Remarks by Andrejs Pildegovics, Ambassador of Latvia at the screening of the documentary „The Soviet Story” at CATO Institute in Washington, DC on November 2, 2009 Honorable Dr. Marian Tupy, Representatives of the CATO Institute, Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the CATO Institute for hosting this event. It is a special honor to visit an institution that has accumulated such wide expertise and international renown for offering solutions to a number of pressing global issues, including in economics and social development. Tonight we will watch a documentary released last year by a young Latvian historian, Edvîns Đňore. Let me remind you briefly that Latvia is a country of 2.3 million people in the North East of Europe. It is a former captive nation. As a victim of the Hitler-Stalin Pact of August 23, 1939, the independent Latvian state was destroyed shortly after the outbreak of the WWII. This year in August, the people of the Baltics and Central Europe commemorated the 70th anniversary of this infamous agreement between the Soviet Union and Nazi Germany. From 1941 until 1945 it was occupied by Nazi Germany and was incorporated by force into the Soviet Union at the end of the war. The US and most of the western world never recognized the illegal occupation of Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania by the Soviet Union. During more than five decades of foreign occupations, Latvia lost about one third of its population, including more that 80 % of its Jewish community. Latvia regained independence in 1991 following the non-violent independence movement internationally celebrated as „The Singing Revolution.” Now it is a democratic, pluralistic, multicultural European democracy, a proud member of the EU and a strong ally of the United States in NATO. In my introduction to „The Soviet Story” I would like to share with you some thoughts about this film and explain why this film is relevant during this time of world economic crisis and political upheaval. This film is: -First of all, it is a thought provoking piece of research into the history of the last century made by a young, talented Latvian historian Edvîns Đnore. Mr. Đnore is a graduate in history at the University of Latvia; -It is a compelling indictment of the Soviet totalitarian system for the crimes against humanity it committed; -It is a blood-chilling story of misery and unspeakable suffering inflicted on millions of people in the name of an ideological struggle; -It is a cinematographic commemoration and remembrance of the countless victims of the Soviet regime in Ukraine, Russia, Poland, the Baltics, Georgia and other countries; All ethnic, social and religious groups have suffered immensely under the Soviet repressive regime. Russians, probably, were the biggest victims. -It is also a story of cruel cynicism and immoral trade-offs in international politics. It is a reminder and warning against Big Power deals over the heads of the smaller nations; -It is a strong condemnation of state-sponsored political, ethnic and racial hatred, extremism and intolerance; -It certainly broadens our understanding about the scope of the catastrophe that almost destroyed world civilization. The film was supported by the Conservative group at the European Parliament (The Union for Europe of the Nations Group). This year the European Parliament has urged all Member states to recognize August 23 (a date of the Hitler-Stalin pact) as a day of remembrance of the victims of totalitarian regimes; -It has generated considerable international attention. This film received the mass impact award at the Boston Film Festival last year. It has been translated into 15 languages and been shown on TV in a dozen countries in Europe and beyond. In the United States the film is being broadcasted by the PBS TV. This film is not: -It is not a theoretical discourse about an abstract „salon or chamber” Communism; - It is not a comprehensive history documentary on Latvia, though Latvia’s name is mentioned a couple of times; -It has not been funded by the Government of Latvia, though the Director of the film has received a state decoration for this powerful narrative; -it is not anti Russian. The film is not a call for revenge or an official Latvian claim to the Russian Federation for compensation to the victims of the Soviet occupation, though Latvians would certainly welcome an open and clear condemnation of the Soviet crimes by the present Russian leadership. Why this film is important today: 1. As we know from post-World War II history, a true reconciliation is possible only through open debates, open archives, and open media. As Latvia has been dealing with the so-called dark pages of its own history, we know well that often the historical truth is painful, controversial, and extremely emotional. However, true healing is hardly possible without thorough examination. 2. Ethnic, religious, racial, and political intolerance and extremism represent the biggest dangers to our democratic societies. This film forces us to consider human nature and the human capacity for destruction. 3. As we deal with the consequences of the global economic crisis, it is of paramount importance to look onto unfolding events from a historical perspective, reflect on past experiences and think critically on current developments. Here and there, we again hear voices saying that capitalism has ultimately failed, that parliamentary democracy is not efficient. I am sure that that this film offers some food for thought on this subject too. At the end of the day, I am confident that this process of reflection will help us navigate the stormy waters of the present world and help us avoid the mistakes of the last century. Availing of this opportunity, I would like to thank the CATO Institute for its long-lasting and unwavering support for the ideals of freedom, human rights, democracy, and free enterprise around the world. I thank everyone for coming and for your interest in this tragic chapter of our recent history.