Baltic countries to gauge damage

Losses caused by nearly 5 decades of Soviet occupation.

TALLINN, ESTONIA — The three Baltic countries will “scientifically” calculate the losses caused by nearly five decades of Soviet occupation so that they can seek compensation from Russia.

Estonian Justice Minis- ter Urmas Reinsalu said Friday that the claim by his country, Latvia and Lithuania would be legally justified as Russia has declared itself to be the successor of the Soviet Union after its fall in 1991.

The Baltic countries have talked about compensation before but never presented a sum.

Reinsalu and his colleagues from Latvia and Lithuania on Thursday signed a joint declaration, saying they would assess the damage “in a scientifically justified manner.”

“It is time to arrange the relationship with the past,” the declaration said. “During the years of (Soviet) occupation the three Baltic states were exploited for political and economic needs of the occupying regime. As a result they have suffered enormous demographic and socio-economic losses.”