[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 25 (Wednesday, March 11, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1801-S1802]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       COMMEMORATING THE RESTORATION OF LITHUANIA'S INDEPENDENCE

 Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, on this day, the eighth 
anniversary of the restoration of Lithuania's independence, I would 
like to pay tribute to the perserverence and sacrifices of the 
Lithuanian people which enable them to achieve the freedom which they 
now enjoy.
  On March 11, 1990, the newly 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.
  The people of Lithuania endured a 51-year foreign occupation which 
began as a result of the infamous Nazi-Soviet Pact of 1939. During that 
time the people of Lithuania courageously resisted the imposed 
communist dictatorship and cultural genocide of this foreign 
occupation.
  During this time, 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.
  On February 24, 1990 Sajudis, the people's movement, through citizen 
action guaranteed a peaceful transition to independence and democracy 
by fully participating in the first democratic elections in Lithuania 
in more than half a century.
  In January 1991, ten months after this restoration of independence, 
the people and government of Lithuania withstood a bloody and lethal 
assault against their democratic institutions by foreign troops. 
Lithuania's successful restoration of democracy and independence is 
remarkable for its use of non-violent resistance to an oppressive 
regime.
  On September 17, 1991, Lithuania became a member of the United 
Nations and is a signatory to a number of its organizations and other 
international agreements. It also is a member of the Organization and 
Security and Cooperation in Europe, the North Atlantic Cooperation 
Council and the Council of Europe. Lithuania is an associate member of 
the EU and has applied for NATO membership and is currently negotiating 
for membership in the WTO, OECD and other Western organizations.

[[Page S1802]]

  The United States established diplomatic relations with Lithuania on 
July 28, 1992. U.S. representation accredited to Lithuania served from 
the legation in Riga, Latvia, until May 31, 1930, when a legation in 
Kaunas was established. The Soviet invasion forced the clousure of 
Legation uninterrupted for over 50 years. The U.S. never recognied the 
forcible incorporation of Lithuania into the U.S.S.R., and views the 
present Government of Lithuania as a legal continuation of the interwar 
republic. Lithuania has enjoyed Most-Favored-Nation (MFN) treatment 
with the U.S. since December, 1991. Through 1996, the U.S. has 
committed over $100 million to Lithuania's economic and political 
transformation and to address humanitarian needs. In 1994, the U.S. and 
Lithuania signed an agreement of bilateral trade and intellectual 
property protection, and in 1997 a bilateral investment treaty.

  For over fifty years, there was a bipartisan consensus on maintaining 
a strong policy of non-recognition of the forcible incorporation of 
Lithuania into the former Soviet Union.
  Since Lithuania regained their independence on March 11, 1990, the 
United States has played a critical role in helping these states 
implement democratic and free market reforms strengthening their 
security and sovereignty.
  The 1998 U.S. and Lithuania signed The Baltic Charter Partnership 
which recalls the history, and underscores that the United States has a 
``real, profound, and enduring'' interest in the security and 
independence of the three Baltic states. This is because, as the 
Charter also notes, our interest in a Europe whole and free will not be 
ensured until Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania are secure.
  Mr. President, I commend the people of Lithuania for their courage 
and perseverance in using peaceful means to regain their independence. 
I join with the people of Lithuania as they celebrate their 
independence day.

                          ____________________