Speech #1000009545

In 1940 the Soviet Union demanded the formation of a Sovietcontrolled government as part of the NaziSoviet alliance. and held a oneparty election. The Soviet Union annexed its tiny. heroic neighbor 1 month later. Occupied by Germany for most of World War II. it was reoccupied by the Soviet Union at the wars end. The people of Lithuania have a long. rich cultural and religious heritage. Under Soviet occupation untold thousands of Lithuanians have been killed. imprisoned or deported for fighting to preserve their culture and their political Independence. Hundreds of thousands of Lithuanians have been forced to flee their native land. Soviet oppression has cost Lithuanians their religious freedom.