Riga/Vilnius, Oct 22, SPA -- The chairman of the US joint chiefs of staffAdmiral Michael G Mullen was in the Lithuanian capital, Vilnius,Wednesday at the end of a brief but highly symbolic visit, reported dpa. He had talks with President Valdas Adamkus less than a day afterhis eight-car motorcade cut a swathe through Riga's evening rush hourto drop him at Riga castle to see Latvian president Valdis Zatlers. Mullen's Baltic detour came immediately after the conclusion oftalks in Helsinki where top military leaders from the United Statesand Russia met Tuesday for the first time since this summer's warbetween Russia and Georgia. That conflict caused unease in the Baltic states, which likeGeorgia used to be republics within the Soviet Union. The sight of arampant Russian military rolling across the border into Georgiasparked fears that the Baltics might be next, despite their NATOmembership. NATO secretary general Jaap de Hoop Scheffer paid a recent visitto the region during which he emphasised NATO's continued protectionand Admiral Mullen's trip looks like it was designed to furtherbolster confidence. While in Vilnius Admiral Mullen also discussed the ongoing NATOBaltic air policing mission with Lithuanian armed forces commanderLieutenant General Valdas Tutkus. With no significant air forces of their own, the Baltic statesrely on an arrangement whereby NATO members take it in turns sendingplanes to patrol the border with Russia and Belarus. Four US F-15scurrently undertake the duty and are based at Zokniai in Lithuania. Tutkus emerged from the meeting to announce that Lithuania wouldnext year increase the number of troops it has stationed inAfghanistan. Speaking after his meeting with Admiral Mullen, President Adamkussaid: "Collective defence guarantees provided to each NATO memberstate are the backbone of our security. Being sure of the efficiencyof collective defence, the Baltic countries can feel safe even in theface of a potential threat." Admiral Mullen described the US as a "reliable partner" ofLithuania.--SPA www.spa.gov.sa/600274