LITHUANIAN AND ESTONIAN PRESIDENTS STILL UNSURE OF GOING TO MOSCOW ON MAY 9

The chancellery of the Lithuanian president cannot yet say whether or not Valdas Adamkus will go to Moscow on May 9 to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Victory over fascism. Earlier, representatives of the presidential chancellery said that "a final decision has not yet been taken" and "different versions are being considered." The chancellery of the Lithuanian president does not comment on the decision of Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga to participate in the festivities of the 60th anniversary of Victory in Moscow on May 9, 2005. On Wednesday she said she is going to attend. Freiberga said: "The leader of Latvia as an independent democratic state is to be where European leaders are present." Meanwhile, Estonian President Arnold Ryutel believes that respect should be shown for the Latvian president's decision to accept the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin to come to Moscow on May 9. The press service of the chancellery of the Estonian President quotes Ryutel as saying: "The Baltic countries are independent states and the decision of the Latvian leader is certainly to be respected. As the Estonian head of state I have not yet taken a final decision on the Moscow visit." "A decision of the president of Latvia will in no way prevent cooperation between the Baltic countries, which is becoming stronger at all levels. Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania have many common points to be discussed and we are looking into the future all together," the Estonian president said. Earlier, in an interview to Estonian television Arnold Ryutel said that the Baltic states should work out a joint decision on the trip to Moscow and meet in March to discuss the problem.