Jun 17, 2008
The list of potential criminals expands in Lithuania
From today you will be assigned a criminal status in Lithuania, if you demonstrate the symbols of former Soviet Union, or cite the lyrics of the Soviet anthem. This is to bite Russia. Irrationally. Probably this is a respond to Russian ban on imported Lithuanian cheese products. But instead of finding a jointly beneficial solution, they lift guns. All this is another example demonstrating that here economics is a thing which is discussed equally much as reproduction of wheels or Renaissance influence on Italian international relationships in 16th century.
There are still some people in our government who would spit in any face to raise their rating before 2008 parliament elections of Lithuania. And this post is mostly addressed back to them, reminding some facts of the history, which are too miserable to mention compared to success of few carriers.
First of all, I hardly can imagine a Soviet army solder, who was hoping to occupy another 65,000 sqm territory, when his relatives and friends were dying in concentration camps or in the same battle where they together were taking part. But I somewhat imagine how desirable was a badge he received. Not because he wanted to support the criminal government of the country, but to devote the badge to his relatives. This badge can send him to jail today.
Second of all, remember that Hitler didn’t see too many prospects for Lithuanian nation due to its historical links with Slavic nationalities, differently from Estonians and Latvians. Besides, the countries of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania would have been removed from the world map, according to the plan. I can’t remember any politician including these or other similar facts in their pre-election speeches today.
Third of all, these were Soviet army soldiers who had overtaken the cities of Vilnius and Klaipeda from Nazis and returned them to the authority of Lithuania. Vilnius was a centre of political activity of Lithuania, Klaipeda – a harbor city through which passed 80% of Lithuanian foreign trade. Both territories were lost prior the World War II.
Finally, I would welcome more history lessons if someone would like to remind me all Soviet sins. But at first weigh what benefits it brings for your irrational pride and how it will harm the whole state: via raised pressure between Russian and Lithuanian speaking citizens of our country; and via simple worsened economic conditions.
PS Don’t forget to switch your TV sound off, when you watch Russia-Sweden Euro2008 match, or Russian triumph in Beijing in August. Otherwise, you might be accused in a crime
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“Raised pressure between Russian and Lithuanian speaking citizens of our country”?
Well, why don’t they stop speaking Russian and learn to love the land that feeds them? I’ll bet they’re happy to have EU passports. I dont see any emigration to matka rossiya taking place.
“Worsened economic conditions”? Got any evidence? Or is it just part of your ongoing kow-towing to the former occupiers, even after their army has left?
Dear Tadas Blinda,
Thank you very much for your respond to this post. It proves that the topic mentioned here is still important in our country. So, it should be treated carefully, without any attempt to stress the dialog, which can only lead to the worst ending. Unfortunately, the government of Lithuania does the opposite, but here I would like to offer you to speak without anxiety and simply try to visualize possible consequences. Which will come up when brave speeches of some politicians are blurred by time.
First of all, dear Tadas, forgive me but I don’t understand the logical link between mother tongue and love to some land (I assume you were speaking about love to Lithuania). Simply, not. But I sometimes smell little nasty decay in the place of my living in some people’s attitude towards Russian speaking citizens of Lithuania. Not to lie, this attitude has changed to more pleasant during the last decade or so. But it is not dead yet. And yesterday’s action was one of the examples.
Second of all, worsened economic conditions include widening of Lithuanian current account deficit, huge inflation, appreciation of real LTL/EUR exchange rate, fall in disposable income and thus profits of Lithuanian corporations. As a consequence, our GDP contracts, as you might see, and Litas looses foreign investors’ interest. A booming mix. We only need a small catalyst to loose our economic wealth.
Note, Russian energy (oil and gas primarily) that is imported to Lithuania costs us 30% less than energy coming from Europe. If this is abandoned, our current account deficit rockets. Russia imports 13% of direct Lithuanian products as well as another 20% of indirect Lithuanian exports through Latvia and Estonia. If this is abandoned, who will buy Lithuanian products and so support the value of Litas? Lithuania earns x2.5 in value on exports to Russia than to EU. But this is not important, at least for somebody, as I see. These all data are taken from Eurostat and are available for free without any limits.
If relationships with Russia are worsened, our economic situation fells to depth. The closest example – Estonia, whose GDP fell to 0.1% on various things, among which – lower exports to Russia. And this is not about kowtowing, but rational valuation.
I hope, my point is now clearer to you. If you have arguments proving that worse links with Russia will generate more economic benefits for us, I would enjoy getting familiar with them.
BR,
Aleksej
What an asshole you are. Nazis and communists are the same!!! * Russia or it will * you.
Sorry for deleting some expressions in your great speech ( 8
Dear Frued,
I am not going to evaluate your mental or physiological ability, as you’ve tried. I simply don’t have enough of medical qualification. However, I would suggest you to express you thoughts in more constructive way, with supplemented arguments and facts. This helps to develop the intelligence.
Dear others,
To finally clarify two ideas of the post: I am not trying to reevaluate the history. But I have some questions about law-making procedure here and blindness of several politicians regarding our general future prosperity. Since I am more linked to economics than other science, I base my arguments on straightforward “demand and supply” laws. It doesn’t matter who is on the other side of the bridge, Russia or EU. However, strangely the consciences for us are unfortunately the same. Remember “a year of hot diplomacy and cold radiators”?
BR,
Aleksej