The State of Lithuania

As Schrader correctly says, the Jewish faith and people have been victims of suppression and oppression at the hands of the dominant Communist Party of the Soviet Union. In fact, both the Soviet Union as a whole and Lithuania have a dark resume of anti-Semitism, past and present.

If Lithuania President Vytautas Landsbergis will continue to endorse freedom of religion, guarantee the protection and human rights of Lithuanian ethnic groups, begin strong educational campaigns to stop anti-Semitism and bigotry, and pass appropriate legislation, then maybe (he) is leading Lithuania toward a new and better future.

The Soviet Union and Lithuania (whatever its status) have been scourged by anti-Semitism. Presidents Mikhail Gorbachev and Landsbergis have work to do in curing this disease. Both seem to be moving in that direction. Let’s hope it continues.

STEPHEN VOGELSANG

Pomona