June 25, 1970
Page 21412
SUPPORT FOR THE BALTIC STATES
Mr. MUSKIE. Mr. President, 4 years ago the Senate agreed to House Concurrent Resolution 416 to request the President of the United States to urge certain actions in behalf of Lithuania, Estonia, and Latvia. The policy of the United States has always been to support those peoples who seek self-determination. This resolution marked our continuing support and concern for the brave people in the Baltic States.
At the request of the Lithuanian American Community of the U.S.A., Inc., I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be printed in the RECORD.
There being no objection, the concurrent resolution was ordered to be printed in the RECORD, as follows:
H. Con. RES. 416
Whereas the subjection of peoples to alien subjugation, domination, and exploitation constitutes a denial of fundamental human rights, is contrary to the Charter of the United Nations, and is an impediment to the promotion of world peace and cooperation; and
Whereas all peoples have the right to self-determination; by virtue of that right they freely determine their political status and freely pursue their economic, social, cultural, and religious development; and
Whereas the Baltic peoples of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania have been forcibly deprived of these rights by the Government of the Soviet Union; and
Whereas the Government of the Soviet Union, through a program of deportations and resettlement of peoples, continues in its effort to change the ethnic character of the populations of the Baltic States; and
Whereas it has been the firm and consistent policy of the Government of the United States to support the aspirations of Baltic peoples for self-determination and national independence; and
Whereas there exist many historical, cultural, and family ties between the peoples of the Baltic States and the American people:
Be it Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That the House of Representatives of the United States urge the President of the United States
(a) to direct the attention of world opinion at the United Nations and at other appropriate international forums and by such means as he deems appropriate, to the denial of the rights of self-determination for the peoples of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, and
(b) to bring the force of world opinion to bear on behalf of the restoration of these rights to the Baltic peoples.