Alpine summit takes chill off Latvian-Russian relations

  • 2001-02-15
  • Nick Coleman
RIGA - Upon her return from a surprise Feb. 10 meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Austria, Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga reported progress towards normalizing relations between their two countries.

But LatviaÕs NATO membership aspirations seem to have gone largely undiscussed, despite Vike-FreibergaÕs claim that neither side avoided awkward topics.

Vike-Freiberga said the meeting in the resort town of St. Anton, the first between the two countriesÕ presidents since 1994, could be the first step along a path towards improved relations.

ÒWe both felt mutual understanding,Ó she said. ÒMr. Putin showed an understanding of LatviaÕs aspirations, our desire to reinstate our language and preserve our culture, but he also asked for our understanding of those who have stayed in independent Latvia and are not to blame.Ó

Responding to PutinÕs concerns about LatviaÕs Russian-speaking minorities, Vike-Freiberga proposed setting up a program to address Òspecific minor problems,Ó particularly relating to the elderly.

ÒIÕve always taken an interest in the situation of retired people,Ó she said. ÒI reminded Mr. Putin that the elderly donÕt have to take written exams in order to go through naturalization proceedings. But there should be a special program to look at making naturalization free of charge for the retired.Ó

Vike-Freiberga also proposed assisting those who, having come here in the Soviet period, now wish to leave.

On the subject of NATO the two agreed to disagree, she said.

ÒMr. Putin suggested we put this question to one side. He said Russia acknowledged LatviaÕs right to choose as a sovereign country, but he doubted the need for the existence of an organization which was the product of the Cold War.Ó

Putin also raised concerns about the ongoing prosecution of alleged Soviet-era war criminals.

ÒPutin has insufficient information about the activities of anti-fascist fighters,Ó said Vike-Freiberga. ÒI will use the communication channel weÕve created to explain these issues in future.Ó

Vike-FreibergaÕs proposals regarding LatviaÕs non-citizens were welcomed by Janis Jurkans, leader of the left-leaning For Human Rights in a United Latvia faction. But he doubted whether proposals to ease the naturalization process for retired people would win sufficient support from MPs.

Juris Sinka, an MP in the nationalist-inclined For Fatherland and Freedom party, criticized Vike-FreibergaÕs cautious approach to RussiaÕs conduct of the war in Chechnya. In not raising the subject Vike-Freiberga had taken advantage of a relatively positive report on Chechnya made by Foreign Minister Indulis Berzins at the Council of Europe in January, said Sinka.

ÒIf we are a sovereign country, and not the smallest, we have every right to criticize other states,Ó he said. ÒI donÕt think the president was consciously trying to sweep this under the carpet, but it was convenient for her to take every word of the foreign minister on trust. Does one forget about some human rights and remember the convenient ones? ItÕs a bit immoral,Ó he said.

Presidents from Latvia and Russia last met in 1994 when Vike-FreibergaÕs predecessor Guntis Ulmanis went to Moscow to sign agreements on Russian troop withdrawals.

The main purpose of PutinÕs visit was to discuss debt relief for Russia with Austrian officials. He also met the Slovakian and Slovenian premiers before heading on to Ukraine.