Rights and Remembrance

Washington Post ^ | May 7, 2005 | Vaira Vike-Freiberga

[ILurkedIRegisteredIPosted]

RIGA, Latvia -- As the president of a country that suffered immensely under Soviet and Nazi rule, I recently faced a dilemma. I had to decide whether to accept an invitation from Russian President Vladimir Putin to attend a rally in Moscow on Monday. That is the date when Russia traditionally celebrates its military victory over Nazi Germany, and this year is particularly significant, as it marks the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe.

Numerous heads of state and government, including George W. Bush, Jacques Chirac, Gerhard Schroeder and Silvio Berlusconi, had already said they would attend the Moscow celebrations. But unlike in France, Norway, Denmark, Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands or Austria, the collapse of the Nazi empire did not lead to my country's liberation.

[ILurkedIRegisteredIPosted]

Russia has yet to make any attempt to atone for the crimes of the Soviet Union. With a former KGB man in charge, it's a wonder that anyone can support them.

[Wolfhound777]

All these countries are fueling the creature of Jekyll Island and it's bastard children; the IMF and World Bank. I am always fascinated by people who believe that governments of any country has their best interests in mind.

[PzLdr]

While I understand the lady's position, let's not forget the two Divisions of Waffen SS Panzergrenadiers Latvia (ditto for Estonia) furnished to fight for the Germans.

[ILurkedIRegisteredIPosted]

She points that out... by reminding the reader that thousands of her countrymen were forcefully drafted to fight for the Germans.