RESOLUTION
ON THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE END OF WORLD
WAR II IN EUROPE
The 50th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe
and the founding of the United Nations' Organization has special
meaning for Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.
In the name of their long-suffering nations, the
representatives of Estonian, Latvian and Lithuanian parliaments
consider it their duty to remind the whole world that the Baltic
States were also the members of the League of Nations who lost
their independence during World War II. Those who founded the
United Nations Organization consented to that act of violence for
tens of years. We have to remind that already in 1940"1941 more
than 100 000 citizens of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania were
deported to Siberia. By 1945 the Baltic States had lost one fifth
of their population.
Now Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania have regained their
independence and have become members of the United Nations. This
took place at a time when the world resolutely revised the course
of history " many nations became free of totalitarianism and
regulated their mutual relations. The official apologies of the
leaders of Germany and Japan to the nations who had suffered
because of their activities during World War II were a great
contribution to that. We only have to admit with regret that the
successor of the Soviet Union " Russia, who was among the winners
at the end of the World War II has done it only partially.
Therefore we consider it necessary to remind once again that the
collusion of Stalin and Hitler of August 23, 1939 determined the
disappearance of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania from the political
map of the world. Russia's public condemnation of the aggression
and occupation of the Baltic States by the Soviet Union in 1940
would noticeably improve the relations between the Baltic States
and Russia.
The armed forces of the successor of the state that had
occupied the Baltic States left by August 31, 1994. Regrettably,
violating the conditions of the agreements with Estonia and
Latvia, Russia has left thousands of retired military personnel
there.
These are the reasons why the Baltic Assembly expresses its
full support to the decision by the three Baltic Presidents and
the President of Poland, not to attend the celebration of the
50th anniversary of the victory of the USSR in Europe.
Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, as the states who in World
War II lost their independence for half a century, consider it
necessary to declare that the year 1995 should become the year of
the true end of World War II: the winners of the war should
honestly observe the obligations they have taken upon themselves,
while those who have committed crimes and injustice should
apologize to their victims.
Deputy Chairman of Chairman Deputy Chairman of
the Presidium of of the Presidium the Presidium of
the Baltic Assembly of the Baltic the Baltic
Assembly Assembly
Arnold Riuitel Maris Budovskis Egidijus Bičkauskas
Republic of Estonia Republic of Republic of
Latvia Lithuania
Ryga, April 22, 1995