ABSTRACT: This is the text of the letter that on Saturday 31 has been delivered to the Soviet Ambassadors of the european capitals, during radical manifestations on Lithuania.

To the Soviet Ambassadors of the european capitals where the manifestations on Lithuania will take place

To the President of USSR, Mr. Mikhail Gorbaciov

To the President of the Republic of Lithuania, Mr. Vitautas Landsbergis

The entire western democratic world has expressed unreserved trust and hope in the difficult challenge facing Mikhail Gorbachov in affirming the principles of political democracy and state rights in the Soviet Union and the countries of the Warsaw Pact. For the first time in the history of mankind, thanks to your efforts, large-scale bloodless political revolutions have transpired. Human rights, the first of which is the right to life, long subordinated to the interests of the State or the Party, have for the first time been affirmed as a priority, superseding all others. This token of civilization and tolerance is what has most impressed the conscience of western democracy.

We are also mindful of the resistance, hardships and tremendous trials awaiting the Soviet president in his troublesome path towards freeing the Soviet Union from totalitarianism and economic underdevelopment. Differing approaches may exist on the ways and time frame suggested for attaining this transformation, but these discussions fall within the purview of political dialectics, that vital juxtaposition of ideas from which the wisest choices emerge.

We are also cognizant that the main difficulty the USSR must reckon with is the assertion of nationalism and the ensuing risk of an explosive splintering of the various Soviet nationalities.

It is our conviction that there is no room in the world for national and ethnic strife, that there are no longer any historical, political or economic reasons for a return to obsolete nationalist rationale, and that federal schemes are the only viable means for reconciling and safeguarding world nationalities. And yet, all federal agreements must comply with the principle of free choice, not duress, blackmail or violence.

The issue of the Baltic republics, however, is highly unlike the other requests for national autonomy, which have been voiced elsewhere across the Soviet Union. Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia are demanding before all else historical reparation, i.e. a disavowal of an infamous pact which deprived these republics of their sovereignty and national identity.

What federal choices these republics take will become apparent after, not before this dutiful act of historical reparation.

On the other hand we feel that all the leaders elected on a democratic basis in the Republic of Lithuania are aware that their drive towards full sovereignty could have found an outlet only by way of the new policies enacted by Mr. Gorbachov, and that their hopefulness of reaching a satisfactory outcome is closely tied to the steady development of "perestroyka", not to its failure.

For this reason we feel certain that hardline stances and heavy-handed approaches will not further the legitimate aspirations of the Lithuanian people, but may well jeopardize them.

Mr. Gorbachov:

We have gathered here at this rally before the embassy of your country to show our friendship and trust, and to apprise you that the Soviet Union's refusal to take for granted the control of rights over the Baltic republics will be acknowledged by the entire world not as an act of weakness, but as an act of strength.

Conversely, resorting to military intimidation, or, worse yet, violent repression, would totally jeopardize the sense of trust and hope you have earned in the world of democracy. It would indeed be a serious miscalculation for you to rely on our tacit consent to or "understanding" of any or all infringements of human rights or national rights, albeit "justified" in the name of political stability.

Thus we appeal to you, before it is too late, to withdraw immediately the Soviet troops from the Baltic republics, and to replace at once military might with the strength of negotiation. By doing so, you will be able to avoid drowning in the blood of intolerance the Spring of democracy you have had the courage to make. The whole world will be thankful.

Mr. Landsbergis:

In renewing our full and unreserved pledge to support your every effort aimed at quelling the infamous pacts which have forced your people to bear totalitarian oppression for over 40 years, we earnestly request you not to perform any acts which may undermine any form of dialogue with the Soviet Union. Otherwise you will only strengthen the position of those in Moscow who would sieze this opportunity to implement their tank policy. This in turn would precipitate a confrontation, which could lead even to open warfare. Only through stubborn and steadfast negotiating will the Soviet Union arrive at the conviction that the loss of Vilnius is not a defeat but a victory of democracy in that country.