Crackdown on Lithuania : Citizens Ordered to Turn In Arms; KGB to Tighten Controls : Gorbachev Uses His New Powers

Soviet President Mikhail S. Gorbachev today ordered all Lithuanians to turn in their firearms and directed the KGB to increase control of the border of the secession-minded republic.

“The Supreme Soviet and the government of the Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic continue to adopt illegal acts that violate the rights of Soviet citizens and the sovereignty of the U.S.S.R.,” Gorbachev said in his first presidential decree since being given sweeping new powers last week.

The decree ordered a ban on the sale of hunting weapons and ordered all residents of the republic to turn in all weapons “for temporary storage” by the Interior Ministry.

“The Soviet Interior Ministry, in case of refusal to surrender such weapons, is authorized to confiscate them,” the decree said.

Lithuania’s Parliament declared its independence March 11 and demanded negotiations with Moscow on formal secession. The central government in Moscow later declared the independence resolution “null and void,” but Lithuanian leaders said they will proceed with secession plans.

Gorbachev’s five-point decree, carried by the official Tass news agency, also placed strict controls on foreigners traveling or working in Lithuania.

The decree ordered “the Soviet Foreign Ministry and Soviet Interior Ministry to strengthen the monitoring of the granting of visas and permission for foreign citizens to enter Lithuania.”

It directed “the Soviet Interior Ministry and the Procurator of the U.S.S.R. to take all necessary measures to bar violations by foreign citizens located on the territory of Lithuania, up to and including expelling them in compliance with the Soviet law.”

Lithuanian President Vytautas Landsbergis declined to comment on the decree.

“I don’t have the text,” he said.

In Washington, White House Press Secretary Marlin Fitzwater said he had no independent confirmation of press reports about the decree but repeated U.S. concern expressed Tuesday and called again for a peaceful resolution.

“We view these press reports with concern. We continue to urge dialogue between both sides,” Fitzwater said. “We note that as late as yesterday, Foreign Minister (Eduard A.) Shevardnadze reaffirmed the Soviet commitment to resolve the issue through peaceful means. We will continue to watch the situation closely.”

Gorbachev’s decree came a day after President Bush said he was alarmed by the reports of intimidation and urged Moscow and Vilnius to resolve their differences in negotiations.

Gorbachev’s decree may have been in direct response to a message sent him Tuesday night by Lithuanian Prime Minister Kazimiera Prunskiene, who protested recent Soviet army maneuvers in the republic, including troop movements and low-level jet flights.

Prunskiene’s statement, released by her office early today, said, “The people of Lithuania are deeply disturbed by the actions of the Soviet armed forces.”