ABSTRACT
On February 24, 1990, Lithuania held the first modern multiparty elections in the Soviet Union and rejected Communist party rule. The continued existence of an independent Baltic diplomatic corps, combined with the activities of scattered Baltic communities throughout the world, helped keep the fires of Baltic independence alive during the long years of Soviet rule in the Baltic states. More importantly, the campaign pitted Mikhail Gorbachev against Yeltsin, who supported Baltic independence and refused to back Gorbachev's proposal, instead suggesting that the Soviet leader resign. In time, the dynamism of the United States (US) stance on the Baltic countries began to fade. Frozen Baltic assets, for example, were used to maintain the Baltic legations and their staffs in Washington and later in New York. Moscow also ordered Baltic diplomats in the US to "transfer their functions, as well as their archives and property to the appropriate Soviet officials."
