By Maj (Res) Sven Hugosson

Within the framework of the SVEROF Baltic Project, a seminar on International Humanitarian Law and Soldiers Conduct was arranged in Palanga, Lithuania on April 19-21. The seminar was aimed at members of the Lithuanian Armed Forces Reserve Association (LAFRA), and was on the same subjects and problems as the earlier seminar in Riga.

The seminar contained a historical background to the Swedish Reserve Officers system and then continued through a review of the Geneva and Hague conventions and laws. The 24 participants were then divided into groups to discuss and propose solutions to five problem situations, connected to peace enforcing situations. The problems were based on actual cases from the Kosovo conflict, and concerned mainly commanders’ responsibilities and soldiers conduct.

The discussions on the cases were open and interesting and showed great willingness to adopt the “western” way of solving problems. It is clear, however, that this is “news” to our friends in the Baltic states, and that Humanitarian Law was not an important subject in Soviet military training. Our message is now well received and understood. The general impression from the participants and their efforts is, that they are well disciplined, well aware of their responsibilities and that they are proudly engaged in the military developments in Lithuania.

The Swedish delegation plus some of our hosts visited the Lithuanian Navy in Klaipeda and a KASP Aviation Squadron in Siluté on the 21. We were given an impressive briefing by the Chief of Staff of the Navy and introduced to a number of Swedish-speaking young Navy officers and new cadets going to Karlskrona from this summer for training. We were also shown some of the Navy’s ships by Swedish-speaking officers. There was a notable difference in design and production standard between the Soviet- and German-built ships that we visited, but it was also clear that the Navy tried to keep a high standard on all materiel and maintenance.

At the KASP Squadron we were given a briefing on its tasks and equipment. They have tasks similar to the Voluntary Flying Corps (FFK) in Sweden. With AN-2 and YAK-52 aircraft they perform patrol work and parachute training, besides glider training for youngsters. We were given a sightseeing tour in an AN-2 around the Nemunas delta area, when I was invited to do some of the flying. Since it was some 15 years since I flew an AN-2 last time, it was quite interesting to note that the controls felt as heavy and stable as ever. Also here it was quite evident that the squadron personnel kept their materiel and maintenance on a high standard.

The arrangements in Palanga, Klaipeda and Siluté were very well handled by LAFRA and its president, Lt Col Jonas Kliauza, with great assistance from the Swedish Consul in Klaipeda, Maj (Res) Leif Annermalm at Genciunafta and his assistant, Ms Virginija Abelkyté. We all stayed and held the seminar at a not yet quite modernized resort hotel in Palanga to keep the costs at the lower end of the scale, but with quite acceptable rooms, meals and service. Sincere thanks to everyone involved!