[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 141 (Friday, October 9, 1998)]
[House]
[Pages H10270-H10274]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SUPPORTING THE BALTIC PEOPLE OF ESTONIA, LATVIA, AND LITHUANIA, AND 
           CONDEMNING THE NAZI-SOVIET PACT OF NON-AGGRESSION

  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 320) supporting the Baltic people 
of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, and condemning the Nazi-Soviet Pact 
of Non-Aggression of August 23, 1939, as amended.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                            H. Con. Res. 320

       Whereas on February 16, 1918, February 24, 1918, and 
     November 18, 1918, Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia, declared, 
     respectively, their independence and became democratic, 
     peace-loving states with membership in the League of Nations 
     and diplomatic representation in the United States;
       Whereas on August 23, 1939, emissaries of Adolf Hitler and 
     Joseph Stalin, Nazi German Foreign Minister Ribbentrop and 
     Soviet Foreign Minister Molotov, signed an agreement known as 
     the Nazi-Soviet Pact of Non-Aggression which contained secret 
     protocols that illegally divided Eastern Europe into spheres 
     of influence with Estonia, Latvia, and part of Poland going 
     to the Soviet Union and Lithuania and Poland going to Nazi 
     Germany;
       Whereas the Soviet Army fulfilled the Nazi-Soviet Pact of 
     Non-Aggression by illegally invading Lithuania on June 15, 
     1940, and invading both Latvia and Estonia on June 17, 1940;
       Whereas this illegal and forcible occupation was never 
     recognized by the United States and successive United States 
     Administrations maintained continuous diplomatic relations 
     with these countries throughout the Soviet period, never once 
     considering them to be ``Soviet Republics'';
       Whereas the Baltic peoples valiantly re-established their 
     independence through peaceful means and the United States 
     recognized their independent governments in 1991; and
       Whereas Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia have achieved 
     commendable success in the eight years since they re-
     established independence, including full democracy, 
     significant economic reforms, and civilian control of a new 
     military based on Western standards: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
     concurring), That, in observance of the 59th anniversary of 
     the Nazi-Soviet Pact of Non-Aggression, the Congress--
       (1) reaffirms the United States policy of the non-
     recognition of the occupation by the Soviet Union of 
     Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia subsequent to the Nazi-Soviet 
     Pact of Non-Aggression, which for the 50 years after the 
     signing of such Pact was a commendable bipartisan policy that 
     refused to legally recognize the Soviet occupation of these 
     countries;
       (2) urges Russia, in the spirit of democracy, to renounce 
     the Nazi-Soviet Pact of Non-Aggression and its secret 
     supplemental protocols, as illegal;
       (3) welcomes and supports the signing of the United States-
     Baltic Charter by the United States, Lithuania, Latvia, and 
     Estonia that reiterates the strong historical kinship between 
     the peoples of these countries; and
       (4) calls on the President and Secretary of State to work 
     to ensure that Russia understands that the Nazi-Soviet Pact 
     of Non-Aggression should be considered illegal and null and 
     void.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New 
York (Mr. Gilman) and the gentleman from American Samoa (Mr. 
Faleomavaega) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New York (Mr. Gilman).


                             General Leave

  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks 
on House Concurrent Resolution 320, the measure under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from New York?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, this resolution reiterates an important aspect of our 
policy towards the three Baltic states of Latvia, Lithuania and 
Estonia, namely, that our Nation has never recognized their invasion by 
the military forces of the former Soviet Union and the former Nazi 
Germany or their occupation and absorption by the former Soviet regime 
as legal acts. This is an extremely important measure to remember as we 
consider the actions of the Russian Federation in regards to the newly 
independent Baltic States.
  As much as we should call for fair treatment of all citizens of the 
Baltic States, we should remember that the acts of Russia's predecessor 
State, the Soviet Union, towards Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania were 
illegal. We should also bear in mind that, due to the purposeful 
policies of the former Soviet regime, specifically its attempts to 
Russify the Baltic States through policies of deportation of Baltic 
residents of those states and settlement of ethnic Russians in those 
states, the Baltic countries are today faced with the presence of large 
numbers of ethnic Russian residents, many of whom appear to resent the 
renewed independence of those states.
  The actions of the Russian government with regard to the small Baltic 
states has not been reassuring. Despite the fact that, at the urging of 
the United States and the European Union, the Baltic governments have 
adopted policies meant to fairly integrate ethnic Russians into their 
politics and society, the Russian government in Moscow seems determined 
to take advantage of any complaint voiced by ethnic Russians in the 
Baltic states to renew their harsh criticism of those countries and to 
claim violations of the human rights of ethnic Russians.
  Recent actions threatened against the government of Latvia by the 
Russian government do not give us any assurance that Russia intends to 
undertake a fair and balanced approach towards the small Baltic 
countries and their renewed independence. I would suggest that if the 
Russian government wishes our Nation and the international community to 
take more seriously its allegations of violations of

[[Page H10271]]

human rights of ethnic Russians in the Baltics, it ought to first do as 
the resolution states:

       Officially acknowledge that the actions of its predecessor 
     state towards the Baltic countries, as embodied in the 
     Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact of 1939 and exemplified by Soviet 
     occupation and Russification of the Baltic states, were 
     illegal.

  In concluding, I want to note that the resolution also states 
congressional support for the U.S.-Baltic Charter, signed by our 
President and the Presidents of the three Baltic states in January of 
this year. Although there is some concern in the Congress over the 
increasing use of charters that do not require ratification, the U.S.-
Baltic Charter outlines the importance of U.S. interaction with the 
Baltic states and assistance to them as they seek to integrate into the 
pan-European and trans-Atlantic nations. I certainly support that 
approach in our bilateral policy towards those three States.
  I want to commend the gentleman from New York (Mr. Solomon) for being 
a staunch advocate of this measure and for taking an active role in 
bringing this measure to the floor at this time. Accordingly, I support 
the approval of this resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  (Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA asked and was given permission to revise and extend 
his remarks.)
  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, again I want to commend the gentleman 
from New York (Mr. Gilman), the chairman of our Committee on 
International Relations, for his leadership and for bringing this piece 
of legislation to the floor. My commendation also to the gentleman from 
New York (Mr. Solomon) for his participation and his support of this 
legislation; and certainly my good friend, the gentleman from Nebraska 
(Mr. Bereuter), and the gentleman from California (Mr. Rohrabacher) for 
their support.
  Mr. Speaker, this resolution gives a sense of observation and 
recognition of this 59th anniversary of the Nazi-Soviet Pact of Non-
Aggression. The resolution reaffirms the U.S. Policy of the 
nonrecognition of the occupation by the Soviet Union of the free Baltic 
states, mainly Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania, subsequent to this 
infamous non-agression pact which was done in 1939.
  The resolution also urges Russia to renounce as illegal the Molotov-
Ribbentrop NonAgression Pact and its secret protocols.

                              {time}  1345

  The resolution welcomes the signing of the U.S.-Baltic Charter in 
January 1998, and it calls also on the President and the Secretary of 
State to ensure that Russia understands that the Nazi-Soviet Non-
Aggression Pact should be considered illegal, null and void.
  The resolution will have no impact on U.S. foreign policy, Mr. 
Speaker. Rather, it is intended as an implicit warning to the Russians 
to keep their hands off the Baltic states and to emphasize that these 
states are no longer in the Russian sphere of influence. This 
resolution may cause minor problems with our Russian friends, but so it 
does call on the administration to push our Russian friends to formally 
renounce the nonaggression pact as illegal, null and void.
  The administration does not oppose this resolution, Mr. Speaker. 
Privately it questions its need and utility, but we think it is 
important.
  Mr. Speaker, it is important that we continue to condemn the Nazi-
Soviet Non-Aggression Pact of 1939 which led directly to the illegal 
incorporation of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia into the Soviet Union, 
an act which the United States for some 50 years refused to recognize.
  Mr. Speaker, in 1918 under the League of Nations then, the countries 
of Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia were fully recognized as sovereign and 
independent nations and these nations were duly recognized even by our 
own country. But then in 1939 the nations of Germany under Adolf Hitler 
and Russia under Joseph Stalin signed an agreement known as the Nazi-
Soviet Pact of Non-Aggression which basically divided these Baltic 
states. Estonia and Latvia went to Poland, Poland became part of the 
Soviet Union, and, of course, Lithuania became part of Germany. But in 
1940 the Soviet Union invaded these three countries and occupied them 
ever since then.
  Mr. Speaker, ironically our country never officially recognized the 
occupation of these three countries. In 1991 with the collapse of the 
former Soviet Union, the Cold War was over, these Baltic states are 
again duly recognized as sovereign and independent nations.
  As the process of NATO enlargement unfolds next year, Mr. Speaker, it 
is important that we underscore our strong commitment to the continued 
independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and security of these 
three Baltic states.
  The bottom line, Mr. Speaker, I am reminded of an African proverb 
that states that when two elephants fight, the grass gets trodden. It 
seems that these countries, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, always get 
caught when larger and more powerful nations fight.
  Mr. Speaker, I submit, let us not allow this to happen again to these 
three states. A couple of years ago it was my privilege to visit the 
newly recognized states of Estonia and Latvia. They are good people, no 
different from us here in America.
  I submit, Mr. Speaker, that we have got to recognize the importance 
of this resolution. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the distinguished 
gentleman from New York (Mr. Solomon) chairman of the Committee on 
Rules.
  Mr. SOLOMON. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding time, 
and I rise in the strongest possible support for the resolution. I 
really do want to commend the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Shimkus) for 
his initiative here and certainly the gentleman from American Samoa 
(Mr. Faleomavaega), the gentleman from New York (Mr. Gilman) and my 
good friend the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Bereuter) for their very 
strong support of this legislation.
  The forcible incorporation of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia into the 
Soviet Union in 1940 was one of the greatest tragedies of this 20th 
century. Invaded by Soviet troops pursuant to a secret pact between 
Hitler and Stalin, the three Baltic nations had their freedom and their 
sovereignty totally obliterated for a half century, 50 years. But 
Soviet jackboots could not stamp out the pride, the religious and 
cultural strength, and the national identities of the Lithuanian, 
Latvian and Estonian peoples. Ten American Presidents, five Democrats 
and five Republicans, refused to recognize the Baltic nations as part 
of the Soviet Union. Indeed our government, and I was so proud of both 
political parties, helped keep open the embassies these nations had 
right here in Washington, D.C. as a symbol of hope for those people. 
All Americans rejoiced in 1990 when Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia 
regained their independence as the Iron Curtain came tumbling down 
thanks to Ronald Reagan and this Congress and others.
  But we must never allow ourselves to slip into a false sense of 
security. The forces of a vicious nationalism are on the rise again in 
Russia today, Mr. Speaker. Senior Russian officials, including Boris 
Yeltsin, insist on using ominous terms such as ``former Soviet 
republics'' when they mention Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia. And so 
this resolution is very timely here today. By passing this resolution, 
we will reaffirm the historic U.S. policy that condemned the forcible 
enslavement of the Baltic nations and refuse to give it any color of 
diplomatic recognition or legality. Mr. Speaker, moreover we will be 
calling upon the administration to reinforce that very policy with 
Russia so as to urge Moscow to renounce once and for all any claim on 
the Baltics.
  Finally, Mr. Speaker, I would just make a personal note. It is my 
fervent hope that the next round of NATO expansion will include Latvia, 
Lithuania and Estonia. I am sure many Members here join me in that 
hope. I look forward to the day when the historic political orientation 
toward the West that these nations have always had is recognized by 
bringing them into NATO.
  I want to commend--and this is not like Jerry Solomon--I want to 
commend President Clinton for his support of the Baltics at the meeting 
of NATO in Madrid that approved the acceptance of Poland, Hungary and 
the Czech

[[Page H10272]]

Republic. At that meeting President Clinton accepted my language that 
made it clear that regardless of size, regardless of geographic 
location, regardless of political consideration, the Baltics would be 
included in the open door policy of offering NATO membership to new 
democracies who otherwise meet the criteria that the NATO allies have 
set.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to again thank all these Members, the gentleman 
from American Samoa (Mr. Faleomavaega), the gentleman from New York 
(Mr. Gilman) and certainly the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Shimkus) 
and the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Bereuter) for bringing this 
legislation to the floor.
  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume. Again I want to compliment the statement and remarks of the 
gentleman from New York. This is not meant to be trite or repetitious, 
but again we are going to miss you, Jerry. I hope all the best for you 
in your future endeavors.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. 
Pascrell).
  Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of House 
Concurrent Resolution 320, a measure which signals our support for the 
Baltic people of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania and condemning the Nazi-
Soviet Pact of Non-Aggression of August 23, 1939.
  In 1939, emissaries of Hitler and Stalin signed an agreement known as 
the Nazi-Soviet Pact of Non-Aggression. This pact illegally divided 
Eastern Europe into spheres of influence. One year later, the Soviet 
army invaded Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia in fulfillment of the Nazi-
Soviet agreement. This occupation ruthlessly suppressed the ethnic 
identities of the three Baltic countries.
  The illegal incorporation of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania into the 
Soviet Union was a unilateral act of force with no legal basis in 
international law. Under Soviet occupation, there was seizing of 
property, rigging of elections and mass deportations.
  Mr. Speaker, during this grim time, the United States never 
recognized the Baltics as part of the Soviet Union.
  In 1990, the Baltics reestablished their independence and shed the 
yoke of Communist domination. Since that time, each country has been 
working diligently towards democratic reforms, including religious 
freedom, which we have talked about so many times on this floor, and 
movement toward effective free market economies, which we have talked 
about so many times on this floor.
  That is why this measure is necessary. We need to demonstrate our 
support for the Baltic countries. They are embracing democratic values. 
Not surprisingly, Lithuania this year elected a Lithuanian-born 
American citizen, Valdas Adamkus, as their new President. In fact, 
Lithuania will most likely be the first Baltic country to be ready for 
NATO membership.
  And why not? The Baltics would like to gain membership into NATO. 
Russian leaders have stated recently that any territory formerly part 
of the Soviet Union should still be considered under the Russian sphere 
of influence, unavailable for membership in NATO.
  We cannot allow Russia to dictate what NATO is about. We cannot allow 
Russia to dictate what this country, the United States, is all about. 
We must continue to build bridges to freedom, international freedom 
throughout the world. These emerging democracies need full United 
States support.
  That is exactly what this measure does, Mr. Speaker. It reaffirms the 
United States policy of not recognizing the illegal occupation of the 
Baltics, and it reiterates our support of the United States-Baltic 
Charter which was signed earlier this year.
  We need to fan the fire of democracy and freedom in these countries. 
Let us help the Baltic people realize their dreams and secure a 
prosperous and democratic future. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' 
on this important measure. And let us continue to build bridges. Let us 
continue to build bridges and not be afraid to risk the building of 
those bridges.
  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. Shimkus), a former resident of my congressional district 
while he attended the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. The 
gentleman from Illinois was the original author of this measure, Mr. 
Speaker.
  Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the gentleman from 
New York (Mr. Gilman), the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Kucinich), my 
cosponsor, cochairman of the Baltic Caucus, and also those Members who 
signed as cosponsors of this resolution.
  The Baltic countries, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia, over the 
centuries have been occupied, terrorized and vilified. At the hands of 
the former Soviet Union and Nazi Germany, these countries were 
illegally annexed under the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact of World War II. 
With this concurrent resolution, I hope that we may be able to provide 
some security to the region by once again denouncing the illegal 
annexation of the Baltics and to pledge the United States' continued 
support.
  Most people do not realize what happened in Lithuania, Latvia and 
Estonia during World War II. During their occupation, there was the 
rigging of elections, seizing of bank accounts, censoring of the press, 
and suppression of religious worship. Additionally, many law-abiding 
citizens, including teachers and police officials, were imprisoned, 
sent to labor camps or executed. This was all part of a systematic 
campaign to transform the Baltic way of life into Russian.
  However, this illegal annexation had no basis in international law. 
In fact, during the Soviet occupation of eastern and central Europe, 
the U.S. Congress continued to pass resolutions asking Americans across 
the country to join in recognizing the fundamental freedom and 
independence of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia.
  Even after all the hardships, the Baltic people valiantly 
reestablished their independence through peaceful means. In 1991, the 
United States recognized their independent governments. But the 
Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact continues to haunt these free countries. 
Recently, Russian leaders have stated on the record that all territory 
formerly designated part of the Soviet Union should be considered part 
of an exclusive Russian sphere of influence, untouchable by NATO or 
anyone else. The United States, and more specifically this body, must 
demonstrate that we support the Baltics and do not condone Russia's 
actions. We can do this by approving this concurrent resolution.
  House Concurrent Resolution 320 simply supports the Baltics. 
Specifically, it reaffirms the United States policy of not recognizing 
the occupation of the Baltics; urges Russia to renounce the Molotov-
Ribbentrop Pact in the spirit of democracy; welcomes the signing of the 
U.S.-Baltic Charter last winter; and calls on the President and the 
Secretary of State to work to ensure that Russia understands that the 
pact should be considered illegal, null and void.
  I would encourage all my colleagues to vote in favor of this 
resolution so that we may continue to support the emerging democracies 
of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia.

                              {time}  1400

  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman 
from Ohio (Mr. Kucinich), who has a considerable number of his 
constituency from Latvia.
  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, as the cochair of the Baltic Caucus, a 
position which I proudly serve with the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. 
Shimkus), I am here today to speak about Resolution 320. I had the 
privilege of being present with Mr. Shimkus and others at the signing 
of the U.S.-Baltic agreement which took place last winter at the White 
House, to meet with the Presidents of those countries and to share with 
them our concern that this fledgling freedom which all were feeling 
would have a chance to be able to grow and to prosper.
  This resolution is an important part of it. The resolution's purpose 
is to express the sense of Congress that we support the Baltic people 
of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania and that we condemn the Nazi-Soviet 
Pact of Non-Aggression of August 23, 1939. This pact of non-aggression, 
otherwise known as the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, was a pivotal time in 
Baltic history. Part of this treaty that was not published at this time 
stated, and I quote from it, Mr. Speaker:


[[Page H10273]]


       In the event of a territorial and political rearrangement 
     in the areas belonging to the Baltic States: Finland, 
     Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, the northern boundary of 
     Lithuania shall represent the boundary of the spheres of 
     influence of Germany and the USSR.

  This pact, in effect, resulted in the annexation of the Baltic States 
by the USSR.
  In 1940 the Soviet Army illegally invaded Lithuania, Latvia and 
Estonia. It is no wonder then that the Baltic Republics played a vital 
role in dismantling the Soviet Union. Opposition groups in all three 
Baltic States became popular movements calling for national 
independence. These popular movements culminated with the Baltic Way 
demonstration on August 23, 1989, exactly 50 years after the Molotov-
Ribbentrop Pact was signed. Nearly 2 million people formed a human 
chain stretching from Tallinn through Riga to Vilnius to protest the 
illegal pact and to question the legitimacy of the Soviet role.
  In August 1991, all three of the Baltic States declared their full 
independence following the official recognition of the independence of 
all three Baltic States by many Western countries. Moscow decided to 
acknowledge their sovereignty on September 4, 1991. Within 3 months the 
Soviet Union would no longer exist.
  Recently, Russian leaders have stated that any territory formerly 
part of the Soviet sphere should still be considered under the Russian 
sphere of influence. This resolution, if passed by the United States 
Congress, would send a clear signal to Russian leaders that they should 
renounce the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact and relinquish its grip on nations 
that never agreed to be part of the Soviet Union and certainly do not 
consider themselves to be part of the Russian sphere of influence.
  I ask my colleagues to vote for this important Baltic resolution to 
support the people of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia and to support 
their quest for the growth of freedom and to support the continuation 
of democracy all around the world.
  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from 
Nebraska (Mr. Bereuter), the distinguished chairman of our Subcommittee 
on Asia and the Pacific.
  Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from New York for 
yielding me this time.
  I rise in strong support of this resolution, the resolution 
supporting the Baltic people of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania in 
condemning the Nazi-Soviet Pact of Non-Aggression of August 23, 1939. 
This resolution was, of course, introduced by the distinguished 
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Shimkus) and the distinguished gentleman 
from Ohio (Mr. Kucinich) on August 5 of this year, referred to the 
Committee on International Relations.
  The people of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania have a new active leader 
and friend in the U.S. Congress in the gentleman from Illinois and the 
gentleman from Ohio, and I commend the gentleman from Illinois, for 
example, in his efforts to craft a strong bipartisan statement of 
support for these nations. I am pleased to join as a cosponsor.
  Mr. Speaker, in 1991, after more than 50 years of Soviet occupation, 
the nations of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, acting peacefully, but 
with great courage, regained their freedom. In doing so they at last 
put an end to the illegal and forcible subjugation they had suffered as 
a result of the infamous Nazi-Soviet Pact of Non-Aggression of 1939.
  It is highly appropriate that this body remember that shameful 
occasion of the 59th anniversary of the Molotov- Ribbentrop Pact by 
reaffirming our principle bipartisan rejection of that evil agreement 
and by calling on others to join in condemning it and all it 
represents.
  During the bitter years of occupation, as the gentleman from New York 
mentioned, the United States' administrations and congressional leaders 
of both parties consistently rejected the incorporation of the Baltic 
States into the Soviet Union and maintained diplomatic relations with 
their legitimate representatives. When at long last their freedom was 
restored, the United States joyfully welcomed those three countries 
back into the community of independent nations and sought to assist 
them in overcoming the legacy of Soviet domination.
  Playing a key role in this effort were the many citizens who traced 
their origins back to the Baltic countries. While enriching our Nation 
with their cultural heritage, they never lost hope that their mother 
countries would regain the freedom that is their birthright.
  Finally, I join in expressing strong support for the landmark U.S.-
Baltic Charter signed in January of this year. The charter both defines 
and describes our bonds of kinship and friendship with all three 
nations.
  Mr. Speaker, I am confident that through their efforts, both 
individually and together, these three nations will continue to make 
progress in overcoming the lost years of occupation and returning to 
their rightful place among the free peoples of the world.
  Lastly, I would like to note the very direct link between Latvia and 
Lincoln, Nebraska. Karlis Ulmanis, Father of Latvian independence and 
the long-serving Latvian President between World War I and World War 
II, was a graduate of the University of Nebraska School of Dairy 
Science. He returned to his homeland after World War I, led his country 
to independence, and was eventually brutally seized in prison by the 
occupying Soviets and disappeared in Siberian captivity. Next year his 
grandnephew, Guntis Ulmanis, the current and very popular President of 
Latvia, will receive an honorary degree from the University of Nebraska 
Lincoln. Thus, Mr. Speaker, we complete the circle.
  The Latvian-American community in Lincoln are proud of the role of 
their adopted son, the first President of Latvia and his grandnephew, 
the current President of Latvia, who will be welcomed to Lincoln soon. 
The Lithuania-American and Estonian-American citizens of our State are 
also, of course, very supportive of this resolution supporting the 
Baltic people and recognizing their long-term suffering under the 
Soviets.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of H. Con. Res. 320.
  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Rohrabacher), a member of our committee.
  Mr. ROHRABACHER. Mr. Speaker, I join with my friends today from 
Illinois and Ohio in supporting the freedom of the Baltic peoples and 
in memorializing the infamous Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact.
  The Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact is an historic reminder that the forces 
of evil and tyranny are inevitably attracted to one another. In a world 
of nazism and communism six decades ago, some unfortunate people in the 
West, unfortunate because of their wishful thinking, thought that they 
could play one evil off against another and thus did not just simply 
state to the world and join in solidarity with the other free people 
against evil itself. It did not work, and this compromise with evil, 
trying to play the Nazis off against the Communists and the Communists 
against the Nazis, led to a world conflagration that destroyed much of 
the planet and took up to 100 million lives, and, of course, what we 
saw ending that wishful thinking was an alliance between the Communists 
and the Nazis. Today we remember the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact and 
declare there is no compromise with evil and tyranny. Consistent with 
that we focus on the Baltic nations.
  I recently traveled through Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. The people 
there for the most part are successful in their transition out of 
Communist tyranny. They are showing their Russian neighbors that 
democracy, free enterprise and the aspects of our Western society work, 
and the people of the Baltic States now enjoy prosperity, peace and 
freedom.
  The passage of this resolution restates to the world America's 
commitment to peace, prosperity and democracy for all of the people of 
the world, especially those brave souls in the Baltics who have 
suffered so much during the 20th century from the twin evils of 
communism and nazism.
  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  My apologies to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Shimkus) for not 
recognizing his tremendous contributions as the prime sponsor of this 
piece of legislation.

[[Page H10274]]

  Mr. Speaker, I said earlier that according to an African proverb, 
when two elephants fight, the grass gets trodden. A little twist to 
this African proverb by a remark made years ago by the former Prime 
Minister of the Independent State of Samoa, the Honorable Tuiatua Tupua 
Tamasese, who also said that when two elephants make love, the grass 
still gets trodden.
  Mr. Speaker, what is obviously meant by this is that let us not 
forget the economic and social needs of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania 
when the United States intends to conduct major trade and business 
transactions with Europe and Asia.
  Again, Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.
  Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Con. Res. 
320. I would like to thank the esteemed Chairman of the House 
International Relations Committee, the gentleman from New York, Mr. 
Gilman, and the Ranking Member, the gentleman from Indiana, Mr. 
Hamilton, for their leadership on this issue. I would also like to 
salute the gentleman from Illinois, Mr. Shimkus, for all of the hard 
work he has put in in drafting this important resolution. His 
leadership along with his foresight and keen awareness of foreign 
policy has been instrumental in making this resolution become reality. 
As the co-chair of the Congressional Baltic Caucus, along with the 
other co-chair, the gentleman from Ohio, Mr. Kucinich, his ability to 
work in a bipartisan fashion for important measures such as this are 
certainly appreciated by this Member.
  Around sixty years ago, the three nations of Latvia, Lithuania and 
Estonia had their freedom stripped away by the Soviet army. Under a 
secret, illegal and immoral agreement between Hitler and Stalin, the 
Nazi-Soviet Pact of Non-Aggression tore Eastern Europe apart. After the 
Soviet Union invaded Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia in 1940, the 
cultural identities of those nations were ruthlessly suppressed. These 
invasions and occupations were not only illegal under international 
law, they were immoral and atrocious crimes against humanity.
  Thanks to the heroic efforts of Ronald Reagan, the fall of communism 
during his watch eventually freed the Baltic States from communist 
tyranny. Since their independence in 1990, each nation has been working 
diligently towards democratic reforms including religious freedom and 
movement towards free market economies. The brave efforts of the Baltic 
States must be supported by the U.S.
  H. Con. Res. 320 will do just that. It sends a message to the world 
that we support the Baltic States. Since their independence, Russia 
continues to refer to the Baltic States as former Soviet Republics 
despite the fact that they were illegally invaded by the former Soviet 
Union, and it appears that Russia continues to view the Baltic States 
as part of the Russian ``sphere of influence.'' We must demonstrate our 
support for the Baltics. These are fledgling democracies who peacefully 
overturned the tyrannical rule of communist aggression.
  This important resolution will reaffirm the U.S. policy of not 
recognizing the illegal occupation of the Baltics, urge Russia to 
renounce the illegal Nazi-Soviet Pact, reiterate our support for the 
U.S.-Baltic Charter signed earlier this year, and call on the President 
of the United States and the Secretary of State to work to ensure that 
Russia understands the Pact should be considered illegal.
  I ask my colleagues to support this important resolution. Let us 
support freedom, let us support peace, let us support democracy, and 
let us support the pursuit of justice.
  Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker I rise today in support of H. Con. Res. 320, 
legislation supporting the Baltic People and condemning the Nazi-Soviet 
Non-Aggression Pact.
  Prior to the cold war Lithuania, Estonia, and Latvia proudly declared 
their independence and became democratic states with membership in the 
League of Nations. But, during the cold war Germany and Russia decided 
to split the Baltic States into two parts by forcing Estonia, Latvia, 
and a portion of Poland to become part of the Soviet Union and by 
forcing Lithuania and the rest of Poland to become part of Nazi 
Germany. I have never recognized the legitimacy of such a decision and 
I am proud to say that the United States has taken the same point of 
view. Additionally, I must add that the illegal incorporation of 
Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania into the Soviet Union does not have and 
will never have a legal basis in international law.
  In 1990, when the Baltic States re-established their independence, 
the United States along with many other countries boldly recognized 
their independence. Many of the Baltic States have successfully made 
the transition from an authoritarian political system to that of a 
democratic system. It is interesting to note that in light of all these 
political changes Russia continues to recognize the Nazi-Soviet Pact of 
Non-Aggression. This pact illegally divides the Baltic States into 
``spheres of influence'', therefore, precluding the Baltic States from 
asserting their autonomy and joining NATO or entering into other such 
alliances.
  As faith would have it, Russia itself has undergone tremendous 
democratic and free market reforms but has yet to recognize the 
independence of the Baltic States. It is only fitting and just that 
Russia denounce the Nazi-Soviet Pact of Non-Aggression and recognize 
the autonomy of the Baltic States and demonstrate to the world that it 
truly believes in the principles of democracy and individual freedom.
  I strongly urge President Clinton and Secretary of State Albright to 
work with the Russian government to ensure that Russia understands the 
importance of denouncing the Nazi-Soviet Pact of Non-Aggression and 
endorsing the right to self determination by the Baltic States.
  Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this bill to support 
the Baltic people and to condemn the Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact. I 
want to express my appreciation to the gentleman from Illinois [Mr. 
Shimkus] for his leadership on this issue and in organizing the 
Congressional Caucus on the Baltics.
  In 1918, the nations of Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia declared their 
independence and became democratic states with membership in the League 
of Nations and diplomatic representation in the United States.
  In 1939, emissaries of Adolf Hitler and Joseph Stalin signed an 
agreement, known as the Nazi-Soviet Pact of Non-Aggression, which 
contained secret protocols to divide Eastern Europe into spheres of 
influence. Estonia, Latvia and part of Poland were made subject to the 
Soviet Union, with Lithuania and most of Poland going to Nazi Germany.
  In 1940, the Soviet Army invaded Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. This 
occupation has never been recognized by the United States, and all 
successive U.S. administrations, whether Democratic or Republican, 
maintained continuous diplomatic relations with these countries as 
sovereign nations throughout the Soviet period, never considering them 
to be Soviet Republics.
  The Baltic peoples re-established their independence through peaceful 
means following the dissolution of the former Soviet Union, and the 
United States recognized their independent governments in 1991. 
Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia have achieved significant success in the 
eight years since they gained their independence, including instituting 
democratic institutions, economic reforms, and civilian control over 
the military.
  Mr. Speaker, H. Con. Res. 320, introduced by my distinguished 
colleague from Illinois [Mr. Shimkus], and to which I am a proud 
cosponsor, reaffirms the U.S. policy of not recognizing the occupation 
by the Soviet Union of these proud nations following the signing of the 
Nazi-Soviet Pact of Non-Aggression. Further, it urges the now 
independent nation of Russia, in the spirit of democracy, to renounce 
the Nazi-Soviet Pact and its secret protocols as illegal. Finally, the 
measure welcomes and supports the signing of the United States-Baltic 
Charter by the U.S., Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia--a charter that 
reiterates the strong historical kinship and support between the Baltic 
peoples and Americans.
  Mr. Speaker, for all the progress, both democratic and economic, 
these three Baltic nations have made since regaining their independence 
in 1991, they continue to face many challenges and uncertain 
relationships with their powerful neighbors. Russia continues to be a 
threatening and intimidating force, which still views the Baltic 
nations as subject to its ``sphere of influence.''
  H. Con. Res. 320 clearly signals U.S. support for these nations, for 
their independence, and for their democratic futures. I urge my 
colleagues to vote in support of this measure.
  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from New York (Mr. Gilman) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 320, as amended.
  The question was taken.
  Mr. SOLOMON. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 5 of rule I and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

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