Speech #930125506

For a brief period between 1920 and 1940. Lithuania enjoyed political sovereignty. With the outbreak of World War II. however. she became one of the first countries to experience the fierce aggression of both Hitler and Stalin. From 1944 to 1952. antiSoviet partisans struggled for independence. but their efforts were brutally crushed. Fifty thousand Lithuanians were lost during these 8 years of guerrilla warfare. and onesixth of the population was deported during the Stalin regime. Still. the defiance of these courageous people has not been quelled. As recently as May 1972. continued violation of human rights and religious persecution resulted in three selfimmolations by Lithuanian youths.