
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, March 31, 1990                   TAG: 9003310039
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A10   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Cox News Service
DATELINE: WASHINGTON                                LENGTH: Short

BUSH SENDS PRIVATE LETTER TO GORBACHEV

President Bush said Friday he had sent Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev a confidential letter expressing support for Lithuanian self-determination but assuring the Kremlin leader "we're not trying to make things difficult" for either side in the crisis.

"I do not want to risk misunderstanding by failing to communicate," Bush said during a White House photo session.

Bush's personal letter, sent through diplomatic channels Thursday night and delivered in Moscow Friday, came as White House and State Department officials said Gorbachev is under extreme pressure within his own government to deal sternly with Lithuania's efforts to break away from the Soviet Union.

"I want to be sure that the Soviets understand our position and understand that we are not trying to make things difficult for Lithuania or for the Soviet Union or anybody else," Bush said. He declined to disclose the letter itself.

Bush is trying to walk a fine diplomatic line. He is under increasing pressure from some in Congress to forcefully back Lithuania in its bid for independence.

by CNB