Speech #880012960

I use the term "would have celebrated" since obviously. the Estonian people now held in bondage by the Soviet Union are not free to celebrate the legitimate anniversary of their freedom. Certainly. they are no longer a free people but do look forward to the day when their legitimate desire for selfdetermination will once again produce a free and independent Estonia. However. it is noteworthy that Estonian refugees from Soviet persecution scattered around the continents of the world continue to observe this anniversary and remain a vigorous. forceful. and effective voice in the maintenance of the spirit of the captive Estonian people. Their heroic struggle for freedom and their perseverance equip them well to continue the struggle. their militant anticommunism and their desire to be free from Soviet Russian oppression make them one of the leading voices calling for restoration of freedom to all the peoples of the captive nations. In the United States. the Estonian National Committee serves as a very effective spokesman for Estonian groups. and their counterparts in other lands are equally effective.