Soviets Recall Envoy After Iceland Recognizes Lithuania

The Soviet Union recalled its ambassador and demanded an explanation of Iceland’s decision to establish diplomatic ties with the secessionist Lithuanian republic, the Foreign Ministry said today.

“Lithuania remains one of the union republics of the Soviet Union. Ignoring this fundamental fact is an attempt to interfere in the Soviet Union’s internal affairs,” spokesman Vitaly Churkin said.

“The Soviet Union warns against any possible abuse of diplomatic channels and other international contacts. Such abuses on the part of Iceland may entail very grave circumstances. The Foreign Ministry expresses regret and expects to receive clarification,” he said.

There was no immediate reaction from Iceland to the recall.

Iceland on Monday became the first country to formally recognize Lithuania’s March declaration of independence. All three Baltic republics--Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia--were absorbed into the Soviet Union in 1940 under a secret pact between Adolf Hitler and Josef Stalin.