Discrediting the diaspora: the KGB search for war criminals in the West

LTReikšminiai žodžiai: Holokaustas; KGB; Karo nusikaltimai; Karo nusikaltėliai; Lietuvių diaspora; Lietuvių emigracija; Nacių kolaborantai; Sovietinė propaganda; Holocaust; KGB; Lithuanian diaspora; Nazis collaborators; Soviet propaganda; War crimes; War criminals.

ENWithin Lithuania, the topic of the Holocaust—especially with regard to the participation of Lithuanians—is a particularly sensitive one, demanding consideration of the different evaluations and approaches taken by Jews and Lithuanians. Emotions still prevent objective assessment of certain aspects of the tragedy. During the Soviet occupation, which followed the Nazi occupation, it was not possible to speak openly on this topic or to carry out objective research. Although much was written in the Soviet era about the atrocities of the Nazis in Lithuania, justice was certainly not the most important goal of the Soviet authorities. Evaluation of emigrants’ attitudes toward the Holocaust and Lithuanians’ role in said tragedy was influenced by the attitudes of Lithuanian anti-Nazi resistance organizations, which were basically organized in the background of organization of independent Lithuania. The Nazi occupation regime prohibited political parties and organizations acting in independent Lithuania on August 5, 1941, with the exception of the Lithuanian Nationalist party, which in turn was banned in December 1941. As a result, some organizations reappeared and acted covertly as peaceful anti-Nazi resistance organizations. Some of these organizations were liberal, Catholic, and national. Members of military, youth, and student organizations also played an important role. Attitudes toward anti-semitism and the Holocaust were contradictory and distinct. [Extract, p. 194]