It is not the coldly pragmatic geopoliticians who want to sell out the Lithuanian patriots versus the hotly idealistic jingoes who want to dispatch ambassadors and encourage violence.

Certain political forces were pushing the Government to rehabilitate those people, because they were considered Lithuanian patriots.

In 1905, Lithuanian patriots called for autonomy and in 1918 an independent state was proclaimed as the defeat of the then-occupying Germans drew near.

That does not mean the world is helpless, or we should discourage underground resistance by Lithuanian patriots.

"They are ignoring evidence in order to rehabilitate people they consider to be Lithuanian patriots," Mr. Zuroff said.

In 1934 the town was renamed Kudirkos Naumiestis in honor of the Lithuanian patriot, Vincas Kudirka, who lived there from 1895 to 1899.

He describes himself as a construction engineer and a Lithuanian patriot, although he has not worked as an engineer for three months now.

Lithuanian patriots, rightly excited at the prospect of reclaiming their destiny, insist on driving to independence immediately.

Mr. Bessmertnykh, who rolled his eyes at such old thinking, became Foreign Minister 48 hours after "Bloody Sunday," when Red Army tanks killed or injured nearly 400 unarmed Lithuanian patriots.

Vladas Petronaitis (born November 2, 1888 - murdered June 25, 1941), was a Lithuanian patriot, soldier and martyr.