Lithuanian soldiers discharged

Jul 09, 2008
Staff and wire reports

VILNIUS – Out of the three Lithuanian soldiers serving in Afghanistan, two have chosen to cut there mission short and have been discharged from the service. This decision is in concurrence with a decree by Defense Minister Juozas Olekas, with the decision regarding the third soldier's fate still pending.

Chief of Defense of the Lithuanian Armed Forces Lieutenant General Valdas Tutkus noted that a proposal was made to the defense minister to discontinue military service contracts with the soldiers in question. Two of the officers, Tutkus said, are already fired, with the third currently on the sick-list, and his case will be decided upon his return to service.

"I recommended removing them from service. Those, who are incapable of adequate reactions to challenges arising during service, are not meant for the military. There are plenty of other professions", Tutkus said.

Olekas signed a degree Tuesday on the discontinuation of professional military service contracts with sergeant Nerijus Gylius and corporal Svajunas Zaparackas. The case of Sergeant First Class Nerijus Klimavicius will be decided when he returns to service after recovering from his illness, the Defense Ministry said in a release.

According to the release, the soldiers were dismissed in accordance with organization of the National Defense System of the Republic of Lithuania and the Military Service Law as well as conclusions of the official investigation launched over disobeying a legitimate decree.

The soldiers announced their decision to discontinue their mission in Afghanistan following an open fire attack on the Lithuanian-led Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) camp, in the Ghor province, leaving army sergeant Arunas Jarmalavicius fatally injured.

There are approximately 130 Lithuanian soldiers currently serving in Ghor, with the PRT joining another 50 soldiers from Denmark, Croatia, Georgia, the US and Ukraine.

Lithuania has been heading a PRT since 2005. The main goal of the PRT is to help Afghan authorities expand influence in the province, warrant security and form suitable conditions for reconstructing the province.