Lithuania

“Lithuania’s Blind Eye to Nazi Past” (Jan. 4), on the persecution of Jews in Lithuania during World War II, is misleading, suggesting that the entire nation eagerly participated in the killing of Jews. Rather, the country was forcibly occupied by the Germans, who expanded the Holocaust to include Lithuanians as well. In fact, Lithuania was the only occupied European nation to refuse to form SS units.

Lithuania does not deny or condone the suffering the Jews endured at the hands of the Nazis and individual criminals. As a victim of communist persecution, which included the killing and deportation of hundreds of thousands of Lithuanians to Siberia, the country has no interest in excusing any crimes against humanity.

ZINA MARKEVICIUS

Santa Monica