Ten years ago, on January 13, 1991, Soviet special forces killed over a dozen unarmed civilians in an assault on the Vilnius television tower. One week later, a similar attack in the centre of Riga resulted in further bloodshed and loss of life. The brutality of these assaults shocked the international community and galvanized public sympathy for the non-violent independence movements in Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia.

The support provided by the international community to the Baltic peoples at that crucial time in their aspiration to liberty has not been forgotten, and for this each of our three countries will be forever grateful.

Now, a decade later, our three nations have re-established democratic political systems and free market economies and we continue to undertake sweeping social reforms. Without a doubt, these important steps have brought us closer to fully rejoining a growing family of prosperous, secure, and stable European countries.

The accomplishments of our three countries reveal that the consequences of totalitarianism have been overcome in an enduring spirit of good will and mutual respect.

But if there is one thing that the past one hundred years of the history of our three countries and of our region demonstrate it is that progress can be undone and even reversed unless we and our friends work together to ensure that such unfortunate reversals do not happen.

On the tenth anniversary of the tragic events in Vilnius and Riga, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania have reaffirmed their commitment to becoming full partners in both the European Union and NATO. I appeal to all those who supported us a decade ago to remain united with us in the defence of freedom and democracy. Together, let us work to ensure that the century ahead will be happier and more stable for one and for all.


Lennart Meri
Republic of Estonia

Tallinn, January 12, 2001

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