[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 34 (Wednesday, March 23, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: March 23, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                        LITHUANIA'S INDEPENDENCE

                                 ______


                            HON. PETER BLUTE

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 23, 1994

  Mr. BLUTE. Mr. Speaker, when the cold war came to an end with the 
dissolution of the Soviet Union, the Baltic State of Lithuania embarked 
on its journey toward sovereignty. Russia has made progress in the 
removal of its troops, but the situation remains tense as new 
nationalistic rumblings have appeared in Russia. Obviously, Vladimir 
Zhirinovsky's imperialistic proclamations do not bode well for the 
security of States such as Lithuania.
  The United States should recognize this risk to Lithuania's 
independence by strongly supporting nation building efforts and 
strengthening economic ties. We should not fail to seize this 
opportunity to assist Lithuania.
  Furthermore, I would like to enclose for the Record the attached 
resolution of the Worcester Area Council of Lithuanian Organizations. 
This important group has been in the forefront of advocacy for 
Lithuanian issues.

                               Resolution

       Whereas the people of Lithuania survived a 51-year foreign 
     occupation which resulted from the infamous Nazi-Soviet Pact 
     of 1939;
       Whereas the people of Lithuania courageously resisted the 
     imposed communist dictatorship and cultural genocide of this 
     foreign occupation;
       Whereas the people of Lithuania were able to mobilize and 
     sustain a non-violent movement for social and political 
     change which came to be known as ``Sajudis'';
       Whereas on March 11, 1990, the democratically-elected 
     Lithuanian parliament, fulfilling its election mandate from 
     the people of Lithuania, declared the restoration of 
     Lithuania's independence and the establishment of a 
     democratic state;
       Whereas the people of Lithuania, the elected leaders and 
     the civil servants of the government of Lithuania persevered 
     in the building of democratic and independent institutions 
     under conditions of economic blockade and armed assaults over 
     17 months including a bloody assault on January 12-13, 1991 
     by foreign troops;
       Whereas Lithuania's successful restoration of democracy and 
     independence is remarkable for its use of non-violent 
     resistance to an oppressive regime;
       Whereas the continued illegal presence of Russian army 
     units in Latvia and Estonia poses a significant threat to the 
     independence of Lithuania;
       Whereas the government of the Russian Federal has adopted 
     an aggressive military doctrine asserting the right to 
     intervene in the affairs of neighboring states including 
     Lithuania;
       Whereas the massive concentration of Russian military 
     forces in the Kaliningrad region, currently under the control 
     of the Russian Federation, threatens the peace and security 
     of Lithuania;
       Whereas the Congress of the United States has continued to 
     restrict United States foreign aid to Russia until the 
     military forces of the Russian Federation are removed from 
     the territory of Latvia and Estonia;
       Therefore, be it Resolved That:
       1. We commend the people of Lithuania for their commitment 
     to democratic institutions and principles during this 
     difficult period of transition to a free market economy and 
     join with them as they celebrate their independence:
       2. We urge President Yeltsin to complete the withdrawal of 
     Russia's armed forces from Latvia and Estonia without further 
     delays, to demilitarize the Kaliningrad region and to 
     renounce his government's neo-imperialist policy of asserting 
     a right to militarily intervene in the affairs of neighboring 
     states;
       3. We urge our representatives in the U.S. Congress to 
     support Lithuania's transition to a free market economy 
     through humanitarian, technical and financial assistance and 
     urge President Clinton to end the long delay in appointing 
     the Board of Directors of the Baltic American Enterprise 
     Fund:
       4. We urge President Clinton and the U.S. Congress to 
     continue to assist Russia in withdrawing its troops from 
     Latvia and Estonia;
       5. We urge President Clinton to oppose the Russian 
     government's new military doctrine which asserts a right to 
     intervene in the affairs of neighboring states, including 
     Lithuania;
       Having adopted this resolution by unanimous vote of all 
     assembled, the Chair of this assembly is instructed to send 
     copies of this resolution to our elected representatives in 
     Congress and to the President of the U.S. and to the 
     government of Lithuania.

                          ____________________