Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, March 20, 1990 TAG: 9003202670
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: MOSCOW LENGTH: Medium
The nationally televised announcement was Mikhail Gorbachev's first concrete step to counter Lithuania's March 11 declaration of independence. The announcement did not say what would happen if Lithuania ignored the orders.
Despite the harsh words, Lithuanian President Vytautas Landsbergis said in a statement issued by the republic's Parliament late Monday, "I think this is an introductory stage of negotiations."
He added that his government agreed with elements of Moscow's statement, including the value of maintaining economic ties between Lithuania and the Soviet Union.
Earlier Monday, a Lithuanian delegation delivered a letter to the Kremlin that promised Soviet interests in the republic would be given "careful consideration."
A spokesman for the Lithuanian nationalist movement Sajudis, Lionginas Vasiliauskas, said in Moscow that 10 truckloads of Soviet troops were moved Monday from Kaunas, about 60 miles from Vilnius, to a military post just outside the capital.
There have been unconfirmed reports the past several days that Radio Vilnius had been either jammed or replaced with Russian programs. A loud hum could be heard during a broadcast monitored in Washington Monday night.
"We have reliable information that in the past few days, Radio Vilnius broadcasts to foreign countries have been blocked by Radio Moscow," the broadcast said.
It said Radio Moscow had been informed and that officials there seemed surprised. "This suggests that perhaps the blockade of Radio Vilnius broadcasts abroad was not conducted by Radio Moscow, but rather by the minister of communications of the U.S.S.R. But so far, no answer from that ministry has been received," the broadcast said.
The Kremlin's television statement accused the Lithuanian leadership of planning to turn over national factories to private owners, bring in a separate currency and put up customs posts on the borders of the republic.
It said the government was concerned especially about nuclear energy plants in Lithuania and had ordered increased security around them.
It accused the Baltic republic of trying to "undermine its links" with the rest of the Soviet Union, which it said could have "pernicious consequences" for the national economy.
The government said police, the KGB and customs agents would have authority in maintaining the existing customs situation.
A directive was issued to the management of all Soviet enterprises and agencies in Lithuania, saying under no circumstances should they begin negotiations on handing over their authority to local officials. Such talks can only be run by Moscow ministries, it said.
Many Lithuanians say they expect Moscow to impose an economic blockade, depriving the republic of the fuel and raw materials it receives only from the Soviet Union.
The government statement contained no such threats.
Gorbachev and the Congress of People's Deputies - the national parliament - declared the declaration of independence invalid last week, but Kremlin leaders have ruled out use of troops in Lithuania.
Lithuanian activist and television editor Eduardas Potashinskas said he thought most Lithuanians would take the government warning calmly.
"We say the Soviet empire is showing its teeth," he said by telephone from the Lithuanian capital. "But we think they can't threaten Lithuania. We'll be calm. We'll fall and get up, but we'll go on."
Sunday, Soviet jets buzzed Vilnius in what many Lithuanians consider an intimidation tactic, and maneuvers were carried out in the countryside. Residents said Monday the maneuvers appeared over.
by CNB