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<br />REGULAR MEETING
<br />FEBRUARY 11, 1991
<br />resolution, seconded by Council Member Zakrzewski. The resolution passed by a roll
<br />call vote of nine ayes.
<br />RESOLUTION NO. 1840 -91 A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH
<br />BEND, INDIANA, CONDEMNING THE BRUTAL ACTIONS OF THE SOVIET
<br />MILITARY IN LITHUANIA, LATVIA AND ESTONIA AND URGING ELECTED
<br />LEADERS TO SUPPORT THE ECONOMIC STABILIZATION OF INDEPENDENT
<br />BALTIC STATES.
<br />WHEREAS, Soviet Union President Gorbachev has deployed troops to the Baltic
<br />States, resulting in widespread brutality, repression and the deaths of 15 unarmed
<br />citizens in Lithuania and 5 Latvian citizens; and
<br />WHEREAS, the Soviet regime, through these and other aggressive actions, is
<br />attempting to overthrow the democratically - elected governments of Lithuania, Latvia
<br />and Estonia; and
<br />WHEREAS, the United States never recognized the forcible annexation and
<br />subsequent occupation of the Baltic States into the Soviet Union; and
<br />WHEREAS, the Baltic States have been the leaders of "perestroika," that is,
<br />economic and democratic reform, within the Soviet Union; and
<br />WHEREAS, these democratic developments in Lithuania and other Baltic States
<br />represent the accomplishment of goals and aspirations long supported by the
<br />government as well as the people of the United States of America; and
<br />WHEREAS, the government of Lithuania has appealed for formal diplomatic
<br />recognition by democratic nations; and
<br />WHEREAS, the government of Lithuania has recently issued an urgent pleas for
<br />support by the United States and all democratic nations to protect the independence
<br />and democracy of Lithuania; and
<br />WHEREAS, the United States Senate has recently adopted a resolution (Senate
<br />Resolution 12) calling upon Soviet President Gorbachev to refrain from "coercive
<br />tactics against the democratically elected government of Lithuania, Latvia and
<br />Estonia ... at the time when the world, including the Soviet Union itself, is united
<br />in opposition to the forcible annexation of another small nation, Kuwait, by its
<br />brutal neighbor, Iraq "; and
<br />WHEREAS, Saturday, February 16, 1991 marks the 73rd anniversary of Lithuania's
<br />Declaration of Independence (February 16, 1918), which was recognized by the Soviet
<br />Union in 1920.
<br />NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND,
<br />INDIANA, AS FOLLOWS:
<br />SECTION I: The Common Council of the City of South Bend hereby condemns the
<br />brutal actions of the Soviet military in their attempt to overthrow the freely and
<br />democratically elected governments of Lituania, Latvia and Estonia.
<br />SECTION II: The Council urges President Bush, as well as our Senate and
<br />Congressional representatives to support the economic stabilization of independent
<br />Baltic States.
<br />SECTION III: The Council specifically urges Congressman Roemer to support House
<br />Resolution 559, which makes greatly Most Favored Nation status for the USSR
<br />conditional on Baltic independence, and urges Senator Coats and Senator Lugar to
<br />support Senate Bill 9, which amends U.S. foreign aid policy toward countries in
<br />transition from communism to democracy by extending such aid directly to the
<br />republic level.
<br />SECTION IV: The Council urges President Bush to extend full diplomatic
<br />recognition to The Republic of Lituania immediately.
<br />SECTION V: The Council requests that certified copies of this Resolution be
<br />sent to: President George Bush, Congressman Tim Roemer, Senator Dan Coats, Senator
<br />Richard Lugar as well as the Lituanian legation in the United States.
<br />SECTION VI: This Resolution shall be in full force and effect from and after
<br />its adoption by the Common Council and approval by the Mayor.
<br />/s /Linas K. Slavinskas
<br />Member of the Common Council
<br />/s/ Loretta Duda
<br />Member of the Common Council
<br />A public hearing was held on the resolution at this time. Council Members
<br />Slavinskas and Duda made the presentation for the resolution. K.C. Pocius, 312
<br />Taylor; Susan Bullock, 843 Forest; Toni Pocius, 312 S. Taylor; two Notre Dame
<br />Students; Rosemary Green 21315 Forest Glen; Marie Belunas, 940 Clover and Ralph
<br />Johnson, 734 N. Cushing, spoke in favor of this resolution. Council Member Coleman
<br />
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