January 1991 events in Latvia

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In January of 1991 Latvia, which had declared independence from Soviet Union in previous year, was attacked by pro-soviet forces, notably OMON of Riga. Events that took place on 13 - 27 January 1991 are known as "The Barricades" because of barricades built for defence of strategic objects (mainly in the capital city Riga and nearby Ulbroka, as well as Kuldīga and Liepāja). At least 7 people were killed, and in total 15611 people have registered themselves as participants of the Barricades.

[edit] Background

Main article: History of the Soviet Union (1985–1991)

During World war II Latvia had been incorporated in USSR. In 1985 Mikhail Gorbachev introduced glasnost and perestroika policies hoping to salvage failing Soviet economy. The reforms also lessened restrictions on freedom in the Soviet Union which led to unintended consequences as problems within Soviet Union and crimes of Soviet regime previously kept secret and denied by the government were exposed causing public dissatisfaction with Soviet Union, further deepened by the Soviet war in Afghanistan and Chernobyl disaster. Massive demonstrations against the Soviet regime began. In Latvia an independence movement began. The supporters of independence - Popular Front of Latvia, Latvian Green Party and Latvian National Independence Movement - won elections to the Supreme Soviet of Latvian SSR, which took place on March 18, 1990 and formed the Popular Front of Latvia faction, leaving pro-Soviet Equal Rights faction in opposition. On May 4, 1990 the Supreme Soviet, which afterwards became known as Supreme Council of the Republic of Latvia, declared the restoration of independence of Latvia and began secession from Soviet Union. USSR didn't recognize these actions as contrary to Soviet federal and republican constitutions. Consequently tensions in relations between Latvia and Soviet Union and between independence movement and pro-Soviet forces, such as the International Front of the Working People of Latvia (Interfront) and the Communist Party of Latvia, along with its All-Latvian Public Rescue Committee grew. In late 1990 the Soviet Union called for a new Union Treaty, which Latvian government officials refused to sign, in addition the Popular Front began to gather signatures against the new Union Treaty on 27 November 1990; by 17 December 1990 1 002 829 signatures had been gathered. The pro-Soviet forces tried to provoke violence and seize power in Latvia. A series of bombings occurred in December 1990, Marshal of the Soviet Union Dmitry Yazov admitted that the military was responsible for the first four bombings, perpetrators of the other bombings remain unknown, the pro-Communist press of the time blamed Latvian nationalists. The government of Soviet Union and other pro-soviet groups threatened that a state of emergency will be established, granting unlimited authority in Latvia to president of USSR Mikhail Gorbachev and military force will be used to "implement order in Baltic Republics". At the time Soviet army troops, OMON units and KGB forces were stationed in Latvia. On 23 December 1990 large combat group of KGB was exposed in Jūrmala. It was rumored at the time that there will be a coup and dictatorship will be established Foreign minister of the Soviet Union Eduard Shevardnadze seemingly confirmed this when he resigned on 20 December 1990 stating that dictatorship was coming.^[1]

[edit] Plans for crisis

On 11 December 1990 Popular Front released announcement stating that there is no need for climate of fear and hysteria in case if what was dubbed hour X - unlimited authority of president - would come and every person should already start to consider what they would do if that happens. Popular front also provided what should be done until hour X and afterwards, if Soviet forces would be successful. These plans called for acts to show support for independence and attract attention of international society, joining to volunteer guard units, reasoning with Russians in Latvia to explain them, especially military officers, that ideas of Popular front are similar to those of Russian democrats, as well as effort to protect economy and ensure information circulation. In case if Soviet control would be successfully established this plan called for campaign of civil disobedience - ignoring any orders and requests of soviet authorities, as well as any soviet elections and referenda, undermining Soviet economy by going on strikes and by following the absurdly elaborated soviet manufacturing instructions in order to paralyse production, helping independence movement to continue its work illegally and helping its supporters to get involved in work of soviet institutions, as well as carefully documenting any crimes soviet forces might commit during state of emergency.^[2]

[edit] Early developments

On 2 January 1991 OMON seized Preses Nams (English: Press House), the national printing house of Latvia and attacked Criminal police officers who were documenting the event.^[3] The Supreme council held session in which it was reported that manager of the Preses Nams is held hostage, while other workers, although physically and psychologically abused, apparently were allowed to leave the printing house. The Supreme council officially recognised taking of the printing house as illegal act of Communist Party of Latvia.^[4] Popular front organised protest and Communist party building.^[3] Publication of press was partly paralysed as printing house continued to print only pro-soviet press.^[5] On 4 January OMON later seized phone exchange in Vecmīlgrāvis, it is speculated that it was because phone lines OMON was using were cut off therefore after OMON seized ministry of interior affairs the phone wasn't cut off in fear that OMON could attack international telephone exchange.^[6] Contrary to OMON officer claims Boris Karlovich Pugo and Mikhail Gorbachev announced that they were not informed about this attack. Meanwhile Soviet military was on the move - same day intelligence unit arrived in Riga, then on 7 January, following orders of Mikhail Gorbachev, Dmitriy Yazov sent commando units into several Republics of the Soviet Union including Latvia, on 11 January Military Council of the Baltic Military District is held which decided to arm Soviet officers and cadets with machine guns, open movement of Soviet troops and armoured vehicles was seen in streets of Riga.^[3] Several meetings by both pro-independence and pro-soviet movements were held these days, notably on 10 January Interfront held a meeting calling the government of Latvia to resign, in which some 50 000 participated and tried to break into Cabinet of Ministers building after asked to do so by military personnel.^[3] On 11 January Soviet military launched attack on Latvia's neighbour country of Lithuania. On 12 January Popular front announced nation wide demonstration on 13 January for support of Latvia's lawfully elected government and decided to guard strategic objects. The Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the Russian SFSR called Soviet government to withdraw military from Baltic States. Leaders of Latvian government met with Gorbachev who assured that military force won't be used. That night after learning that Soviet forces in Lithuania had attacked Vilnius TV Tower and killed 13 civilians, Popular front of Latvia called people to gather for defence of strategic objects.^[3] Due to united effort of Baltic states to regain independence in previous years of singing revolution in Latvia attack on one of them was perceived as attack to all of them.^[7]

[edit] The Barricades

At 4:45 on 13 January announcement of popular front was issued by Latvian radio calling people to gather in square of Riga Cathedral for defence. At 12:00 the Supreme Council session on defence issues was held. At 14.00 Popular Front's demonstration began, around 700 000 people gathered, Soviet Helicopters dropped leaflets with warnings over the crowd at this point Popular front called people to build barricades. The Supreme council held another session after the demonstration, the MPs were asked to stay at the Supreme council overnight. The evening session issued call for soviet soldiers asking them to disobey orders to use force against civilians.^[8] As night came on orders of government agricultural and construction machines and trucks full of logs arrived in Riga for building of Barricades. Barricades are built in Riga, Liepāja and Kuldīga. On 14 January Soviet military demands that Latvian laws are repealed. OMON attacks Brasa and Vecmilgrāvis bridges. 17 cars are burned during the day. On night of 15 January OMON twice attacks Minsk Militia Academy branch in Riga. Later that day 10,000 people gathers in Interfront meeting, where All-Latvian Public Rescue Committee declares that it is taking over power in Latvia, this announcement is broadcasted in soviet media. On 16 January supreme council organises MPs to stay overnight at supreme council building to ensure quorum in case of need. At 16:45 in another attack to Vecmilgrāvis bridge Roberts Mūrnieks is killed becoming the first victim killed during barricades, two people are injured, later at 18:30 OMON attacks Brasa bridge injuring one person. Another bombing took place at 20:45.^[6] On 17 January alarm is sounded on Barricades, strike committee of Communist Party of Latvia declares that fascism is being reborn in Latvia. A delegation of Supreme soviet of USSR visits Riga upon returning to Moscow the delegation reports that Latvia is in favour of establishment of unlimited authority of USSR president. On 18 January the Supreme Soviet decides to form national self-defence committee. The popular front withdraws its call to protect barricades On 19 January funeral of Roberts Mūrnieks turns into demonstration, that night OMON arrests and beats up five members of volunteer guard unit. On 20 January about 100,000 people gather in Moscow to show support to Baltics calling Soviet officials to resign in connection with Vilnius events. That evening turns to be the deadliest in Barricades after OMON and other unidentified combat groups attack Interior Ministry of Latvia. Two policemen, a schoolboy and a cameraman are killed on spot, another cameraman later dies of injuries. Four policemen of Bauska are injured, as well as five participants of the barricades, a Hungarian journalist and a Russian journalist. It is noted that attackers also have suffered casualties. After the battle OMON moves to building of LCP. On 21 January Supreme council calls youth to apply for job in Interior ministry system Gorbunovs leaves for Moscow to meat with Gorbachev to discuss situation in Latvia. On 22 January Pugo denies that he has ordered attack on interior ministry. Another person is killed on the barricades. On 24 January Council of ministers establishes public safety department to overtake guarding of barricades. On 25 January after funeral of 20 January victims most defenders of barricades go home.

[edit] Life on the Barricades

On 13 January, after the Popular Front's calls to build barricades, people gathered in Riga. Part of these people gathered on Riga Cathedral Square as the Popular Front had asked in its morning announcement, while others gathered after the midday demonstration. Some people were groups of workmates; there were also many students, some organised by their employers and alma maters. Several families arrived together; therefore, there was also a number of children, women, and elderly people on the barricades. By that time most were already morally prepared that something like that could happen. People had arrived from all over the country. Trucks, engineering vehicles and agricultural machinery were brought into the city to block streets. Trucks were loaded with construction and demolition waste, logs and other cargo. Large concrete blocks, walls and wire obstacles and other materials were also used. The building work begun on evening of 13 January and took about three hours to finish. The main strategic objects were buildings of Supreme Council (Old town near St. Jacob Cathedral), Council of Ministers (City center near Nativity of Christ Cathedral), Latvian Television (Zaķusala), Latvian Radio (Old town near Riga Cathedral), International Telephone exchange offices (City center), Ulbroka radio and bridges. Barricades were largely perceived as form of nonviolent resistance, people being ready to form a human shield. However many people did arm themselves using whatever was available ranging from pieces of metal to specially crafted metal shields and civil defence supplies. Some also had prepared Molotov cocktails, which however were confiscated to ensure fire safety Latvian militia was armed with sub-machine guns and Handguns. The Latvian government was later criticized for not providing weapons which they had, as evidenced after OMON seized Ministry of interior affairs when OMON took out considerable amount of weapons (it was asserted that there were 200 firearms in the ministry). By the 20 January government also urged to transfer control of barricades to government forces, which was seen by some as disaffection with the whole idea this opinion was enforced when part of barricades was demolished after the government took control over them. Care was taken to record the events, not only for accounting purposes and personal keepsake, but also to show the world what is happening. About 300 foreign journalists worked in Riga at the time. ^[9] Latvian government ensured that foreign press is provided with fresh information. People also watched satellite television, some assert that reports on Gulf War helped to destroy belief in myth of superiority of soviet military produced by Soviet propaganda. Many of guarded strategic objects were important mainly for transfer of information, so to ensure that if soviets would launch attack Latvian forces could hold these objects at least until rest of the world was informed of the fact - International telephone exchange was important to maintain connections with both foreign countries and other parts of USSR often noted example is Lithuania which was partly cut of the world after soviet attack so foreign calls to Lithuania were transferred through Riga. Latvian radio and television worked day and night and were broadcast throughout barricades. Latvian Radio was important in organisation of barricades as were broadcast announcements informing people were they can sleep, eat, that they were looked for or that some groups (such as students of same university) were asked to gather and calling people to help - artists were invited to entertain people, foresters were asked to provide firewood for bonfires widely used to warm-up on barricades. Food and drink was provided by number of public institutions, as well as by many well-wishing people who brought it from home and also provided knit socks and gloves. Places to sleep however were harder to find - schools provided such opportunity, however many people either slept on barricades or went home. Due to winter climate, exhaustion and stress many people experienced exacerbation of their health problems. To provide first aid medical points was formed, some on basis of existing medical points, these were stocked with additional medical supplies and medical Equipment, beds were installed in some, rescue teams were formed by doctors of local hospitals. Soon shifts were formed by daily routine - people who went to job or studies or home were replaced by people who returned on barricades after their daily duties. Most workers who had been on barricades later received their usual salary regardless of if they had or hadn't been to work. Prime minister Ivars Godmanis regularly held meetings with commanders of individual barricades, were popular front also participated to discuss tactics. It was decided to enforce protection of most important objects by assigning militia there The supplies for barricades were coordinated by popular front The individual barricades were organised by regions of Latvia, thus people from Vidzeme were assigned to barricades seen over by Vidzeme suburb chapter of Popular front. The pro-soviet forces were trying to infiltrate barricades for sabotage and to provoke. Rumors were spread that attacks were planned.^[6]

[edit] Aftermath

The actual barricades stayed on the streets of Riga for a long time; for example, those at the Supreme Soviet were removed only in autumn of 1992.^[6] Soviet forces continued to attack Latvia - several Latvian border posts were attacked in summer and during the Soviet coup attempt of 1991 several strategic objectives guarded during the barricade phase were seized.

[edit] Responsibility

Major attacks were carried out by OMON of Riga, however another combat unit was seen during the attack on Ministry of Interior Affairs. It has been speculated that this unit was Alpha Group which had been seen in action during the attack on Vilnius.^[9] In an interview with Juris Podnieks an OMON officer stated that originally it was planned to attack Riga not Vilnius, however at the last moment, a week before the attack in Vilnius, the plans were suddenly changed. He also claimed that OMON of Riga was so well prepared that there was no need for soviet military, which was present in Riga at the time, to engage.^[10] The OMON did not act on their own - after the Preses Nams was seized OMON claimed that high officials of Soviet government - Boris Karlovich Pugo and Mikhail Gorbachev knew about the attack, however both denied their involvement and the Supreme Council blamed the Communist Party of Latvia. In December before the events Popular Front in its instructions for X hour asserted that a coup was planed by "Soyuz" group of Supreme Soviet of the USSR MPs.^[2] Dimitry Yuzhkov admitted that soviet military was responsible for the first bombings, however no one claimed responsibility for the rest of the bombings, which the communist press blamed on Latvian nationalists.^[3] On basis of these and subsequent events several OMON officers were tried, although many of them have escaped penalty, the Communist Party of Latvia, Interfront, All-Latvian Public Rescue Committee and a few related organizations were banned by parliament for attempted the coup d'etat, and two leaders of CPL and ALPRC were tried for treason.^{[11] [12]}

Viktors Alksnis transplanted a large number of the Baltic OMON forces to the Transnistrian territory of Moldova in support of the separatist regime there, where Vladimir Antyufeyev, commander of the Riga OMON forces, took on the role of Minister of Security initially under an assumed name (Vladimir Shevstov), a post he still holds. It is unlikely at this point that the OMON will be brought to trial.^[13]

[edit] Legacy

In 1995 Support fund of participants of barricades of 1991 was created. The fund funds families of victims, gathers information on participants.^[14] In 2001 fund created Museum of barricades of 1991 to make historical materials it had gathered available to public.^[15] 20 January is commemoration day of participants of Barricades, on this day as well as on 18 November, 4 May and 21 August, participants of barricades are awarded with commemorative medals, this award was established by fund of participants of barricades of 1991 in 1996, since 1999 it is awarded by state for those who had shown courage and unselfishness during Barricades.^[16][17] The Barricades are also commemorated by numerous monuments in Latvia.

[edit] See also

• Latvian National Awakening
• January Events
• Singing Revolution
• Latvian independence movement
• Popular Front of Latvia
• Latvian SSR
• International Front of the Working People of Latvia
• Communist Party of Latvia

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• (Latvian) Interactive event map "Barricades" Contains maps, videos and writings