Valdemaras Vytautas Čarneckis ir Lietuvos užsienio politikos problemos (1924 06 18-1925 09 25)

ENValdemaras Čarneckis began his diplomatic career as the unofficial representative of Lithuania to the United States of America on April 15, 1921. The United States government had not recognized Lithuania, either de facto, or de jure, thus he could not hold the post on an official basis. More than a year passed before he was officially named the representative on July 28, 1922. Together with the American-Lithuanians, he was able to persuade the American Congress that Lithuania was worthy of the status of an independent country. On December 5, 1923, he was transferred from the USA to London under the title of charge d’affaires. He represented Lithuania in Great Britain for half a year On June 18, 1924, he was appointed the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania. Čarneckis took leadership of the Lithuanian diplomatic corps at a time when it seemed that the most pressing problems of the newly reestablished country had been resolved. Lithuania had been recognized as an independent state. The issue of Klaipėda lands had been resolved in Lithuania’s favor. Ratification of the Convention, and implementation of the Statute had yet to be accomplished, but these were tasks for the other Ministries. The Agreement with Soviet Russia still had to be accomplished. Čarneckis focused most of his attention on relations with Poland. Relations had been sharpened by his predecessors, and moreover, international organizations had strictly required Lithuania to resolve the problem, as soon as possible. The internationalization of the Nemunas River was at issue at the time. Negotiations had failed. The second most urgent problem involved relations with the Vatican. According to the concord signed between Poland and the Vatican, all the church affairs of Vilnius were to be subordinated to the Church of Poland.The conflict intensified to such an extent that, despite the fact that Christian Democrats held a majority position in the Government of Lithuania, official diplomatic relations between Lithuania and the Vatican were severed for a time. Relations were ultimately restored by the fourth successor to Čarneckis, Augustinas Voldemaras in 1927. While Voldemaras Černeckis was the acting Minister, his Ministry had been delegated to conclude a series of new agreements on trade, navigation, return of criminals, and other matters. Like his predecessors, the Minister failed to conclude financial and economic agreements with Great Britain. England did not trust the long term economic and political stability of Lithuania, and delayed the provision of credits to the country. Čarneckis put forth many efforts to settle the internal affairs of the Lithuanian diplomatic service, both at the head office and abroad. He called for an Ambassadors Conference, and opened discussions on issues of the staff, competence, consular activities, payments and such. The conference proceedings were made official, and put into practice at a later time. Čarneckis retired from the post of Minister, following the resignation of the Government led by Petrulis. He was then appointed the Ambassador to Rome. He remained in the position from November 7, 1925 to February 15, 1939, where he managed to build a favorable relationship with Italy. The Italian Government continued to support Lithuania, even after Hitler had come into power, and relations between Lithuania and Germany had become strained. Čarneckis was responsible for building stronger economic and trade relations. After being recalled to Lithuania, he was named to the post of Director of Rights and Administration Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He was in office when the occupation of Lithuania occurred.In 1941, he was exiled to Siberia, together with his wife Eleonora, four sons and a daughter. In Siberia he was forcibly separated from his family and imprisoned. On November 4, 1942, he was shot at Sverdlovsk Prison.