Friday, 24 September 1999
September 24, 1999 |
Lat Chat and More - for Sunday September 26th, 1999
Date:
9/25/99
From: Silvija
File: D:\+www.latvians.com\Riga19thc\lpp7.jpg (119416 bytes)
DL
Time (TCP/IP): < 1 minute
Sveiki!
We apologize for
the size of the mailer this week, but there was a lot going on this
week—we have a bunch of news articles as well as President Vaira
Vike-Freiberga's address to the U.N. General Assembly this past Wednesday. As
long as this was already ridiculously long, we added a bit of humor as well!
For those of you on AOL, please join weekly Lat Chat at 9:00-9:30pm
or thereabouts (Eastern time) until the last chatter signs off for bed (usually
around 11:00-11:30). Click on the following link:
Town Square - Latvian chat
This week's link: Latvian mythology
This
week's news:
- Latvia and Lithuania expect an invitation from Finland to the EU summit in December
- Latvia and Hungary ratified a free trade agreement
- An anti-smuggling official was shot in Latvia
- Senior Russian schoolchildren prefer lessons in Russian (3/4ths do have good command of Latvian)
- Russians suggest they are best security for the Baltics; that the Baltics' look to the West is for naught; and (the overt threat again) that the Baltics joining NATO will seriously damage Western-Russian relations
- The text of Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga's address at the U.N. this week
This week's picture: Alexander Boulevard in the
late 19th century, looking up from Vecriga—sans the Hotel Latvija, and
with the statue of Peter the Great where the Brivibas Piemineklis now
stands.
And we wrap up with a bit of humor as
well, a Latvian perspective on potential Latvian-like behaviors.
You
can retrieve this and past copies of the mailer at our home page (use the
"Mailer" button or link): http://www.latvians.com/
Ar visu
labu,
This Week's Link |
LATVIAN MYTHOLOGY
This is a
site to go to when trying to make sense of the lyrics for all those Dziesmu
Svetku songs. Seems to me that there are loads of symbols and references in
just about every traditional Latvian song, and there certainly are a lot of
those. This site, set up alphabetically, is a good starting point, though there
is room for many more additions. I will be providing a few more
mythology-related sites in the weeks to come.
Link:
Latvian
mythology (Index A - Z)
URL:
http://www.pantheon.org/mythica/areas/latvian/a-z.html
In the News |
September 21, 1999 (M2 Communications)
— Latvia and Lithuania are expecting an invitation from the EU to the
summit in Helsinki in December. The two countries' leaders recently said that
they expect the Union to invite them to start the negotiations for membership.
The Latvian president said that their opinion is that the EU would benefit from
accepting all the three Baltic states as candidates for membership. Estonia was
accepted in the first round as a candidate but not the other two.
NORDIC BUSINESS REPORT © 1999 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD
RIGA, September 23 (Reuters) —
Latvia's parliament on Thursday ratified a free trade agreement with Hungary as
part of the Baltic state's bid to join the Central European Free Trade
Agreement (CEFTA).
An investment protection agreement with Hungary was also
ratified, a parliamentary press official told Reuters.
Latvia still has to
negotiate free trade agreements with Bulgaria and Romania to become a CEFTA
member.
Latvia's exports to Hungary in January-July stood at just 617,000
lats ($1.1 million) and imports were 8.018 million lats, less than one percent
of total imports.
RIGA, September 23 (Reuters) —
Latvian Prime Minister Andris Skele said the shooting on Thursday of a
financial police official was "a declaration of war" against his government's
anti-smuggling campaign.
The officer, 33-year-old Helmuts Skuja, was found
shot twice in the back on the staircase of his home after leaving for work. He
was in serious condition in hospital.
Criminal police said it was possible
the attack was linked to Skuja's work in the anti-smuggling unit of the
financial police as part of the tough campaign launched by the government.
"This attempted murder of Helmuts Skuja could be considered a declaration of
war," Skele was quoted as saying through his spokesman on Latvian Radio.
"Practical action in fighting smuggling is getting at...both the large sums and
the dirty parties involved. The battle will be cruel," he said.
Skele
launched an intense anti-smuggling campaign after taking office in July,
seeking to stem the inflow of illegal alcohol, fuel and other goods that is
sapping budget revenues and hurting competition.
Attacks on law enforcement
officials have been rare since the early-1990s when Latvia clamped down on
gangland activity that flourished after the Soviet Union's 1991 collapse.
RIGA, September 23 (Itar-Tass) —
Senior schoolchildren in Latvia's Russian-language schools are opposed to
instruction in Latvian.
A survey carried out in 50 Russian schools across
Latvia has revealed that 77 percent of pupils want their native language to be
a state language together with local Latvian.This opinion was shared by 60
percent of teachers and 55 percent of parents who also took part in the survey.
Most pupils and teachers do not support the requirements of the education
law which provides for a gradual transition to Latvian as the language of
instruction even at Russian schools. The number of subjects to be taught in
Latvian is expected to reach 75 percent by 2004.
Statistics show
that seventy-four percent of senior schoolchildren have good command of
Latvian. Nevertheless, they get nervous and irritated at lessons which are not
conducted in their native language. They cannot concentrate on the material
properly because they have difficulty in understanding what the teacher says.
Teachers also pointed out lack of textbooks and manuals, and their pupils'
general unpreparedness for the language reform. Most respondents believe that
more focus on teaching Latvian would be a much better solution than transition
of the entire school curriculum to it.
Most Russian schoolchildren are
reluctant to communicate in Latvian. "The integration processes got started too
late," Nil Muiznieks, director of centre for ethnic and human rights issues,
said.
Ethnic Latvians make up 57 percent of the country's population,
while Russians account for one third. Many people belonging to other ethnic
groups also use Russian as their main language.
MOSCOW, September 24 (Itar-Tass) —
The Baltic region will always be in a zone of Russia's vital interests, which
calls for ensuring their effective security on condition of not infringing upon
Russia's security, the Russian Council for foreign and defence policy stated in
a report made here public on Friday.
One of the authors of the study,
Deputy Head of the presidential administration Sergei Prikhodko reported there
was some "onward progress in the bilateral relations with the Baltic states."
According
to another member of the council, Igor Yurgens, "the anti-Russian orientation
of the Baltic states' integration into European Union "is coming to naught."
According to Yurgens, there were several reasons for it. In the first place,
Europe is conditioning their further integration on improving their relations
with Russia, and better providing for the rights of their Russian-speaking
population. In the second place, the competece of a foreign policy line pursued
by Russia has led the sober-minded people in the Baltics to believe that it is
Russia that can prove a real guarantor to their security.
Answering a
question about whether there was any programme being developed should the
Baltic states join NATO, Prikhodko pointed to the fact that it was "not
difficult to take adequate measures, much more difficult is to seek an
alternative." He further noted that the Russian government, foreign finistry
and other departments had been working to reach the alternative result.
"The future of Russia largely depends on whether NATO will expand, and which
way the process takes, whether it will involve Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia,
and how Russia will manage to agree its economic interests with the process of
the Baltic states' integration into the European Union," the report stated.
According to the authors of the study, the events in Yugoslavia, a
break-up of the post-war world system had thrusted the security relations
between Russia and the West many years back. "In this connection, the prospect
of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia joining NATO may deal a most serious damage on
the Russian-West, and Russian Baltic relations in particular," the report
emphasized.
ily/ © 1999
NEW YORK, September 22 (Latvian Embassy)
— The text of the Latvian President's speech before the UN General
Assembly follows. Our apologies for not translating the French!
Speech by H.E. Mrs. Vaira Vike-Freiberga,
President of the Republic of Latvia,
at the 54th General Assembly of the
United Nations,
New York, September 22, 1999
"Monsieur le president de l'Assemblee,
Monsieur le Secretaire-general,
Vos excellences,
Mesdames,
Messieurs,
C'est un grand honneur pour moi d'adresser la parole a la
54e session de cette auguste Assemblee generale des Nations unies, ainsi qu'a
son president, son excellence Monsieur Theo-Ben Gurirab. Veuillez agreer,
Excellence, l'assurance de ma consideration distinguee, et permettez-moi de
vous offrir mes meilleurs voeux de succes et de reussite dans tous vos
efforts.
Cette 54e Assemblee, la derniere avant l'an 2000, suscite
inevitablement des reflexions. D'une part, elle nous invite a nous pencher sur
les acquis et les francs succes dont les Nations unies peuvent tirer une fierte
et une satisfaction bien legitimes. D'autre part, elle nous invite a relever
tous les defis que le nouveau millenaire ne manquera pas de nous presenter.
Puissent nos debats ici contribuer a etablir la paix et la securite dans le
monde, a regler les conflits et a developper des solutions innnovatrices aux
problemes que nous aurons a confronter.
Les nobles ideaux qui ont
guide les Nations Unies au fil des annees n'ont toujours rien perdu de leur
actualite ni de leur pertinence. La paix dans le monde, la lutte contre la
pauvrete, la defense des droits de l'homme - voila un programme qui demeure en
vigueur, avec des buts on ne saurait plus clairs. Cette lutte est un peu celle
du heros mythique dans sa lutte contre le dragon: on coupe une tete du monstre,
et neuf autres repoussent a sa place. Neanmoins, il n'est pas possible de
renoncer au combat, il n'est pas permis de relacher notre vigilance,
certainement pas si le monde que nous voulons construire est un monde de
civilisation.
The 54th General Assembly of the United Nations is
held at a time when the United Nations system has experienced a certain amount
of strain and is faced with important challenges. These have caused questions
about the effectiveness and the very relevance of this august body within the
contemporary international system. This scepticism ranges from concerns over
the capability of the Organisation to address regional conflicts and the needs
of the developing world to concerns about budgetary management problems. No
doubt there is some basis for each of those concerns. Nevertheless, they should
not undermine the fundamental importance of a truly global organisation, which
over a period of decades has earned respect around the world. Our ranks are
continuously growing, and the UN keeps approaching the goal of truly world-wide
representation. Let me take this opportunity to congratulate the Republic of
Kiribati, the Republic of Nauru and the Kingdom of Tonga upon their admission
to UN membership.
The reform process of the UN is underway and my
country, Latvia, fully supports it. The member states after all are the ones
that set the agenda of the Organisation. It will be the quality and commitment
of each state that will ultimately determine the success or failure of our
common efforts.
Some of the negative feelings about the UN stem from
over-expectation. One cannot view the UN as a panacea, particularly where
decisions on long- lasting regional problems are concerned or when preventive
actions on a regional level had been long overdue. Yet, even in those
situations a modern UN system is expected to look for earlier and more
effective involvement than it has been the case in South East Europe, East
Timor and the Middle East. It needs to be stressed that the painful refugee
crisis of Kosovo could not possibly be resolved without direct involvement of
the UN and its institutions. But sadly, the maximum potential of the United
Nations cannot always be utilised because of prejudice, lack of political will
or perceived political ambitions. Let us not forget that the costs of our
reluctance to take action are extremely high. Too often they result in the
deaths of innocent people, they are the cause of wholesale destruction, which
may take decades to remedy and reconstruct.
The topical issues of
co-operation at regional and global level and conflict prevention,
non-proliferation, arms control and disarmament, humanitarian, environmental
protection, follow-up to UN conferences, poverty eradication and gender
equality need to be addressed on a global scale. Without a doubt, the United
Nations and its institutions have to play an increasingly important role to
this end. The mandate of the United Nations is to serve humanity, and the
United Nations should observe the principle of universality. The UN's
possibilities in conflict prevention and preventive diplomacy are by no means
exhausted and further attention should be paid to fostering the observance of
these principles throughout the world.
Even as we speak here today,
many people in this world are suffering at the hands of terrorists or live
under terrorist threat. Any instances of terrorism should be universally
condemned and steps need to be taken to strengthen the international response
to this problem.
In order for the UN to become a truly modern
organisation it needs to reflect the new realities of a changed international
context. The reform of the Security Council remains the central part of the
revitalisation programme of the UN and it should reflect the needs of the
international community as well as present-day realities. The acquisition or
possession of nuclear weapons must no longer be the basis of a superpower
status and the future model of the Council will have to reflect this reality.
The future model of the Security Council should also become increasingly open
to the views and contribution of smaller states and of non- permanent
members.
How does Latvia see its contribution to the new United
Nations?
My country is among those nations that could not be a part of
the United Nations at its inception. Because freedom of choice was forbidden to
our people when Latvia lost its independence in 1940, we have a special respect
for this principle today.
We also reserve a special place in our
hearts for the UN because it was the first international organisation we joined
after restoring independence in 1991. It was a moment of celebration, pride and
even euphoria, as justice prevailed and a long struggle to join the community
of nations finally came to an end. But our people quickly realised that we were
now setting off on a new road. After a fifty-year delay, Latvia was faced with
the task of becoming an equal, responsible and contributing member of a new
Europe and a new globalised international community.
Membership in the
UN was just the first step on the road to reasserting our national and human
rights. More importantly, we recognised our responsibility to help other
nations setting out on this path.
Yet even at the very end of this
century we still have to encounter thinking which a priori denies the right for
all nations to choose their own destiny. Thankfully, such views are becoming
less and less acceptable as the years go by. For Latvia as a free and sovereign
nation, the last years have been a remarkably successful period of active
integration into the international community, and of internal restructuring,
wide-ranging reforms and societal regeneration. Fifty years of occupation have
left us with a heavy social, economic and psychological legacy, but we have
made tremendous efforts to overcome it in every way. The support offered by the
UN in this onerous task has been of enormous significance and I should like to
use this opportunity to reiterate the heartfelt appreciation of Latvia for the
invaluable assistance that the UN has provided.
During this last
century Latvia has made a remarkable turnaround. It has gone from the depths of
tragedy to the heights of success. In a few short years, Latvia has grown into
a politically stable state with strong democratic institutions and practices.
Latvia has restored a thriving market economy and a deep respect for individual
rights and freedoms. Over the past years and with the help of the international
community, Latvia has attached particular importance to the process of forming
a fully integrated, harmonious society. It is a challenging but critically
important task for my country, all the more so because of the burdens imposed
by the historic legacy. We perceive it as an ongoing process that involves
numerous cultural and educational aspects, and includes the important element
of a person's right to choose. Our goal is to give each resident of our country
an equal opportunity to contribute to a civic identity that shares goals and
values in common with all of Europe. As part of this programme, my country will
continue to attach particular importance to strengthening the role of the
Latvian language.
Latvia believes in the complementarity of regional
and global efforts and it sees its integration efforts into European and
transatlantic structures as a practical means of contributing to joint efforts
in the European and Transatlantic area. For Latvia, integration into Europe
remains a high priority, but it is not the end of the road. Integration into
the transatlantic security alliance is prudent, but not sufficient. For Latvia
to succeed, and for the people of Latvia to have the full opportunity they
deserve to live secure, healthy and prosperous lives, Latvia must be fully
integrated into the political, business and intellectual exchange of a global
community.
We are very proud of the fact that on February 10, 1999
Latvia became the first Baltic State to join the World Trade Organisation as a
full-fledged member.
Within the range of its capabilities, Latvia has
participated in peace operations in the Balkans and has contributed to
relieving the suffering of Kosovo refugees. Latvia has been an active
contributor of UN revitalisation through its membership in ECOSOC and the
Commission on Human Rights. Latvia has put forward its candidature for the UN
Security Council elections in 2005. This spring my country signed the Statute
of the International Criminal Court and is currently planning its ratification
process.
A very visible indication of the appreciation of the UN's
work in Latvia and a concrete manifestation of Latvia's support to the
Secretary General's Programme for UN Reform, has been the donation of a
historical, fully renovated building in the centre of our capital as a common
home for all UN agencies. On July 16 of this year, and as one of my first
official functions as President, I had the pleasure of participating in the
official inauguration of the UN house in Riga, one of the first UN Houses in
Europe and the first in our region.
Mr. President of the
Assembly!
Mr. Secretary-General!
Your Excellencies!
Ladies and
Gentlemen!
I should like to express the full support of my country for
the proposed Millennium Assembly of 2000 and trust that it will become a
landmark in setting our sights the 21st century.
May the results of
the 54th session of the General Assembly advance our common cause at the dawn
of the new Millennium.
Thank you."
This Week's Picture |
From our album of pictures of Riga from the late 19th century, a
view from Vecriga up the present-day Brivibas iela.
Humor |
Andrejs (pupedis@aol.com) sent this in—and we
asked if he minded it we shared it. He said no, but with one stipulation, that
people share their own "Hmm...I must be a Latvian!" touchstones, which
he has offered to compile and provide as a future contribution.
- You consider being called stubborn a compliment.
- You like the taste of sauerkraut.
- Butter is not a vice, but a staple.
- Russian and Soviet mean exactly the same thing.
- Latvian and Soviet do not.
- You know the difference between the Baltics and the Balkans.
- You know the difference between Latvian and Latin.
- You know the difference between a Latvian and a Latino.
- You know the difference between Latvian and Lutheran.
- Your Parents/Grandparents/You own pieces of furniture that are older than the house in which they are kept and no one considers them to be antiques.
- You think Pat Buchanan is a liberal. (Okay, okay..I am letting my personal bias show, but it's true, damnit. :-)
- You have relatives outside of the United States, but not necessarily in Latvia.
- You have spent more than a month living outside the place where you were born.
- You know someone from Toronto.
- You've heard of Raimonds Pauls.
- You've heard Raimonds Pauls.
- You can name a Soviet/Russian leader.
- One or two of your parents/grandparents still live with you or within walking distance.
- Your mother wins most family arguments.
- Your father considers himself Mister Fix It.
- When you were younger you attended Latvian youth functions to party, now that you have children of your own you send them to these same functions to keep them out of trouble.
- You've gotten drunk before your sixteenth birthday.
- An adult member of your family has lectured you about the evils of drugs, but later offered you a beer.
- You actually have platonic friends of the opposite sex.
- You've attended a social function for the sole purpose of attending and not to meet members of the opposite sex.
This has been fun. Hope you have as much fun reading them
as I did writing them. Feel free to add your own.
Smaidi.
Andrejs