6 September 1994

Doc. 7119

       Revised

MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

on real estate belonging to the Baltic Republics

still occupied in some European countries

presented by Mr LANDSBERGIS and others 1

1.       Soviet occupation of three independent Baltic countries - Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania - in 1940 and repeatedly in 1944-45 resulted in seizure of their respective embassies by the Soviet Government together with land properties in several European capitals.

2.       Nazi Germany entered Paris during the same days of June 1940 as its ally, the Soviet Union, occupied Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. The Nazis turned over the Lithuania Embassy building in Paris to the Government of the Soviet Union and this illegal gift has remained up to now under Russian administration. Similar cases involving embassy buildings of all Baltic countries are still unresolved in post-war Europe.

3       When the continued illegal presence of Russian troops in the Baltic region, and whether this constitutes occupation is discussed and considered the situation of the property of the Baltic countries in the West should not be forgotten.

4.       In this light, the Assembly recommends that Russia solve the problem of Baltic Embassies in the West by returning these properties with good will and without delay to the respective Baltic countries.

Signed:

Landsbergis, Kelam, Bobelis, Zingeris, Saudargas, Andriukaitis, Gricius,

Björn Bjarnason, Burbiené, Güner, Johnston, Jaani, Kaspereit, Baumel,

Bratinka, Fischer, Ragnarsdottir, Berg, Atkinson, Böhm, Granstedt,

Maruflu, Mimaroglu, Valleix, Yürür, Gül, Inönü

1 ¹This text only represents the views of the individual members who have signed it. It does not reflect a position adopted by the Parliamentary Assembly.