APPEAL FOR SUPPORT ON PACE RESOLUTION CONDEMNING CRIMES OF COMMUNISM

January 6, 2006

Dear Balts and Friends:

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) has been considering for a number of years a resolution condemning communist crimes. It parallels other more successful efforts to condemn nazi crimes.

Not only does the PACE resolution express a position on the issue, but it also calls for the creation of committees and other bodies to research communist crimes, while issuing reports and otherwise providing international awareness about the subject. As envisioned, it would be the only intra-national effort of its kind.

This effort needs our support. The resolution will come up for a vote at the PACE winter session January 23-27. It is by no means certain that it will pass. It has long been opposed by the Russian delegation and by communist party delegations of several other member countries.

Our ability to express support is minimal here in the United States. However, your organizations have member groups in numerous PACE countries. Canada can also be included here because it is an official observer at PACE. Those groups should be urged to convey to their national governments their support for the resolution.

We encourage you to take such action as you deem appropriate on this matter. Please let us know if we can be of further help. Additional information is included with web links to PACE and the report on the resolution.

Sincerely
Karl Altau
Managing Director
Joint Baltic American National Committee

PACE COMMITTE ADOPTS TEXT CONDEMNING COMMUNIST CRIMES

December 14, 2005 - The Political Affairs Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) adopted a draft resolution condemning the crimes of totalitarian communist regimes. A final vote is expected at the PACE winter session being at the end of January. More information: http://assembly.coe.int Political Affairs

Political Affairs Committee adopts a text on the condemnation of crimes of totalitarian communist regimes [14/12/05] PACE's Political Affairs Committee, meeting in Paris today, adopted a draft resolution and a draft recommendation on the "Need for international condemnation of the crimes of totalitarian communist regimes". The text, prepared par Göran Lindblad (Sweden, EPP/CD), strongly condemns the massive human rights violations committed by these regimes and expresses "sympathy, understanding and recognition to the victims of crimes". According to the committee, "this clear position of the international community will pave the way to further reconciliation".

Link to the report
http://assembly.coe.int/ASP/APFeaturesManager/defaultArtSiteView.asp?ArtId=349 Draft order of business (PDF)
http://assembly.coe.int/Sessions/200601/ECALSES2006_1.PDF

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