The members of the US Congress and the Congressional Task Force Against Anti-Semitism thanked and commended President Lennart Meri for the intention to establish an International Research Commission to investigate crimes against humanity perpetrated on the territory Estonia during the Nazi and Bolshevist occupations. ''As we near the beginning of a new millennium, it is our obligation as citizens of free nations to uncover the truth about the darkest days of our current century,'' Congressmen Tom Lantos, Benjamin A. Gilman, John Edward Porter and John Lewis wrote to the Estonian Head of State.
The Congressmen wrote that the creation of the International Research Commission is an important step forward for Estonia as a thriving nation. It is one of the most vital responsibilities of a democratic state to bring the sins and sufferings of the past times into open debate.
Members of the US Congress were hopeful that justice would be done for the Jewish Estonians and thousands of Estonian citizens deported by the occupants or murdered in their prison camps.
The Congressmen recalled the ''Charter of Partnership'' concluded between the United States and the Baltic States this year that marked a clear path for the future of US-Estonia relations. The initiative to create the International Research Commission clearly indicates the commitment of the Estonian people to safeguard democracy, human rights and peace between the nations of Europe and around the world. Congressmen Lantos, Porter, Gilman and Lewis assured President Meri that this positive step would not be forgotten as the bilateral relationship between our states develops further.

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