Latvia to switch back to summer time

RIGA - The Latvian government decided on Jan. 2, in the midst of complaints
by residents and officials, that the country will switch back to
summer time this spring. During the summer, Latvia will have a one
hour time difference with Lithuania and Estonia.

After the adoption of this decision Economics Minister Aigars
Kalvitis told reporters that Latvia had too few daylight hours.

Latvia will stick to the "old European tradition" and change its time
twice a year, making transfers to summer and winter time, the
minister said.

He was certain that the time difference between the Baltic states
will not cause any economic or other problems. Before making the
decision the Latvian government examined the results of an opinion
poll, which showed that half of the population supported the switch
to summer time while the other half was against it.

Kalvitis said that Estonia and Lithuania had been informed about the
Latvian government's intention to examine the possibility of
returning to summer time.

Both neighboring countries were asked to give their opinion about the
switch to summer time. Estonia replied that it had decided to abandon
switching altogether. Its government is unlikely to reconsider the
matter in the near future. Lithuania will also not change its time
zone in the near future.

On Feb. 29 last year, Latvia said it would no longer switch over to
summer time because the population complained they find it hard to
adjust to such early rising. The Latvian president and prime minister
also criticized the practice.

But after a meeting with Prime Minister Andris Berzins on Jan. 3,
President Vaira Vike-Freiberga told reporters that she did support
the switch.

"I welcome the government's decision because from a psychological
viewpoint we need more daylight in summer and also in winter," she
said.

The president does not agree to alleged scientific findings about the
time switch being harmful to human health. "I think the time switch
will have only positive effects," she said.

Opposition organizations are not so sure. The Movement for Baltic
Unity criticized the government's decision. Normunds Grostins, the
organization's national coordinator, told the Baltic News Service on
Jan. 3 that the resolution is chaotic and unsubstantiated.

The move shows that the government has no qualms about putting at
risk the health of the Latvian population, he said.

The Movement for Baltic Unity was established in 1998. Initially the
organization stated its goal as promotion of Baltic unity in economic
and military issues, but later its activities were restricted to
anti-NATO propaganda.