
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, May 4, 1990                   TAG: 9005040768
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A10   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

LITHUANIA CAN'T WIN FIGHT WITH U.S.S.R.

IT SEEMS to me that the Lithuanian people are fighting a battle they have no chance of winning. In fact, I think they're fortunate that the Kremlin has dealt with them in such a gentle fashion. It is obvious that the Soviet Union could use force, and there would be little Lithuania could do to resist.

Nor can Lithuania win independence in the manner it is currently trying. It is dependent on the Soviet Union for a number of things, gas being just one.

Gorbachev and the Soviet Union are moving toward democracy at a reasonable pace. Lithuania would do well to learn that rapid change is seldom a good thing. It should try to be patient with the U.S.S.R.'s gradual shift to democracy and be content to lead the way to a unified, democratic Soviet Union.

\ JON RIEDL\ HUDDLESTON

by CNB