Happy Birthday, Mr Adamkus

Yesterday was Mr Adamkus', President of Lithuania's, 80th birthday. The 'Economist' in the spring described him as 'doddery'. I don't think he is quite that, and he lives very healthily as we are told twice a year when he goes for his checkup. But the guy deserves a break. Question is - who else is there in Lithuania? We are now having a new generation of politicians, maybe less with a Soviet influence, and we need to bring up some strong, decent and honest personalities.

I remember Mr Adamkus 75th birthday. It was on the day of a concert with Rostropovich, which Mr President attended (having, I think, given Mr Rostropovich the Lithuanian citizenship under presidential privilege). Mr Rostropovich is about 4 or 5 years younger. At the end of the concert, he jumped off the stage (about 90 cm high), ran round to the President, and planted two or three great big wet smackers on his face. Mr President, being of a more American persuasion, was rather startled!