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R. Karoblis, who currently works in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as an ambassador for special assignments, participated in the closed session of the Seimas NSGC.
G.Nausėda, motivating the need for “political cooling”, did not see the possibility of appointing him ambassador abroad.
Also attending the committee meeting were the president’s senior adviser, the head of the National Security Group, Darius Kuliešius, and the deputy minister of National Defense, Žilvinas Tomkus.
There were other surnames
After the Seimas NSGK session, R. Karoblis told reporters that he could say that Colonel Elegijus Paulavičius had been appointed director of the AOTD by order of him, as provided by law.
“There was a consultation process before the appointment, despite that prerogative, with the president, the prime minister and the president of the Seimas NSGK, also on these issues. That is all. And that I am pleased that this official has been appointed director This, I think, is fortunate for the AOTD, the Ministry of National Defense and all existing institutions, “he said.
According to R. Karoblis, during the consultations on the appointment of the head of the AOTD, the surnames of others were raised, not just E. Paulavičius.
“But the other thing is that I answered all the questions of the committee members,” said the former minister of National Defense.
Eriko Ovcharenko / 15min nuotr./Raimundas Karoblis
Did the president impose any conditions before appointing the AOTD director?
“No,” replied the former defense minister.
When asked if the presidency had any influence on the nominations, Karoblis emphasized that he is currently a statutory public official.
“And really my limits are the comments … There are many systemic questions, I answered them to the Seimas committee and now it is up to the Seimas committee to draw conclusions and comment,” Karoblis said.
When asked if the appointment of E. Paulavičius is not the reason for not being appointed ambassador in Brussels or Washington, R. Karoblis explained that he did not know the reasons and some consequences.
At the end of the term of the Political Confidence Officer, R. Karoblis returned to the diplomatic service.
When asked how he values the fact that the initiative of the presidency is not appointed as ambassador abroad, he said that it is the prerogative of the chancellor and president.
“To be ready to work, as it has been many times a year, where my management needs it,” Karoblis assured him.
“A certain conspiracy theory”
According to the information that appeared in public that G. Nausėda could have lobbied and proposed a different candidate for the AOTD than the one chosen by R. Karoblis, D. Kuliešius evaluates it as a certain theory of conspiracy and rumors.
Photo by Luke April / 15 minutes / Darius Kuliešius
“I can confirm very responsibly that the president acted legally. The selected candidate is exactly the one that was nominated by the Minister of National Defense. Regarding the candidacy, yes, all those responsible for national security, both the president and the The prime minister, and the president of the Seimas NSGK, were interested in the nominations. And the president did so informally. But as this is a particularly important institution for our national security, the tass process was such that the best was elected candidate during it. We are very happy about that, “said G. Nausėda’s senior adviser.
According to D. Kuliešius, the procedures for appointing the heads of intelligence institutions are not public. He reiterated that the selected candidate better adjusted to the professional characteristics and the subject.
The president’s senior adviser said he did not see any pressure from the AOTD leader’s decision. The procedure allegedly complied with legal requirements.
D. Kuliešius emphasized that the escalation of this problem is even a certain damage. After all, the reputation of intelligence institutions is very important, they are not involved in politicization, in public escalations for the appointment of leaders.
“Because it damages our national security interests,” he said.
D. Kuliešius assured that Darius Jauniškis, director of the State Security Department (SSD), did not participate in the consultations on the appointment of the head of the AOTD.
New mechanism
Laurynas Kasčiunas, president of the Seimas NSGK, explained that the decision to appoint E.Paulavičius as head of military intelligence was taken by the former Minister of National Defense.
“He is working well, we wish him the best, because we are all very happy with the work of this service,” said the parliamentarian.
L. Kasčiūnas reported that the Seimas NSGK had decided to form a group that, in consultation with the Ministry of National Defense, would prepare proposals to change the procedure for appointing the director of the AOTD.
Photo by Rokas Lukoševičius / 15min / Laurynas Kasčiūnas
“Towards clarity, detail and democracy. There was, for example, the idea that this should be, without a doubt, the proposal of the Minister of National Defense in agreement with the Commander of the Armed Forces, with the approval of Simo NSGK and a government decision. Such a mechanism would be more democratic and we would think that the growing importance of the AOTD would now be more in line with the current security policy of our state than with the current order, “said the president of the Seimas NSGK.
The role of the president would continue to be that provided for in the law of the State Defense Council, where the head of state raises questions about intelligence needs.
“Naturally, it can be consulted, because, in principle, we understand that the importance of the intelligence body is such that the main institutional centers of power must be consulted. Now that order is not regulated in our laws and that is probably the main weakness. It should be regulated more ”, thinks L. Kasčiūnas.
Suggested partner of D. Jauniškis?
Colonel Elegijus Paulavičius was appointed the new director of the AOTD in August last year.
It was announced in the media, confirmed by various sources from the BNS news agency, that G. Nausėda actively participated in the process of appointing the head of military intelligence, although the Intelligence Law establishes that the appointment of this officer is prerogative from the Minister of National Defense.
It was announced that the president wanted to see Saul Guzevičius, the associate of the SSD director D. Jauniškis, as director of the AOTD.
Office of the President of the Republic of Lithuania / Photo by R. Dačkus / Oath of Darius Jauniškis
The SNB asked the presidency if the head of state had nominated a candidate for head of military intelligence, if his candidate had been appointed, and if the views of the head of state and Karobl on the nominations agreed.
The Presidency did not respond to these questions and made a more general comment.
The head of the AOTD is appointed by decision of the Minister of National Defense, so only he can comment on why he decided to appoint the current head of the department. The head of the AOTD was selected in accordance with the requirements of applicable law and national security interests, ”said the president’s spokesman, Antanas Bubnelis.
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