BY BIRGITTA ISACSSON
STOCKHOLM, Sweden - Tensions have escalated between the government of Latvia and Moscow over the past two months as Washington attempts to draw the Baltic countries closer toward the NATO military alliance and tighten the imperialist encirclement of Russia. In response to these moves, the Russian government has demanded immediate repayment of debts from the government in Riga and has threatened to cut off some oil shipments to Latvia. Moscow also accused the Latvian government of discriminating against Russians.

On March 3 Latvian police in riot uniforms attacked a demonstration of a few thousand mainly Russian retirees who were protesting the denial of rent subsidies and rising housing costs. The cops' assault on the elderly protesters was shown on national television in Russia. There are about 700,000 Russians who do not have Latvian citizenship among the 2.5 million people living in the country. Using the attack on the demonstration as a pretext, Russian president Boris Yeltsin ordered his government to route oil shipments and other goods to harbors away from Latvia April 8. Moscow has also threatened economic sanctions.

One week later, U.S. secretary of state Madeleine Albright wrote to Russian foreign minister Yevgeny Primakov warning against using sanctions. U.S. imperialism is probing to step up its intervention in the Baltics citing concern over Moscow's "bullying rhetoric and tactics against Latvia."

Earlier this year U.S. president William Clinton signed a "charter of partnership" with the governments of Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania, which pledges Washington's support for their application to join NATO. The three presidents of the Baltic states met with Clinton and signed a new treaty. "This is a happy day, which make us allies in the next century," said Latvian president Guntis Ulmanis, while his Estonia counterpart, Lennart Meri, remarked, "NATO is the only guarantee for stability in Europe."

Under pressure from Washington, Stockholm, and other imperialist powers, the Latvian cabinet announced April 15 new changes in its citizenship laws. The new legislation grants citizenship to children born in Latvia after August 21,1991. The Latvian parliament will begin debating the new citizenship laws on April 23.

Swedish prime minister Goran Persson had flown into Riga April 15 at the invitation of Ulmanis. "We, the friends of Latvia in Europe look upon your decision with great respect," Persson declared after the meeting with the Lativian president. He promised to maintain close contact, support, and Swedish investments in Latvia

On April 4 the Latvia National Security council, which includes President Ulmanis, the prime minister, and the speaker of parliament, dismissed top army commander Juris Dalbins after he participated in the memorial march of Latvian veterans of Hitler's SS forces in World War II. Dalbins was accompanied by the head of the navy and air force at the March 16 event that involved around 400 veterans from the Latvian SS-legion. They were met by a counterdemonstration who shouted "fascists" and "nazis."

Dalbins was ousted on the same day the security council fired National Police Chief Aldis Lieljukis, who was responsible for the security of a newly restored Jewish synagogue. The synagogue was destroyed by a bomb on April 2. Four days later another bomb exploded outside the Russian embassy in Riga. No one was hurt, but the buildings and Russian diplomat cars were damaged.

The U.S. diplomat Richard Holbrooke has visited Latvia and promised FBI-help to investigate the bombings.

Birgitta Isacsson is a member of the Metalworkers Union in Stockholm.  
 
 
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