tasks. We are thoroughly satisfied with the security protection being provided by the Lithuanian government. Obviously, there will be many rumors and possible threats in coming days, and we will continue to apply increased security measures, but we do expect at this time to remain open as usual.