Despite objections by the Confederation of Employers, the Latvian government backed the Defense Ministry's proposal to introduce public holidays during the NATO summit scheduled to be held in Riga this November. State-funded institutions will have Nov. 28-29 off, and the government has recommended local municipalities, private businesses and organizations to close for the international summit as well. Deputy director general for the Latvian Confederation of Employers, Edgars Korcagins, said the decision would hurt business, but the task force organizing the NATO summit has approved the proposal. The Defense Ministry said that if people were given time off, they would be able to follow the summit and its related events such as debates, conferences and exemplary demonstrations.
During an informal meeting at the White House, U.S. President George W. Bush congratulated Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga on the speech she gave to U.S. Congress June 7. The Latvian President also met with U.S. Vice-President Dick Cheney to discuss Latvian-U.S. relations, the upcoming NATO summit in Riga, energy issues and international developments. When speaking before congress about the planned G8 summit in St. Petersburg, Russia, Vike-Freiberga highlighted Latvian-Russian relations, mentioning the positive visit by Patriarch Aleksei II of Moscow. She stressed that Latvia was interested in building pragmatic, future-oriented relations with Russia.
Security Police detained three officers in the Organized Crime Combatting Administration (ONAP) on suspicions of demanding and receiving a bribe. The detained officers work for a regional branch of the administration in the eastern Latvian region of Latgale. A search revealed that one of the suspects was in illegal possession of a gun and ammunition. A large amount of money, previously received as a bribe, was found with another suspect. During the detention, one of the suspects tried to bribe a Security Police officer to avoid criminal proceedings. The Latgale court ruled that two of the suspects should be taken into custody, while the third would be placed under police surveillance.
During a meeting at the White House, U.S. President George W. Bush congratulated Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga on the speech she gave to U.S. Congress June 7. The Latvian President also met with U.S. Vice-President Dick Cheney to discuss Latvian-U.S. relations, the upcoming NATO summit in Riga, energy issues and international developments. When speaking before congress about the planned G8 summit in St. Petersburg, Russia, Vike-Freiberga highlighted Latvian-Russian relations, mentioning the positive visit by Patriarch Aleksei II of Moscow. She stressed that Latvia was interested in building pragmatic, future-oriented relations with Russia.
