Latvia is divided along ethnic lines, but the most serious differences relate to the understanding of history, Chairman of the Commission of the Saeima of Latvia on social cohesion and national identity Ilmars Latkovskis, Minister (“All-Latvia!”-TB/LNNK). Latvia has not yet ended the second world war, he said, today, 20 January, in an interview with the newspaper Neatkarīgā Rīta avīze.
According to Latkovskisa, a former television journalist, his own experiences and some studies show that society is divided along ethnic lines. Many residents of Latvia do not have a clear ethnic identities, the politician thinks: “one thing that the identity of the Latvians are functioning, but the Russians and Latvians the matter even more dramatic. Many of them do not understand what their ethnicity and nationality, what was their relationship with Latvian identity. In my opinion, the Russian-speaking, not Russian, yet more bow down toward the Russian community, because they learn English in Russian schools “. According to Latkovskisa, thus going Russification of Latvia’s inhabitants do not belong to the Latvian or Russian nationality, that is “the legacy of occupation and the Soviet years, which could not be overcome.”
Particularly strong contradictions exist for historical matters, noted politician. “The most dramatic differences in the understanding of history. First in Latvia has still not ended the second world war. How would we like to say that quite dig in history, but the year 1940 to us remain important, “says Latkovskis, Minister. According to him, most of the russianspeakings of Estonia recognizes that increased understanding of the events of 1940, but this is not the understanding that it would be fair-”growing awareness” has led to an even greater number of people believed that Latvia voluntarily joined the Soviet Union. “If they believe that this is the case, this referendum is logical. Approximately 33% of Russian respond that they feel a sense of belonging to Russia, “he lamented.
To estimate 20% Latkovskisa, near the Russian-speaking Latvians “can be considered to be potential Patriots Latvia, 20% are separated, it is hopeless and the remaining 60% are somewhere in the middle and can take one, and the other side”. The politician was struck by how comfortably coexist in Latvia, Latvians and however. “While this does not mean that there are no matches, which this imaginary calm podožžet”, mentions it.
Yet, according to Latkovskisa, not that most Latvians left Latvia. “This will not happen. What is left? Look for opportunities of coexistence “, coped with the inevitable policy. However, “coexistence” he sees only in edinomyslii: “the people living in one country should be the same tale, the same stories about heroes, a single story. And that’s a problem, a solution which will be led by me, the Commission “.
