RIGA 's Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert and Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi have reportedly invited Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga, currently in the United States for an extended visit, to give a speech before the U.S. Congress.
The invitation is an honor rarely accorded to foreign leaders, and would send an unequivocal signal of U.S. support for both the Baltic states and Vike-Freiberga's possible candidacy for the next U.N. Secretary General.
The president will also take part in the opening of Latvia's new embassy in Washington.
It is not known whether she will meet with U.S. President George W. Bush, though there have been reports she would be received by Vice-President Dick Cheney.
