BNS: Lithuanian president hopes for joint quest with Poland for assessment of totalitarian regimes on EU level
Updated 2008-08-12
VILNIUS, Jul 30, BNS - Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus has noted his belief that Lithuania and Poland will act together in pursuit of a proper assessment of totalitarian regimes on European Union (EU) level. He made this statement while speaking on the phone with Polish President Lech Kaczynski Wednesday.
Lithuania is determined to achieve that the principle of non-discrimination be applied to victims of all totalitarian regimes, i.e. that Stalinism not be overlooked when evaluating crimes committed by totalitarian regimes. The country also aims to achieve that official rapports of EU countries on harm experienced from crimes committed by totalitarian regimes get approved.
In 1940, Lithuania was occupied by the Soviet Union, later, during the years of World War II, its territory was invaded by the Nazi Germany. After the Red Army pushed German troops back in 1944-1945, Lithuania was forced to become a Soviet Republic.
Lithuania lost up to a third of its population during 1940-1953 due to the deportations, killings and forced emigration on the part of the Soviet Union. The country has estimated the damages of half a century of Soviet occupation to reach 80 billion litas (EUR 23 b).
At the time of his conversation with Kaczynski, Adamkus thanked him for the invitation to partake in the commemoration of 64th anniversary of the Warsaw Uprising and expressed his regrets for not being able to attend the event because of previously made engagements and commitments.
Adamkus also noted the need to aim for tighter cooperation between the Baltic States and the four Vyshegrad Group countries and said he supports the Polish president's quest to organize a meeting of the heads of the said states.
Kaczynski had invited Adamkus to come to Warsaw Friday. Polish news agency PAP reported that Latvian and Estonian presidents plan to attend the commemorative event.
Adamkus wished a meaningful commemoration of the anniversary of the Warsaw Uprising. "This heroic uprising represents a very respectable statement by the people of Poland that they would not live with totalitarian oppression and would selflessly fight for the freedom of their Motherland. Even today this fight against Nazi occupation that has claimed many victims inspires us to strive for peace, democracy and freedom not only in our region but also in the entire world" Adamkus said.
The Warsaw Uprising started August 1st of 1944 and lasted for a period of 63 days. The uprising was brutally vanquished by the Germans, leaving 200,000 civilians and fighters dead, and Warsaw almost completely demolished by the German Army.
