Legislative polls in Lithuania, electing its first parliament after joining the EU and NATO, have been carefully watched by Iraqi politicians who face their first free elections in a few months’ time. Thirteen Iraqi politicians from different parties this last weekend used the opportunity to learn from the experience of the country, which had to build democracy from scratch after it broke free from the Soviet Union 13 years ago. Lithuania, which has some 120 troops in the US-led coalition in Iraq, Sunday held the first round of parliamentary elections to its 141-member legislative body. “Although Lithuania and Iraq are different countries, they have something in common. Lithuania suffered from Soviet dictatorship, Iraq is now recovering after the war,” Imad Al Bayati from the Independent Democratic Gathering told. Elections in Iraq are scheduled for January, 2005. The Iraqi delegation also includes representatives from the Kurdistan Islamic Union, Islamic Democratic Current, Kurdistan’s Women’s Union, Iraqi Democratic Forces and others. The Iraqis came to Lithuania on Wednesday and are to stay here until Oct. 14. They have already met Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus, parliamentary speaker Arturas Paulauskas, representatives of Lithuanian political parties and election officials.