Statement before the
United Nations General Assembly,
New York, September 17, 1991
Statement of
Anatolijs Gorbunovs, Chairman of the Supreme Council of the Republic of Latvia
before the
United Nations General Assembly,
New York, September 17, 1991
Honourable Mr. President, distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen.
Justice has triumphed. The world community has found the family members -
Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia - it lost during World War II. We returned
from the war at last.
The former member states of the League of Nations return back to the edifice
now known as the United Nations, and the world is now three nations richer.
And the USSR, having given back freedom to the Baltic States, has itself
become freer.
As is well known, on August 24, on the third day after democracy triumphed,
the Republic of Latvia was recognised as an independent state by the
decree
of the President of Russia. An avalanche of international recognition
followed this juridical act. Our friends throughout the world could express
in terms of law what they had felt deep in their hearts.
We are grateful to all those nations that have facilitated the recognition
of Latvia’s independence and have not hesitated to re-establish diplomatic
ties.
On September 6, Latvia was recognised as an independent state by the Soviet
Union, thus - and this is of paramount importance - juridically declaring
Latvia a subject of international law. There is still much to be negotiated
concerning our bilateral relations. Not all the consequences of the criminal
Stalin - Hitler Pact
have been eliminated in Latvia today; the units of the
armed forces of the Soviet Union are still illegally stationed on our
territory, and many issues, including the status of illegally confiscated
property, must be resolved.
Having restored its independence, Latvia is taking up new responsibilities.
At present, due to the russification policies pursued by the former regime,
Latvians (being one of two surviving Baltic nations) are on the verge of
becoming a minority in their own homeland.
At the same time, the nation that now again possesses a state with
constitutionally and democratically elected powers, has to garantee equal
rights to all national minorities and individuals, irrespective of their
ethnic origins and ideological conviction.
As to the actual situation, no one is to be blamed but the totalitarian
regime once in power. Where is the solution to be sought? It can only be
reached through democratic discussions and by developing and adopting just
laws. Our motto is: democratic goals can only be reached by democratic
means.
Now Latvia needs moral, financial and economic support from the world
community, so that we can set up infrastructures directed towards a free
market economy. Let me assure you that, having organised our economic life
and having integrated it into the international economic and cultural
exchange, we shall not forget about our debts and obligations.
The people and the state of Latvia share a bitter historical experience
which has taught us a great deal. Let this be our contribution to the
experience of all mankind.
The non-violent and democratic way of our nation towards independence has
entitled Latvia to membership in the United Nations.
The duties and the obligations that come with membership in the United
Nations will be fulfilled by Latvia with respect to eternal moral and ethic
principles shared by us. The democratic traditions of Latvia in between the
two wars were rooted in those same principles to which the League of Nations
adhered as well. Therefor it is of symbolic importance today that Latvia
became member of the League of Nations exactly 70 years ago, in September
1921.
Permit me to use this solemn occasion to congratulate The Democratic
People’s Republic of Korea, the Republic of Korea, the Federal States of
Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Republic of Estonia
and the Republic of Lithuania, on their admission to the United Nations and
express the hope that together with the newly admitted states, Latvia, now
having become a rightful member of the United Nations, will be firm in
observing the democratic principles of this organisation and will offer its
contribution to the realisation of the sacred ideals of mankind.
Thank you, Mr. President.
Source:
fax from the Latvian Legation in Washington
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