The Vancouver Sun from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada • 3

73 Vancouver Sun, Tuesday, March 13, 1990 WORLD FOCUS A3: FRANK RUTTER Foreign affairs the The might 00DBYE as Soviet inevitable. well Union Lithuania. The accept other two Baltic states, Latvia and Estonia, will surely follow in time. Lithuania was the first because feelings of resentment and repression ran deepest there, and because there is a strong cultural nationalism. History has been unkind to Lithuanians who have been in and out of Poland, Russia and Germany and only briefly savored independence over the past 300 years.

But the cultural flame continued to burn, even after Stalin and Hitler made their little deal in 1939 that allowed the Soviet Union to annex the Baltic states. During the Second World War Lithuanians were again caught between the Germans and the Russians, between Nazis and Communists. It's little use arguing today which was the worst system, but if you take the politics out of it, and consider only the ethnic conflict and Lithuanian history, then many of them preferred the Germans. It was Germany, in 1918, that had sponsored the proclamation of an independent kingdom of Lithuania, which later that year became a republic before the Bolsheviks, then the Poles, and then the Russians moved in. ITHUANIANS HAVE acted very swiftly in declaring anew their independence because they were afraid that Mikhail Gorbachev is about to be given, and might use, extraordinary presidential powers by the Soviet Congress of Peoples Deputies.

These include being able to declare a state of emergency and imposing martial law. He'll get the powers but he may prefer not to use them on Lithuania. In the first place the declaration of independence flows directly from Gorbachev's own program of domestic reform. Secondly, consider the repercussions of using force to keep Lithuania in the fold. There would be universal condemnation not only from the West, but from Eastern Europe, too.

That's what the Eastern European revolution has been all about: use of force in Hungary, Czechoslovakia and East Germany primed the people there for eventual breakaway from the Soviet Communist yoke. Then there would be the effect within the Soviet Union. It is by no means certain that forcing Lithuania to remain would cow other rebellious regions, not only in the Baltic but elsewhere. In fact it might inflame a number of smouldering embers from Ukraine to Azerbaijan. There are positive aspects to Lithuanian independence, however.

Letting the Lithuanians go wouldn't be as traumatic for Russians as the separation of other republics, like Ukraine and Azerbaijan. Gorbachev might well get away with using extraordinary powers to keep order in those places, and has already sent troops to quell disorder in Azerbaijan with general approval from the Soviet people. ORBACHEV provocatively taunted the Lithuanians with an enormous economic bill in advance of their threatened separation. The Lithuanians pluckily responded with a bill of their own for contributions made to the Soviet system. There is no reason why an independent Lithuania wouldn't continue to trade with the Russians.

But the greater links to the West and access to hard currency that independence can bring would actually help the Soviets, too. All these factors and more are no doubt whirling through Gorbachev's mind as he prepares to assume his new powers. The gamble he has to take and he has already proved himself to be a pretty fair riverboat hustler is that a reasonably amicable negotiated deal with Lithuania, followed by the other Baltic states in time, will have some positive benefits and will not signal the crackup of the whole country. Frank Rutter's column appears Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. E.

Germans set for democratic elections Mitterrand Reuter EAST BERLIN Spies have been called home, protest banners furled, and socialist ideals put in a time-capsule as East Germany lurches toward its first date with democracy in elections Sunday, Five days remain until 12.2 million citizens cast votes that, for the first time in 40 years, involve a real choice. Clearing the decks for the contest between rightists who want rapid union with West Germany and leftists who urge caution to preserve social rights, the Round Table that has steered the revolution held its final weekly meeting Monday. "The highest priority is to preserve the social stability of East Germany with our own efforts and with the help of West Germany," the allparty government-opposition group said in a final statement calling for guaranteed jobs and homes. But that legacy will be only a footnote to history if conservatives win the day and take the country into union under West Germany's free market constitution. Burying another legend, East Germany announced it is closing its vaunted foreign espionage agency and winding up a faceless spy network that won Cold War medals and wrote the book on stealing secrets.

By June, only 250 officers in the force will remain to "be responsible for the orderly withdrawal of our only a small number of (whom) are East German citizens," commissioner Werner Fischer said. "We have already started with the destruction of electronic computer Fischer heads a team dismantling the state security apparatus to make the country safe for democracy. His announcement is likely to be greeted with relief in western counter-intelligence headquarters. The East Germans planted agents and seduced secretaries in the highest echelons of the West German government, causing frequent embarrassment. Relief of another kind was promised to East Berlin diners, with the news that 400 city restaurants, notorious for mediocre food and surly service, will be privately owned.

And motorists who have spent the last 20 years cramped inside East Germany's low-powered, noisy little cars are heartened by news of a $3-billion investment by Volkswagen to build its Polo models in East Germany. Opinion polls ahead of the final week showed left and right running neck-and-neck, raising the prospect of a non-Communist grand coalition to lead to union with West Germany. RIGHT-WING East German burns leftist campaign literature in Leipzig. A JOYOUS REUNION The old firm of Mandela, Tambo is back in action By RICHARD DOWDEN Independent News Service STOCKHOLM HEY PARTED 30 years ago close partners in and friends, Johannesburg, political business colleagues. Both committed to the overthrow of apartheid, one stayed inside South Africa and went to prison, the other went into exile.

On Monday the two old men were reunited in time to hope that their cause might be vindicated. When Nelson Mandela met Oliver Tambo here in the unlikely setting of an 18th-century lakeside palace in a snow park, the leadership circle of the Afri- ASSOCIATED PRESS can National Congress was com- MANDELA, TAMBO: leadership circle of ANC is complete pleted. "They were two very dignified Later the two men appeared in But Mandela might also reflect blood pressure. He looks old men trying to restrain their front of the press and Tambo that his friend's stroke was exhausted and his colleagues are emotions and not really able to do seemed able to walk and talk brought on by too much work and becoming concerned about his so," said Dennis Goldberg, who without difficulty. Goldberg said travelling.

After his release on: health. The rest of the world has was convicted with Mandela and he was amazed how well he had Feb. 11, Mandela had two weeks cause for concern, too, since so witnessed the reunion. "There recovered: "I am certain he will of rallies, meetings, speeches, much rests on expectations that was a constant referral between take his place as active head of the reunions and a constant stream of she alone can forge the them, a constant laughing. They organization once again." visitors.

He did not have a single. needed to negotiate the end of were at total ease with each other Although Mandela is the day alone with his family. Since apartheid peacefully. immediately. It was the old firm of natural leader of the ANC, he has taking off on this trip two weeks Although the meeting with Mandela and Tambo back in been made deputy president.

ago he has visited Zambia, Zim- Tambo was the main reason for action." According to some ANC sources, babwe, Tanzania and Ethiopia, Mandela's visit to Stockholm, Tambo, once Mandela's partner he spurned the suggestion that his giving speeches and attending Sweden is the ANC's most miliin a Johannesburg law firm, is old friend should step aside and welcomes and functions and long tant supporter outside Africa, givnow president of the ANC, elected allow him to resume the presi- discussions with ANC exiles. He ing the movement about $40 milwhile Mandela was in prison. He dency. His unrealistically junior tried and failed to find some time lion US per year in aid. To make left South Africa in 1960 to con- status certainly does not seem to to rest in Tanzania.

Next week he the point, several solemn-looking tinue the ANC's work in exile bother him. After Monday's meet- will attempt to attend the Nami- Swedes waiting to greet Mandela when it seemed likely it would be ing, Mandela said: "Comrade bian independence celebrations, at Arlanda airport Monday mornbanned. Last year he suffered a Oliver Tambo is our national which will mean even more meet- ing performed the toyi toyi, that stroke and has been recovering in president. For the last three ings and rallies. jogging, chanting dance of the a Stockholm clinic.

He has not decades he has kept the organiza- Mandela is 71 and has suffered townships. At least they were appeared in public since he tion together and put it in an from tuberculosis and had a pros- keeping warm in the blanket of arrived and Monday's reunion excellent position to win the tate operation in the past five snow that greeted Mandela's took place in private. democratic struggle." years. He also suffers from high flight from Africa. S.

Africa accused of reverting to repression Canadian Press day. leaders, has called for an end to the violence. JOHANNESBURG Anti-apartheid activ- But anti-apartheid activists said the harsh In an interview with state television he conists have accused the South African government measures were at odds with the government's demned the looting which has accompanied of reverting to past repressive methods in a reformist goals. demonstrations, notably in the black homelands police clampdown on the country's worst unrest "It seems the government is reverting to their of Ciskei, where president Lennox Sebe was in four years. old repressive methods," Patrick Lekota, a toppled in a coup just over a week ago, and South African security sources said a six- senior official of the anti-apartheid United Bophuthatswana, scene of widespread protests week wave of violence, which has cost 200 lives Democratic Front, said Monday.

against the rule of Lucas Mangope. in townships and black tribal territories, had subsided since the weekend, when they Lekota said in a statement that 89 anti-apart- Looters "are enemies of the people and have arrested about 150 for criminal activities heid activists had been arrested during the last to be identified," he said. people mainly looting and arson. week. He said they were being held under emer- Several of the 10 homelands have come under "Since the arrests of troublemakers started gency regulations first imposed in 1986, which immense strain in recent weeks as residents the unrest has taken a tremendous dip," one give police wide powers of detention without staged mass demonstrations demanding an end source said.

They said incidents of unrest had charge. to the corrupt rule of leaders imposed on them been reduced to 20 Sunday from 105 last Fri- Lekota, in common with many anti-apartheid under Pretoria's apartheid policies. -BRIEFLY- Thousands of miners walk off jobs in Peru LIMA Thousands of miners employed by the country's largest copper company walked off the job demanding higher wages and ignoring a no-strike agreement reached in September, company and union officials said. A spokesman for the U.S.-owned Southern Peru Copper Corp. said 3,000 workers at the Cuajone mine in the southern Andes and the Ilo refinery on the southern Pacific coast began striking Monday.

The 2,500 workers at the company's Toquepala mine's continued to work, said the spokesman, who commented on condition of anomymity. Colombian polls favor anti-drug candidate BOGOTA Exit polls Monday indicated Colombia's next president will be Cesar Gaviria Trujillo, who said he wants to eliminate drug-trafficking, end government corruption and help the poor. The exit polls were announced the day after a national election in proteges preoccupy Socialists Agence France-Presse PARIS French Socialists open a congress Thursday amidst fierce squabbling over which of President Francois Mitterrand's proteges is to lead the party. Mitterrand, intervening publicy for the first time in the war of suck cession that appears to be his party's leading preoccupation, said Friday the decision would be strictly up to party members to take. The strongest rivalry is between former prime minister Laurent Fabius, once deemed Mitterrand's favorite, and current Education Minister Lionel Jospin.

Mitterrand is believed to favor Jospin. A gauge of their respective strength came in weekend voting conducted by the party's local federations, which showed Fabius and Jospin level each with about 29 per cent support. Called "motions" the competing platforms are in essence popularity polls to determine who will inherit the mantle of the 73-year-old Mitterrand, now into his second seven-year term as head of state. Prime Minister Michel Rocard, who also has his eye on the presidency, won 24 per cent of the vote in the federation poll. The congress, which is to be held in the western city of Rennes, will elect a first secretary, the post held by Mitterrand before he became president nine years ago.

The current first secretary is Pierre Mauroy, a party stalwart and the man Mitterrand selected as his first prime minister in 1981. He will be seeking re-election to the post. With their chances about even, the leading candidates are frantically seeking support from the party's other minor factions. Power to be handed over in Haiti Canadian Press PORT Pressured by opposition leaders, protests and strikes, the Haitian military agreed to hand over the presidency to the only woman on the Supreme Court after lieutenant-general Prosper Avril resigned and left the country. Ertha Pascal-Trouillot, a distinguished lawyer, was to be inaugurated today as the first woman president of Haiti in the 186-year history of the Caribbean country with a legacy of military rule.

She is to serve as interim president with a 19-member advisory first free elections, which council until after the country's, duled to take place later this year. "She has the capacity to lead the country to the democracy we have all been waiting for," said Chantal Hudicourt Ewald, a lawyer who helped write the 1987 constitution. "It dis a great victory for women." Meanwhile, an exiled opposition leader made an emotional return to take part in the new civilian goverment. Dr. Louis Roy was greeted at the international airport on Monday by the entire opposition leadership.

Roy, 73, was arrested and beaten by troops loyal to Avril in a crackdown on opposition leaders in January. He was sent into exile in Miami. "I have returned to help my people in their struggle," said Roy, who has been named one of the members of the provisional Council of State that is to take control of the government. which Colombians chose a congress, mayors, city councilmen, state assemblies and one of six candidates to represent the governing Liberal party in the presidential election scheduled for May 26. Rival Christian forces resume Beirut battle BEIRUT Lebanon's rival Christian forces resumed their bitter and bloody war hours after Gen.

Michel Aoun said mediators have failed to end his six-week-old struggle against a rival group for control of Christian east Beirut. Security sources said Aoun's army troops and Lebanese Forces militiamen pounded each other's positions early today with tank, artillery and rocket fire across the strategic Keserwan Mountain ridge. Leona Helmsley rushes to be with ailing spouse NEW YORK Harry Helmsley, whose wife, Leona, is appealing a federal income-tax fraud conviction, was admitted to the New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Centre Monday after falling down a flight of stairs in his apartment at the Park Lane, said Howard Rubenstein, a spokesman for the real-estate and hotel executive. He said Mrs. Helmsley was not on hand when Helmsley fell, but that she rushed home from her office and went with him to the hospital.

Helmsley, 81, was listed in good condition and did not apparently suffer any injury. Snowed-in beach party a hit at Alaska carnival VALDEZ, Alaska As a record snowfall continued to mount, residents watched Annette Funicello and Frankie Avalon cavort in bathing suits at the beach during a drive-in movie projected on a sculpted snowbank. "It was great," said Pam Lunt, an operations assistant at the Valdez Civic Centre who arranged the Sunday night showing of Back to the Beach as part of the Valdez Winter Carnival. "We ran it through a little projector out of the front seat of my car," she said. "We hooked up the audio to the radio station here, KVAK, and we had 102 cars.

SUTEBR S. U. TRADAM EN DE LA PR REUTER MARCHING MEMBERS of the Argentine League of Educational Workers rally in Buenos Aires Monday on the first day of the 1990 school year to protest against their low $42 US monthly salary..