1990 Latvia to declare independence

Members of the new parliament of the Soviet republic of Latvia have met to discuss independence from Moscow.

Leaders of the Latvian Popular Front are confident they can muster the majority they need to change the constitution.

In March this year, neighbouring Lithuania became the first Soviet republic to pass a unilateral declaration of independence. In retaliation, the Kremlin shut off supplies of crude oil and natural gas.

Latvia is hoping to avoid a similar confrontation with the USSR’S President Mikhail Gorbachev by calling for a transition period before full independence takes effect.

This morning, their elected representatives led a procession to a memorial in the capital, Riga, dedicated to those who fought and died for Latvian independence after World War 1.

The Lithuanian president, a guest at today’s opening of parliament, had this advice for the Latvians - “Courage!”

One strategy put forward was to adopt parts of the Soviet constitution to avoid being accused of breaking the law.

“We have to avoid any confrontation because it would be useless, unproductive,” said Nikolai Neiland, head of the Independent Communist Party.

Russian demonstrators outside the parliament building held up banners reminding politicians inside that almost half of Latvia’s population is ethnically Russian and that independence might provoke a backlash.

Also out on the streets of Riga were groups of Soviet paratroops. They say they are here for a parade but nationalists believe their presence is a crude reminder of Soviet power.