At present I have not contacted any of the leaders of the Baltic republics nor do I have any plans to visit the area.
The Twelve continue to be most concerned about the situation in the Baltic republics and have underlined the obligation for both sides to exercise maximum restraint and to avoid actions that can only lead to a further deterioration of the situation. We are firmly of the view that an outcome acceptable to all must be sought and that this is possible, avoiding the use of force and the threat of the use of force, on the basis of the principles of the Helsinki Final Act.
Ireland, like most of its partners in the European Community, has never recognised the legality of the incorporation of the Baltic States into the Soviet Union. The separate question of recognition of these republics as independent states does not arise at the present moment. They do not, as yet, have the attributes necessary in international law for recognition as states.