BALTIC ASSEMBLY

BALTIC ASSEMBLY BALTIC ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM Regarding the necessity to adopt a comprehensive approach in solving issues of national identity in the Baltic States Since the restoration of their independence, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, have been performing their duties as participants in all European processes, and are implementing all measures, based on international standards and regulations, which are necessary to guarantee the normal life of national minorities. At the same time, the Baltic Assembly is emphasizing that the problem of ethnic guarantees in the Baltic States is not solely the problem of national minorities, it is also the problem of the indigenous nations which suffered genocide and Russification before having reestablished their independence. After 1940 the Baltic States not only lost their economic positions, but during a fifty-year occupation suffered enormous human losses. During the Second World War and the Resistance Movement, through deportations and emigration, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania lost more than two million of their people. Simultaneously, as a result of a systematic population transfer policy, over two million people were transferred to the Baltic States, or remained there after their Soviet military service. Their interactions with the indigenous nations of the Baltic States give rise to a significant question: in what ways can the future existence of Estonians, Latvians and Lithuanians be ensured? To the Baltic States, this issue is of no lesser importance than the rights of national minorities. These aspects should be discussed, together with the issues of restoration of economy and reestablishment of democracy, at international conferences and research centers. International programs should be designed and special institutions should be established to deal with these issues. The Baltic Assembly declares that it is committed to participate actively in all such appropriate fora and to initiate such discussions and projects. The Baltic Assembly encourages all countries of Europe to show their goodwill and to reject the narrow use of national minority issues as a means to exert political pressure on the Baltic States, thus asserting their dedication to work with the Baltic States in adopting a comprehensive approach to solve the issues of their national and cultural identity positively. Chairman of the Presidium Deputy Chairman of the Deputy Chairman of the of the Baltic Assembly Presidium of the Baltic Presidium of the Baltic Assembly Assembly Maris Budovskis Ulo Nugis Egidijus Bickauskas Republic of Latvia Republic of Estonia Republic of Lithuania Jurmala (Kemeri). May 15, 1994