DUDAYEV CALLS ON BALTS TO RECOGNIZE CHECHEN INDEPENDENCE.

Chechen President Dzhorkhar Dudayev appealed to the presidents, parliaments and governments of the three Baltic states to recognize his republic. The April 20 appeal, faxed to the three governments and made available by the Chechen Press Agency in Vilnius, suggested that the Baltic countries because of their own experience could best understand what is happening in Chechnya. Dudayev also undoubtedly calculated that his 1991 support for Baltic independence while he was commander of the Tartu air base in Estonia might win him more diplomatic support there than elsewhere. To date, however, none of the Baltic governments has been willing to take this step.

Democratic Leaders to Meet.