Speech #970188253

Between June 14 and June 17. 1940. the Soviets presented Estonia. Latvia. and Lithuania with ultimatums and then proceeded to invade and occupy them. This was followed by turning these nations into constituent republics in the Soviet Union. A year afterward. in 1941. thousands of Estonia. Latvia. and Lithuania citizens were deported to the Soviet Union. mainly Siberia. It is sad to see such people. worthy of our remembrance. held in the hammerlock of the Soviet political system. The persistent determination and courage displayed by the citizens of these countries will serve as an inspiration to all people subjected to the denial of their political. social. and religious freedoms.*