Vytautas Stašinskas (18 November 1906 – 15 July 1967) was a Lithuanian diplomat and general consul in New York (1964–1967).
He was the Lithuanian chargés d'affaires ad interim to Brussels (1938–1940). In 1939, he was reassigned to the Lithuanian consulate in New York. Lithuania was occupied by the Soviet Union in June 1940, but the Lithuanian Diplomatic Service continued to function. Stašinskas was promoted to vice-consul (1941) and consul (1955). After the death of Jonas Budrys in 1964, he became the general consul. The consulate worked to provide identity documents to Lithuanian war refugees as well as assistance with locating and contacting lost relatives behind the Iron Curtain.
In 1935, Stašinskas was sent to work as a secretary at the Lithuanian legation in Brussels. He was later promoted to attaché and become chargés d'affaires ad interim when Vytautas Gylys was reassigned to represent Lithuania in Sweden.[1] Stašinskas officially led the Lithuanian legation from 30 November 1938 to 25 February 1940.[5]
On 15 March 1939, Stašinskas arrived to New York where he was assigned to work with the Lithuanian general consul Jonas Budrys. At the time, the consulate employed only Budrys and Anicetas Simutis [lt] who faced increased workloads due to the decision for Lithuania to participate at the 1939 New York World's Fair.[1]
After the death of the honorary general consul Gerald L. P. Grant-Suttie in Toronto in May 1949, Stašinskas was considered for his replacement.[1] But since he would have to split his time between New York and Toronto, it was decided to appoint Vytautas Gylys to Toronto. Stašinskas was promoted to consul in 1955. However, due to limited financial resources of the Lithuanian Diplomatic Service, his salary was just $4,900 (equivalent to $49,125 in 2023) with no benefits. As such, he struggled financially.[1]
General consul Budrys died on 1 September 1964 and Stašinskas was promoted to general consul (the Department of State recognized him on 1 October 1964).[1]
Activities
The consulate in New York worked to provide identity documents, visas, and other support to Lithuanian war refugees arriving to the United States and assisted in settling inheritances.[1] The consulate also helped Lithuanians with locating lost relatives and sending parcels, money, or letters to those left behind the Iron Curtain. It also promoted the Lithuanian cause for independence and represented Lithuania at various official events and conferences. The consulate responded to various inquiries about Lithuania, its history and culture, and monitored the press.[1]
In addition, Stašinskas actively participated in the activities of the United Lithuanian Relief Fund of America [lt] (BALF),[1]Assembly of Captive European Nations, and Committee for a Free Lithuania.[6] Stašinskas was also an unofficial Lithuanian representative at the United Nations (officially, he was admitted to the proceedings as a journalist writing for the bulletin The Lithuanian Situation). This practice ceased around 1958.[1] Stašinskas disliked large public events, but after the promotion to the general consul in 1964, he attended delivered speeches at several events organized by Lithuanian Americans. These events included the funeral of Steponas Kairys, signatory of the Act of Independence of Lithuania, and the celebration of the 100th birth anniversary of President Kazys Grinius in Philadelphia.[1]
^Kulnytė, Birutė, ed. (2007). Lietuvos kariuomenės karininkai 1918–1953 (in Lithuanian). Vol. VII. Vilnius: Lietuvos nacionalinis muziejus. p. 176. ISBN978-9955-415-11-4.
