[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 107 (Friday, August 5, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: August 5, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
            ENSURING RUSSIAN TROOP WITHDRAWAL IN THE BALTICS

  Mr. PRESSLER. Mr. President, I salute President Clinton's recent 
efforts concerning Russian troop withdrawal from the Baltic States of 
Latvia and Estonia. As my colleagues know, President Yeltsin is tying 
Russian troop withdrawal to the citizenship status of the Russian-
speaking minorities of both republics. Questions of citizenship are 
quite legitimate. However, they should not be linked directly to the 
scheduled withdrawal of the Russian military. Instead, they should be 
treated as a separate issue, independent of the issue of Baltic 
sovereignty.
  It is imperative that we hold the Russian Government to the 
withdrawal date of August 31, 1994. Any weakness on the part of the 
United States would send the message that the Russians can postpone 
their scheduled withdrawal.
  I commend President Yeltsin and Estonian President Lennart Meri for 
their recent agreement to remove Russian troops from Estonia by the 
original date of August 31, 1994. This change in policy, after the 
surprising ``nyet'' before the G-7 summit, clearly demonstrates 
President Yeltsin's desire to maintain healthy ties with the West. I 
trust the Russian Government will follow through on this promise.
  Recently, my colleague from Kentucky, Senator McConnell, offered an 
amendment to H.R. 4426, the Foreign Operations Appropriations bill for 
fiscal year 1995. I commend Senator McConnell for his leadership on 
this issue. The amendment easily passed with an overwhelming majority. 
It stated that if Russian troops do not return home by the proposed 
deadline, then the United States would withhold aid to Russia until 
sufficient progress is made. The amendment advanced the deadline for 
Russian troop withdrawal to August 31, 1994, from the previous date of 
December 31, 1994. If the Russian Government were to fail to remove the 
remaining 4,500 troops from Estonia and 2,500 troops from Latvia, then 
any further United States financial assistance to the Government of 
Russia would be prohibited. Russian troops must pull out of the Baltic 
nations by August 31, or face the consequences.
  The sovereignty of two nations is at stake, as is our future as a 
world power. Failure to stand firm on our own resolutions would add to 
the concern throughout the world regarding U.S. integrity and resolve 
in foreign policy. We have let the Russian government clearly know the 
consequences of its behavior in keeping 7,000 Russian troops in Latvia 
and Estonia. The Russians understand they would lose millions of 
dollars in economic assistance from the United States.
  I have visited the Baltics to examine their reform efforts and the 
effects of United States aid. While in Latvia 2 years ago, the 
Russians' reluctance to withdraw their troops disturbed me. Their 
excuses of 2 years ago finally eroded into the compromise of last week. 
It is very easy for us to look at this agreement and consider this 
problem solved, but this would be a grave mistake. To withdraw our 
pressure prematurely only encourages the Russians to renege on their 
agreement and postpone their withdrawal. We must hold the Yeltsin 
Government to its promise of complete independence for the Baltic 
States.
  Being firm with the Yeltsin Government is essential. We can aid the 
process by encouraging the implementation of citizenship laws in the 
Baltic nations that fairly treat the Russian minorities. Longtime 
residents should have the opportunity to become citizens of Latvia or 
Estonia if they declare their loyalty. We should remain firm in our 
resolve to end de facto Russian imperialism, while promoting the ideals 
of democracy for all who live in the Baltic nations.

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