Current LatviaTHEME IN FOCUS: USA No. 20, 7 January 2002
Latvian President: Latvia sees the USA as its strategic ally On 4 December 2001 the new U.S. Ambassador to Latvia Mr Brian E. Carlson submitted his credentials to Latvian President Dr Vaira Vike-Freiberga. Addressing the new U.S. Ambassador, the Latvian President said their countries were linked by "special relationship, deep sympathies and modern partnership spirit." "You were appointed to this important office at the time our nations face serious challenges," said Dr Vike-Freiberga. Next year, which will be the 80th anniversary since establishment of diplomatic relations between Latvia and the USA, Latvia wants to achieve its fundamental foreign policy priorities âÀ“ to join NATO and to close accession negotiations with the European Union, said the Latvian President. She reiterated the Latvian population's solidarity with the USA over tragic events on 11 September and expressed strong support to the U.S.-led anti-terrorism campaign. Latvian-U.S. co-operation is important in dealing with Latvia's foreign policy objectives, facilitating economic growth and strengthening democracy in the Baltic state. Latvia sees the USA as its strategic ally, said the President.
U.S. Ambassador thanks Latvia for solidarity and support in the fight against international terrorism On 29 November 2001, during the meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Latvia, the newly appointed Ambassador of the USA to Latvia Mr Brian E. Carlson thanked Latvia for the expression of solidarity and support in the fight against international terrorism and noted that it will be one of his priorities in the ambassadorial office. Mr Carlson also informed the Minister that the Embassy's activities will be directed towards further development of the economic co-operation between Latvia and the USA as well as implementation of joint projects to promote the Euro-Atlantic integration of Latvia. Mr Indulis Berzins underscored the strategic partnership between Latvia and the USA and highly appreciated the political support of the USA to Latvia's efforts both in consolidation of the national sovereignty and implementation of the foreign policy goals. The Minister particularly noted the successful co-operation in the framework of the U.S.-Baltic Charter. The Ambassador described the relations between the two countries as especially good and commended Latvia's accomplishments in the years after independence restoration. MFA MFA press release of 29 November 2001 "Minister of Foreign Affairs meets newly appointed U.S. Ambassador to Latvia": http://www.am.gov.lv/en/?id=2413
Fourth annual meeting of the U.S.-Baltic Partnership Commission held in Washington On 10 December 2001 Foreign Ministers Mr Toomas Hendrik Ilves, Mr Indulis Berzins and Mr Antanas Valionis of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, respectively, met with Deputy Secretary of State Mr Richard Armitage and other State Department officials in the framework of the fourth annual Baltic Partnership Commission. The Commission, established by the 1998 U.S. Baltic Charter, aims to advance the integration of the Baltic nations into transatlantic and European structures. Deputy Secretary Armitage expressed appreciation for Baltic assistance, including the quick adoption of financial controls and security measures, in the war against terrorism. The participants noted plans to hold remembrance events on the three-month anniversary of the 11 September attacks and pledged to continue work to eliminate the scourge of terrorism. The Deputy Secretary reaffirmed commitment to President Bush's vision of a new round of enlargement at the 2002 Prague NATO Summit. He welcomed the steps taken by the Baltic States to fulfil their NATO Membership Action Plans and encouraged the spirit of solidarity expressed by NATO aspirants through the Vilnius Ten process. The meetings on 10 December also highlighted U.S. investments in the region fostered by increased openness and transparency in the Baltic economics. U.S. Department of State U.S. Department of State press release of 11 December 2001 "Armitage Thanks Baltic States for Anti-Terrorism Assistance": http://usinfo.state.gov/regional/eur/terrorism/baltics1210.htm MFA press release of 11 December 2001 "Minister of Foreign Affairs: Latvia's membership in NATO is in our own hands": http://www.am.gov.lv/en/?id=2443 MFA press release of 6 December 2001 "Minister of Foreign Affairs to participate in the session of the U.S.-Baltic Partnership Commission": http://www.am.gov.lv/en/?id=2435
Agreement concerning co-operation between Latvia and the USA in the area of the prevention of proliferation of weapons of mass destruction signed On 11 December 2001 during the visit to the USA within the framework of the U.S.-Baltic Partnership Charter the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Latvia Mr Indulis Berzins signed the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Latvia and the Government of the United States of America concerning Co-operation in the Area of the Prevention of Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction. Upon signing the agreement, Mr Berzins and the U.S. Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Mr Douglas Feith discussed the international war on terrorism and the contribution of the Baltic States to the process. The Minister told of Latvia's action plan for combating terrorism, which among other activities includes also the given Latvian-U.S. agreement. Mr Berzins underscored that Latvia will continue to support the U.S. efforts as one of the allies. The Under Secretary of Defense thanked Latvia and other Baltic Sates for their co-ordinated action and support. The agreement's term is seven years and the USA undertakes to support Latvia in strengthening of border control, rescue and special service capacities during this period. Under the agreement, the U.S. aid will be received by State Border Guard, Security Police, State Fire and Rescue Service, Customs, Coastguard Fleet, Committee for Control of Export of Strategic Goods and other authorities. Before the signing of the agreement Latvia's Customs already received from the USA a donation of several dozen radiation detectors that are being used in control of Latvia's borders. This year Latvia was also provided with the so-called Wisconsin Project database of information on suspect businessmen in the world who might be involved in distribution of mass destruction weapons. Technical information included in this database helps Latvia's customs officials in controlling possible strategic goods on the borders. MFA MFA press release of 12 December 2001 "Minister of Foreign Affairs in Washington signs the agreement concerning co-operation between Latvia and the USA in the area of the prevention of proliferation of weapons of mass destruction": http://www.am.gov.lv/en/?id=2446
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia welcomes U.S. decision to facilitate the export of high performance computers to Latvia On 2 January 2002, the President of USA Mr George W. Bush introduced current changes in the U.S. system for export control of high performance computers (HPC) (the decision will enter into force within 120 days). According to those changes Latvia is moved to the 1st group (Tier I) of this system. The decision to move Latvia to the 1st group is significant to Latvia, since it reflects the fact that the U.S. administration considers the export, import and transit control in Latvia to be efficient. The export, import and transit control system in Latvia was established in 1995 with the aim to prevent the proliferation of mass destruction weapons, as well as to apply the control to the movement of conventional arms. With the lapse of time, the close co-operation between the USA and Latvia in the field of export control has been developed. The U.S. Government has actively contributed to the strengthening of export control capacity of Latvia in both, technical and training field. The U.S. system for export control of high performance computers exists since 1995 and was established in order to prevent the possibilities to use U.S. produced computers for the purposes, that are likely to endanger the international security (i.e., for the production of mass destruction weapons that is prohibited by international provisions). Based on aforementioned, states are divided into three groups (Tiers) according to the appraisal of efficiency of their export control systems in terms of the prevention of resale of high performance computers to the states which are suspected to support the terrorism and illicit production of mass destruction weapons. MFA MFA press release of 3 January 2002 "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia welcomes U.S. decision to facilitate the export of high performance computers to Latvia": http://www.am.gov.lv/en/?id=2457
Latvia commemorates victims of 11 September terrorist attacks On 11 December 2001 a remembrance ceremony was held at the Freedom Monument in Riga, where Latvian officials, U.S. Ambassador to Latvia Mr Brian E. Carlson and other foreign diplomats commemorated the 11 September tragic events in the United States. During the ceremony, more than 100 representatives of the Latvian government, Saeima, various governmental institutions and foreign diplomatic corps laid flowers at the Freedom Monument, one of Latvia's national symbols. The Latvian Cabinet of Ministers adjourned its weekly meeting and all government ministers, including Prime Minister Mr Andris Berzins, participated in the event. The remembrance ceremony was also attended by the National Armed Forces Headquarters' troops and orchestra, as well as the U.S. Marines that guard the U.S. Embassy in Latvia. The ceremony began at 15:46 p.m. Latvian time, the time when three months ago the first terrorist led plane hit one of the World Trade Center twin towers in New York. LETA http://www.leta2000.com/, BNS http://bnsnews.bns.lv/
Peace Corps plans September 2002 departure from Latvia after 10 years of successful co-operation Peace Corps Acting Deputy Director Mr Lloyd Pierson announced on 13 December 2001 the closure of programmes in Latvia will take place in September 2002. After 10 years of success and co-operation, Latvia has developed the necessary manpower to sustain Volunteer assistance currently provided by the Peace Corps. The Peace Corps was one of the earliest sources of American support for the post-Soviet Baltic states. When Peace Corps departs this summer, 198 Volunteers will have served in Latvia since 1992, each serving for two years or more. Over the period of 1992 - 2002, these 198 Volunteers will have taught English to almost 22,000 students and assisted almost 5,500 business people and non-governmental organisation (NGO) officers to develop their financial and organisational management skills. This greatly exceeds the original goal, established in 1992. Collectively, the Volunteers served in 67 towns and villages throughout the country, 67% of which had fewer than 10,000 residents. Peace Corps http://www.peacecorps.gov Peace Corps press release of 13 December 2001 "Peace Corps Plans September 2002 Departure from Latvia after 10 Years of Successful Cooperation": http://www.peacecorps.gov/news/news/view.cfm?news_id=600
Exhibition of Soviet period Baltic art unveiled in the USA On 9 December 2001 an exhibition of Soviet period Baltic art was unveiled in the Zimmerli Art Museum in New Jersey, USA. The exhibition will last through 17 March 2002. This is the first major survey of the development of modernist art in Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia during the post-war Soviet period. The exhibition comprises 150 works selected from 3200 Baltic art pieces of the Norton and Nancy Dodge Collection of Nonconformist Art from the Soviet Union, showing Baltic art created in opposition to the government-prescribed Socialist Realism. MFA MFA press release of 6 December 2001 "Exhibition of Soviet period Baltic art to be unveiled in the USA": http://www.am.gov.lv/en/?id=2439 Exhibition "Art of the Baltics": http://www.zimmerlimuseum.rutgers.edu/exhibitions/art_of_baltics.shtml
United States Government statement on OSCE Mission closure in Latvia, 19 December 2001 The United States welcomes the announcement, following yesterday's meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council that the OSCE Mission to Latvia should close at the end of this year. The work of the OSCE Mission in Riga has been of special importance to the United States. Since its inception in 1993, and over the ensuing eight years, this Mission has played a crucial role in helping Latvia take the necessary steps toward greater integration as well as in addressing issues unique to a country that had just regained independence after so many years. Over the years, the Mission has labored hard and carefully to make certain that Latvian Government institutions have been strengthened and that these institutions have the understanding, the personnel, and the resources to address the needs of residents. Whether in the areas of education or naturalization or in work on language issues, the Mission has been able to affect change. We thus agree with the assessment of the OSCE Head of Mission, Peter Semneby, that the guidelines have been met and that the Mission should close. Thanks in part to the work of the OSCE and in equal part to the efforts of Latvians themselves, the foundation has been put in place for residents to take their own initiatives and to use all legal means of redress to resolve differences over interpretation. For us, this development is the most significant. It makes clear that residents of Latvia themselves are prepared to continue to work to build a more integrated, harmonious society. In this regard, we welcome the role that the vibrant NGO community in Latvia is playing in society, and we encourage it to continue to constructively engage with the Latvian Government on outstanding social issues. As we said last week with regard to Estonia, building an integrated society in Latvia, or in any country for that matter, will take time. It starts with the commitment to the principle of equal rights for all and requires perseverance in creating the laws and institutions needed to guarantee those rights. In our view, Latvia has displayed the necessary perseverance; the proper structures and laws are in place, or are in the process of being put into place. The departure of the OSCE Mission from Riga does not mean that the international community will cease to be interested in developments in Latvia on issues concerning residents âÀ“ regardless of their ethnic origin. We welcome the willingness of Latvian authorities to continue their close cooperation with our various institutions, including the High Commissioner on National Minorities and ODIHR. The involvement of these institutions in amending electoral legislation to remove language requirements for candidates for the parliament would be particularly beneficial for Latvia, and would be an important and excellent demonstration of constructive follow-up to an issue that Ambassador Semneby has identified as in the process of being resolved. We applaud President Vike-Frieberga's initiative on social integration and look forward to seeing it come into fruition early in 2002. As Latvia seeks further integration into other Euro-Atlantic institutions, general developments with regard to societal developments and human rights will continue to be a subject of great interest. The United States will follow developments in Latvia closely, just as we closely follow developments across the OSCE region and around the world. Ambassador Semneby has our full appreciation, as does his staff and the Latvian Government, for a job well done. URL: http://www.usis.bkc.lv/current/osce.html
Remarks by the U.S. Ambassador Mr Brian E. Carlson at the presentation of his credentials, 4 December 2001 (extract) "I am here today as the fourth American Ambassador since the restoration of Latvia's independence. My distinguished predecessors worked with Latvia through the first decade of renewed independence. I am privileged to take up my responsibilities in a flourishing democracy with a vibrant economy. Nevertheless I am acutely aware that I am here at an historic time âÀ“ for Latvia, for the world community. I know that today we all âÀ“ Latvians and Americans âÀ“ confront great challenges and even greater opportunities. The bipolar world in which you, Madame President, and I grew up is no more. Instead, we are founding a new strategic relationship based on common democratic values, respect for human rights and individual freedom. Issues that were less visible just a decade ago, such as biotechnology, global terrorism, and international crime, are top priorities. Above all, we work to establish a better world for our children. I look forward to working with you on all the tasks we currently face and on all the challenges yet to come. Your advice and counsel will be invaluable to me as we work for a Latvian society that draws strength from all of its people, where public institutions are respected for their integrity, and where Latvians are as aware of their past as they are confident of their future. Madam President, allow me to present you with two letters, one from President Bush and one from Secretary Powell. These letters reflect the close partnership and the enduring friendship between the Latvian and the American peoples, and in that spirit I take up my duties in Latvia. Madame President, my task is clear: to pursue faithfully the interests of the United States; to forthrightly inform my government about Latvia, and to assist both Washington and Riga to achieve our common goal of a Europe whole, free and at peace." Remarks by the U.S. Ambassador to Latvia Mr Brian E. Carlson at the presentation of his credentials, 4 December 2001: http://www.usis.bkc.lv/current/carlsoncred.html Statement to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee by Mr Brian E. Carlson, Ambassador-Designate to the Republic of Latvia, 17 October 2001: http://www.am.gov.lv/en/?id=4524
FOR MORE INFORMATION
CONTACT INFORMATION
Embassy of the Republic of Latvia
Embassy of the United States of America
USEFUL LINKS A Charter of Partnership among the United States of America and the Republic of Estonia, Republic of Latvia, and Republic of Lithuania, 16 January 1998: http://www.am.gov.lv/en/?id=4495 Combating international terrorism âÀ“ Latvia's activities: http://www.am.gov.lv/en/?id=4487 |
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