Moscow Hints at Lithuania Talks : Breakaway Republic Would Have to Accept Constitution

Soviet President Mikhail S. Gorbachev’s chief spokesman said today that the Kremlin might negotiate with Lithuania if it freezes its declaration of independence for two years.

But Press Secretary Arkady Maslennikov made it clear that the breakaway republic also would have to admit that it is subject to the Soviet Constitution. Lithuanian leaders refuse to do that, saying the republic was forcibly annexed by the Soviet Union in 1940.

Soviet leaders are willing to talk to Lithuanian officials if they acknowledge jurisdiction of the Soviet Constitution “either by rescinding or freezing” the independence decisions, Maslennikov said at a press briefing.

In Washington, the White House welcomed what it called signs of flexibility from Moscow in its standoff with Lithuania and said President Bush will meet with congressional leaders Tuesday to discuss the crisis.

But Lithuanian President Vytautas Landsbergis unequivocally rejected the Kremlin suggestion, saying: “This is a proposal which could lead us back to the cage.”

Over the weekend, Landsbergis denied reports that the declaration of independence would be frozen for two years in hopes of reaching a compromise with Moscow.

Landsbergis said today in the Lithuanian capital of Vilnius that Gorbachev is staking everything on the Lithuanian crisis by not excluding the use of Soviet troops in the Baltic republic.

Landsbergis also asked the Lithuanian Parliament, the Supreme Council, to draw up emergency plans to deal with mass layoffs expected in the republic because of the Kremlin’s economic blockade.

The republic of 3.8 million began its first full workweek since the Soviet president cut off supplies of oil, natural gas and other raw materials to the republic, which declared independence on March 11.

Vilnius’ main thoroughfare, Gedimina Street, was practically devoid of vehicles today as Lithuanians struggled with gasoline rationing that limits them to about seven gallons per month. Bus service among cities also was curtailed sharply.

The British Broadcasting Corp., meanwhile, quoted Gorbachev’s senior military adviser, Marshal Sergei Akhromeyev, as saying the Red Army won’t hesitate to use force to crush illegal protests in Lithuania.

“If the Lithuanian separatists break the law, then we will take measures to enforce the law. I am not afraid of using force if necessary,” he said in an interview for broadcast on the BBC’s “Panorama” program.

When asked about Akhromeyev’s comments, Landsbergis told reporters: “We must worry about such insanity. It’s military madness. Force is always a real threat as long as there is no willingness to use politics. If they use force in Lithuania, it means they would be prepared to use force in the world.”