Ladies and Gentlemen,

I was happy to learn that I am given an opportunity to make a public address in the Carnegie Endowment. This is one of the major centers for the exchange of opinions and views expressed here find receptive audience.

I have chosen a topic concerning security in president's perspective. Security perspective is at the same time an assessment and future vision. Well, in the beginning I was a bit startled as we all know how hard it is to talk with Americans about the future. Americans invest so much time and money in their future that can be considered true champions in this respect.

You have created various security models. Perhaps you think I mean NATO. No, I mean the security model which we can see, for example, in the movie "Air force One". Yet, I fear, it is not the security model I would like to have for Latvia. Even considering my respect for your president.

Also science fiction about the star wars and return of dinosaurs seem attractive models, but only on the screen. Like Americans, also Latvians are dreamers, and this is why we stick so persistently to our land.

I like the security model which is based on the "Independence Day" idea. I like this movie. Latvians live on the Baltic Sea already for thousands of years. Many times we have fought for our land. We have retreated but we have not fallen.

Our Independence day is celebrated on November 18. This year we are going to celebrate the eightieth anniversary and I warmly welcome you to celebrate it with us in Latvia. We have had good times and, unfortunately, also the hard times under Communism. What never changes is our geographical location, loyalty of our friends, our yearning for tomorrow.

A philosopher in the middle of this century has said that each of us is, what we are going to be in the future. Tell me what you are going to be tomorrow and I will tell you what you really are.

Solid society in Latvia and free personalities -- these are first things that occur thinking about the security of tomorrow.

We have inherited from the years under Communism a distorted demographic situation. Latvians were almost reduced to the minority in their own country. Thousands of people from far--away places were flooded into Latvia. Today, slowly but steadily, they choose Latvia as their state. In Latvia side by side there live people who feel a thousand year affiliation to this country and recent newcomers. Nevertheless, we manage to consolidate these people in one strong country. I continue the dialogue with representatives of different nationalities and I have many things to discuss with president Clinton in this respect.
A strong country needs non--governmental organizations. In Latvia they emerge in various walks of life. American support to our non--governmental organizations is very welcome and has found its place in our society. Also the active initiative of people in non--governmental organizations consolidate the civil society.

The psychological factor plays an important role in the political and economic development of the Baltic. We see that many people in Europe even today find it hard to give up the rigid categories of thinking. Strong society should develop a modern way of looking at security policy. I see the society of Latvia exactly like that and this is why it is a secure state.

I would like to underscore a strong Baltic Sea Region as a second pillar if we think in terms of security for tomorrow.

The Baltic Sea region has an enormous development potential. It has become one of the "success stories "of the New Europe. The Baltic Sea cooperation serves as a model for integration, as new economic as well as strong human links develop in this region.

Russia is the largest Baltic Sea country. We try to involve it in cooperation of various kinds. The contemporary Hanseatic spirit could serve as a leit--motif for this cooperation. It comprises free trade, communication, and it is based on open economy and society. In Latvia we have started calling this idea the "Amber Gateway". I don't know if Russia really needs the "window to Europe" of the type tsar Peter the Great cut in the eighteenth century. Would not a solid gate through which the flow of goods and guests arrive be better than violently cut windows?

The Baltic Region can be strong only if it is open to the world. Its strength lies in the ability to link Eurasia and the Atlantic. The Baltic region will be strong and safe when Russia is democratic and stable country. We will encourage stable democracy in Russia. It is of utter importance for strong Europe.

I see strong Baltic Region as part of strong Europe. Strong Europe is the third pillar of our security. It is strong in its unity and at the same time also in its diversity. It is strong in its ability to strike the right balance between national interests and readiness to sacrifice in the name of future stability.

Like Americans, with bated breath we follow the implementation of such ambitious and far--reaching ideas as European Monetary Union.

European Union needs a touchtone. It will become stronger by enlargement. It will be a different European Union as it will have to represent itself on the scale of global economy. The involvement of the Baltic and other applicant countries in the European Union enlargement processes, facilitates the reforms which the Union needs to be competitive in the twenty--first century geo--economy.

Strong Atlanticism is the forth pillar of our security. I mean here the new Atlanticism -- the Union between Europe and America which reaches further than the traditional military alliance, further than memories of common ethnic and cultural heritage.

Europe and America will be able to feel safe in the twenty first century only be making a union. Today the idea of a free Transatlantic trade area may seem just a vision of distant future. Yet, the Euro--Atlantic area is destined to union in the twenty first century. It is necessary, for it to be able to radiate security to other parts of the world.

The new Atlanticism is like a live movement. This is why our policies are directed towards the involvement in the most effective security structure of the world -- NATO, as well as stable integration in global economy and creation of close human contacts between Latvia, Europe and America. Baltic--American links are a result of the second world war. In America there live many Latvians in exile. Today Latvians in America and those Latvians who return home, form the basis for further strengthening of the Atlantic link.

American investments in Latvian economy is another element in our Atlantic link. Common values are bound together by common interests, both economic and human.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Security is a process, it is not a static state. Security is integration -- internal, international and global. Security is perception -- people just feel safe. We try to do the utmost to facilitate the integration process and convince our citizens and neighbors of our strength. Only this way we will foster prosperity in the next millennium.

Thank you!

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