Embassy News Archive

2006

Donation Ceremony in Vilnius

U.S. Government Donates Law Enforcement Equipment to Lithuanian Border Guard Service

At a donation ceremony in Vilnius on December 19, the United States Government donated equipment to the Lithuanian State Border Guard Service and Customs Department.  The new equipment, which included over 200 gas masks and filters, serves as the latest example of the close cooperation between the United States and Lithuania in the spheres of law enforcement and border protection.  The Border Guard Service accepted the donation within the framework of a U.S. Export Control and Border Security (EXBS) Program launched in 2000.

Ambassador Series Outreach

Ambassadors Series Outreach to Students

On December 13 Ambassador Cloud inaugurated a series of monthly talks by foreign diplomats to law students of the European Humanities University, a private university founded in Minsk, and forced by Belarus authorities to close for encouraging Western values.  Now working in exile in Vilnius, the university's goal is to introduce ideals of a civil society in Belarus through educating a new generation of professionals in the traditions of independent inquiry, freedom of speech, and evidence-based research.

Transnational Crime Symposium

American Center Hosts Transnational Crime Symposium

An international symposium, "Transnational Crime: The Impact on EU and American Society", took place December 5-6.  U.S. crime fighters and European experts gathered from Lithuania, Estonia, Spain, the UK, Norway and other countries, to discuss common strategies for countering organized crime, cyber-crime, drug trafficking, trafficking in persons, corruption, terrorism, and money laundering.  The meeting, opened by Lithuania's Deputy Prosecutor General, promoted a united front against crime.

Cloud speaks at Vilnius University

Ambassador Cloud Addresses Students at Vilnius University

On December 5, Ambassador John Cloud delivered a speech to students at Vilnius University?s Institute for International Relations and Political Science.  The Ambassador outlined the results of the recent NATO Summit in Riga and described the importance of transforming the alliance to meet the new security challenges of today.  The Ambassador took questions from students on Lithuania?s role in Afghanistan and on the impact of the recent mid-term elections in the United States. Full Text

Bolcom Salutes the American Center

National Medal of Arts Composer Bolcom Salutes the American Center

In a salute to the American Center, which will move to a new Akmenų 7 location in early 2007, 2006 National Medal of Arts winning composer William Bolcom and mezzo-soprano Joan Morris headlined a tribute to twelve years of U.S. cultural diplomacy in Lithuania.  The November 30 salute with Grammy-winning Bolcom & Morris featured a program of American cabaret and Broadway musical songs and honored longstanding program partners of the American Center.  On November 29 Bolcom?s Symphony No. 3 was the featured work at a performance by the Lithuanian Chamber Orchestra.

Ambassador Cloud Addresses Conference on Higher Education

On November 24, Ambassador Cloud addressed an Embassy-supported conference on Higher Education organized by the Ministry of Education.  The panel featured an expert speaker from the United States, Dr. Brian Nedwek, President of Maryville University.  Citing the importance of teaching standards and active partnerships between business and academia, the Ambassador spoke to a large audience of ministry officials, parliament members, rectors, professors, students, and NGO representatives.

Cloud travels to Alytus

Ambassador Cloud Travels to Alytus, Meets with Local Community Leaders

As part of his ongoing effort to engage in a dialogue with community leaders across Lithuania, Ambassador John Cloud visited Alytus on Tuesday, November 28.  The Ambassador met with the Mayor of Alytus and held a roundtable discussion with leaders of local non-governmental organizations.  During the trip, the Ambassador also visited a nearby orphanage and spoke to students at a local high school.

President Bush meets with Estonian President Ilves

President Bush Discusses NATO Summit, Visa Waiver Program

On his way to participate in the NATO Summit in Riga, President Bush arrived in Tallinn, Estonia on November 28. In his joint remarks to the press with Estonian President Ilves, President Bush discussed the NATO alliance, the upcoming summit, and the Visa Waiver Program.

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Amb Cloud congratulates United Parcel Services

Ambassador Cloud Congratulates United Parcel Services

Ambassador Cloud congratulated the delivery and logistics company UPS on the 15th anniversary of its operations in Lithuania. UPS was one of the first U.S.-based companies to start doing business in Lithuania after independence. One of the highest priorities for the Embassy is increasing the American business presence in Lithuania.

American Center discuss study opportunities in U.S.

American Center Invites Students to Discuss Study Opportunities in the U.S.

In celebration of International Education Week, the U.S. Embassy?s American Center hosted a presentation on November 20 on study opportunities in the United States.  The event attracted over 100 students seeking information on various academic programs in the U.S.  A series of presenters addressed topics and questions about undergraduate and graduate study programs in the United States, including available scholarships, exams, and visas.

Cloud travels to Utena

Ambassador Cloud Travels to Utena, Meets with Local Leaders, Students, and Community Members

As part of his ongoing effort to engage in a dialogue with community leaders across Lithuania, Ambassador John Cloud visited Utena on Thursday, November 16.  The Ambassador met with the Mayor of Utena and spoke to students at a local high school.  His trip also took him to a dairy farm and a local hospice.

Photo Exhibit by Clemens Kalischer

Classic American Photo Exhibit by Clemens Kalischer

U.S. Ambassador John Cloud opened a display by major photo artist Clemens Kalischer at Prospekto Galerija (Gedimino pr. 43, Vilnius) on November 15.  Kalischer fled from World War II and settled in New York, where he became an influential U.S. photographer.  The exhibit, "The Invisible Man" is composed of black and white images of mid-20th century New York and New England, both city and rural scenes of an intense human interest.  The exhibit runs through December 10.

Memorial to U.S. Airmen in Silute

Memorial to U.S. Airmen in Silute

On November 10, U.S. and Lithuanian officials, led by Ambassador John Cloud and Lithuanian Navy Commander RADM Kestutis Macijauskas, honored three U.S. Army Air Corps airmen whose B-17 aircraft was shot down in World War II. The Veterans Day memorial was at Macikai village cemetery in Silute. The airmen were captured and held at Stalag Luft 6 P.O.W. camp. They died in captivity and now rest nearby, where also rest the remains of Belgian, Polish and German personnel affiliated with the P.O.W. camp, as well as Lithuanians. A monument stands in the approximate spot where they are buried.

Cloud meets basketball players in Kaunas

Basketball: A Bridge between U.S. and Lithuania

Ambassador Cloud met with basketball players in Kaunas on November 9, including Euro-League Kaunas ޡlgiris team captain Tanoka Beard from the USA. There are both a number of U.S. men and women athletes playing in Lithuania professionally, and a number of Lithuanian basketball players now compete in collegiate and NBA-level play in the United States.

Post-Election Day Breakfast

Post-Election Day Breakfast

The American Center was the site of a post-election day breakfast November 8. Interest was high in the returns as members of parliament, media representatives and political scientists discussed the impact of the polls with Ambassador Cloud, and other U.S. officials. TV reports, online coverage, and a book and information display were available to illustrate America's democracy in action.

Lithuania hosts award-winning film

American Center Hosts Award-winning Film

Ambassador Cloud welcomed Arunas Matelis, director of Lithuania's first ever nominee for an Academy Award in the Foreign Film category, at a special American Center screening November 8. The film, Before Flying Back to Earth, about children with leukemia in a Lithuanian hospital ward, has won many awards and was shown at the Brooklyn Film Festival this year.

Cloud speaks at Vilnius University

U.S. Ambassador John Cloud Speaks at Vilnius University International Business School (IBS)

U.S. Ambassador John Cloud spoke to group of 150 students and faculty at Vilnius University International Business School (IBS) on November 6.  He met with institute director Julius Niedvara, and Ambassador Darius Degutis, who teaches at IBS.  The students and Ambassador Cloud discussed U.S.-Lithuanian commercial relations, investment climate conditions, and the role of public diplomacy in explaining foreign policy.

Roman Rudnytsky at the American Center

American Pianist Roman Rudnytsky at the American Center, Vilnius

On October 25 internationally acclaimed concert pianist Roman Rudnytsky gave a virtuoso recital of works by some of the best known composers of the Western repertoire, including works by Americans George Gershwin and Louis M. Gottschalk. Rudnytsky performed a rare transcription of Mussorgsky's "Pictures at an Exhibition" by Vladimir Horowitz, a masterful solo piano version of "Rhapsody in Blue," and an historic Gottschalk piece, "Union," once played at President Lincoln's funeral. Mr. Rudnytsky also gave master classes in Vilnius. After the recital, Lithuanian photographer Saulius Pauksty's exhibit "Vilnius from the Bird's View" was on display for the concert-goers.

Amb Cloud with President Adamkus

Ambassador Cloud Presents Credentials to President Adamkus

U.S. Ambassador John A. Cloud presented his credentials to Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus at the Presidential Palace on August 17, 2006.

Addressing President Adamkus during the credentials ceremony, Ambassador Cloud said that he looked forward to working together with Lithuania to expand the borders of a free, secure, and democratic Europe.  The Ambassador conveyed his admiration for Lithuania?s key role in spreading freedom around the globe, declaring that "the United States stands with you as your friend and ally." Full text of speech