The appeal

In a letter to Lithuanian Foreign Minister Antanas Valionis, U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell asked the three Baltic states to develop both individually and in concert an action program to contribute to the worldwide fight against terrorism, BNS reported on 24 September. He noted "We have rededicated ourselves to a vision in which your country and the other Baltic states have a vital role to play. We remain steadfast in our commitment to help you prepare yourselves for full integration in the trans-Atlantic community." Powell wrote that the Baltic states, under the U.S.-Baltic Charter and through the Baltic Partnership Commission, can contribute to the effort to fight international terrorism. The three Baltic foreign ministers had planned to meet Powell earlier this month in Washington, where they were to attend a Baltic Partnership Commission meeting. However, that meeting was canceled after the terrorist attacks of 11 September.