IV

106TH CONGRESS

2D SESSION S. CON. RES. 122

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

JULY 20, 2000

Referred to the Committee on International Relations

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

Recognizing the 60th anniversary of the United States nonrecognition policy of the Soviet takeover of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania and calling for positive steps to promote a peaceful and democratic future for the Baltic

region.

Whereas in June 1940, the Soviet Union occupied the Baltic

countries of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania and forcibly

incorporated them into the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics;

Whereas throughout the occupation, the United States maintained that the acquisition of Baltic territory by force

was not permissible under international law and refused

to recognize Soviet sovereignty over these lands;

Whereas on July 15, 1940, President Franklin D. Roosevelt

issued Executive Order No. 8484, which froze Baltic assets in the United States to prevent them from falling

into Soviet hands;
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Whereas on July 23, 1940, Acting Secretary of State Sumner

Welles issued the first public statement of United States

policy of nonrecognition of the Soviet takeover of the Baltic countries, condemning that act in the strongest terms;

Whereas the United States took steps to allow the diplomatic

representatives of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania in

Washington to continue to represent their nations

throughout the Soviet occupation;

Whereas Congress on a bipartisan basis strongly and consistently supported the policy of nonrecognition of the Soviet

takeover of the Baltic countries during the 50 years of

occupation;

Whereas in 1959, Congress designated the third week in July

as ‘‘Captive Nations Week’’, and authorized the President to issue a proclamation declaring June 14 as ‘‘Baltic Freedom Day’’;

Whereas in December 1975, the House of Representatives

and the Senate adopted resolutions declaring that the

Final Act of the Commission for Security and Cooperation in Europe, which accepted the inviolability or borders in Europe, did not alter the United States nonrecognition policy;

Whereas during the struggle of the Baltic countries for the

restoration of their independence in 1990 and 1991, Congress passed a number of resolutions that underscored its

continued support for the nonrecognition policy and for

Baltic self-determination;

Whereas since then the Baltic states have successfully built

democracy, ensured the rule of law, developed free market economies, and consistently pursued a course of integration into the community of free and democratic na-
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tions by seeking membership in the European Union and

the North Atlantic Treaty Organization;

Whereas the Russian Federation has extended formal recognition to Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania as independent and sovereign states; and

Whereas the United States, the European Union, and the

countries of Northern Europe have supported regional cooperation in Northern Europe among the Baltic and Nordic states and the Russian Federation in addressing common environmental, law enforcement, and public health

problems, and in promoting civil society and business and

trade development: Now, therefore, be it

1 Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives

2 concurring), That Congress—

3 (1) recognizes the 60th anniversary of the

4 United States nonrecognition policy of the Soviet

5 takeover of the Baltic states and the contribution

6 that policy made in supporting the aspirations of the

7 people of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania to reassert

8 their freedom and independence;

9 (2) commends Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania

10 for the reestablishment of their independence and

11 the role they played in the disintegration of the

12 former Soviet Union in 1990 and 1991;

13 (3) commends Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania

14 for their success in implementing political and eco15 nomic reforms, which may further speed the process
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1 of their entry into European and Western institu2 tions; and

3 (4) supports regional cooperation in Northern

4 Europe among the Baltic and Nordic states and the

5 Russian Federation and calls for further cooperation

6 in addressing common environmental, law enforce7 ment, and public health problems, and in promoting

8 civil society and business and trade development,

9 and similar efforts that promote a peaceful, demo10 cratic, prosperous, and secure future for Europe,

11 Russia and the Nordic-Baltic region.

Passed the Senate July 19, 2000.

Attest: GARY SISCO,

Secretary.