LATVIA JEWISH PROPERTY RESTITUTION: HOPE BUT NO CHANGE SO

UNCLAS RIGA 000094 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHUM PGOV KNAR LG SUBJECT: LATVIA JEWISH PROPERTY RESTITUTION: HOPE BUT NO CHANGE SO FAR ¶1. (SBU) While discussion of restitution of Jewish property in Latvia continues, little progress has been made. Earlier this month, the Prime Minister requested an additional 90-day review by a GOL Working Group, which has been studying the question of restitution of communal property since September, 2008, before accepting a report on their findings. Chances of any movement on the issue during 2010 are limited, particularly against the backdrop of October Parliamentary elections, but representatives of the Jewish community see some cause for hope. While the PM has not demanded a quick turnaround on his inquiries, it appears his questions were serious, and not solely a delaying tactic. The government has yet to discuss restitution of heirless property. ¶2. (SBU) MFA contacts explained a plan to split the properties in question into four categories of difficulty, based on the factors complicating each case. Representatives of the Jewish community expressed reservations about this approach, preferring one solution that deals with all properties concerned. In addition, MFA State Secretary Teikmanis said that the political risk of being tied to work on the project before elections would prevent even preparatory efforts, let alone actual return of property. ¶3. (SBU) On February 22 and 23, David Peleg and Elie Valk of the World Jewish Restitution Organization visited Riga for meetings with GOL officials and representatives of the Jewish community. Peleg and Valk expressed satisfaction with the relatively positive attitude on the part of the PM. However, they shared our concerns about the GOL's slow progress and apparent lack of willingness to start laying any groundwork now for action after the elections. Peleg also expressed continued concern about the Jewish community's exclusion from the working group process, and urged greater transparency and consultation with the Jewish community. They further note that the GOL appears unlikely to send a high-ranking official to upcoming meetings in Prague to follow up on last year's Conference on Holocaust Era Assets - perhaps due to budget constraints, or perhaps an indicator of GOL lack of dedication to the issue. Peleg and Valk were in broad agreement that the best strategy moving forward is to stress the underlying principle of justice in order to reach a comprehensive solution, rather than focusing on single properties or even a tranche of supposedly "easier" properties. ¶4. (U) We will continue to press the government on Jewish property restitution in meetings with senior officials, pressing for consultation with the Community and a legislative framework for communal and heirless property restitution. GARBER