Some Political and Legal Aspects of the Peace Treaty between Russia and Lithuania from 12th of July 1920
Keywords:
Polish-Bolshevik war 1920, secret attachments to the Lithuanian-Bolshevik peace treaty from July 12, 1920, neutrality of Lithuania, ratificationAbstract
The paper analyzes selected political and legal issues of the peace treaty between Lithuania and Bolshevik Russia from 12 July 1920. The treaty had its secret part, which consisted of a few attachments, signed by the representatives of both parties. The most important protocol concerned the neutrality of Lithuania during the Polish – Bolshevik war. Lithuania gave permission for the Bolsheviks to use Lithuanian territory for strategic war purposes of the Red Army against Poland. None of these attachments were presented for ratification by the Lithuanian parliament. Speeches presented by Lithuanian MPs indicate that none of them knew about the secret attachments. The Prime Minister and Foreign Minister did not inform MPs of their existence. The treaty was ratified on August 6, 1920. During the debate MPs of the Lithuanian parliament unambiguously supported Bolshevik Russia in its fight against the Polish army. They wrongfully understood the intentions of the Bolsheviks.
References
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Stenogram 36 posiedzenia Sejmu Ustawodawczego Litwy w dniu 6 sierpnia 1920 roku, http://www3.lrs.lt/pls/interarchyvas/dokpaieskaarch.showdocl?pid=113702&pquery=Lietuvos%20i%20Rusijos%20taikos%20sutartis&ptr2=2 (dostęp: 03.01.2015).
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