This very important forum is yet even more important because it not only allows us to discuss matters related to truth, justice and reconciliation, but also facilitates the moulding of common understanding of these three notions. On one hand being philosophical these notions, on the other hand, reveal a sophisticated set of practical issues not only on national, but also and increasingly on international scale.
I am pleased about the possibility to share some of my thoughts about truth, justice and reconciliation.

Truth
The correspondence view of truth holds that any statement is true if and only if it corresponds to or agrees with factual reality. One of the reasons why we are here is history. It is not only Europe which has too extensive an experience of violence and hatred. True is the fact that too many people have vanished in dozens of conflicts in the 20th century.

True is the fact that too many civilians became victims of war and ethnic violence. In fact – even one death is traumatic. Because – one can be alive or dead – there is no middle way. This dichotomy of life and death has too often shifted the balance in favour of the latter just because of persons’ ethnic origin.

The restoration of independence in 1991 also brought an opportunity to Latvian society and the State to turn its attention to impartial investigation of the past. Open attitude towards the past is a feature of a mature democracy. The fact that in the period after 1940 Latvia was first under the Soviet, then the Nazi and then again the Soviet occupations makes the evaluation of history particularly complicated. The State encourages research of history, educational programmes, as well as preserving the memories of the past.

Latvia has voiced readiness to co-operate with international organisations in the field of Holocaust research as it was expressed by the President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga at Stockholm Holocaust Forum in January 2000. Since then Latvia has developed co-operation with the Task Force for International Co-operation on Holocaust Education, Remembrance and Research on concrete projects. In August 2001 the Government of Latvia appointed Andris Sarnovics, State Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Science, as its representative for co-operation with the Task Force. Latvia’s “Action Plan 2002-2003: Holocaust Education, Remembrance and Research”, summarising projects developed by state institutions and non-governmental organisations in this field, was submitted to the International Task Force in the Hague on 23 October 2001. The Action Plan contributes towards more purposeful involvement of the countries of the International Task Force in the implementation of joint projects.

As a part of the project entitled “Latvia’s Jewish Community: History, Tragedy, Revival” an exhibition, prepared by the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia in collaboration with the Museum and Documentation Centre “Jews in Latvia”, was opened during the conference “The Issues of the Research into the Holocaust” at the University of Latvia in Riga on 29 November 2001. From the beginning of the year 2002 the exhibition tours round Latvia – in February – March it was shown in Daugavpils and Valmiera; In 2002 it is planned to show the exhibition in Israel as well.

Latvian officials are maintaining close dialogue with the representatives of the Latvian Jewish community who are presently residing abroad. The 3rd World Congress of Jews of Latvian Descent took place in Riga in June 2001. It true that we have to live with our past; we cannot simply get rid of it as if things never happened.

The world witnessed yet another expression of hatred and violence directed specifically against civilians – the cowardly attack on the World Trade Centre and other objects in the United States. Immediately after the events of the11th of September the President, the Prime Minister and other highest officials of Latvia issued clear statements condemning the terrorist attacks as attacks on democracy and its values throughout the world. They pledged full assistance from Latvian side to the efforts of international anti–terrorism coalition. In consultation with their Estonian and Lithuanian neighbours, Latvia developed an outline of joint measures to be taken by the Baltic countries. Latvia has associated itself with respective declarations of the European Union and supported NATO’s resolve to assist the United States in the fight against terrorism. Together with other Central and Eastern European countries, Latvia has adopted regional action plan for combating terrorism. On 16 October 2001 Latvia’s Cabinet of Ministers approved a detailed Action Plan for combating terrorism. Main thrust of the Action Plan is to deny terrorists any opportunity to use Latvia’s territory, banking system or any other asset.

Justice

Truth reflects the facts. Justice has to do with evaluation of truth – that is - evaluation of facts. And truth can be deemed just or unjust by relating it to common human values and first and foremost to human rights.

Since regaining independence the Government has financially supported the integration processes. For instance, the Government has funded more than 200 minority schools and has allocated finances for the cultural societies and organisations of ethnic minorities already since 1991.

Since 1999 the Government has provided funds to support the teachers who teach their subjects in Latvian or bilingually in minority schools.

In 2001 the Government started co-financing the National Programme for Latvian Language Training from the state budget; in 1996-2000 only international donors financed the Programme.

For several years the Government has funded the elaboration of the National Programme ‘’Integration of Society in Latvia’’. In 1998 the Government funded the experts who wrote the Framework document for the National Programme. 14,000 Lats have been allocated from the State budget of 2000 for the establishment of the Social Integration Department of the Ministry of Justice. The Department co-ordinates implementation and elaboration of the Society Integration Program. The Department was established in November 2000.
The Law on the Society Integration Foundation was adopted in the Parliament in July 2001 and it entered into force on 1 September 2001. The Foundation organises tenders for public integration projects and supervises their implementation.

The Government of Latvia is grateful for the assistance rendered by our international partners for the purpose of public integration, in particular the Member States of the European Union and the European Commission which has been the single largest contributor for the National Language Training Programme and a consistent supporter of the Naturalisation Board.

Education in minority languages is a precondition for maintaining cultural identities of national minorities in Latvia. The Government of Latvia facilitates education in minority languages, despite the small numbers of pupils of some minorities. State-financed secondary education is available in eight minority languages – Russian, Polish, Jewish, Ukrainian, Estonian, Lithuanian, Roma and Belarussian.

The Education Law adopted in 1998 provides a firm basis for minority education system. The Law determines that minority education programmes shall include the content necessary for acquiring the respective ethnic culture and for the integration of minorities in Latvia. The Ministry of Education and Science determines the subjects for study in minority education programmes, which are to be taught in the state language.

Minority Education Consultative Council established in 2001 helps to maintain a dialogue between the Ministry of Education and Science, pupils and teachers of minority schools, parents’ organisations and NGOs.

During the last ten years a general tendency has been observed that the demand for education in the Latvian language has increased, leading to a corresponding decrease in the demand for education in Russian. In 2001/2002 academic year 76% of the first-graders began studying in Latvian. This is mainly due to the willingness of non-Latvian parents to ensure that their children receive an education, which in the future will ensure wider opportunities for university studies and greater competitiveness in the labour market.

The experience of Latvia shows that it is possible to accomplish peaceful integration of a society with the legacy of deformations brought from outside – occupation, deportations, and crimes against the humanity, totalitarianism. Integration is achieved in good will and on the basis of international standards. Latvia has proved that its integration policy is successful. The praise of Latvia’s integration policy by our international partners serves as additional evidence to this. There is much to be done to build upon the achievements, which Latvia has had in the ten years of re-established independence, but there is a solid basis for the future work.

Reconciliation
What does reconciliation mean? Reconciliation primarily means understanding both, differences and commonalities, acknowledgement and exploration of our past and present with humility and compassion. It is only then that we might imagine some kind of future where different perspectives, values and beliefs may coexist and be respected.
Reconciliation is an internal process first and foremost. Then it flows outward. It is a process of attending the matter of the relationship between those who have been mistreated by others and by history. I believe that information and education can do a good service in facilitating reconciliation. The first one is simply necessary as a carrier of objective facts. The second one as the means of teaching human values. We cannot do without the former, because there would not be any substance to regard as just or unjust. And we cannot do without the latter, because it is education which teaches the basic facts and the basic principles of human rights. Besides, each and every person normally goes through the educational process during his or her life, thus providing the best opportunity for setting the cornerstones for ones ability to see the facts and analyse what is just and what is not. Or otherwise people will continue to rely on instincts to judge events and other people, but we should keep in mind that anger, hatred and intolerance is the easiest and the most dangerous way of perceiving things.

Thank you for your attention!