The Coat of Arms of Latvia

In recent times various discussions have been present about the question of the Latvian identity and the fundamentals the state of Latvia. Usually such questions are beyond discussion and have been answered before. But, the political shift in present Latvia, pleas by radical forces and foreign pressure has forced Latvians to answer these questions once again. This article will discuss this issue. The statements here are made according to assessments made by the judge of European Union Court and the Chairman of the President of the state Constitutional rights committee Egils Levits.

Latvia is the state of the Latvian nation. This goes right from the foundation of the state of Latvia. It has been coded in Satversme (the constitution of Latvia) even if it’s not directly written in it. This higher principle his the fundamental axiom of the Latvian state its source of existence. With guarantee for democracy, juridical state and socially responsible state it’s the main principle for the state of Latvia.

This was discussed in the times of regaining independence, but it has been neglected by the Latvian political parties and the Latvian the majority of the Latvian intellectuals. They have easily gained post-colonial inferiority complex and cultivated exaggerated political correctness, therefore refraining to speak about this principle. Therefore this axiomatic fundamental has been made unclear and vulnerable for faulty interpretations.

In Estonian and Lithuanian new constitutions it was clearly stated that these states are the national states of Estonians and Lithuanians. It has been said by their politicians and taught in schools. It is clear for every Estonian and Lithuanian. In the Estonian constitution it said that the main priority of the Estonian state is to secure the existence of the Estonian nation, language and culture through the centuries.

 The nation and the state national identity is the normality in Europe. The nationstate identity defines the cultural national identity that is seen in common language, culture and social memory. Therefore the nationstate has to be open, it must involve the national minorities and immigrants in its language and culture, so there can be no ethnic  divisions  within the state.

It does not mean that national minorities and immigrants must give up their identity, its the personal matter. But it means that they must also learn the nationstate identity and be involved in it. Therefore school system must be united and education must have unified democratic and civil standards. Everyone must acknowledge the state they live in and accept the main values of the Latvian state.

This the policy that is needed to overcome the division of the society by ethnic, religious and other criteria. That is the present day European approach for this question.

It has been recently stressed by such European leaders as Angela Merkel, Nikola Sarkozy and David Cameron. Accepting the challenge of the globalization these numerically superior nations also are concerning the questions of their national identity – language, culture, main value preservation to avoid antidemocratic ethnic division.

In France there is annual report by the parliament about the condition of the state language, that is widely discussed by the parliament. There is also national identity minister whose mission is to promote the empowering the national identity and integrate the immigrant people in the French nation.If this has been done the large nations such as French, than this also must be done by the small nations such as Latvians.

There is also question of geographical identity. It’s not the same as exact geographical position. For Finland is located at the edge of Europe, but according to Finns themselves they live in the center of Europe. Also Estonians define themselves as the national European nation. Estonia is located in Europe and nowhere else in the Western world not “somewhere between East to West.” The Estonian president Thomas Ilvess has clearly stated that Estonia must be the part of the “European core” not periphery.

For Estonians it is clear, but if you ask to everyday Latvian the answer will be hesitation. What is European western identity ? How its related to Latvian national identity? The Latvian identity is national- cultural identity, which fundamentals are language, culture and historical and social memory. Its the same as Estonian, Finnish, Swedish and Russian national identity.

However, European identity is structured differently as the national identity. Its fundamental is not language, religion, but wide cultural and historical framework. In last century an addition to this also European common values have appeared. They respect human respect, equality, lawfulness and minority rights and plural democracy. By this possible to divide what political action is European or not. These political values make wider European identity and hold many nations outside Europe who follow these values.

However in Latvian socially political thinking and world view these values are not yet too strong. It is witnessed by comments made by Latvian politicians and simple citizens. Latvians therefore needs no apprehend themselves as European nation just as Estonians, Portuguese and Finns.

Modern Latvian nation can be together deeply Latvian and European and Westernized. Those who try attempt to counter Latvian and European do not understand the base of these identities. The treaty of Lisbon respects the national identity of the member states as written in Fourth amendment.

The last question is the social memory or the concept of Latvian history. Social memory is the collective memory. Nobody lives with his personal memory only. Common experiences make common world views for the nation and therefore common political stance. Social memory is the same as history. History is what has been. Social memory is how we comprehend the what has been. Its not the one in the same.

The social memory forms either unaware or directed by the state to integrate society. For instance independence day 18. November unites the society even if practically none has ever witnessed. The social memory gives the historical facts meaning.

Democratic and national Latvia must form the social memory policy at least according to late century. We must not be afraid from assessing the history. Its needed to better understand our present and state identity. Therefore meaningful social memory policy must be needed for assisting the Latvian state. Inadequate assessments of history negatively affects the Latvian politics and attitude against nation and state.

The main events in XX century are regarded as the revolution in the 1905. as the first Latvian action for social and national freedom. First World war as the birth of Latvian military, even if some regard the founding of the Latvian rifleman as myopic and faulty, it was the first step to make independent Latvian armed forces. The main attention must be given to the foundation of the Latvian state and the war of Independence. This is the main event of Latvian victory and must be given full attention. The coup by Karlis Ulmanis in 1934, should not be regarded as heroic and needed actions for the facts are proving the otherwise. There is needed a differentiated view on Karlis Ulmanis and his time of rule not through the mythical prism.

The occupation of Latvia in 1940, without any doubt must be recognized as the greatest disaster for Latvian nation. It must not be forgotten it has to be researched and the names of the perpetrators and victims must be spelled out. The forming of the Latvian SS Legion and Latvian Red Army divisions must be seen as international crime and action against the Latvian people. But, the veterans of these formations, especially legionaries must not be condemned and they have rights to commemorate their past. The German occupation of Latvia must not bee seen as far more better that Soviet occupation as it was based against the interests of the Latvian nation.  There is no need to believe that Nazi Germany was more friendlier to Latvians rather than Jews. The event of German victory would mean the destruction of Latvian nation so the glorification of the Nazi Germany is not needed.

Instead the national resistance against the both sides must be acknowledged; The Latvian Central Council and Latvian National Partisans. And the dissidents during the Soviet occupation must be praised.

Without understanding the past, we cannot understand the present cannot adequately make our future.  

Tagged: Baltic States, Latvia, Latvian history, Latvian identity, latvian nation, levits, political correctness, social memory ]]> http://latvianhistory.wordpress.com/2012/01/21/the-latvian-indentity-and-the-fundam/feed/ 0 gold88 lv2.004 http://latvianhistory.wordpress.com/2012/01/01/2011-in-review/ http://latvianhistory.wordpress.com/2012/01/01/2011-in-review/#comments Sun, 01 Jan 2012 00:55:41 +0000 gold88 http://latvianhistory.wordpress.com/?p=833 Continue reading →]]> The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2011 annual report for this blog.

Here’s an excerpt:

The concert hall at the Syndey Opera House holds 2,700 people. This blog was viewed about 32,000 times in 2011. If it were a concert at Sydney Opera House, it would take about 12 sold-out performances for that many people to see it.

Click here to see the complete report.

1. The Decree Nr.2

Since 2008, Latvia have been deeply affected by economic crisis. In late 2008, state on the brink of bankruptcy. A deal with International Monetary Fund was signed. Since then all previous governments have done a large effort to consolidate the state budget. The consolidation means drastic cuts in all state sectors, high taxes and lot of unpopular decisions.  And that surely means a large public dissatisfaction with the government and the Saeima (Parliament). Calls for dismissal of the parliament has been popular since 2006. The 9. Saeima was met with protest because of the so-called Positivism campaign that allowed the wining Peoples Party to fund the election campaign by surpassing the official election funding limits. In result the prime minister Aigars Kalvītis kept its seat for another 4 years. But, his second term was unsuccessful and sparked calls for dismissal of Saeima. The acting president Valdis Zatlers who only had such rights hesitated to take this step. In 2009. he was actually threatening to do that, but again hesitated.

But in May 28, he suddenly lost any hesitation and issued Decree Nr. 2. The Latvian constitution allows the President to call referendum to dismiss the parliament. If the people vote yes the parliament is dissolved if no – president must step down. But why Valdis Zatlers choose to dissolve parliament only nine months old when he was asked to do this many times earlier.

The official reason was the vote in the parliament that prohibited the state anti-corruption service to make search in deputies Ainārs Šlesers home. Šlesers is well-known political player and oligarch and he was accused for corruption schemes. However, since he was an elected deputy, he had to be handed over by deputy vote. And his party voted no along with quarter of deputies abstaining. So his handover failed.  The ballot was hidden. Those who were abstaining were members of Green Farmers Union and the Harmony Center. By this the parliament got involved in conflict with the juridical power. Valdis Zatlers saw this as a important breach by the parliament and called to dismiss it.

But that was just the official reason. First, Valdis Zatlers was on the finish of his presidential therm and seek re-election. But, he must be elected by the parliament. And he got pretty unclear promises from elected parties. And then alternative candidate appeared. His name was Andris Bērziņš and he was elected deputy of Green Farmers Union fraction. In past he was director of Unibank or Seb Bank and he a shadowy figure that appeared from nowhere. Before 28, May Valdis Zatlers was more and more aware that he may not be elected. So he may decided to dismiss the parliament to punish it for not supporting him and form his own party to continue his political career.

Another reason may have been his sympathy for the Russian party Harmony Center. There are speculations that before his decision he had conversation with the Saeima speaker Solvita Aboltiņa and Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis  where he demanded to form new government with Harmony Center that was in opposition at that time.

The very first result of his decision was that he was punished by dismissed parliament. He was not elected and instead with 50 votes for and 48 against Andris Bērziņš was elected. He is the oldest president in Latvian history with 67 years. Numerous controversies were associated with him. First that he was a henchman of the oligarch Aivars Lembergs, second that he hacked money from EU Development funds and the last that he may have more children that he claims. When he left the parliament house as newly elected president he was met by angry crowd that supported Zatlers. Zatlers suddenly became so popular, because he fulfilled the Latvian people’s dream to punish the parliament they elected themselves. In his first months as president Andris Berzins has shown itself as conservative and neutral president. He said no to many presidential privileges, like private residence, escort with sirens and even presidential salary. The last should not be problem since he is the wealthiest senior citizen in Latvia.

 The election campaign

The referendum to dissolve the parliament was met with great support and 94% of voters voted for. So again in few months a new election campaign was issued. A reminder that the last parliament begun work only in November 2010. The main question was the next move by Valdis Zatlers. The ruling party Unity asked him to join them. But, instead Zatlers formed new party called Zatlers Reform Party. He wanted to make new wining party from scratch and get as many people as possible. The initial outcome was dubious,  all popular members of Latvian intellectual elite declined to join his party. So his party was formed from amateurs and ex members from other parties.

The main slogan of the election campaign was to finally crush the so-called oligarch parties. The three main known oligarchs Ainārs Šlesers, Andris Šķēle and Aivars Lembergs were the main targets. In one way Zatlers really succeeded to crush them. Andris Šķēle  dissolved his Peoples Party that had to pay million lats to state for breaking election funding limits. The same happened with Ainārs Šlesers, who took part in elections, but failed to surpass 5% barrier. He also put the end to his Latvian First Party/Latvian Way, that he had just renamed as Šlesers Reform Party to tackle Zatlers. In meanwhile Aivars Lembergs Green Farmers Union made it to new Saeima but with only 13 seats and remain in opposition.

Two main gainers from Zatlers Decree Nr. 2 were two opposite parties that each gained more prominence in the new elections. The pro-Russian party union The Harmony Center nearly won the elections of the 1o. Saeima, but failed to enter the parliament. By the years the Harmony Center has been the main supporter of Latvian Russian speaking population. However, also it has tried to gather enough Latvian support. Latvians who support Harmony Center are mostly nostalgic about Soviet times and has deep connection with Russian culture. Others, are moved by the social democratic ideology of the party. The Harmony Center was ready to win the emergency elections and finally to enter the government.

The opposite force against leftist Russian force financed by Moscow was the National Alliance, a force formed from two conservative parties For Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK and All for Latvia!. The main ideology of this party was to defend Latvian rights in Latvia and preserve the Latvian language.  In November 2010, they were excluded from the government now because of the growing support for nationalist ideas they also hoped to enter the government.

The election outcome and troubled government formation

The emergency elections took place in 16. September. As many expected or feared the Harmony Center won by 26%. Zatlers Reform Party came second, Unity third and National Union fourth. The Green Farmers were the last to score above 5% barrier.

By the tradition the wining party should form the new government coalition. But the scored majority of the Harmony Center was not so great to make free moves so they had to relay on support from Latvian parties. And the movement to keep Harmony Center into opposition was stronger than ever. The leader of Harmony Center Nils Ušakovs made many concessions, first he recognized the occupation of Latvia at NATO meeting before the election night. The party that for years was denying that Latvia was occupied in 1940, by Soviet Union no came out with slogan: “There was an occupation, but there are no occupants!”, and asked to include this phrase in new governmental declaration. This phrase actually means that thousands of Soviet immigrants and occupation force members who still live in Latvia are not accountable for the actions of the Soviet Union and are legalized to live her further without worry. Such position made a lot of opposition against Harmony Center to taken in government.

 However, Valdis Zatlers threw a rock in to the pound, when he issued that Harmony Center must be taken in government. He made this decision in middle of the night, and angered people even more when he said this decision can only be changed with use of tanks. The analogy with 17, June 1940, when Soviet tanks rolled into Riga was bad for Zatlers and suddenly the peoples hero who dismissed the parliament became the national traitor in the eyes of many.

Two other contestants for the government the Unity and National Alliance allied against Zatlers, and forced him to make government without Harmony Center. In the end Valdis Dombrovskis kept his prime minister seat and the Latvian right-wing government was formed. Zatlers however got double shot in the feet in the very first day of the parliament session. He was again turned down by the parliament when his bid to take parliament speaker seat failed. Solvita Āboltiņa kept her parliament speaker seat. If that was not enough, six deputies from Zatlers party fraction left his party putting the coalition to a danger. Zatlers was speaking about traitors and worms, but Dombrovskis arranged deal with the six independent deputies to support the government.

The start of the national confrontation

The decision not to take Harmony Center into government started a large stir within the Russian population. The leader of the party Jānis Urbanovičs again threatened to use a “non – parliamentary activities” to enter the government. Russians hold a 28% of the population along with other minorities that mostly speak Russian. Why the Harmony Center was not taken into government? The very first answer that the Harmony Center have large disagreements with many Latvian parties and their ideology is against the interests of the Latvian state. They were against many economical policies, they wanted to cancel the deal with International Monetary Fund and wanted more cooperation with Russia. In national issues they wanted more rights for Russian language and they always questioned the historical issues of Latvia. If that was not enough they have signed a cooperation agreement with Vladimir Putin party United Russia and China Communist Party. Many sources state that the party is financed by the Kremlin.

 These events made Russian national radicals to organize a referendum for Russian language as the second official language.  The leader of this movement is the member of Russian neobolshevik  party Vladimir Linderman who was in past accused of terrorist activities and was deported from Russia. The idea of the referendum first came out in spring, when Linderman issued the petition for the referendum as the answer to National Alliance  petition signing to give lessons only in Latvian in schools. The National Alliance was intending to put the end to state funded Russian schools that still work in Latvia. That could be good move to end self-imposed school segregation in Latvia. While many Russians came to study in Latvian schools, many stays in Russian school and most probably finish them with bad Latvian language skills.  The petition failed as they failed to gather the required number of sing- ins for the referendum. Latvian population did not saw the issue important enough.

However, the Russian initiative was more successful since the question of Russian language as the official language was important for many nationalistic minded Russians. People who support this motion, are nostalgic for Soviet times, when Russian language was the main language and many were free from using Latvian. Many of them see Russia as their homeland. Others simply vote to protest against the existing state order that associate with Latvians and Europe. In so the referendum will take place in 18, February 2012. The prognosis of the outcome shows that the  motion will fail. To make such important change in the  constitution more than 60% of voters must vote yes. And this more than Harmony Center gathered in the elections. Russian speakers cannot gather more votes than the actually live in Latvia. And not all Russian speakers will vote for the motion. Meanwhile Latvian parties have asked all Latvians to take part in the referendum and vote no, to show Latvian unity.

The referendum issue sparks interesting question of what will be the future of the Harmony Center? At first Harmony Center was against the referendum, but actually it was secretly supporting it from the start. Then after staying in opposition the major of Riga and the leader of the party Nils Ušakovs singed for the referendum. To explained that he voted because of his conscience, but he was still in favor of one state language. Then other members of the Harmony Center also took part. In seems that Harmony Center took part in risky game to keep their voter sympathy. To enter the government they gave a lot of their demands and even recognized the occupation, but still remained in opposition. To rehabilitate themselves to Russian voters they again turned to national moves. Also it was important for Ušakovs to keep enough support to win in Riga Municipal elections, because the municipality has financial problems and their allies from Šlesers party have failed. But, by this move the Harmony Center has alienated the Latvian voters and made even better arguments for Latvian parties not include the Harmony Center into government.

Many liberals blame Latvian parties and Latvian nationalists for this situation. They say if the Harmony Center would be given a chance to take part into the parliament no referendum would not took place. Others blame National Alliance for their proposed referendum that provoked Russian radicals. But, in reality that is not the case. The petition would have happened even if Harmony Center would be in the government. That also would give good boost to gather necessary sing-ins. Also similar schemes happened in Ukraine and South Ossetia  where there no Latvian nationalists. The Linderman’s referendum is part of global politics of the Russian Federation to stir up Russians in the neighboring countries in the wake of the presidential elections.

More financial and economic troubles

At the end of the year the IMF mission in Latvia was finished. Latvia no more had to take more loans from IMF and organize the budget according to IMF demands. But, before it Latvia faced crisis in Air line and Bank sector. Latvian national Air Line Air Baltic nearly crushed, if had not be saved by the government and bank Latvijas Krājbanka went bankrupt because of forgery made by its owners.

Air Baltic was suffering from spending deficit already in 2011. At that time it was led by German businessman Bertold Flik  who got himself involved in corruption and conflicts with the government. After Minister of the economy Artis Kampars warned about possible bankruptcy of the airline, Fliks in fear from the anti-corruption service moved to Germany. Then later the government removed Fliks from office. After bank crush in Lithuania, whole Air Baltic was nationalized because Lithuanian Snoras bank had large share of Air Baltic stock actions.

Next big hit was in November, when the Lithuanian government nationalized the Snoras bank owned by Russian banker Vladimir Antonov. He and his associates was accused of looting the bank resources. The Snoras bank was in control of Latvian based Latvijas Krājbanka. Few days after the events in Lithuania the Latvian Financial Capital Trade commission came to conclusion that also  about 100 millions of Lats had been looted from Latvijas Krājbanka also. So also the Latvijas Krājbanka went bankrupt. Many thousand people had problems with their bank accounts and pensions. In rural areas where there was only one Latvijas Krājbanka ATM problems were severe.

In December, a rumors on social circles, Twitter, Draugiem Lv, spread out that also Swedish Swedbank has problems. That lead to bank customer panic and in one night more than 20 million of Lats were taken out by panicked customers. Soon it was clear that the rumors were spread out in purpose. No actual Swedbank problems were known and this was an intended scheme to make loss for Swedbank and Latvian economy. The Latvian security police has stated that the perpetrators may come from foreign country.

These were the main political and economical events in Latvia in 2011. It was the time of new political crisis, ethnic division and financial problems.  The next year will no be no less intense. As the astrologers say the 2011 and 2012 is the time of increased solar activity so its time of worldwide changes. Plus 2012. will be the year of the dragoon. Last time when I wrote report about Latvia in 2010, I expressed hope that this year would be much peaceful and wiser than the last. It however turned that the year 2011 was the year of troubles for whole the world. Next year will be the year of changes and I wish the Latvian people to be strong enough to survive these changes.

Latvian Rifleman in the Christmas Battle

In 1916, the territory of Latvia was divided by the German and Russian front line. From January 5, to January 11, a large battle took place in swamps of Tirelis. The main attacking force was Latvian Rifleman who fought on Russian lines. Attack failed and Latvian units and Russians suffered heavy casualties. According to old Russian Julian Calendar the battle took place between December 23 to December 29. That is why the battle is named after Christmas.

Russia joined war against Germany in 1914. Already in 1, August after German declaration of war  German warships shelled city of Liepaja. In July 30, all territory of Latvia a mobilization was issued. Already in first days of war 20 to 25 thousand Latvians were sent to Eastern Front. On 1915, January 31 to February 21, Russians fought unsuccessful battle in Mazurian lakes and the town of Augustov. On 8, February the Baltic XX corpus was destroyed. From 35, 500 soldiers 27, 988 lost their life’s.  In all region Russians lost 42, 000 men. Later Russian officers remembered the outstanding performance of Latvian soldiers and their courage. The thing that most Russian soldiers seem to lack. Latvian losses was one the largest in history of Latvian warfare.

Latvia 1914-1918

On spring on 1915, German army marched in the Russian territory. They captured Lithuanian lands, and on May 7, took control of city Liepaja. However the heart of Semigallia the city of Jelgava was not taken because of Latvian Home Guards who stood against Germans. The main defense lines was among Ruļlu hills and Svēte. Home Guards already showed their best against Germans in Lithuania and Germans was looking to find the best way to defeat them. After attack on Ruļlu hills failed Germans attempted to attack from Skrunda and was also fought back. Then Russian reinforcements came and stopped German offensive.

In July 14, Germans advanced from the river of Venta. This time only Russian units stood against them and retreated in disorderly way. Jelgava was taken without a single gun shot. On August 1, Germans had captured all Courland, Semigallia and the front line stretched from the Gulf of Riga to city of Daugavpils.

After the capture of half of Latvian territory the strongest voices of patriots called to form Latvian national units. The units must be formed only from Latvians and must have their own Latvian officers. The strong dislike for Germans was the general reason for Latvians did not want the return of the German rule. Latvian activists contacted Russian military officials. The main pusher of this idea was the deputy of the Russian State Council Jānis Goldmanis. Many Russian officials resisted the idea, because of the memories of revolution in 1905, when Latvians were the strongest revolution force. Russian Empress Alexandra, German by nationality recommended Czar Nikolai II to sent Latvian soldiers to other parts of Russia. However, because of outstanding performance of Latvian Home Guards the Russian High command accepted the idea.

The Latvian Rifleman

In first days of forming 3700 men joined voluntary, in second half of 1915, there was 6392 voluntary soldiers. Eight Latvian battalions was later reformed in regiments. With the reserve regiment in Tartu there were 38, 100 Latvians Rifleman fighting in Russian army. The formation of Latvian first national units was taken by great euphoria, this was different from Latvian SS legion, because it was pure Latvian initiative.

The front line as dangerously close to Riga. In length of 90 kilometers, from Dole Island in river Daugava, Berzmente-Dalbe-Mangaļi forest guard-house, the Swamp of Tīrelis, Ķemeri, Ragaciems to the shores of the Gulf of Riga a line of entrenchments and fortifications was established. Latvian Rifleman along with Russian soldiers guarded the city of Riga.

The German advance to Riga was stopped in October. Germans were surprised by the strength and courage of Latvian soldiers. Because of this Germans restrained from full blow attack agaisnt Riga for two years. Russians however ordered many attacks in the summer of 1916, which Latvians fought with heavy losses. The Russian High command was inefficient and issued foolish orders. In July, because of bad situation in the Western front Russians were forced by the allies to attack Germans to relive the allied defense. Russians ordered badly planed attacks near the road to Bauska to advance to Baldone and Iecava. Attack was in daylight and soldiers entered the Smerdkuļa swamp. Artillery bullets got lost in the swamp dunes and German lines were untouched. Soldiers were exposed to machine gun fire. Germans shelled the attackers and at the end of the day only the small part of survivors reached the German entrenchments.

However, the Russian High command planed more attacks. Bulgarian General Radko Dimitriev planned to use eight Latvian Rifleman regiments to attack heavily fortified German lines in night-time without artillery support. In December 12, General Dimitriev gathered the Latvian commanders and issued his plans. He lied about the seven times larger Russian forces and the great reserves. In reality the attack force was only three times larger. Latvian commanders were mostly optimistic and promised to carry out the attack with greatest conscience.

Latvian soldiers were also optimistic and the Russian promise that they could liberate Jelgava boosted them. The spirits were high and nobody suspected that the attack was intended for much more local purposes and after they would break the first lines, Latvians without Russian support would have to face concrete or heavy rafter blockhouses and machine guns.

The map showing the location of the Christmas battle

At the first day of battle temperature was around O°, but on next days fell down to 25º to 30º. Wounded or sleeping soldiers froze to death. Latvians were ordered to capture the first German lines to open way for reinforcements. By the cover of snowstorm and arctic outfits Latvians cut passages trough the barbed wires. After that they rushed to the first German battle line. Next two days were spent on heavy fighting and the second battle line was captured. Attack was halted because there was no Russian reinforcements and Siberian units refused to assist Latvians.

Germans started heavy counterattack. It was withstood for 48 hours. Then on January 7, Latvian rifleman attacked heavily fortified German lines in the sand dunes of Tireli swamp. In the middle of the German fortification was the fortified hill that later was called Ložmetējkalns (Machine Gun Hill). Along with Siberian units Latvian rifleman captured this fortification.  About 1000 German men was captured. The outcome of the attack was 7 km wide gap on the German front lines. But, no supportive attack from Russians never occured.

On January 23, Germans gathered forces for the counter attack. In the temperature of 48º Latvian Rifleman along with Siberian divisions were left alone to face Germans. Russians ordered three counter attacks that all failed. In so Germans recaptured 4/5 of their lost positions. However,  the Machine Gun hill remained in the hands of Russians.

German fortification at Machine Gun hill

The courage of Latvian Rifleman was known far outside Russia, because of this battle. However, the broken promise by the Russians turn down the morale of Latvian officers and soldiers. The foolishness of the Russian commanders and cowardice of the Russian soldiers was clearly visible. The  Russian command sent Latvian to death on purpose, because they did not trust them and Latvians were the only ones who were truly capable to fight. Understandably the soldiers from Siberia did not saw any point to fight in land that they did not considered their homeland. But, for Latvians it was the fight for their very own land.

Front lines were broken only in the summer of 1917. Because of the fall of Czarist government, Germans captured Riga. Latvian rifleman’s again showed courage and managed to hold Germans back. But, it only helped the panicky retreating Russians to leave uncared.  This was the last time Latvian Rifleman fought for Russia. The sense of hopelessness led to radicalization of the Latvian Rifleman. Majority of then showed support for Bolsheviks and on the next years were the core of the Red Army. Those who stayed later fought in the Latvian Army in the war of freedom.

The site of the Christmas Battle the Tireli swamp was drained during the inter war period. After the regain of independence a museum dedicated to the battle site was brought up. A dozens of entrenchments and bunkers are restored and dozens of  people visit this site every year.

Cathedral at the Butuvo polygon where about 200 Latvians were killed

Every first Sunday of December its official commemoration day for Latvians who died in Great Purges in 1937 -1938.  Latvians along with other non-Russian communists were targets of Joseph Stalin repressions. Before the purges many Latvians were involved in Soviet government, many took high rank posts. Nearly all them became victims of Stalinist repressions. Along them many low rank Latvian activists and intellectuals were killed only because of their nationality. However, not all Latvians living in Soviet Union were exterminated, but they are part of overall Stalin Genocide that took place during 1929 to 1939, that was aimed on social and ethnic groups.

The reason so many Latvians lived in Soviet Union during Stalin’s reign was the events of First Wold War and Russian Civil War. The German invasion in Latvian territory in 1915. sparked mass exodus to inner parts of Russia. About half million Latvian and Jewish refugees entered Russia and settled in major Russian cities. Also in Latvia, a Latvian Rifleman divisions were formed to fight against Germans in Baltic front. After the February Revolution, political divisions affected the rifleman and Latvian refugees and many choose to follow the Bolshevik path. Majority of Latvian rifleman after Bolshevik coup in November joined the ranks of the Red Army. The Latvian Red Rifleman was one of the most important units that helped Bolsheviks to gain victory. After the end of civil war, not all Latvians head back to Latvia. Many of then were true believers of communist ideas and were willing to contribute the Soviet government. And the Soviet leader Vladimir Lenin was friendly to non-Russians in the government. He believed in internationalist ideas and so he allowed Jews, Latvians, Caucasians to share the power.

There have been a wide discussion on why Stalin, who himself was a Georgian decided to remove non-Russians from the posts in party and the army. Commonly described reason was the Stalin’s belief of coming war with the western powers that made him to look at foreign nationals as the members of the “fifth column”. All ethnic groups who had independent countries outside  Soviet Union fell victim for ethnic cleansing. For instance there was no action taken against the Jews, because they had no country at that time. But, Latvians, Poles, Germans and others were considered as foreign spies.

However, it’s a questions whether the Stalin’s fears of spies and conspirators were real or just a disguise. Stalin’s policy was to eliminate all his competitors and people who may question his orders. He had certain dislike for people who took direct part in October revolution and the Civil war. As we know Stalin’s role in these events was marginal. So Stalin eliminated all government and army members who he considered not loyal.  He certainly had aggressive plans and he prepared not to defend his country, but took active part in the future world war.

The start of ethnic cleansing was July 25, 1937 when the chief of Soviet NKVD (the secret police) Nikolai Yezhov issued the ordernr. oo49 to arrest in five days all German citizens and political emigrants who mainly worked in military and transportation system.  Next on May 11, repressions were started against Poles. All who emigrated to Soviet Union to find a better place to live in now were thrown in prison and shot.

By this time many Latvians were arrested as the members “fascist conspiracy”, “Trotsky supporters”, “spies of Latvia” and members of “contrarevolutionary organizations”. Already on January 21, Yezhov reported to Stalin that he had discovered and eliminated a “Latvian contrarevolutionary organization” formed by party members and emigrants. The idea of “Latvian Action” was brought by the chief of western sector of Peoples Commissariat of Interior comrade Nasedkin.  He arrived at Moscow on November 1937, to report to Yezhov and inform him about the so-called “Latvian National Center”. It was described as wide network of Latvians working in Latvian section of the Comintern and Latvian society “Prometejs” and other Latvian circles. Nasedkin reported that 500 people are suspects to what Yezhov replied “Nonsense! Arrest no less than 1500 people!” Two days later Nasedkin received order from Yezhov that everything is set for the “Latvian Action” and the members of Belorussia Interior Commissariat, the Latvian Club, Latvian National Theater and Latvian rifleman sections should be first to be arrested.

Soviet operatives did this with ease. If they found a Latvian national within any governmental office, they automatically  added him to “Latvian conspirator list”. Next on November 23, Yezhov issued an order to gather information about all Latvian societies and organizations in every region and town.

On 30, November deputy of Peoples Commissar of the Interior Frinovsky sent a coded telegram to all commissars within Soviet Union claiming that Latvian contrarevolutionary nationalists and saboteurs have been discovered and must be eliminated. The order allowed to arrest everyone with Latvian nationality in the passport. The arrests of all Latvian suspects within all Soviet Union begun on December 3.  To gather enough information about Latvian nationals top members of the communist party were arrested and tortured. Basically after hours of torture these people were willing to not only admit their “guilt”, but also report other Latvians, friends and relatives.

The death sentences were issued in masses by the so-called “trios” (troikas) or “duos” (dvoika) the two or three top NKVD officials who could issue death warrants for more than 1000 people within a day. On February 3, 1938 in Butovo 258 people were killed along with then 229 Latvians

The Soviet “style” of death sentencing was not only to sentence the prime suspects, but his wives, children and relatives. Whole families were killed along the way. According to Russian historians N. Okhotin and A. Roginsky from December 1937 to September 1938, 172, 830 people were sentenced to death. Along with then 22, 360 people were sentenced because of their Latvian nationality. 16, 573 were shot. Others were deported to Siberia and concentration camps of the Gulag.

The precise number of the Latvian victims of the Great Purge is yet to be fully discovered. It must be kept in mind that the “Latvian action” along with actions against Poles and Germans was prime initiative of the Communist Party Central Committee Politburo and its chief Joseph Stalin.

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