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KRIEVIJAS KARASPĒKA IZVEŠANA NO LATVIJAS 1992–1994: DIPLOMĀTISKA UZVARA VAI POLITISKA PIEKĀPŠANĀS?

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Jundzis T.

Latvijas Zinātņu Akadēmijas Vēstis. A daļa

2014

vol. 68

issue 3/4

4-23

This article has been written with a view to 20 years having elapsed since the departure of the last Soviet (from 28 January 1992 Russian) armed forces units from Latvia. The aim of this article is to clarify the extent to which the Latvia-Russia Treaty signed on 30 April 1994 regulating departure of these military units corresponded to Latvian national and more global international interests. This article has gained new significance in the light of recent Russian aggression against Ukraine, and the rise in Baltic security concerns. An analysis is presented of negotiating positions adopted by Latvia and Russia during talks lrading to departure of Russian armed forces from Latvia. The Latvian position was clear in that Soviet armed forces, whose jurisdiction was assumed by the Russian Federation, had been stationed in Latvia as the result of occupation and annexation. Nevertheless, in negotiations Latvia was content with the formulation “a foreign military force that must be removed from Latvia”. This wording allowed the Russian Federation to issue a number of demands, whose numbers grew with time, including a demand to receive compensation for property left behind by departing units, as well as social guarantees for de-mobilised and retired military personnel who would remain. Negotiating positions adopted by the Russian Federation did not correspond either to its true aims or to actions undertaken during the period of negotiations. All strategic military units were secretly removed during 1992, a move that stemmed from a decision by the Russian Federation ultimately not to station its conventional military units any longer in the Baltic States. By failing to reveal its actions Russia used the presence of its remaining military units in Latvia, up until signature of the treaty on their removal, to exert political pressure and to win a number of concessions not in accordance with international law. An important role in removal of Russian armed forces from Latvia and the other Baltic States was played by several international organisations and assistance was rendered by several states (notably the USA and Sweden). Given an overwhelming desire to see off the Russian armed forces as quickly as possible, little international attention was paid to increasingly strident Russian demands addressed to the Baltic States, as whether these claims were well founded and consistent with international law. As a consequence Latvia had to pay a disproportionally high price for departure of Russian armed forces, notably continued function of the Skrunda early-warning radar facility for four years, receiving no compensation for environmental damage caused by these armed forces and having to assume unreasonable responsibilities, such as ensuring social guarantees for demobilised army personnel, etc. Former Soviet military personnel and their family members were quite numerous and their continued presence in Latvia led to deep divisions in society, the negative consequences of which are still felt today. It is concluded that departure of Russian military units from Latvia ought not to be seen as a success story, neither for Latvian diplomacy, nor for action by the international community. Rather the episode comprises lessons to be learned by security policy makers when factoring in their relations with the Russian Federation both today and in the future.

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1 Latvijas Zinātņu Akadēmijas Vēstis. A daļa

1 Jundzis T.

1 2014

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KRIEVIJAS KARASPĒKA IZVEŠANA NO LATVIJAS 1992–1994: DIPLOMĀTISKA UZVARA VAI POLITISKA PIEKĀPŠANĀS?