VILNIUS - Prime Minister Andrius Kubilius has said that Russia should finally take responsibility for the events of Jan. 13, 1991. Moreover, the European Commission has for the first time urged Russia to cooperate in investigating the case.
The commemorative day is a tribute to 14 people who were shot dead or crushed by Soviet tanks beside the TV tower while Lithuania was battling to regain its independence. Together with thousands of other unarmed people, the victims confronted Soviet troops that stormed the parliament and TV Tower.
The investigation into the massacre is still not solved. Some of the people responsible for the events were brought to justice and sentenced, while others are still hiding either in Russia or Belarus.
Kubilius said that he does not blame modern day Russia for events, and that the crimes were committed by Soviet functionaries attempting to save the collapsing Soviet Union. However, Russia, having been more cooperative in the '90s, is now hindering the process and refuses to hand the suspects over to Lithuania.
"Today the tone has altered, and has become one of dodging responsibility and the truth. The passing years, however, didn't change the essence of the events and the responsibility of passing judgment on those who ordered and committed the killings of helpless civilians," Kubilius said.
Kubilius also hailed the support offered by the European Union, which has for the first time shown solidarity with Lithuania on this issue.
"This is very important for Europe itself, and of course for us, as we are probably facing such solidarity and understanding from European Union on issues sensitive to us for the first time," Kubilius told the Lithuanian National Broadcaster.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs agreed with the Prime Minister, saying that it is a step forward in Lithuania's efforts to efficiently work with Russia.
"The European Commission's urging Russia to start cooperating in solving the January 13 case is a worthy step forward in getting the murderers of the January events, as well as those responsible for Medininkai massacre, to be brought into the court. This is also defined in EU and Russia mandate," said Rolandas Kacinskas, press representative of Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Prosecutor General's Office has been trying to press charges on 42 KGB and Soviet army members since the events took place some 18 years ago. Prosecutors were unable to do so, however, because Russian officials refused to help. Only six people have been convicted so far.
On Freedom Fighter Day this year, with economic situation worsening every day, many raised doubts about the country all these people died for.
Although EU has shown solidarity with Lithuania, some people think that Lithuanian society itself lacks solidarity and unity 's usually considered one of the most prominent factors of successful resistance against occupant powers.
"We have lost our biggest treasure 's unity and belief in ourselves, in Lithuania… Pseudo-patriotism has evolved, and the term of patriotism nowadays is only used in the context of making excuses why Jewish cemeteries were vandalized or racial crime was committed," said Seimas Speaker Arunas Valinskas during a solemn ceremonial Seimas session.
