tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4333560217294933012024-03-14T18:12:47.541+01:00RundudunduRundudundu is an expression that is not commonly used even in Lithuania where I come from. It is like a child invented word, which means nothing.
For me RUNDU - stands for Rundis, this is how my friends tend to call me and DUNDU stands for loud and clear... So enjoy my thoughts loud and clear...Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger106125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-433356021729493301.post-5714332322118484382009-03-02T23:07:00.003+01:002009-03-02T23:17:32.331+01:00Grybauskaitė for PresidentLast week in Lithuania, the main headlines were occupied by sole person. Dalia Grybauskaite, Lithuanian, European Union Commissioner has finally announced that she is going to stand in the election for the Presidency of Lithuania, ending months of speculations whether or not she will compete for the top job. This decision marks a beginning of the campaigning, unofficial as it is, it will slowly Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-433356021729493301.post-31050880392513395702009-02-23T17:04:00.001+01:002009-02-23T17:04:56.990+01:00Sergio Fajardo: From Fear to HopeUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-433356021729493301.post-39626963463711193982009-02-11T22:55:00.004+01:002009-02-11T23:07:32.167+01:00the word starts with "C"2008 ended with it and 2009 has had it all over, so far!What is the word? CRISIS! CREDIT CRUNCH! CRASH! CATASTROPHE! etc. etc. etc.Recently, I was reading a new book of Fareed Zakaria "Post-American World", where author rightly points out that while we scream and shout about contracting economies and free fall of our markets in fact it all is a matter of perspective. Truly. Zakaria and I trust Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-433356021729493301.post-12233435075785626122008-12-27T20:12:00.004+01:002008-12-28T21:17:37.903+01:00Feed the world or Jingle bells in LithuaniaIts Christmas time and most of you would be enjoying warmth of people at its best and memorable family reunions, for sure I do. Christmas indeed a magical time for those that can afford some magic.In Lithuania Christmas Eve and Christmas are special. These festivities hold some clues to our identity, where we can express our nationhood and be on our own with things we believe in and we all share.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-433356021729493301.post-62657710112610744442008-12-10T21:52:00.004+01:002008-12-11T10:21:35.068+01:00EULEX deployedAfter months of delay and diplomatic wrangling largest European Security and Defence Policy operation - EULEX has initiated its deployment yesterday. For better or for worse it took a lot of time, effort and patience to get things moving, but they are moving and one can hope that this mission will offer greater access to justice to the people in Kosovo no matter their ethnic background.Initially Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-433356021729493301.post-67387755557074480422008-12-05T11:45:00.004+01:002008-12-05T11:53:23.146+01:00Government of LithuaniaFurther to the elections held on 12 and 26 October 2008, governing coalition was formed and headed by Homeland Union-Christian Democrats (TS/LKD) it includes Nation's Revival Party (TPP), Liberal Movement (LRLS), Liberal Centre Union (LiCS). Yesterday, President Adamkus, has approved the 15th Government of the Republic of Lithuania:Prime Minister - Andrius KUBILIUS (TS/LKD)Leader of the TS/LKD (Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-433356021729493301.post-66455080348088022682008-12-02T14:05:00.003+01:002008-12-05T11:53:54.311+01:00Tzipi Livni in the EPActing Prime Minister of Israel and elected Leader of the Kadima party Tzipi Livni was visiting European Parliament Committee on Foreign Affairs. Few quotes from the meeting and few general notes that caught the ear of attentive listener."Peace negotiations with Palestine are bilateral and discreet. Until there is no final agreement, there is no agreement.""Both sides do not want to have an Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-433356021729493301.post-57613740923853234652008-11-30T23:42:00.004+01:002008-12-05T12:10:14.861+01:00Who started it and who will finnishMumbai, India and the World was shaken by the events that unfolded last week. It is horrendous to imagine that attack was specifically aimed at causing as much as possible human lives and capturing foreigners that are visiting Mumbai or living there. It happened so that delegation of the European Parliament was also there. The fact that I was able to put the face of MEPs and one of my colleagues Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-433356021729493301.post-82336169375699944242008-11-25T23:34:00.001+01:002008-12-05T12:10:14.861+01:00Serbia moving forwardSerbia for better or for worse recently has been the best worst friend of the European Union in the Western Balkans. European Union leaders without too much of hiding were discussing what outcome they would prefer in the elections that took place in the country in May. Later on the same leaders were quick to take some credit for being instrumental in ensuring victory of the democratic forces.Few Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-433356021729493301.post-51436219726744658112008-11-21T17:53:00.003+01:002008-12-05T12:10:14.862+01:00AHMED RASHID on Afghanistan and Pakistan Following memo is a coverage of the lecture that Mr. Ahmed Rashid has given to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly that have met in Valencia. Mr. Rashid published an article in Foreign Affairs that one should definitely read - see link.“Taliban is winning but it can not win. NATO is loosing, but it can not loose.”Taliban can not take over the cities and establish their control over any significant Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-433356021729493301.post-67375309005133135062008-11-04T22:14:00.005+01:002008-12-05T12:10:29.092+01:00New Lithuanian Parliament elected - Perspectives for the New GovernmentFinal results of the vote Homeland Union-Christian Democrats (TS/LKD) - 45 seatsSocial Democrats (LSDP) - 25 seatsNation's Revival Party (TPP) - 16 seats"Order and Justice" (TT) - 15 seatsLiberal Movement (LRLS) - 11 seatsLabour Party (DP) - 10 seatsLiberal Centre Union (LiCS) - 8 seatsPeasants party (LVLS) - 3 seatsPolish Electoral Action (LRRA) - 3 seatsNew Union (social liberals) (NS) - 1 Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-433356021729493301.post-2316389229226599292008-11-03T14:35:00.002+01:002008-12-05T12:10:51.850+01:00Expectations and changeObama should win. That is the view held by most Europeans. It turns out to be that if Obama would run in number of EU countries he would have a fair chance of winning as well. So is it a change we can believe in or expectations that have been raised to breathtaking heights? Being a better match for Presidential position after the G.W. can not be that difficult, but running the USofA in a truly "Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-433356021729493301.post-14204909466122584532008-10-14T15:22:00.001+02:002008-12-05T12:10:29.092+01:00RESULTS: Lithuanian Parliamentary Elections - October 12, 2008BriefingThe outgoing Parliament (Seimas) is led by a complex multi-partite coalition led by the Social Democratic Party. Centre left coalition members are The Union of Peasants, Civic Democracy Party, the Liberal and Centre Union and the New Union/Social Liberals.16 political parties have competed in the elections of 12 October 2008. 141 members of parliament are elected for a four-year term. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-433356021729493301.post-76025618661702893952008-10-06T11:36:00.002+02:002008-12-05T12:10:29.093+01:0012 October: Parliamentary elections in LithuaniaThe outgoing Parliament (Seimas) is led by a complex multi-partite coalition led by the Social Democratic Party. Centre left coalition members are The Union of Peasants, Civic Democracy Party, the Liberal and Centre Union and the New Union/Social Liberals. 16 political parties are competing in the elections of 12 October 2008. 141 members of parliament will be elected for a four-year term. About Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-433356021729493301.post-4543336897802964982008-09-03T09:14:00.003+02:002008-12-05T12:10:51.851+01:00Georgia and what can one do about itEU leaders have gathered to the first emergency summit since the "September 11". Then EU Heads of States have expressed its solidarity with American people and committed to fight against terrorism by all means necessary. Current Presidency conclusions make few frown. The summit on Georgia produces results that are well appreciated in Moscow. I wonder if this can constitute a success. However it Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-433356021729493301.post-81822955619391599572008-08-31T10:19:00.002+02:002008-12-05T12:10:51.851+01:00still about Georgia and what can one do about itLast few posts, I tried to share the picture of situation in Georgia by the words of my good friend who has just recently returned to live in Georgia from Brussels. I guess as conflict drags on it would be interesting to share few of my own observations about this conflict. First and foremost the reaction I got on August 8 was a feeling of deep shock and unease. Human suffering has no Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-433356021729493301.post-69864397385051871972008-08-22T17:10:00.002+02:002008-12-05T12:10:51.852+01:00Russian troops out of Georgia - NOW!Another letter from a friend in Tbilisi.21 AugustDear friendsfew more infos to keep you updated:- These days the websites which are created to present the opinion about the conflict, as it is seen from Georgia (not just from the government) are under non-stop "cyber attack". We basicaly can not keep any new webpage alive for more then a day or two.(see more http://www.crn.com/security/210003057 )Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-433356021729493301.post-49018701755731666062008-08-16T21:25:00.003+02:002008-12-05T12:10:51.852+01:00STOP RUSSIAN AGRESSION in GEORGIA NOW!!!Another email from a friend15 AugustBy this time on Friday 15th August:- Russian navy, tanks and ground forces are still in Georgia. They keep Central and the big part of Western Georgia and the Port of Poti under occupation;- Few hours ago Russian military helicopters started bombing the south of Georgia, the bordering territories of the City of Borjomi (many of you have heard or been there as Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-433356021729493301.post-77559532917922980032008-08-13T18:25:00.002+02:002008-12-05T12:10:51.853+01:00Message from Georgia! STOP RUSSIAN AGRESSION NOW!Another email from a dear friend...13 AugustNow regarding the situation from yesterday till today - SADLY, but the SITUATION IS TERRIBLE HERE AND NOBODY YET KNOWS (see below!). DEAR FRIENDS IN REALITY THERE IS NO CEASE FIRE in GEORGIA!!!- Sarkozy's cease fire agreement was singed yesterday by the Georgian and Russian sides and 5 Presidents from Poland, Ukraine, Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania were Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-433356021729493301.post-8057623631375623172008-08-12T12:43:00.002+02:002008-12-05T12:10:51.853+01:00Message from Georgia! STOP RUSSIAN AGRESSION NOW!E-mail from a friend in Tbilisi:10 AugustNow about the general situation. Last 3 days entire country is under non-stop bombardment from the Russian airforce. I lost count to how many places they have attacked and how many they have destroyed... and seems this is not enough for them, as from this morning Russian warships have deployed near ports along the Georgian Black Sea coast, including Poti, Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-433356021729493301.post-73937058488538415472008-07-11T13:33:00.003+02:002008-12-05T12:12:43.141+01:00Calm as BelgianLithuanian language might not be too well know for internationally acknowledged proverbs, but one fits perfectly into the list of nota bene international folklore!"Calm as Belgian"My Belgian friends, there is nothing negative in it, just the way "stupid" foreigners that happen to "occupy" your country perceive you from the distance.The reason I decided to share with you this piece of wisdom is Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-433356021729493301.post-1357678364286823362008-07-11T11:10:00.002+02:002008-12-05T12:11:26.447+01:00Western flattery ignores the dark reality of RussiaExcellent article published in The Financial Times yesterday.Western flattery ignores the dark reality of RussiaBy Garry KasparovPublished: July 10 2008 18:21 Last updated: July 10 2008 18:21Recently we have witnessed a flurry of high-profile and contradictory statements on the Russian state. In a role reversal, Russia’s leaders have been abnormally candid while several prominent western Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-433356021729493301.post-65799759577893394922008-07-04T10:52:00.004+02:002008-12-05T12:11:26.447+01:00China and its foreign policyLast week, I have had a privelege to attend the interesting training course on "Chinese Foreign Policy". Number of thoughts that came out of these facinating three days.China in many ways is not a country that can be covered by conventional wisdom or usual definitions. This is due to its size, history, culture and regime. This is not an excuse for making an effort in this direction, it is just a Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-433356021729493301.post-62035523210724832132008-06-23T17:10:00.002+02:002008-12-05T12:12:43.142+01:00No lights in the elevatorIt is worth an entry in the blog. This morning arriving at the office, I took my usual path that led me through security to the elevators that are secretly hidden in the sacred corridors of the European institution. I pressed up and the elevator doors opened in front of me to reveal the blinking light in dark confined space. Being a brave heart as I am, I stepped in and proceeded to 5 1/2 floor Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-433356021729493301.post-47522592162949293912008-06-20T15:20:00.002+02:002008-12-05T12:12:43.142+01:00Its Friday!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0