Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07RIGA373
2007-05-21 10:39:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Riga
Cable title:  

Latvian parliament approves Russian border treaty

Tags:  PREL PBTS PGOV RS LG 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO1172
RR RUEHAG RUEHAST RUEHDA RUEHDBU RUEHDF RUEHFL RUEHIK RUEHKW RUEHLA
RUEHLN RUEHLZ RUEHPOD RUEHROV RUEHSR RUEHVK RUEHYG
DE RUEHRA #0373 1411039
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 211039Z MAY 07
FM AMEMBASSY RIGA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4029
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS RIGA 000373 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PBTS PGOV RS LG
SUBJECT: Latvian parliament approves Russian border treaty

Ref: Riga 193 and previous

UNCLAS RIGA 000373

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PBTS PGOV RS LG
SUBJECT: Latvian parliament approves Russian border treaty

Ref: Riga 193 and previous


1. Summary: Latvia's Saeima (parliament) voted 70-25 on May 17 to
ratify the Latvia-Russia Border Treaty signed by both prime
ministers on March 27. Although the two main opponents of
ratification of the treaty - the coalition party For Fatherland and
Freedom/LNNK (TB/LNNK) and the opposition party New Era (JL) -
argued for adoption of a number of amendments which would either
freeze or delay ratification, lawmakers rejected all amendments and
the law was adopted comparatively quickly and debates lacked true
enthusiasm. President Vaira Vike-Freiberga welcomed the Saeima's
decision and promised to sign the instrument of ratification
quickly. Russian officials have signaled the possibility that the
Duma could act by the end of June, although the Latvians are not
getting their hopes up. End summary.


2. In an almost two-hour debate, the Saeima adopted the Law on
Ratification of the Latvia-Russia Border Treaty. Prime Minister
Kalvitis (People's Party) and FM Pabriks (People's Party) took part
in the debates. Both called on opponents to be "responsible
politicians and keep up to date," stressing that by ratifying the
treaty Latvia would fulfill its international commitments made when
joining the EU and NATO (when Latvia said it had no outstanding
territorial claims). Under the treaty, Latvia effectively
acknowledges the transfer of the Abrene region to Russia in Stalin's
era.


3. Opponents kept to their standard arguments. The nationalist
party in the coalition, TB/LNNK, repeated its objections that by
ratifying the treaty Latvia denies the fact that it was forcibly
occupied by the Soviet Union and consequently gives up any
territorial claims towards Russia, as well as exempts Russia from
taking any responsibilities for dealing with the "consequences" of
the occupation (meaning potential reparations).


4. Main opposition party, New Era (JL),continued to argue that the
party does not oppose the treaty as such; however, the decision on
ratification should be taken only after a national referendum
because it modifies the country's border set forth in the
constitution. New Era, along with several MP from the coalition who
oppose the treaty, filed suit in the Constitutional Court to contest
the legitimacy of the border treaty. They argue that the
Constitution requires a referendum to change Latvia's borders. The
ruling of the Constitutional Court is expected in the fall. Both
TB/LNNK and JK proposed amendments which would delay exchange of
instruments of ratification until after the ruling of the
Constitutional Court. All proposed amendments were rejected.


5. As was the case when Saeima authorized the government to sign the
treaty, the session was accompanied by public protests. More than
100 people led by ultra nationalist group All for Latvia (Visu
Latvijai!) gathered at the Saeima building to protest what they
claim is the give away of Latvia's territory.


6. Russian Ambassador to Latvia Viktor Kalyuzny has stated in a
Latvian newspaper interview that Russia could complete ratification
of the order treaty by the end of June. The Ambassador also
indicated ratification is proceeding without any problems in Russia
and that there are no grounds for concerns that Moscow is hampering
the process. Also the Russian Duma's International Affairs Committee
Deputy Chairman Leonid Slutski is quoted in Latvian press saying
that he anticipates that President Putin will submit the bill for
ratification of the border agreement before the end of the spring
session.


6. Comment: Latvia is getting closer to resolving its long-running
border issue with Russia. Even if the ruling of the Constitutional
Court is negative (which most legal experts suspect will not
happen),if instruments of ratification have been exchanged, it
seems the treaty will be in force. Nevertheless, a negative ruling
of the CC would place Latvia in a very difficult situation as there
would be a conflict between domestic and international law. The
ruling coalition is taking a calculated risk here, betting both that
the court will rule in its favor and that, if it does not, it can
solve the resulting legal conundrum with minimal political fallout.
While the Latvians are encouraged by Russian statements of quick
action they know that Moscow's position can change quickly, as with
Putin's strident criticism of Latvia at the EU-Russia summit in
Samara.

Waser