Two events in Washington DC that mark the the signing of the MRP, and the 1989 "Baltic Chain" (also known as the Baltic Way), info below. To see a clip from "The Singing Revolution" about the Baltic Chain protest, CLICK HERE.
EVENT 1:
Save the Date:
This year August 23 will mark the 70th year since the signing of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact (MRP) between the Soviet Union and Nazi Germany.
That agreement between Stalin and Hitler doomed half of Europe to decades of misery under foreign tyranny.
August 23 also marks the 20th anniversary of the Baltic Way (or Baltic Chain), which united the nations of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania against Soviet oppression
and occupation. On that day in 1989, over a quarter of the populations of the three Baltic countries joined hands for nearly 400 miles to demonstrate their love of freedom.
On Sunday, August 23, 2009 those two events will be remembered in a half day commemoration and celebration in Washington, DC in which the Baltic Way will be recreated.
You are invited to join that day to remember, take part and link hands in the 2009 Baltic Way, and to show solidarity with our friends in Central and Eastern Europe, including those in the country of Georgia, who have suffered a year since the Russian invasion and occupation of their territories.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Time: 11:00am - 4:00pm
Location: Washington, DC
Email jbanc@jbanc.org for more details or visit http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=111863782117
EVENT 2:
The Hitler-Stalin Deal
Dividing Europe 70 Years Later
How the 1939 Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact Impacts the World Today
Keynote Remarks:
The Honorable Sven Mikser
Chairman, Foreign Affairs Committee,
Parliament, Republic of Estonia
Followed by a Panel Discussion
Dr. Michael Szporer
Professor of Communications, Arts and Humanities,
University of Maryland, University College
Chris Socha
Senior Policy Advisor for U.S. Senator Jim DeMint,
Ranking Member, Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Europe
Host: Dr. Lee Edwards
Distinguished Fellow in Conservative Thought, The Heritage Foundation
Date: Thursday, August 6, 2009
Time: 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Location: The Heritage Foundation's Allison Auditorium
TO RSVP CLICK HERE or CALL (202) 675-1752
News media inquiries, please call (202) 675-1761
DETAILS:
One of the most cynical treaties in modern history was signed on August 23, 1939, by Nazi Foreign Minister Ribbentrop and Soviet Foreign Minister Molotov. The Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact was termed a non-aggression pact but was in fact an aggression pact against free and independent neighboring countries. A secret protocol divided Central and Eastern Europe into spheres of influence between the two totalitarian countries. A week later Nazi Germany invaded Poland, starting World War II, and shortly thereafter the Soviet Union absorbed Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania into its empire for more than 50 years.
Since regaining their independence after the collapse of Soviet communism, the Baltic states and all of Eastern and Central Europe have spent considerable time and money on security arrangements that would minimize the effect of any similar "great power" treaty. The "end of history" optimism that followed the fall of the Berlin Wall 20 years ago has been replaced in large part by realpolitik pessimism.
The Heritage Foundation has assembled a panel of experts to discuss the infamous Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact and to examine key questions such as: Should "great powers" be permitted to make decisions without regard for their impact on smaller sovereign nations? What role should NATO, the EU and the UN play in minimizing the impact of great power pacts?