According to Lithuanian public radio, the process is going smoothly – the Afghans to be evacuated from Kabul are already with Lithuanian soldiers and a working group of officials, and the issue of bringing them all to Lithuania through diplomatic and military channels is being addressed.
The general reminded that more than ten Lithuanian soldiers, as well as employees of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and intelligence services have gone to Kabul to solve the evacuation issues. All of these people have been involved in missions in Afghanistan in the past and know some of the Afghans being evacuated personally.
“It looks like there are high hopes that, with the help of our political leadership, the Ministry of Defense, through these military channels we have established with our allies and partners, these people can be brought to Lithuania this week,” he said.
According to Rups, it is likely that Afghans will be transported to Lithuania with the support of allies – Poland, Ukraine, France or Germany. It would be too difficult to evacuate them with the Spartan aircraft of the Lithuanian Armed Forces, as it is not large enough.
More than a hundred Afghan interpreters who have helped Lithuanian soldiers and members of their families are reportedly awaiting evacuation, fearing that the Islamist Taliban, which has taken control of the country, will take turns.
The commander of the armed forces has admitted that not only interpreters, who are now fully aware, but also Afghans of other professions who have helped the Lithuanians could be brought to Lithuania, and Lithuania is also ready to help them.
He said that after the transfer to Lithuania, Afghan citizens would remain in the hands of the Armed Forces and the Ministry of Defense for some time until further political decisions were made.
The first Afghans to be evacuated – a family of six – were delivered to Lithuania last Friday.
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