Introductory Comments for
Lithuanian Foreign Minister Algirdas Saudargas'
visit to St. George's Parish,
Cleveland Ohio
 January 18, 1998

 As we have learned from Lithuanian history, ``Zemaityje" has been the home of many of Lithuania's historic leaders who rose to save their country in times of crisis and in this case the Zemaitciai have again not failed us

  Mr. Algirdas Saudargas was born on April 17, 1948 in Kaunas, the border of Zemaityje.  He went to ``Saules" secondary school where he developed many childhood friendships that would prove invaluable in the post communist independent government of Lithuania. 

  He entered Kaunas Medical Institute as a biophysicist and through the 1970's to the 1990's gradually moved through several prestigious Lithuanian technical academies in positions of increasing responsibility.  He has been a devoutly religious person and prepared lessons and lectured on Christianity at the secondary school level and at the Kaunas Sunday School of Lithuanian Culture. 

  Upon the establishment of the Lithuanian independence movement, Sajudis, A. Saudargas became an active member, and from 1988 to 1990 was elected Chairman of the Seimas Sajudis Political Committee.  In 1990 in Kaunas, A. Saudargas was elected to the Supreme council of the Republic of Lithuania.  From March 1990 until December of 1992 he was Minister of Foreign Affairs and a member of the official delegation in negotiations with the Soviet Union.  It was during this time that, Lithuania had to endure the hardships of a Soviet blockade which was widely protested by the world wide Lithuanian Diaspora.  Seven years ago, almost to the day, when a Soviet attack on the Lithuanian Parliament appeared imminent, he was entrusted by the independently elected Lithuanian government with the supreme responsibility to represent it in exile should the Soviets reestablish control, and was secreted out to Warsaw.  It was also during this sad epoch in Lithuania's history  that Mr. Saudargas was also NOT received by the US Embassy in Warsaw during the night of Bloody Sunday.  (Through radio and television there were many members of this parish who anguished with the foreign minister over these difficult events).  He also had to deal with then, and even now, the outrageous issue of the murder of the Lithuanian border guards at Medininkai by Soviet Omon criminals and their being brought to justice.  (By the way it is our understanding that their identities and locations in Russia are now known and hopefully they will be brought to justice).  He also had the pleasure of watching the storm clouds finally move away from Lithuania and it's world recognition as an independent sovereign nation after 50 years of tyranny.  From 1992 until 1996 he served as a member of Seimas representing the Lithuanian Christian Democratic Party, of which he is now the Chairman.  During that time he was a member of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Chairman of the Subcommittee on European Affairs and a member of the Seimas delegation to Parliamentary Assembly of the Western Europe Union.  Since 1996 he has again been appointed to the position of Foreign Minister where his primary goals have been to integrate Lithuania into Western economic and political structures as well as NATO.

  Mr. Saudargas' wife Laima, is a chemist who works at the Kaunas Academic Clinics.   Their daughter Egle, has completed her college degree with a major in the English language.  She now works in the Lithuanian Ministry of Culture.  His son Paulius is now a student at Vilnius University.

  When Lithuania was in crisis in 1990 and 1991 there was a guiding phrase among many of  the Lithuanian activists who are of the same generation as the Foreign Minister, that ``You were raised for this moment"!  Mr. Saudargas is an obvious example of this truism.   Foreign Minister Saudargas is now the highest ranking Lithuanian government official to walk the historic halls of  St. George's parish since former Lithuanian President Smetona was a parishioner here 45 years ago.  We welcome the closure that this historic visit brings.