• Latvia Looks for Off-Shore Exploration Interest
• Ringleader of "Perkonkrusts" organization put on trial
• TABLE-Third International Mathematics and Science Study
• European Union Chronology (we all head about it, but when did it start?)
• Baltic Assembly session discuss NATO integration
• WTO approves accession of Lithuania (joining Latvia and Estonia)

• Russia to pay allowances to WWII veterans in Baltics
• EU says Latvia catching up in accession race
• NATO: Visit to NATO by Ms. Vaira Vike-Freiberga
• EU to approve plans for east European farm funds
• Russia's Putin Wants Changed Anthem

• EU-Russia partnership beneficial for Latvia
• Latvian coalition opposes further deficit increase
• Latvian court denies Nazi suspect arrest appeal
• Monument unveiled at cemetery of SS Latvian Legion
• Latvians unveil memorial to Waffen SS conscripts
• Latvia says Russia nostalgic for Soviet empire
• Latvia ready to hold talks with Putin in any time
• CE chaired by Latvia to watch Balkan, Caucasian developments
• Names In The Game
• Baltic EU reports seen positive but work remains
• Baltic states will not join Nordic Council
• Reuters historical calendar - November 18
• Rautakirja expands operations in the Baltic countries
• Lithuanian diplomat to spearhead NATO entry bid
• Ethnic Russians threaten to blow up Latvian church
• Latvia-Boycott
• Troubled Times for Chronicler of Soviet Horror

• Kalejs arrest is approved in court
• SEB ups its buyout offers for Baltic banks
• Web cam installed in Latvian foreign ministry
• Delta and Czech airlines file for code-share approvals, would add regular route to Riga via Prague

• Russian, Baltic interior ministers to discuss cooperation on crime fighting
• Germany urges fair distribution of compensation to victims of Nazism
• Russia's export of ammunition cartridges grows 20-fold
• Vaira Vike-Freiberga urges NATO to step up expansion plans
• Norway supports Lithuania's plan to shut down Lithuanian reactor

• Russia worried tarrifs will rise if and when Baltics join the EU
• Child poverty is a serious situation in Eastern Europe [link]
• Russia protests new Latvian visa requirements
• Russian MP denounces proposed bill to ban wearing of foreign/pre-1991 military regalia
• Prosecutors continue to press for the arrest of Kalejs
• Russian war veterans also blast proposed Latvian bill banning military medals and honors
• Baltic and Russian ministers to meet on anti-crime cooperation

• New Latvian-Russian visa procedures in the works
• Lithuania joins the World Trade Organization
• Swedes take over partial interest in BaltCom GSM
• Belorussian and Latvian border guards cooperate on anti-smuggling campaign
• Latvian-Russian seminar on transport of Russian goods held
• Over 1,000 agricultural producers attend annual Moscow exhibition
• Former Communist leader Brazauskas cashes in on Lithuanian protest vote
• Economic markets fallout from Brazauskas win

• Russia expresses concerns about EU expansion, Baltics minority rights
• Swedish bank SEB also poised to take over Lithuania's biggest bank
• Latvian prosecutors charge Kalejs on war crimes
• Lattelkom to be privatized
• First Belarrussian local councils meeting takes place

• FBI chief visits Latvia
• Swedes set to buy out rest of Unibanka
• Baltics irritated by slow EU progress
• Unibanka greed factor
• Russia uses statement about anti-ballistic missiles/nuclear defense to also take a whack at the Baltics again over Russian minority rights
• Front-runners want to stick to 2003 EU date
• Gold medal roundup from the Olympics, including Latvia's first ever gold
• Russian culture and education center opened in Vilnius
• Lyudmilia Putin attends exhibition opening in Kalingradhails its emergence as a cultural center

• Latvia, China to expand parliamentary cooperation
• “Discriminatary” language law comes into force in Latvia, as reported by the Russian press
• Latvia to drop simplified procedure for border crossing
• The Nazi horrors of Rumbula are still haunting us
• Russia determined to launch Baltic pipeline system to save transit costs
• World Bank approves loan for solid waste disposal
• The Lithuanians debut "Putin Vodka"

• EU Expansion chief makes some perturbing comments
• 2001 Latvia deficit reduction likely to be short of target
• The Baltic States provide financial incentives to Olympic medal winners
• Estonia urges joint Baltic effort to sue Russia for Soviet damages
• Women world leaders gather at the UN Summit in New York
• EU support rising in Latvia as farmers point to competitors' subsidies
• The Russian Central Bank is about to issue new money, again

• This day in history, September 3rd
• Accidental foreign ministry guard shooting incident ends
• Actor Maximillian Schell's visit to Riga cut short by health problems
• Bank clerk foils robbery attempt in Daugavpils
• Latvian officials meet with IMF to discuss budget deficit
• OSCE endorses Latvian language law (!)
• U.S. Embassy issues statement praising new language law
• Communist Chinese Chairman Li Peng to visit Baltics
• Poles and Russian dedicated a memorial in Mednoye, Russia commemorating the slaughter of Polish officers as well as Russians by Stalin's secret police

• August 21st in history; Latvia declares independence from USSR
• Latvia grants residence permits to freed pilots
• American, Russian veterans celebrate WWII victory
• Bombs explode in the Centrs market in Old Riga
• Bomb threats increase
• August 25th in history, Latvia incorporated into USSR
• Riga bombing records its first fatality
• Presidential candidate Bush says Russia must not have NATO veto power
• Ukranian, Latvian presidents discuss economic cooperation
• Cabinet approves Latvian language law rules
• Russia denounces Latvian language law rules
• Regionally, prospects bleak in Kalingrad

• This day in history (past), August 5th... Engels, co-founder of modern communism, died on the same date as Latvia was absorbed into the Soviet Union
• Putin thanks India for their release of Russian-Latvian pilots from life sentences for smuggling arms
• Latvian political parties split on the privatisation of Latvenergo (both sides of our families voted against privatisation)
• In Lithuania, 1,500 former KGB came forward prior to an August 5th deadline in order to seal their records

• Russian Foreign ministry blasts Latvian court for jailing war veteran
• Russia blasts Latvia over war crime case
• Latvia approves extradition treaty with Australia
• IMF says Latvia poised for economic rebound
• Latvia cautious on new Russian foreign policy
• Eli Lilly to donate drugs to fight tuberculosis
• On This Day - July 14th
• Extradition Deal Signed in Latvia

• Latvia doubts Russian Federation will pay compensation for Soviet era damages
• U.N. rankings of world's nations in human development
• Russian speakers allegedly mistreated in Latvia and Estonia
• German, Latvian presidents discuss cooperation in Baltics
• Latvians opposed to utility sale win key victory
• Georgia buys passenger train made by Latviaand Germany
• Latvia set to join NATO, EU — Berzins
• Protesting Latvian farmers block Lithuanian borders
• Latvia seeks Australia aid over Kalejs
• Moscow criticizes Latvia for sentencing Savenko

• Latvians mark the 60th anniversary of the Soviet takeover
• Latvia plans WW2 charges against Kalejs
• Abandoned Ship Crews
• Lithuanian parliament slams Russia's NATO stand
• Ranking of World's Health Systems (Latvia in the bottom half of the world's countries)
• Gorbachev says Putin no dictator
• Tearful Veterans Recall Nazi Invasion of Russia

• U.S. Defense Secretary Cohen: Russia must do its part for good relations
• World Health Organization: Misusing antibiotics makes them less effective (highest concentration of multi-drug resistant TB is in Estonia and Latvia; also, TB problems in the Estonian prison system were featured this week on network TV, on Nightline)
• Lithuania approves law calling for payment of Soviet damages by Russia
• Baltic politicians say Soviet crimes must be tried; June 14th, 1941 commemorated as the start of Stalin's deportations
• Putin says NATO expansion (into Baltics) threatens global stability
• Estonian president hits back at Putin on NATO comments
• Estonia PM Supports Vilnius's Soviet Damages Claim
• This day in history — June 17th, 1940 — Red army occupies Estonia, Latvia

• Russian Experts Warn of Tension With NATO Over Baltic
• Conference opens in Jurmala to discuss Russia-Latvia dialogue
• Latvia will not win economically if it joins NATO (Russian threat)
• NATO, Baltic states hold exercises
• Talbott pledges to help Baltics hunt war criminals
• U.S. Urges Better Russia, Baltic Ties
• Putin rules out discussing Karelia status (pre-WWII Finland territory annexed by USSR)
• Chinese Top Legislator Meets Latvian Parliament Deputy Chairman

• Russia slams Latvian leader's "aggressive tone"
• Latvia tells EU good ties with Russia a priority
• Bilingualism Symposium to be held in Puerto Rico
• FEATURE-Latvia confident it has shaken off Soviet image
• Latvian petition opens to ban utility sale
• Schroeder to visit Baltic states before Putin summit
• Latvia-Russia dialogue prospects to be discussed

• European Bank for Reconstruction and Development gets a new head; Vaira Vike-Freiberga quoted on Russian stability
• A fresh scholarly look at the breakup of the Soviet Union... integration of the Baltics after WW II helped sow the seeds of destruction
• Vasili Kononov takes up Putin's offer, renounces Latvian citizenship
• Iceland's Prime Minister argues for NATO expansion
• "Russia makes me nervous," Vaira Vike-Freiberga quoted in Der Spiegel

• neglected Russian military burials outside Russia
• a cryptic report of a quote from Gennady Seleznev, presumably about the Latvian president
• Swedish foreign ministier says Latvia could be ready for EU next year
• Russia slams Latvia (yet again) over Farbtukh conviction
• business leaders urge Balts to fight corruption
• nine states, including Latvia, join in NATO membership statement
• Vice President Gore's comments on nine-way NATO statement
• the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) met in Riga; first, an article outlining its history...
• followed by a report on the EBRD's meeting

• Landesbergis introduces legislation calling for Moscow to compensate Lithuania for 50 years of repression and environmental damage
• Latvian authorities commemorate end of WW II
• Danish firms reportedly offer tours including teen-age sex in Latvia
• Russians to yet again play their violin about human rights abuses in Estonia and Latvia (their consistent response in the face of censure and suspension from Counil of Europe over Chechnya)
• Berzins hopes for Latvian NATO membership by 2003
• Latvian legislature turns down "special privileges" for anti-fascist fighters (read WWII Soviet army retired in Latvia)
• Russia Human Rights commisioner to visit Latvia

• Commentary on Russia's reaction to defeat at Latvian hands

Sports
• Ice hockey - Latvia celebrate first win in world championships
• Latvia hands Russia third successive hockey defeat
• Thousands take to streets after Latvian hockey win
• Ice hockey - Beaten Russia slammed by media, fans, MPs (subject of this week's commentary)
• Russia Out After Swedes Draw With Swiss in Hockey [excerpted]
• World Hockey [excerpted] (Latvians tie U.S. team Sunday, today)

News
• Latvian President Says Russia Trying To Undermine Baltic Unity
• Russia Denies Latvian Accusation Over Foreign Policy
• Russia hits back over Latvian leader's remark
• On this Day, May 4th [excerpted]
• Latvia fires shot at former master
• Russian pensioners in Baltic states to get Russian stipend
• Latvian Government Approved
• Latvian Premier aims to restore confidence in authorities

• Latvia, Australia see pact leading to Kalejs return
• Kononov released from custody
• Latvian president picks nice guy for tough task
• Russia welcomes UN resolution on ethnic minorities
• Fossil find in Estonia, Latvia
• Latvia PM-designate says cabinet formation imminent
• Wreaths to Russian Europe war memorials to be laid
• Sports - Latvian Hockey Standings

• Riga's mayor has been nominated for Prime Minister
• Soviet-era genocide suspect dies in custody in Latvia
• Russian Valdai-Riga gas pipeline blast halts supplies to Riga
• Latvia to try (afore-mentioned) dead Soviet official for genocide
• Latvian Embassy participates in White House Easter Egg tradition
• Lithuania to host NATO conference

• Latvia erects memorial to U.S. Airmen
• Stalinist hunt, an Estonian perspective [plus links]
• Russian ambassador to Latvia not allowed to meet Kononov
• Russia's Putin approves Kononov's citizenship bid
• Latvia PM Skele quits, new government may take one month
• Russian envoy stunned by silence over human rights abuses in Latvia, Estonia
• Baltic Sea Summit ends
• NATO Supreme Commander Clark says NATO expansion good for Russia too

• Skele cleared on pedophilia charges, Adamsons vows to continue attack
• New fossils found in Latvia bridge evolutionary gap between sea- and land-based animals
• Duma rejects sanctions, but blasts Latvia's "Russophobia"
• Skele fires Economics Minister Vladimirs Makarovs, government coalition put in jeopardy
• Latvian parliament blocks amendment to grant non-citizens the right to elect local authorities
• Latvia's Way supports existing coalition; Fatherland party so-so on Skele

• Cesis is simply falling down
• Russian Duma considers legislative measures against Latvia
• Russia complains about anti-Russian discrimination
• Russia repeats old saw that NATO expansion to Baltics threatens Russia
• The three Baltic presidents meet
• EU Enlargement Commissioner warns Russia to stop meddling
• Comments today from NATO's Supreme Commander in Europe

• Ulmanis may meet with Yeltsin
• Trial opened of extremist Latvians
• Russia to complain about Latvia in particular at U.N.
• Latvian government prepared forDuma sanctions
• Russia warns Latvia relations have deteriorated dangerously
• Likely Putin election positive for Baltics
• Russian presidential candidate suggests boycotting Latvian trade, trade routes
• Russia to provide more "support" for Russians abroad
• Russia indignant over move to make June 17th, Soviet invasion day, an official memorial day

• Russia replaces lost Latvian radar base
• Russia no longer needs to rent Latvian oil tankers
• Women's Day Soviet holdover
• Savenko trial in Liepaja is off
• The Latvian Waffen SS commemorate their fallen breathren
• Putin "expects U.S. lawmakers to stigmatize" nations prosecuting anti-fascists
• Valentins Silamikelis—one Waffen veteran
• Duma denounces Waffen SS marches, wants sanctions
• A balanced view on the Waffen SS
• Russian foreign ministry says, don't dare compare Soviets to fascists; threatens Baltic instability over Latvian NATO membership
• visa procedures from Latvia to U.S. change

• Former KGB officer Yevgeny Savenko goes on trial in Liepaja
• Latvian committee for human rights plans protest
• Belarussians smuggling empty bottles into Latvia for better redemption terms
• Russia Foreign Ministry denounces Savenko trial as Latvian attempt to rehabilitate Nazism
• Latvia complains to OSCE about Russia (after Russia complains about Latvia)
• Latvian embassy in Moscow is defaced
• Russian Foreign Ministry expresses regret over defacing incident
• Nazi hunter hopeful Kalejs will be taken to trial

• Latvian Gypsy community expected to testify against Kalejs if there is a trial
• Australia, Canada, Germany Great Britain, Israel, and United States reprepsentatives meet with Latvian Prosecutor General on Nazi crimes investigation
• A move to publicize the names of former KGB officials in Latvia
• Construction of Russian oil pipeline bypassing Latvia will start this year
• Russian veterans societies liken Kononov conviction to "unleashing genocide"
• Russian presidency candidate suggests economic sanctions against Latvia for Kononov conviction
• Upcoming date in history, March 3rd has been a busy one for Latvia

• Russia calls Estonian government pro-Nazi for decorating anti-Soviet fighters
• Six nations send delegates to Latvia to discuss Kalejs evidence
• Russia wants participation in Latvian Nazi crimes investigation
• Pedophilia accusations fly
• Putin says Kononov conviction is "the first time in world practice a person has been punished for the struggle against fascism."
• Kononov's daughter, Irina thanks Putin for citizenship offer
• Vaira Vike-Freiberga takes wait and see attitude, plus Birkavs, Skele reactions
• Yeltsin spurns highest Latvian award, calls Kononov conviction "an insult to the millions of victims of fascism"
• Russians left 12 MILLION TONS OF RADIOACTIVE WASTE in Estonia—in a sludge pond leaking into the Baltic Sea
  Sports

• a far-right party is brewing in Latvia
• Lithuania says they're not trying to jump the NATO/EU queue
• agriculture and farm protections are a key EU issue
• Latvian parliament approves EU integration
• Putin supports oil pipeline bypassing Latvia
• EC president Romano Prodi praises Latvia, urges further integration of minorities
• Prodi says EU would extend absolute security guarantees to all of its members
• Latvia radio-telescope "Little Star" news feature
• Wiesenthal Center accuses Latvia of (wrongly) overturning genocide convictions

• Holocaust monument erected in Kalingrad
• Foreign Minister Berzins urges objective look into past
• "Latvian" aircrew sentenced to death for smuggling arms to Indian separatists
• February 9 (1929) in history, another broken promise, the Litvinov protocol
• Gil Kane, renouned Latvia-born comic book artist passes away
• Foreign Minister Indulis Berzins scolds Lithuania for trying to jump the NATO queue

• the U.S. urges Russia to drop its opposition to the Baltic States joining the EU and NATO)
• Latvia offers its opinion of Russian complaints about Kononov conviction
• Kalejs continues in the news
• The Russian Duma condemns Kononov conviction, paints WWII Soviets as anti-Nazi heroes

• Assassination suspect is detained in Latvia
• French ex-EU chairman disagrees with EU expansion, or at least how it is being done
• Russians are building a crude oil pipeline to the Gulf of Finland (putting Baltic's "transit economy" at risk of disappearing where crude oil is concerned)
• Latvian president Vaira Vike-Freiberga asks for international cooperation and assistance in the Kaljes case (if there is proof, bring it forward)
• A Soviet partisan is convicted in Latvia (for WWII crimes); controversy continues

• Kalejs admits being a member of Arajs — typically, Itar-Tass (the Russian news service) reports it as saying he "commanded death squad"
• EU will not be influenced by Russia regarding the admission of the Baltic States
• The Latvian government's web site was hacked into
• Annual worldwide quality of life rankings released for 218 cities, Riga ranks 97th
• Majority of Arajs were posted in Russia, not Latvia; it's quite possible Kalejs was not involved in Holocaust activities
• Convicted Soviet NKVD member Mihail Farbtuh has sentence reduced for health/age reasons
• feature article on the effect of the Kalejs affair on Latvia's image
  plus Sports

• Riga's art nouveau architecture is the best!
• Latvian Prosecutor General resigns
• Suspected war criminal Konrad Kalejs continues to dominate the news
• Russian lawmaker urges U.S. to abandon Chechnya criticism, adds that if the Baltic states of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia fulfill their goal of joining NATO, "it would precipitate a major crisis" in U.S.-Russian relations

plus Sports

Op Ed — Our Greatest Resource

• The "discovery" of Konrad Kalejs in Britain; he is alleged to have participated in the Holocaust in WWII
• The economic outlook for 2000
• Y2K seems to have come and gone without incident
• What might we expect of Putin?