Kubilius: Russian investment a threat to national security

VILNIUS - A Lithuanian opposition leader has said that Russian investment in the country poses a threat to national security.

Head of the opposition Homeland Union Party and Parliamentary Vice-Speaker Andrius Kubilius told journalists on Monday that the Lithuanian population should "give up illusions of Russia's gentleness."

"Up until now we thought that Russia's armed aggression against us was very unlikely… We should give up the illusion without delay," he said.

Kubilius pointed to a recent policy plan outlined by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev that the opposition leader said clearly stated Russia's "unilateral right of defending its citizens and its business interests."

Russia and Lithuaniaharbor close business ties. Among more than 160 foreign trade partners of Lithuania,Russia ranked first in terms of trade turnover, imports and exports during the first quarter of this year.

Lithuaniaimports 100 percent of its natural gas from Russia, while some 40 percent of the EU member state's agricultural exports go to its eastern neighbor.

The opposition leader also took the opportunity to blast his political opponents over their inability to "defend [the country] against Russia's influence." Kubilius leveled his criticisms at former President and Prime Minister Algirdas Brazauskas, Labor Party head Viktor Upaskich and Order and Justice Party head Rolandas Paksas.

BEAR BUSINESS

The comments came alongside concerns raised by prominent local businessmen that Russian economic bullying could cripple business in Lithuania.

The Veidas magazine reported on Monday that Lithuanian businessmen feared Russiawould impose sanctions on the country for its strong response to the Georgian crisis.

"Being a large, ambitious and aggressive country, Russiawill use all possible measures of political and economic pressure," Darius Mockus, president of MG Baltic, was quoted by the magazine as saying.

"Considering Lithuania's dependence on Russiain terms of energy resources and raw materials, we would probably face the whole set of their measures," he said.

Bronislovas Lubys, president of Lithuania's Confederation of Industrialists and president of Achema Group, seconded the fears. Lubys said politicians should avoid sharply criticizing Russiaand should adopt a more flexible position toward the country.