Crisis for Gorbachev

With regard to the editorial “Gorbachev’s Secession Crisis” (Jan. 16), I should like to comment on what was not mentioned in the editorial: namely on the identity crisis now facing the Soviets.

It is clear to me, as an American of Lithuanian descent, that the residents of Sovietized countries must feel strongly about the loss of their national identity in such a process. Just how Soviet officials react to the current upsurge of nationalism remains to be seen. The fact that many of the Baltic and Armenian “rebels” seen in the press are relatively young men and women is significant. They were not around when their countries became republics but they probably heard stories of the good, old days from their elders.

What is evident is that many residents of what is called Vilnius, a city of the Soviet Union, feel that the original name of that age-old city should be restored and made the capital of Lithuania. I consider Vilnius to be Vilna, and I suspect that present-day Lithuanians may feel the same way.

There is no comparison between the Sovietization of established nations into the structure of a republic and the unification of states in our country. Each American state still retains its individual traditions, customs and practices. We did not change place names in the states as the result of the Civil War. The same cannot be said about the Soviets.

SHELDON J. KARLAN

Buena Park