HIGHLIGHTS FROM LITHUANIA . . . .

• Lithuanian exports in the first seven months of this year rose by 9.1 percent as compared to 1997 numbers.

• The bulk of foreign investments went to the Lithuanian processing industry Ö the largest investor being the United States.

• Since the beginning of this year, Lithuania's population fell by 903 people - totaling 3.703 million inhabitants.

• From January to September, the number of registered divorces decreased by 685 compared to 1997.

• In the first eight months of this year, 250 more people arrived to Lithuania as compared to 1997. The largest number of foreign tourists this year was registered in August, while Lithuanians also chose the same month for their visits abroad.

• The main priority fields for budget spending next year will be education, healthcare and social security, and Lithuania's integration into the European Union.

• The number of global computer network users soared by 30 to 40 percent compared to last year. Currently, up to 60,000 people use the Internet.
• A survey of 1,025 Lithuanian families showed that 3 percent had a home computer; while, 1.8 percent intended to buy one.

• About 100 Lithuanian enterprises faced serious financial problems due to the Russian financial crisis. Over 50 of these companies - mostly food processing and light industries - have asked for financial support.

• The Lithuanian national air carrier, Lithuanian Airlines, leased another two planes from SAAB.

• October's average monthly wages stood at 1,049.9 litas ($260.72) after taxes - rising 1.8 percent compared to September's averages.

• Lithuania's Ignalina nuclear plant generated more than 9.65 billion kWh of electric energy during the first nine months of 1998. The nuclear station's two blocks had been operating at 50.6 percent of their capacity. The plant is planning to increase generation up to 13.68 billion kWh of electricity.

• Lithuanian military air forces (KOP) purchased and delivered two new fighters from the Czech Republic. The new planes would be employed for the control of Lithuanian air space and military training. The purchase cost the government as much as 8.2 million litas.

PARLIAMENT LEADERS OF EUOROPEAN NATIONS IN VILNIUS

The parliament leaders of European Union-seekers, the nations of central and eastern Europe, were in Vilnius November 9 to 11 for the sixth meeting with Chairman of the Europarliament, Jose Maria Gil-Robles.

The parliamentary delegations from Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Cyprus, Latvia, Poland, Lithuania, Malta, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Hungary considered changes in the EU enlargement process. They also discussed the struggle against organized crime, migration and visa problems.

Vilnius had been selected as a venue for the forum during the 5th annual meeting of EU associated countries' parliament leaders in March, 1998 in Bucharest.

The Chairman of Lithuania's Seimas, Vytautas Landsbergis, accentuated that common efforts might lead to treatment of the Baltic states along with Poland, Czech Republic, Hungary and other countries as a related geopolitical group, instead of some isolated special case in the context of European problems. u

ADAMKUS ENCOURAGES U.S. LITHUANIANS TO
KEEP UP THEIR NATIONAL SPIRIT

During his latest United States visit, Lithuania's President Valdas Adamkus had breakfast with the representatives of over 50 U.S.-based Lithuanian-American organizations in Chicago's Lithuanian restaurant Seklycia in late October. President Valdas Adamkus heartened Lithuanian-Americans to foster their national spirit, and promised support from Lithuania's government for this goal.

Adamkus also urged the Lithuanian community to exercise its influence in a NATO bid. He hailed their initiative to send letters to Congressmen accentuating the aspiration of Lithuania to integrate into the alliance.

Shortly after breakfast, the president had a conversation with five Lithuanian children who arrived in Chicago for medical treatment. He thanked LAC's Human Services Council Chairperson, Birute Jasaitiene, for giving these children a chance to get treatment from American doctors.

In an interview to a few American journalists, President Adamkus stated that it was a pleasure for him to come back to the place where he had lived for a few decades. "Of course, I miss my old friends who stayed here, but we have not cut short our contacts. Therefore, I availed myself of this opportunity to meet some of them during my stay," he spoke.

He also talked of his years in the States. "As I look at the Great Lakes, where people can bathe freely, I understand that I have achieved something in my life. When I had arrived in Chicago, these lakes had been very polluted and nobody was allowed to bathe in them," said Adamkus.

The current leader of Lithuania had spearheaded the 5th region of the U.S. Environmental Agency. Within his jurisdiction was also the ecological protection of the Great Lakes.

In addition to meeting with the Lithuanian-American Community, Pres. Adamkus met with the Governor of Illinois State, Jim Edgar, Chicago's Archbishop Francis George, and Mayor Richard Daley.

LITHUANIAN MASTER CLARINETIST IN THE U.S.

Professor Algirdas Budrys, master artist and clarinetist, performed in the premiere performance of a Cultural Exchange between the Lithuanian National Conservatory and Raritan Valley Community College/Central Jersey Symphony Orchestra on October 24.

Co-founded by Maestro Roger Briscoe and Rosetta Senkus Bacon, the program facilitates the artistic and educational exchange between two cultures. Professor Budrys enjoyed his two-week stay at the Raritan Valley Community College as Artist in Residence.

Prof. Budrys is also celebrating 40 years of performing this season and is being honored in gala concerts throughout Lithuania. He has given concerts in all the former Soviet Republics, as well as in Hungary, Poland, Germany, Great Britain, France, and in other European countries.

In 1986, he was appointed Artistic Director of the Lithuanian National Philharmonic. Presently he is head of the Wind Department of the National Conservatory in Vilnius and Artistic Director of the National Wind Orchestra "Trimitas".

Prof. Budrys and pianist Rosetta Senkus Bacon performed several pieces at St. Andrew's Lithuanian Parish Hall at noon on Oct. 18.