According to modern historian G. Rhode, and other researchers, the Krėva Union did not annihilate Lithuanian sovereignty, as interpreted by most Polish historians.

Seeing that they could not secure it, the Bolshevik authorities started to transfer the area to Lithuanian sovereignty.

Krzyżanowski attempted to negotiate, but Plechavičius demanded that AK and all Polish partisans were to retreat from Wilno region and accept Lithuanian sovereignty over that territory.

Mikołaj Radziwiłł became an advocate of Lithuanian sovereignty and thus a vocal opponent of political union with Poland, (Union of Lublin, 1569).

The convention was hailed as a major Lithuanian diplomatic victory as it contained none of the special rights initially reserved for Poland and placed no conditions on Lithuanian sovereignty in the region.

But even at this moment of victory, as Lithuanian sovereignty is being recognized by growing number of countries, some Lithuanians say Mr. Landsbergis's radical nationalism and brusque style have created unnecessary problems for their new country.

Anxious, angry crowds gathered here, in the streets of the republic's capital, fearing a repetition of the assault by Soviet troops in January when 13 civilians were killed as they demonstrated for Lithuanian sovereignty at the republic's main television tower.

Lithuanian sovereignty was proclaimed in May 1989, and Lithuania's incorporation into the Soviet Union was declared illegal.

Battle for the Airwaves The republic's resurrection on television was no small victory, for Moscow authorities have made broadcasting a major battlefield in cracking down on Lithuanian sovereignty.

Regarding the recent agreement made over the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad, I want to stress that Lithuanian sovereignty must be respected and Schengen membership not compromised.