Speech #880164724

But for developing nations to enter such programs or treaties without adequate defenses is to invite disaster. A third lesson can be taken from Lithuania to prove that Communist assumption of power is truly a disaster. It is an immediate disaster to all opponents of- absolute Communist rule. it is a permanent disaster to the happiness of the nation. When the Communists overpowered Lithuania in 1940 and again in 1944. every known or suspected antiCommunist was either executed or deported to Siberia. Millions of people were murdered. either by direct mass executions or mistreatment during long marches into Siberia. Religious leaders and active democratic party leaders especially suffered.