(Archived document, may contain errors) 762 March 29,1990 HOW AMERICA CAN HELP BALTIC INDEPENDENCE The Baltic peoples struggle for independence is entering its decisive phase. For now, the spotlight is on Lithuania, where Mikhail Gorbachevs 1 show of force is an attempt to frighten into submission that countrys democratically elected government In the wings, ready to move to stage cen ter, are the independence movements of Estonia and Latvia.
Tuesday marked 35 years have since the Hirvepark rally, the first major public event openly critical of the Soviet occupation of Estonia, and a gathering commemorating that event was held in the same location in central Tallinn, including this year, ETV news show 'Aktuaalne kaamera' (AK) reported.
The fate of the Baltic countries was decided during seven days in August 1991; Hannes H. Gissurarson, a professor of politics at the University of Iceland, recalls the events as they unfolded as Iceland became the first nation to recognize the independence of the Baltic states.