ACCESSION NUMBER:352264
FILE ID:TXT101
DATE:07/11/94
TITLE:CLINTON IN THE BALTICS (07/11/94)
TEXT:*94071101.TXT
CLINTON IN THE BALTICS
(VOA Editorial)  (380)
(Following is an editorial, broadcast by the Voice of America July 9,
reflecting the views of the U.S. government.)

This past week, President Bill Clinton became the first American president
to set foot on the soil of a free Baltic nation.  During a visit to Riga,
Latvia, Clinton met with the presidents of Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania.
He praised the peoples of the Baltic states for their indomitable courage.
"You have proved," said President Clinton, "that freedom never dies when it
lives in the hearts of men and women.  You have taught us never to give up.
 You have inspired the world, and America has kept faith with you."

The three Baltic countries were forcibly incorporated by the Soviet Union at
the beginning of the Second World War.  The United States refused to
recognize the Soviet annexation, and for 50 years kept the legations of the
Baltic nations open in Washington.  In 1991, the Baltic countries regained
their independence.  But substantial numbers of Russian troops remained on
their territory.

To promote troop-withdrawal talks, the United States established a $160
million program for the construction of housing for Russian officers
returning from the Baltics and elsewhere.  Last year, all Russian troops
were withdrawn from Lithuania.  In April, Russia agreed to pull all its
troops out of Latvia by the end of August.  A similar agreement is being
negotiated between Russia and Estonia.

Addressing himself to the Baltic peoples, Clinton said that Americans "will
rejoice with you when the last of the foreign troops vanish from your
homeland."  At the same time, he urged them "never (to) deny to others the
justice and equality you fought so hard for and earned for yourselves, for
freedom without tolerance is freedom unfulfilled."

Seizing the opportunities and obligations created by their new freedom, the
Baltic nations have joined NATO's Partnership for Peace.  To enable them to
participate, President Clinton is asking the U.S. Congress for $10 million
to support a Baltic battalion.  As Clinton told his listeners in Riga's
Freedom Square, "Our soldiers, the new Baltic battalion among them, will
join together to bring security to a new Europe.  We will be partners so
that your nations can be forever free."

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