LNAK News Archive

Roberts Putnis

Speech by Latvias President to the United States Congress

Address by H.E.Dr.Vaira Vīķe-Freiberga, President of the Republic of Latvia, at a joint session of the United States Congress Washington , June 7, 2006

Remembering Stalin's Year of Terror

To that end, they have striven to malign and denigrate those fighters by labelling them Nazis.

The Government of Latvia has consistently condemned the crimes committed by totalitarian systems in Europe during the Second World War. The Government has also firmly disassociated itself from any expressions of totalitarian ideologies and beliefs incompatible with the values of a democratic society. The freedom of speech and assembly are guaranteed in Latvia for everybody.

During the Second World War more than 100,000 Latvian citizens were mobilised into various formations of German armed forces in contradiction to international law. Some Latvian units were attached to Waffen-SS structures in spite of the fact that Latvian military personnel never belonged to SS organization.

Particular groups of citizens have chosen to mark March 16 privately as a commemoration day of all Latvian soldiers who fought against the Soviet Army during the World War II. Since 1998 Russian Federation has exploited this for political reasons by falsely claiming that former members of SS organisation are manifesting freely in Latvia. No Nazi symbols or uniforms have ever been displayed.

In 2005 a group of left wing activists and associated local sympathisers of Russian fascists tried to provoke violent clashes during the commemoration day events. The police acted promptly. Latvian authorities are determined to avoid similar incidents in the future and therefore are deeply concerned with the attempts of certain Russian politicians and diplomats to present these security measures as restrictions of the freedom of expression.

How individual Latvians perceived their duty to protect their country in 1941 varied from person to person. Nobody maintains that there was only one, correct course of action during the chaos caused by Stalin's imperialistic aspirations. Opinions may differ - what are relevant are motivation and the purpose.

What is true is that the majority of the Latvian Legion was forcibly conscripted, in contravention of international law. What made their predicament less repugnant in the circumstances was the opportunity to fight against a regime of terror which had already managed to perpetrate crimes against humanity directly affecting each and every Latvian.

Naturally, first and foremost, they wanted to rid their country of the greater of two evils.

That they had to choose at all is Latvia's tragedy.

There are not, and have never been, pro-Nazi demonstrations in modern Latvia. There have been, and are, gatherings of veterans from both sides to commemorate and pay respect to their dead.

Thus, those who support the authors of the said misinformation themselves remember their comrades every year, at the foot of the so-called Victory monument.

Despite the fact that, to Latvians, the Victory monument represents Stalin's bloodstained regime and the commencement of fifty years' occupation, those who persist in glorifying Stalin's regime are tolerated by the majority of the population, and have never been denied the right to express their opinions, no matter how grossly offensive such opinions have been - offensive to Latvians, and offensive, also, to the idea of peace and freedom.

It is for this very reason that, in this instance, the choice of the Freedom Monument is so appropriate. It reveals the true identity of those whom supporters of Stalinism seek to portray as Nazis, and confirms that, in fact, they fought for the reasons they said they did. There are absolutely no grounds for believing otherwise.

There are no Nazi insignia, no Nazi symbols, no Nazi slogans. There are no calls voicing Nazi sentiments.

These vocal supporters of the Russian occupation are apparently unaware of the sentiment inscribed in the Freedom Monument - "For Fatherland and Freedom". They have forgotten how, during the occupation, Latvians were imprisoned simply for assembling at the monument to demonstrate their faith to those words.

How perverse that these latter-day Stalinists now claim the monument as their own.

That they claim the country as their own is not surprising - Russia still regards it as her property.

The paradox is that, at all other times, they completely refuse to identify themselves with Latvia.

Once again, it is a matter of convenience. 

The efforts to suppress freedom of assembly are an insult to the common values respected within the European Community, and an insult to all those who perished and suffered under Stalin's reign of terror.

Rather than promoting an heroic image of the German armed forces, these veterans are reminding the community of the historical truth that both Russia and Germany were jointly responsible for the hostilities which led to the enslavement of so much of Europe for such a long time.

Rather than falsifying history, they are drawing attention to the fact that this chapter of history has not yet been fully explored, much less adequately evaluated.

The war is over. There are no sides now. Old soldiers should be allowed to be old soldiers. They are not criminals.

To speak in terms of "interpreting history" is to employ jargon used by the Soviet regime to shape history according to political convenience. References to Hitler are irrelevant - it is not Hitler who is being remembered, nor is it at a Nazi monument that the dead are being honoured.

The truth lies in the hearts of the fighters at the time when their homeland was threatened.

That so many people in Latvia, to this day, remain stateless, is evidence of the efforts of those who look back on Stalin's regime with fondness, and of their relentless campaign, to  inhibit the integration of the majority of migrants into one, whole community of those who call Latvia home.

Despite such efforts, more than a 100,000 people have become naturalised in the last ten years, and still more are doing so now.

The reason is obvious - they simply want to lead a normal life, as part of one, normal community.

That they have been able to do so vividly illustrates that anyone else in a similar position can choose to do likewise. It is simply a question of good faith.

There is no outbreak of Nazism in Latvia.

There is, however, a lingering cult of Stalin worship.

The only positive aspect of all of is that it underlines the pressing need to assess the true nature of Stalin's regime, the true cost of such regime to the countries which suffered from it, and to end the continued denial of the atrocious crimes against humanity committed in its name.

Given that the European Parliament is gradually becoming aware of the need for such an assessment, as is the Council of Europe, the letter from the said NGOs is a welcome catalyst inasmuch as it draws attention to many crucial issues.

Sincerely,

Ģirts Valdis Kristovskis
Latvian Member of European Parliament 

LNFC Scholarship to work in Museum of the Occupation of Latvia

In order to help Canadian students participate in the work of the Museum of the Occupation of Latvia, LNFC  is offering a scholarship  of $2,800 for one student to work at the museum in the summer or fall of  2006. The museum needs workers who are able to help either with archival work, data entry, translation or in some other way. In order to apply for this scholarship students should write a letter (in Latvian) to the board of the Museum of the Occupation of Latvia explaining their qualifications for the position. This should include information about the student's education and activity in the Latvian community. The letter should also affirm the student's willingness to work on at least a few weekends.

This letter should be sent to the LNFC office ( 4 Credit Union Drive , Toronto Ontario M4A 2N8 ) before February 15, 2006.  These letters will then be forwarded to the Museum of the Latvian Occupation where the final decision will be made. The winner of the competition will be contacted by the LNFC.

Vision for the Museum of Occupation - The Hall To Be

The Museum of Occupation in Latvia, in its twelfth year of operation, provides for remembering, marking, and reminding about the three waves of occupation of the country of Latvia. The efforts of the museum have not gone unrecognized. Each month sees growing attendance. On October 25^th it registered this year's 100,000^th attendee. Visiting dignitaries are part of that number. In May, for example, the museum welcomed the wife of the U.S.A. President George Bush, First Lady Laura Bush, and on September 21^st Israeli President Moshe Katsav. In October, officials of Estonia, Belgium, Luxembourg, Egypt, Peru, and India have paid a visit there.  In total, during the year 2005, the museum ran 47 tours for foreign officials. The museum collections are a living record, growing with the addition of new memorabilia, and its video collections keep expanding with the arrival of new testimonial accounts.  All this material will be a valuable resource for historians, sociologists, psychologists, anthropologists, and other researchers involved with the study of the fall-out from the occupation. Currently, the collections include 1,108 video testimonials. In its own right, The Many Voices of History project, part of the education programme, under the guidance of museum specialists, has the students of Latvia researching events of the occupation period as they unfolded in the lives of individuals in diverse regions (the "novadi"). In time, this research will give rise to new course material for schools. This, in turn, will benefit history teachers as they explain the occupation period's historical occurrences.   

Notwithstanding, the museum building has reached its physical limits. The present facilities do not allow for expansion of resources and cannot accommodate more visitors. Some staff must work in shifts due to lack of workspace.

Thus, we are planning to build the Occupation Museum's Hall To Be (OM HB)

The reconstruction project for the museum building has been drawn up and donated by the familiar Latvian architect, Gunars Birkerts. If the politicians of Latvia live up to their promises, then the museum building, under terms of specific regulations, will become the jurisdictional right of the museum, and the Latvian government will finance the reconstruction work. That much is provided for by the law governing the Latvian Museum of Occupation, which in its first reading was reviewed by the parliament (Saeima) and now awaits further process.

Significantly, though, without donor support The Hall To Be is doomed from the start! The new facilities will have to be populated with new display units, the conference hall and workspace will need to be outfitted, and a chapel for remembrance and prayer services will need to be accommodated. It is expected that the new displays will feature about 200 units. Each one of these will cost at least 1,000 lati (LVL), in keeping with plans to work with modern technology and safe materials.

Contributions towards The Hall To Be will be a gift to the memory of the victims of occupation, while at the same time ensuring that the donor's name prevails for the future.

Presently, the museum is preparing for a broad fundraising campaign. Trailblazing it all, the first donations have come forth from organizations and the public at large, with a significant portion of these originating in Canada. In September and October, the museum's representative in Canada, Dagnija Stasko, received from Canada's Latvians an approximate sum of $10,000.CAD$ in support of the Hall To Be.

Examples of contributions from Canada's Latvians towards The Hall To Be include those made in honour of Edgar and Gundega Davidsons' 80^th anniversary, as well as those made in honour of the memory of Edgar and Luize Luidmanis and Lucija Gaide Rozenbergs. Others have made non-designated donations.

Contributing organizations include the following:  The Daugavas Vanagi Foundation - Halifax division and Leicester division in England, The Daugavas Vanagi (Latvian Relief Society) in Canada - its board members, The Hamilton Latvian Biedriba (Organization), The Latvian Education Foundation in England, The Latvian National Council in Great Britain, the Latvian seniors- home -Kristus Darzs- (donation presented by Valters Nollendorfs), the women's committee of Ottawa's Peace congregation, the student sorority Imeria, and The Latvian Canadian Cultural Centre of Toronto.

A pledge for 2006:  The World Federation of Free Latvians has pledged $50,000.US$ towards outfitting The Hall To Be.

Notwithstanding, all this is only a start. The museum awaits each and every donation, especially now that its work is twofold - to continue existing programmes, to develop new displays, to publish books, while at the same time to launch The Hall To Be.

Plans are under way for an expanded fundraising campaign to start with the beginning of the year 2006, so that on July 1^st, 2008, when the museum celebrates its 15^th birthday, The Hall To Be can officially mark its opening day.

5^th BALTIC FILM FESTIVAL IN CANADA

National Film Board Mediatheque
150 John Street, Toronto
Saturday, December 3, 2005

Click here to download more information

Nations In Transit - 2005

Nations in Transit, published annually by Freedom House, is a comprehensive, comparative, multidimensional study focusing on 28 former Communist states and territories. All the country reports, plus an entry on Kosovo, are available from the pull-down menu below. By basing Nations In Transit in Budapest, Freedom House is building greater synergies between the organization's analytical and programmatic work in the post-Communist environment. Click Here to view section on Latvia.

Canada and the Republic of Latvia sign Social Security Agreement

Ottawa, June 29, 2005  - Ken Dryden, Minister of Social Development, announced today that His Excellency, Robert Andrigo, Canadian Ambassador to Latvia , has signed an international social security agreement with the Republic of Latvia, on behalf of the Government of Canada. The agreement was signed in Riga , Latvia .

Ms. Dagnija Stake, the Minister of Welfare, signed on behalf of the Republic of Latvia .

"Canada is committed to entering into agreements with other countries that offer programs comparable to our Old Age Security program and Canada Pension Plan," said Minister Dryden. "This agreement with the Republic of Latvia is an important step toward strengthening the relationship and cooperation between our two countries."

Social security agreements between Canada and other countries help people who have lived or worked in both Canada and another country to qualify for old age, retirement, disability, or survivor benefits from both countries.

The Agreement applies to Canada's Old Age Security program and Canada Pension Plan and the comparable Latvian pension program, which provides old age, disability, and survivor benefits.

Normally, to qualify for a benefit under the Latvian pension program, a person must have contributed to the program for a minimum number of years. Under the Agreement, people can add together periods of social security coverage under the programs of both countries to qualify for Latvian social security benefits.

In the same way, to be eligible to receive certain benefits under the Canada Pension Plan, a person must have contributed to the Plan for a minimum period. Under the Agreement, Canada will allow people to add periods of contribution to the Latvian pension program to qualify for Canada Pension Plan benefits.

Similarly, to qualify for an Old Age Security pension, people must have resided in Canada for a minimum number of years. The Agreement allows applicants in Canada to use their periods of contribution to the Latvian pension program to meet the residence requirements for an Old Age Security pension.

The Social Security Agreement between Canada and the Republic of Latvia also ensures that Canadian workers can continue to contribute to the Canada Pension Plan if their employer sends them to Latvia to work temporarily. In this way, their Canada Pension Plan protection will not be interrupted. The Agreement also ensures that Canadian companies and their workers are exempt from contributing to Latvia's pension program while they are working in Latvia .

The Agreement between Canada and the Republic of Latvia will enter into force after both countries complete approval procedures specified in their legislation or constitution. It is anticipated that the Agreement will enter into force in 2006.

To date, Canada has signed social security agreements with 48 countries.

This news release is available in alternative formats, on request. Call 1 800 788-8282 on a Touch-Tone phone or through a teletypewriter (TTY).

For information, please contact:

Sarah Bain
Press Secretary
Minister Dryden's office
(613) 941-0766

Media Relations Office
Social Development Canada
(613) 941-1110

Latvian Independance Day Celebration 2004

Join us at the Latvian Canadian Cultural Centre all day on November 18th, 2004 to celebrate Latvian Independance day. Click Here to download a listing of the days events.

LNFC meets with Latvia's Prezident Vaira Vike-Freibergs!

1st row L to R: Lorraine Sausins, Andris Kesteris, Agra Asmus-Vagnere, Ilga Breiksa, Imants Freibergs, Latvijas Prezidente Vaira Vike-Freibergs, Inta Purva, LNAK Priekssedis

2nd row L to R: Dags Demandts, Godu Konsuls Imants Purvs, Imants Jumis, Latvijas vestnieks Kanada Atis Sjantis*, Gunta Krumins, Eriks Dzenis, Normands Goba.

* Latvian Ambassador to Canada A. Sjantis

VITOLS' MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIPS

LNFC Educational and Cultural Fund Offers John and Aina Vitols - MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIPS To full-time students in accredited institutions of higher learning in Canada and elsewhere.

Scholarships must be requested by filling out a special form, which can be obtained from the office of LNFC and must be received by June 15, 2004.

The scholarships will be granted, depending on the progress in studies and nationally social activities The first payments will commence in September of this year.

National Film Board Mediatheque

Wednesday, June 2, 2004
150 John Street, Toronto
416-973-3012

Lithuania

5:00 PM - 6:00 PM

3 short films of documentary, art and fiction.
"Flight Over Lithuania or 510 Seconds of Silence"
"Sunday. The Gospel According to Liftman Albertas"
"The Last Car"

Latvia

6:30 PM - 8:00 PM

Feature film (fiction). "Handful of Bullets"

Estonia

8:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Feature film (dark comedy). "Made in Estonia"

Tickets:

Combined screening from Lithuania and Latvia: $12.00
Estonian feature: $12.00
Special rate for the entire evening (all films): $20.00

The above films are recommended for a mature audience.

Presented by Andris Kesteris in cooperation with the Embassy of Lithuania, the Embassy of Latvia, the Baltic Federation in Canada and the Latvian National Federation in Canada.

Immediately following the Toronto showing, the films travel to Winnipeg, where they will be shown on June 5 and 6 in "Winnipeg Film Group Cinematheque".

Here is the link to Winnipeg film Group Programme:
http://www.winnipegfilmgroup.mb.ca/cinematheque/cal.pdf

Descant is pleased to announce for Spring 2004 a special issue on Latvia In Latvia, Observed / Abroad / In Memory

Canada's pre-eminent literary magazine explores perspectives on Latvia, its history, its borders and its distinctions through fiction, poetry, essays, art and photography.

The launch of the issue is part of the University of Toronto Reading Series with readings by contributors Pauls Bankovskis, Modris Eksteins, Nora Ikstena, Diana Kiesners and Knuts Skujenieks.

Culture Capital Foundation (Latvia) Descant and the Latvian National Federation in Canada invites you to join us for an evening celebration of Latvian culture

PIPEDA

THE PERSONAL INFORMATION PROTECTION AND ELECTRONIC DOCUMENTS ACT

What is PIPEDA?

Pipeda is federal legislation which defines how organizations and businesses in Canada may use personal information obtained in the course of conducting their activities.

What institutions fall under the PIPEDA Act?

PIPEDA regulates private sector businesses, institutions and charitable organizations.

TELEVISION / FILM / RADIO / PHOTOGRAPHY QUESTIONNAIRE

Many Canadians of Latvian descent work in the creative media of television, cinematography, radio and photography. Their accumulated experience and success have largely remained unknown to each other due to lack of contact. A forum to exchange news, ideas and experiences would enable us to develop an effective network.

Opportunities to meet and create program partnerships could provide personal and career benefits, as well as better prepare us for future media projects. The Latvian Community would also be a beneficiary.

This questionnaire invites individuals and businesses to express their interest in exchanging information, ideas, and potentially cooperating on media projects. The information provided will be shared among respondents and published as a list/directory.

4th Baltic Film Festival in Canada

The fourth festival of impressive films from the three Baltic nations. Since its inception in 2001, the festival has unveiled diverse, award-winning, internationally acclaimed cinematic works from Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia.

For more information please visit the Baltic Film Festival Website

Protecting Latvian Nationalism

October 4th, 2003

The LNFC board meeting was held on October 4, 2003. The board and branch reports reflected a great activity in the development of future projects. The work group leaders of the various work groups that were created on September 6 for the project "Skats uz mūsu nākotni", reported on their preliminary activities. The demographic work group leader, A. Zakis, reported that J. Dreifelds and R. Klaise have promised to participate. Statistics of the St. Andrew's Latvian church have been received. Setting the intended goals could be accomplished only after ascertaining the demographic situation of the present Latvian society.

T. Kronbergs, the leader of the future requirements work group, has started to look into the living-space requirements. This group requires the participation of the representatives from the three largest Latvian societies. M. Sausins collects information about the activities in Ottawa and Montreal. The next meeting to discuss the future of the Latvian society will be held at the Latvian Canadian Cultural Centre on December, 6, 2003 at 2:00 PM, with chairman A. Budrevics presiding.

G. Krumins reported on the LNFC web page www.lnak.org, whose contents get constantly updated. The main objective is to provide information about LNFC. We have to promote the image of LNFC by utilizing other means of communication, e.g. the TV program "SVEIKS". During the discussion, it was recommended that we do a poll to determine what interests people the most about LNFC. It was also recommended that the donors' names be included in the web page. Up to now, the cost to maintain the web page has been $460. We have to avoid parallelism with the newspapers.

We can be satisfied Union Association. Of all the people that voted, 67% voted "for". In Riga 59% voted "for", but the most "against" votes were cast in Latgale, where most of the population is non-Latvian. In Daugavpils 67% voted "against", in Rezekne - 56% and a little more than 50% "against" votes were cast in regions of Daugavpils and Kraslava. The least - 17% "against" votes were cast in the regions of Kuldiga, Limbazi, Valka and Valmiera.

In the foreign countries, 7,770 Latvian citizens participated in the referendum, with 92.4% voting "for" and 7.5% voting "against". In Ottawa and Toronto combined, 1,011 people participated in the referendum: "for" - 998, "against" - 12, with 1 vote useless. Total votes "for" - 98.8%!

The Latvian independence day celebration, organized by the board of LNFC, will be held at the Latvian Canadian Cultural Centre during "Diena Latvijai" framework, organized by the Centre, on November 18. The main speaker will be Dr. Tadeuss Puisans. The male vocal ensemble "VILKI" from Latvia will provide the music and Latvian students will participate with recitations.

The board of LNFC has already granted one Recognition award. Prospective candidates for four more Recognition awards should be made known to the LNFC board by November 1. PBLA has chosen the laureate for its award already. All laureates will be announced during the various 18th November celebrations.

The LNFC board granted $5,000 to the Relief for Latvia organization "Latviešiem Latvijā - Latvieši Kanadā", whose president is Reverend Arveds Celms.

The LNFC board granted $500 to the Latvian bicyclists of the World Bicycle Championships, held in Hamilton from October 7 to 12.

The LNFC card index system is not complete. How to update it and verify it requires the responsiveness of the Latvian society and will be discussed in the next board meeting.

All three LNFC representatives to the PBLA, A. Budrevics, I. Purvs and J. Mezaks will participate in the PBLA board meeting in Riga from October 21 to 24. The main points of dicussion will be how to maintain proper Latvian language and how to teach Latvian history in Latvian schools, ensuring that it is taught as a separate subject. PBLA has to provide pecuniary aid to the Latvian language seminars, which are organized by the region newspapers, e.g. "Kurzemnieks" in Kuldiga.

LNAK has just become a member of the ACC!

June 2003

Established in 1966, the Council is composed of an Executive, Directors and Members from across Canada. The ACC is a registered charitable organization and is Canada's representative to the Atlantic Treaty Association.

Central to the TransAtlantic relationship is a common interest in collective security, manifest for the past fifty years in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. The security alliance joins the two North American to the 17 European members, the 44 Partners for Peace, and the 11 members of the Mediterranean Dialogue Partners. Because human and economic security are also vital relationships, the Council has forged Programme Partnerships with European academic, civil society and economic institutions.

The Atlantic Council of Canada, 6 Hoskin Ave., Toronto, ON, Canada
Email: info@atlantic-council.ca - Tel: (416) 979-1875 - Fax: (416) 979-0825
Website: http://www.atlantic-council.ca

Baltic Business Forum III

June 2, 2003 - Toronto

Continuing the work that began during the year 2002, delegates from Latvia and Lithuania were present, as well as representatives from DFAIT (Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade) and CIDA.

Opportunities for business investments and bi-lateral trade with the Baltics were the main topic and DFAIT offered brief presentations on the importance as well as the implications of EU assession on trade with Canada and also what role a Trade Commissioner can play in assisting an investor with their private business development.

There are plenty of opportunities available, however, statistics show that they still remain largely unexplored. Bi-lateral trade with the Baltic States is at the present time rather modest. During the year 2002, it reached a level of approximately $121 million Canadian dollars. Estonia was the largest exporter of goods to Canada, where Latvia was the largest importer. Canada?s financial investments in the Baltic States is minimal and the Baltic investments in Canada are non-existent. A few trade missions have been organized in the past few years to allow Canadian investors to acquaint themselves with business opportunities in the Baltic States. High Park-Parkdale Liberal MP Sarmite Bulte has, herself, contributed a great deal in the organization of the trade missions and has personally led 2 of them ("Baltic Express" and "Baltic Express II").

The sectors experiencing the most activity are: building and raw materials, information technology and agriculture.

If you would like further information regarding capital investment and business opportunities available or require any assistance, please contact the Business Development Division of LNFC.

What road should we take??

September 20, 2003 - Toronto Latvian Cultural Centre

The Latvian version of this article is available on our homepage of our Latvian website. It is an article that discusses voting for joining the European Alliance on September 20, 2003 and essentially, states that we SHOULD join the European Alliance.

Fourth Annual International Youth Summer Seminar in Latvia

"NATO Summer 2003", August 27th - 30th 2003

The Latvian Transatlantic Youth Club (LTYC) and the Latvian Transatlantic Organization (LATO) invite you to this seminar and welcome you to join the event that brings together participants from all Europe.

NATO Summer is an event for young people from 18 to 25 years interested in security issues and this year is no exception. We will discuss, we will talk about, we will argue, and we will express our opinion about the issues concerning the future of European security and enlarged NATO, with special attention to the relations with countries beyond enlargement wave.

NATO Summer 2003 is characterized by excellent academic and professional substance of discussion and also excellent event of pleasure and fun. The seminar will take place at two famous cities of Latvia - at well-known seaport city Ventspils and the capital of Latvia - Riga. You will enjoy the best we can offer - sound substance of the seminar, great historic and cultural experience, and great people!

For more information - programme and application form, please visit LATO homepage: http://www.lato.lv/eng/ (application deadline July 27). Participants will be selected on competitive basis. Please note that organizers consider the possibility of practical or total coverage or travel expenses (maximum 200 euros per person) on a first come - first serve basis.

Seminar is supported by NATO, Danish Atlantic Treaty Association, Latvian Ministry of Defence.

You are welcome to pass this information to your friends, colleagues and acquaintances!

26th Annual Baltic Night on Parliament Hill, Ottawa

May 28, 2003

Guest Speaker: Peter Milliken - Speaker of the House

Baltic Nights in Ottawa provide everyone the opportunity to meet with Canadian Members of Parliament, delegates from the three Baltic States and an array of other government and non-government officials. It is truly an event, which is certainly set aside for serious political discussions, but one which also offers a delightful way of allowing everyone a chance to either network or merely to spend a truly wonderful evening up at Parliament Hill.

This evening, Canada's Liberal MP Sarmite Bulte, in her opening speech, emphasized the importance of continuing the tradition, which has by and large become more economical in nature, rather than political, as it once was.

Guest speaker, M.P. Peter Milliken, having been given the choice to visit any one of 141 countries, chose the Baltic States and had just returned from his travels. He had been greeted in Lithuania by Roberts Andrigo, Canada's Ambassador to the Baltic States and led his audience through a witty tale of his travels.

Senator Raynell Anreychuk also spoke with such grace and elegance about her past working relationship with the Baltic States and her hope that it continues in a very fruitful manner.

The closing remarks were made by Mr. John Pahapill, Estonian representative of the Baltic National Federation, and key organizer of the evening.

Over 200 guests were present, some having travelled from places as far as Toronto and Kitchener.

Business Roundtable in Ottawa

May 28, 2003

The Baltic Federation in Canada is finding ways to increase bi-lateral trade between Canada and the Baltics.

BFC also offers support and participation of the DFAIT/CIDA (Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade) activities in the Baltics, and their developing of policy for the department's future undertakings in the Baltics -- building on the work done and experiences gained in the past.

On May 28th, 2003, BFC organized the Business Roundtable in Ottawa as well as the XXVI Baltic Evening on the Hill.

Sincere thanks to Edmunds Baumanis and Klavs Sniedze for their participation as panelists for the Latvian side. Mr. Baumanis offered an insightful view into small business management in Latvia as he recalled his own experiences with a family owned hardware store which he opened in Saldus, Latvia. The Lithuanian and Estonian panelists also offered various insights in their own respective enterprises, one of which being within the travel sector. Also present were Canadian government representatives from EDC (Economic Development of Canada) and DFAIT (Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade).

All in all, there were close to 50 participants at the Roundtable, including its 10 panelists. At the end of the nearly one hour discussion that followed the panelists' opening presentations, the following ideas unfolded as answers to the question posed in the basic theme of the Roundtable.

"How could the Baltic communities assist Canada in increasing it?s Trade and Tourism activities in the Baltics":

• all the Baltic peoples in Canada should consider establishing, jointly, a Venture Capital Fund in Canada for the purpose of assisting Canadian (small) business development in the Baltics.
• The three Baltic States should establish their commercial representatives in Canada, for actively / aggressively seeking out firms and individuals in Canada for investments and business developments in the Baltics.
• This is to some extent already taking place between the three Baltic embassies in Canada and their respective Canadian Baltic communities, however, the process could be made more effective by planned systematic interaction between all of them.
• The Canadian Baltic communities should actively promote the Baltics as excellent opportunities for business, tourism and cultural exchanges for Canada to all Canadians.

HOMAGE OF PIANIST ARTURS OZOLINS

On April 5, 2003, at the Latvian Canadian Cultural Centre, pianist Arturs Ozolins received the prestigious Order of Three Stars and the Major Latvian Music Prize (Latvijas Liela Muzikas Balva).

These awards were presented to Mr. Ozolins by the Latvian Ambassador to Canada Atis Sjanits during the reception which was given in his honour and which was held in connection with the LNAK General Assembly Session.

The Ambassador emphasized that Mr. Ozolins is the most distinguished Latvian music performer in exile who has always been very proud of his Latvian heritage and has always expressed this, in words, throughout the entire world during the last ten years.

Mr. Ozolins was born in Libeck, Germany, but at the age of 12, together with his family, moved from Buenos Aires to Canada. He studied at the Royal Music Academy in Toronto, as well as in Paris, France with Nadja Bulange and Vlado Perlemuter. In 1967, Mr. Ozolins graduated with honors from the Mann Music College in New York.

Already at the age of 14, Mr. Ozolins performed with the National Youth Orchestra, and a year later, played two concerts with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. He has performed in many cities, among which are Leningrad, Vilnius and Riga as well as the Pianist Star Festival in Liepaja in 1999.

NEW AMBASSADOR OF THE REPUBLIC OF LATVIA TO CANADA ATIS SJANITS

A. Sjanits was born in District of Liepaja, Latvia, October 12, 1964. Educated at University of Vienna (1992-1993) in International Relations Studies; University of Latvia, Law Faculty (1982-1989); and took various of courses in The Hague, Holland, Strasbourg, France, London, England, Rome, Italy and Hamburg, Germany.

His professional experience: Lecturer at the University of Latvia (1989-1992); Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia as Head of Division for International Law (1992-1996); Ambassador of the Republic of Latvia to the Republic of Lithuania (1996-2000); non-resident Ambassador of the Republic of Latvia to the Vatican with residence in Vilnius (1998-2000) and non-resident Ambassador of the Republic of Latvia to Malta with residence in Vilnius (1999-2000).

He speaks 6 languages: Latvian, English, French, German, Lithuanian and Russian. Has received the following awards: Lithuanian Order of Duke Gedimin, Vatican Order of St. Gregor Magni and French Order of Merits.

He was accredited by Governor GeneralAdrienne Clarkson at TheCitadel, Quebec City, on February 11, 2003. Mr. Sjanits was accompanied by his secretary Mara Fricberga, embassy employee Ieva Lapina, Latvian National Federation in Canada Executive Deputy President Martins Sausins with his wife and Martins Stauvers. In her short speech, governor Clarkson praised Latvian accomplishments in Canada and the world.

The new ambassador discussed with the Governor General the potential official visit to Canada in the near future by Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga. In his speech, he attested his interest in Latvian social endeavors and furthering Latvian interests in diplomatic forum.

Let us wish the new ambassador success and support his endeavors in his new position.