1.   All Baltic leaders declared the SCSE illegal, but appealed for calm, fearing the consequences of provoking military action.

2.   Baltic leaders declared World War II finally over for their people.

3.   One Baltic leader said this was like answering the terrorist hijacking of an aircraft by shooting down the plane.

4.   Baltic leaders often cite Soviet repression as an inspiration for their bid to join NATO.

5.   Baltic leaders concede that their borders are still too easy to penetrate.

6.   Baltic leaders have bristled at suggestions they might be locked out of NATO or given lower priority.

7.   Baltic leaders said they understood the need to do more to stem the tide of illegal refugees from Asia and Africa, who usually cross the border from Russia.

8.   Baltic leaders are pinning hopes for future growth and prosperity on getting their countries into the European Union.

9.   But Estonian President Lennart Meri and other Baltic leaders have argued that any meaningful security means full membership in both the European Union and NATO.

10.   But Estonian President Lennart Meri and other Baltic leaders have been adamant, arguing that any meaningful security means full membership in both the European Union and NATO.