T-, Bliukth. 1993. 'Ud Leader CIillr New Job 'A Rot&." In RPWo Fm Europr, Nationalism and the Violation of November 12. Tengue, Elizabeth and Slater, Wendy. 1993. Minority in "New Chief Editor for Pravda." In Radio Free Europe 209, Octokr 29. Alexander Benifand and Tanya Basok Tolz, Vera. 1993. "YeltsinMeeb Media Chiefs." In Radio Free Europe 214, Nwember 8, a. - 1993. "Pre!sidmthl Decree Dissolves UdRepublic." In Radio Free Europe, No- vember 8, b. Nationalism, which inspired the strug- Rising Crime - 1993. "Commenb on the New Draft gle for Latvian independence, remains Co~titution."In Radio Free Europc, Novem- a strong force in this country. In prac- As growing numbers of people begin ber 12. tice, nationalism has translated into to experience economic hardships, - 1993. "Yeltsin Promiaer to Guarantee laws and policies that often violate the many are resorting to illegal liveli- Pre~Pmdom." In Radio Free Europe 201, rights of the non-Latvian population. hoods. In 1992, crime increased October 22, a. Against a background of economic cri- throughout the Baltic states. However, -. 1993. "Liberal Prew Expresses Doubt About Fairness of Election Campaign." In sis and rising crime, nationalist ideas of all the Baltic states, Latvia had the Radio Free Europe 204, October 22, b. are gaining popular support as the dis- highest crime rate (Girnius 1993, -. 1993. "Leadaof Republlun PartyCom- gruntled population attempts to find a March 1).Crime rose by 48 percent in ments on Elections." In Radio Fm Europe scapegoat for emerging domestic 1992 over the previous year. Of the 204, October 22, c. problems. 61,900 registered crimes in 1992, the The Tonmto Stm. 1993. "Yeltdn a Failure, Gor- vast majority were cases of either theft bachw mp." March 26. Economic Instability Vizhutovich, Valeriy. 1993. "Ministerstvo or robbery; some 234 cases were mur- Bezopamorti Obyazano Garantiroat Privatization has progressed slowly in ders or attempted murders (Bungs Bezopasrmt Goeudurtva i Ego Grazhdrn Latvia. Only 7 percent of state prop 1993, January 15). (The Wtryof Security Hu a Duty to erty was privatized in 1992. Industries Guarantee Security of the State and its Citi- Political Situation zens)." In Zsvrstia, May 7. are experiencing tremendous losses Wishnwsky, Julia. 1993. "Independent Media and are in need of restructuring and The Latvian government has moved to in Jeopardy?"In Radio Free Europc 210, No- investment. Many factories do not the centre of the political spectrum. In vember 2. even have enough money to pay wages the June 1993 elections, victory was -1993. "DraftLaw Gives Extensive Inves- (Petersons 1993, February 18).In 1992, won by the moderate liberal forces. tigative Powers to Former KGB." In Radio Free Europe 89, May 11. industrial production in Latvia The Latvian Path bloc headed by Yasmann, Victor. 1993. " in Russia: dropped by 31.5 percent over the pre- Anatolis Gorbunovs, Chairman of the A Threat to ?" In Radio Free Eu- vious year, while consumer prices rose Supreme Soviet, won the most votes rope Research Report 2(10), March 5. by 1,051 percent (Bungs 1993, January (32.4 percent), followed by the radical 15). Movement for National Independence In 1993, industrial production con- (13.35 percent), the Peasant Union tinued to decline. The chairman of the Party (10.64 percent), and the Equality Continued from page 2. Latvian statistics office, Gunars Movement (5.77 percent), led by Baltins, reported that industrial pro- Alfreds Rubiks, the former First Seae- References duction in January 1993 was 8 percent tary of the CP Latvia Central Commit- Crow, Suzanne. 1993. "Helsinki Watch Letter lower than in December 1992 and 45.6 tee. on Peacekeeping Violations." In Radio Fret percent lower than in January 1992 Conservative Communist organiza- Europe, November 2. (Girnius 1993, February 10). In 1992, tions still maintain a high profile. Dur- . 1993. "Kozynv on Maintaining Con- quests."In Radio FmEuropc, October 8. 33,200 persons, or about 2.3 percent of ing the recent siege of the Russian Eggert,Konstantin. 1992. "Russia in the Role of the economically active population, Parliament in Moscow there were re- 'Eurasian Gendarme'?" InlzocsiJa, August 7. were officially unemployed. The un- ports that these forces were planninga Gray, John. 1993. "President Pays the Price for employment problem was further ag- similar coup attempt. If the anti- Russian Army Loyalty." In The Globe and gravated by the existence of another Yeltsin opposition in Moscow had Mail, October 7. 44,300 persons who were laid off or been victorious, members of the Markus, Ustina. 1993. "Zlenko Rejects Special Status for Russian Forces." In Radio Free had their working hours shortened OMON (special purpose militia de- Europe, October 13. (Bungs 1993, January 15). According to tachment) from the Latvian capital UNM 1993. "Report on Rwsian Use of Chemical the Statistics Committee of the Repub- Riga, and the "Dniester Republic" had Weapons." In FBISSaV-93-154, August 12. lic of Latvia, 83 percent of Latvian resi- apparently planned to kidnap Latvian Whitney, Craig R. 1993. "Worried Anew, Eu- dents were living below subsistence leaders in the hope of trading them for rope Asks How Best to Keep the Peace." In levels in 1992 (Riga Leta 1993, Septem- Alfreds Rubiks, currently on trial for The New York Times, October 31. 0 ber 23). anti-Latvian activities. To neutralize

Refrrge, Vol. 13, No. 7 (November-December 1993) 11 the political opposition, on October 6th the rights of the Russian-speaking a more liberal law on atizenship in the Latvian government banned three population, including ethnic Russians, order to stabilize Latvian politics (Ra- pro-Communist organizations Jews, Tatars and members of other eth- dio Riga Network 1993, September 14). (Latvian Union of Communists, Union nic groups. According to the Chair of The 90,000 strong Russian-speaking to Secure Veterans' Rights and Latvian the Latvian Parliament, Anatolis population was deprived of the right Association of Russian Citizens) for Gorbunovs, Parliament endorsed to vote in the June 1993 parliamentary "22 acts of conspiracy" (Girnius 1993, Latvia's new system of ethnic separa- election, although the Latvian Sejm has October 7). This measure could poten- tion. Under this system (enacted by been compelled to permit them to vote tially heat up what has so far been a Parliamentary resolution, but yet to be in local elections. However, Eduard rather peaceful struggle for power in passed as law), Latvian citizenship will Smekhov, leader of the Russian com- Latvia. be granted only to those people who munity in Latvia, believes that Rus- can pass a test and sians will be ousted from Latvia by the Nationalism and Violations of show that their parents or grandpar- time of the elections, given that many Minorities' Rights ents held citizenship as of June 17, of them will have lost their temporary The popularity of Latvian nationalism 194bthe day of the Soviet invasion. resident status by then (Yemelyanenko and anti-Russian sentiments are both The new proposed restrictions may 1993, June 11). responses to the past subordination of ultimately make it illegal to own prop- A report on the three Baltic states, the republic by Moscow, and to Rus- erty or open a bank account, and will published by the State Department, sia's present interferencewith Latvian make it difficult for non-citizens to describes the unresolved status of the domestic life. The Russian-speaking hold job or obtain university degrees. Russian residents as a cause of "exac- population, most of whom migrated to The Movement for Latvia's National erbated tensions" among ethnic Latvia after 1940 (the year of the Soviet Independence (with 15 seats in the groups there. The report cites the new invasion), is identified with Russian Parliament), announced its own draft language law as a potential lever for imperialism. The national radicals, of the law on citizenship. Their pro- in jobs and elsewhere such as members of the Citizen's Con- posed law would immediately grant (Trumbull1993, January 21). gress and the Lettish National citizenship to ethnic Latvians, mem- According to media reports, dis- Tevzeme Alliance, have adopted the bers of the Latvian citizens' families crimination against non-Latvians is toughest stance. They are demanding and foreigners who legally amved in widely practised in all spheres of Latvia's complete "decolonization" Latvia before it joined the Soviet Un- Latvian life. "The discrimination be- and "de-occupation," implying, as ion. The draft law also proposes that gins in kindergarten where Russians was bluntly declared at the Tevzeme's most former Soviet citizens be granted have to pay more for their children," December 1992 Congress, the repatria- Latvian citizenship on the basis of an- observes one Russian emigrant from tion of the "occupants" either to their nual naturalization quotas not exceed- Latvia who was forced to leave his ethnic homes, or to some third coun- ing 10 percent of annual population position as a technician and work as a try. In their appeal to the audience, growth (FBIS 1993, September 15). mechanic (Pushkar 1992, August 11). they declared: "Register colonialists According to Edward Barnes, these The New Times magazine has pub- only at railway stations!" (Myalo proposed measures are intended to lished several letters documenting 1993). Anarticle arguing against grant- force Russians to return to Russia. This such discrimination. One of them ing civil rights to Russians appeared in would also disenfranchise an esti- reads: Pavalsinieks Daily; "Nothing can save mated 95 percent of the nation's Jews, My father was born in Latvia before the Latvian nation from destruction if most of whom came to Latvia after the 1940s and I have all the papers Russian colonialists are granted citi- 1940 (Barnes 1992).The CSCE commis- needed to confirm that. However at zenship," the author argued sioner for national minority issues, the registration centre in JaunolaineI (Kolmanson 1993, April 11). These na- Max Van der Stoel, noted that the sta- was asked to describe 'pri- tionalist sentiments find fertile soil at tus of a resident whose future in Latvia vately owned by my father.' When I is not yet decided is also a matter of could not give a detailed account, I the highest levels of the state. The head was told citizenship would be de- of the Latvian state declared in a short some concern (Bungs 1993, January nied me (Myalo 1993). interview before departing for New 22). He argued that "Russian-speaking York that, "those who occupied and people living in Latvia who have been Another letter says: "I am Lettish by had incorporated Latvia and find sent to Latvia in accordance with the birth, but I will not be granted citizen- Latvia's independence unacceptable, central planning policy of the former ship because my husband is a Soviet will have to leave" (Myalo 1993). USSR are merely victims of the Soviet Army colonel" (ibid.). In their desire to purge themselves system in the same way that Latvians Given this situation, it is no wonder of the remnants of their colonial past, are" (Radio Riga Network 1993, Septem- that when polled by the All-Russian Latvian political leaders have intro- ber 15). Van der Stoel called on the Centre for Public Opinion Research, 75 duced laws and policies which violate Latvian Government to quickly adopt percent of Russian-speaking respond-

12 Wge,Vol. 13, No. 7 (November-December 1993) ents said they believe that wer the last Moscow has turned the issue of pro- ing that Russian military personnel two to three years, the attitude toward tecting the rights of the Russian-speak- stationed in Latvia may be ordered to them has worsened in Latvia; 32 per- ing population into a precondition for arm themselves when moving around cent of the respondents believe that a the withdrawal of its troops. In an in- Latvian territory (FBIS, June 2). ~hije mass exodus of Russian-speakingpeo- terview with the German agency, Russia refuses to withdraw its troops ple from Latvia will begin in the near DPA, The Russian Ambassador to until the rights of the Russian-speak- future (Bungs 1992, December 6). Latvia, Alexandr Rannikh criticized ing population are protected, the Russian political leaders have ex- Latvia for committing innumerable Latvian authorities are reluctant to ex- pressed serious concern about the vio- injustices against the Russian-speak- tend full citizenship to these people as lation of minority rights in the Baltic ing minority and its electoral law for long as the Russian military is sta- states. Speaking at a closed meeting of violating human rights and an- tioned in Latvia. Representatives of the Foreign Ministers of the Council of nounced that if Latvia continues to cre- Fatherland and Freedom faction, who Baltic Sea States on March 16,1993, A. ate complications in bilateral relations, have six of Parliament's one hundred Kozyrev, Russian Foreign Minister, Russia will not be able to withdraw its seats, have stated that the naturaliza- said he would not sign a communique troops by the end of 1994 as planned. tion of former Soviet citizens was im- with the other Baltic states unless they In its turn, the presence of 27,000 possible before the Russian troops' appointed a commissioner to protect Russian troops, and Russian intelli- complete removal from Latvia. This the rights of ethnic minorities. Kozyrev gence (Bungs 1993, January 13) is a faction believes that former Soviet citi- likened the plight of Russian minori- perpetual irritant to the Latvian popu- zens should be treated as "illegal mi- ties in the Baltic to the current situation lation who regard it as interference in grants," and therefore, the world in the former Yugoslavia (Crow 1993, Latvia's domestic affairs. This fuels community should help Latvia to have March 17). The Russian Parliament's nationalist sentiments both in the gov- them repatriated to Russia (FBIS 1993, Committee on Human Rights has ac- ernment and among the population at September 15). cused Latvia of violating the rights of large. Latvia took its running dispute Russian ultra-nationalists continu- minorities, and called upon the coun- with Russia to the United Nations on ally threaten the independence of try's Parliament to make changes in September 29, 1993, where it de- Latvia by claiming that the predomi- their legislation. In the opinion of the manded the immediate withdrawal of nately Russian districtsshould become Committee, Latvia has established "a Russian troops and defended its con- part of Russia (Bungs 1992, December regime unfavourable even for those troversial citizenship laws. Latvian 7). This intensifies the backlash against members of the Russian-speaking President, Guntis Ulmanis, told the the Russian-speaking population, in- population who intended to assimilate General Assembly that the presence of cluding Jews. into the new state's legal environ- foreign forces threatened regional sta- Having analyzed the situation of ment." The Committee drew attention bility, degraded the environment, and Russian-speaking people in the Baltic to the repercussions of the undefined discouraged badly-needed foreign in- republics, a well-known American status of, and discrimination against, vestment. The President dismissed political scientist, Francis Fukuyama, the Russian-speaking populations of charges that efforts to protect the slim warned the United States in his article Latvia, mentioning more specifically majority of ethnic Latvians (which he published in the New York Times, that the intensification of chauvinistic and estimated at 52 percent) amounted to unless the United States is willing to nationalistic forces in Russia and discrimination against Russians, defend the rights of Russian-speaking Latvia, which could threaten regional Ukrainians and others (Reuters 1993, minorities in the Baltic countries, there security. September 29). will be another hot spot appearing on The committee appealed to Latvian The Latvian Parliament voted to re- the map of Europe (Volsky 1993). legislators to take the following ac- move the remains of hundreds of Red Following a recent visit to Latvia, tions: Army soldiers from a military cem- the U.S.-based Helsinki Watch organi- abolish state language examinations etery in Riga, saying that "their pres- zation, on October 29,1993, gave Pre- for those over 50 years old; eliminate ence offends nationalist sentiments in mier Valdis Birkavs a list of violations any requirements for command of the former Soviet republic" (Toronto and irregularities in the implementa- the state language; reduce settlement Star 1993, February 3). In turn, Leonid tion of human rights. Baltic media re- requirements in LaMa to five years Mayorov, the commander-in-chief of ported that most of the criticism had to and generally redefine "permanent the Northwestern Military Group do with the registration of non- residency" in Latvia; reconsider and Forces of the Russian Army, accused Latvians, especially members of the reduce the numbers of people who the Latvian Home Guard of repeated Russian military, former members of cannot receive atizenship; and con- the Soviet army and their families, by born provocations against Russian military fer citizenship upon children to the Citizenship and Immigration De- parents without citizenship (Moscow personnel, and he sent Latvian Su- Baltfax 1993, February 25). preme Council Chairman, Anatolijs partment from March 1992 to March Gorbunovs, a letter containing a warn- 1993. Helsinki Watch also objected to

-- Rejbge, Vol. 13, No. 7 (November-December 1993) 13 recent legislation stipulating that non- explained to the family that they could Bungs, Dzintra. 1992. "Plirinovskfs view8 of citizens in Latvia receive only 90 per- find no witnesses, no evidence, and no the Baltic Stater." In Radio Free Europc 234, December 7. cent of the state pension (Bungs 1993, motive, and, therefore, had no practi- -. 1992. "Majority of R& in Latvia November 2). cal reason to open an investigation of want Latvian dtizenship." In Radio Free the case. In a police report handed to Europc 232, December 6. Anti-Semitism and Ultra-Nationalism the victim's wife, it was stated that he crow, sUZUU\e. 1993. "Kozyrrv demands mi- norities commissioner." In Radio Free Europr According to senior Life correspond- had fallen from a height of five feet and 52, March. ent, Edward Barnes, "a resurgent anti- died of his injuries, contrary to what Foreign Bmadcaskrs Infomtion Srrviar (FBIS). Semitism is forcing the Jews of Latvia the doctors and a few of the investigat- 1993. "Council of Europe to Examine Dnft to run for their lives" (Barnes 1992).l ingofficers had told her (Monitor 1993). Citizenship Law." FBIS-SOV-93-177, Septemkr 15. He claims that neo-Nazis are becom- Anti-Semitic statements are even -. 1993. "Russian Chief WarnsTroopsMay ing increasingly visible in Latvia. made by People's Deputies. One of Be Armed to Prevent 'Pnwocati01u1." FBIS- Among the 15,000 member armed them, Juris Debelis, has been cited ac- SOV-93-104, J-2. cusing "Russian Yidloving journal- GMuI, Sluli~~.1993. "Latvia BW pro-Com- Latvian police, for instance, there are munirt Organizations." In RadioFree Europr, two units composed of "Old Wani- ists" of causing the country's October 7. ors," former members of the Waffen hardships. Another People's Deputy, -1993. "Crime in Baltic Stam in 1992." In SS. Some of them have been training in Juris Bojars, said that Latvians should Radio Free Europe 40, March 1. the farm country outside Riga. For six never apologize to Jews for the injus- -. 1993. "DeclineinLatvianindustrialp~ duction." In Radio Free Europe 27, February weeks they lived together in a dormi- tice done to them because Jews in the 10. tory and filled their days with march- Soviet Government assisted in ITAR-TASS. 1993. "Jewish Memorial Vandal- ing, target practice, war stories and deportations and massacres of ized; Gorbunovs Apologizes." June 12. new politics. Even more disconcerting Latvians in the past (Koval1993).s Kolmanson, D. 1993. Address to The Union of Councilsfor Souiet Jews 12, April 5-11. for Jews, he insists, is the sight of the Notes Koval, Leonid. 1993. "Update on Anti-Semitism Aizsargi, the paramilitary group that in Latvia." Monitor 4, October 1992- helped the Nazis in their attack on Riga 1. On December 2,1992, Ojars Kalnins, Minis- February 1993. and kihed many Jews. This group, ter Counsellor of the Embassy of Latvia, Litvinova, Irina. 1993. "How Latvia Combats wrote a letter to Pamela Cohen, National Discomforting Information." In Izucstia, which can be seen patrolling the streets President of the Union of Councils for So- April 2. and marching in rallies, claims to have viet Jews, in which he catalogues, "the er- Monitor. 1993. "Jews in Riga Victims of Deadly 14,000 members (Barnes 1992). rors, distortions and unsupported claims" Assaults." Vol. 4, October 1992 - February Anti-Semitism is becoming more made by Barnes in his article. Latvian Am- 1993. bassador to the UN Aivars Baumanis also Moscow Baltfax. 1993. "Latvia, Estonia Accused overt. Many Latvian Jews experience stated in an interview that the Lifi corre- of Human Rights Violations." February 25. personal confrontations with mem- spondent had been used as "a pawn in Rus- Myalo, Ksenia. 1993. "Is it easy to be a Russian bers of Old Warriors and their sup- sian propaganda." Latvian media made in Riga?" In New Times International 7. porters who tell them to "get out" considerable efforts to refute or at least Petersons, Agris. 1993. "Latvia: No Economic downplay the article. However, an editor's Upheavals in the Offing." InMaPeau Nm8 (Barnes 1992). During a world con- note in the March issue of Lifi affirms that February 18 gress of Jews in Riga, commemorative the magazine, "stands by its story" Pushkar, Arnold. 1992. "The Scventh Wave of slabs installed at a site in Bikernieks (Litvinova 1993, April 2). Emigration Could be the Most Massive in forest where 46,500 Jews hadbeen shot 2. Latvian Parliament Chief, Anatolijs Russia's History." In lzvrstiu, August 11. Radio Riga Network. 1993. "CSCE Envoy Dis- to death 50 years ago, were desecrated. Gorbunovs, described this as an act of van- dalism. On June 11,1993 he apologized to cusses Rights for Russian-Speakers." Swastikas and inscriptions "Judenfrei" the Jews for the crime (ITAR-TASS 1993, September 15. (free from Jews) were drawn on the June 12). . 1993. "Ulmanis, CSCE OfficialDiscuss slabs2 Schools present Jews in a de- Rights Issues." September 14. References -. 1993. Untitled, May 25. InFBIS-SOV-93- rogatory light. A new Latvian history 100, May 26. textbook for 12-year-olds gives a false Rnrtcrs. 1993. "Latvia Seeks UN Backing for Ex- picture of the role of the Jews in the American Association of Russian Jewry. 1992. In- Soviet Troop Pullout." United Nations, . It mentions, for ex- formation Bulletin 9/10, November. September 29. Barnes, Edward. 1992. "Soon They Will Come Riga Lcta. 1993. "83% of Residents Said Below ample, that the organizer of Stalin's for Us." In Lifi 12. Subsistence Wage Level." In FBIS-SOV-93- violence in Latvia was Simons Bungs, Dzintra. 1993. "Helsinki Watch on 183, September 23. Schustins, of Jewish background Human Rights in Latvia." In Radio Free Eu- Thc Toronto Star. 1993. "Latvia to Remove '- (American Association of Russian Jewry rope 210, November 2. Offensive' Remains." February 3. -1993. "CSCE Commissioner on minor- Trumbull, Charles. 1993. "...And the Baltics." In 1992, November). ity rights in Latvia." In Radio Free Europe 14, Radio Free Europe 13, January 21. A number of recent beatings of Jews, January 22. Volsky, Dmitry. 1993. "Baltic States: High or two of which resulted in death, have -. 1993. "Inflation Up, Production Down Low Tide?" In New Times 20. alarmed the Jewish community in inLatvia." InRadioFree Europe9, January 15. Yemelyanenko, Vladimir. 1993. "The 'Russian' -. 1993. "Figures on Soviet Military Pres- Question as the First Touchstone." In Riga. In the case of the beating death of ence in Latvia." In Radio Free Europe 7, Moscow News 24, June 11. o 53-year old Semen Riftin, police January 13.

14 Refuge, Vol. 13, NO. 7 (November-December 1993)