ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the situation in the Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania and assesses the nature of ethnic relations and the prospects for conflict in the area. It suggests that in the post-Soviet world this issue must be viewed in a clearly differentiated perspective, and examines each country or region of its own distinctive ethnic composition and historical development. The chapter argues that the prospects for continued non-violent development and a gradualist solution to any ethnic problems in the Baltic states remain favorable. The ethnic tensions existing in the Baltic states today are essentially a product of World War II and the period of Soviet rule. The popular ethnic stereotypes in the Baltic states are well known: Baits allegedly refer to Russians as "occupiers," and Russians call Baits "fascists." In terms of external powers the key question for the Baltic states remains relations with and developments in Russia.
