Going for international support

At the same time as Vaiva was spearheading the petition drive in support of Lithuanian independence, she was working the political networks. She co-signed this letter (an original was created for each member of the CSCE) with the head of Connecticut's Lithuanian-American Community.

The Honorable <> <>
Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe
Washington D.C. 20515


Dear Mr. <>,

I am writing to remind you, and I am asking you to remind all the delegates to the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, that contrary to press reports the book does not close on World War II with the reunification of Germany. Germany and Japan were not the only nations who added to their territory through conquest of smaller nations in the 1940s. As you well know, the U.S.S.R. also expanded its borders, through the brutal annexation of Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia.

I applaud the principled stand the United States government has taken in support of Kuwait against its large, aggressive, totalitarian neighbor, Iraq. Those same principles apply with equal force to the situation of the Baltic States and their occupation by the Soviet Union.

The crime committed against the Kuwaitis is, at this writing, less than 2 months old. The same crime, committed against the three Baltic states, is no less repugnant, no less in need of correction, for the passage of half a century. The issue of Baltic sovereignty is no more an internal Soviet matter than is the matter of Kuwaiti sovereignty a matter to be entrusted to the wisdom of Saddam Hussein.

To truly close the book on World War II, full independence and self determination must be restored to Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia. We thank you for your past support in the cause of freedom; we must ask you to redouble your efforts during this critical time.

Sincerely,

Pijus Nasvytis
President, Lithuanian-American Community of Connecticut

Vaiva R. Vebra
Director, Connecticut Lithuanian Resource Center