Social, economic and environmental losses-damage caused by the Soviet Union in the Baltic States

Conference motto:

“A true historical understanding for a common future!”

Seventy years ago the Baltic nations experienced the first Soviet oppression-regime executed mass deportations, when thousands of families were deported to the Gulag, but the 17th of June marks the 71st anniversary since the Soviet Union initially occupied the Baltic States. Although more than 20 years have passed since the regaining of independence by the Republic of Latvia (RL), the occupation-caused losses and damages have not been completely identified and their impact fully appraised. Therefore, a Latvian scientist-researcher volunteer group, that formed The Occupation of Latvia Research Society (Latvijas Okupācijas Izpētes Biedrība – LOIB), are continuing their previously started research work that was mandated by the RL Cabinet of Ministers and that was temporarily halted due to the loss of funding caused by the 2009 economic crisis.

The publication of pro-USSR views in the mass media, that try to paint a positive picture about the USSR occupation period, do not in fact portray the truth; this kind of mass media manipulation was a standard approach employed by the USSR from the very beginning of its existence and is continuing even to this very day, thereby pitting nationalities against each other and causing fragmentation within our society at large. Therefore, the obtainment of truthful information about the USSR occupation period in the Baltics is of interest to all peoples of Europe – those who value the fundamental democratic values of Europe and the historical truth.

In order to facilitate an objective understanding about the USSR-caused losses/damages, their impact and ways to redress these consequences, Mrs. Inese Vaidere of the European Parliament (EP) and LOIB, with the assistance from the European Commission Office in Latvia, are organizing an international conference – ”Social, economic and environmental losses-damage caused by the Soviet Union in the Baltic States”.

This is the first international conference of its kind about this subject. Therefore, it will be an important step toward understanding the history of a unified Europe that encompasses the USSR occupation of the Baltic States. We are convinced that this will facilitate the furthering of the European value system, based on respect and the observance of human rights. A complete understanding of past history is essential for all the inhabitants of the Baltic States; it is inconceivable that we can create a truly unified future for the European nations without a common historical truth.

The conference lecturers, that will address the Soviet-occupation economics and environmental impact topics, include members of the EU Parliament, scientists and researchers from Russia, Germany, Georgia, Poland, Lithuania, Estonia, Finland, including experts in economics, demographics, military and environmental areas.

Conference location: The Academy of Sciences of Latvia (ASL) –

Great Conference Hall, Akadēmijas laukums 1, Riga, Latvia

Date: 17-18 June 2011

Working languages: Latvian, English (simultaneous translation)

Length of each presentation: 15-20 minutes (includes short question/answer period after each lecturer’s presentation)

Invited lecturers:

International: Arūnas Bubnys (Lithuania); Kalev Kukk (Estonia); Teimuraz Papaskiri (Georgia); Dariusz Rogut (Poland); members of the European Parliament; Boris Sokolov (Russia); Jukka Rislakki (Finland).

Latvia: A.Mežmalis; J.Prikulis; J.Kalniņš; G.Piņķe; P.Zvidriņš; E.Vītoliņš; J.Počs; R.A.Bebris, D.Pužule; I.Krūmiņa; I.Semjonovs; I.Upmalis; Ē.Tilgass; O.Aleksans; O.Gerke.

VIP invitees:

President of Latvia; Prime Minister of Latvia; Minister of Foreign Affairs; Minister of Environmental Protection and Regional Development; Minister of Education and Science; representatives from the European Commission; members of the European Parliament; foreign ambassadors in Latvia; international organizations located/represented in Latvia; Vice President of the Academy of Sciences of Latvia; leaders of political parties; chairpersons of various Committees of Saeima (Parliament).

Conference attendees:

Mass media; NGOs (Representatives from: the Repressed Person Society; National Resistance Movement Society; Chernobyl, Afghan War and various veteran organizations or societies; environmental protection societies; economist organizations; etc.); university professors and students; representatives from several research institutions and museums.

Conference papers – publication and distribution:

Papers received prior to 20 May 2011 will be consolidated, printed and distributed free of charge to: all lecturers; all conference attendees; institutions under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; public schools; universities; and public libraries; all local and city governments of Latvia; various research institutes; etc.

PROGRAMM

First day (17 June 2011): Social and Economical Losses

Time	Presentation topic	Country/ organization	Speaker
*From 9:00*	*Registration, coffee*
10.00	Opening remarks: President of Latvia (or Prime Minister or Minister for Foreign Affairs) Mrs. Inese Vaidere (Member of European Parliament) Ms. Iveta Šulca (Head of EU Commission in Latvia) Latvian Occupation Research Society (LOIB)	Latvia Latvia Latvia Latvia
10.40	Introduction: Historical background.	Latvia (LOIB)	A.Mežmalis
11.00	USSR caused damage/losses to Lithuania.	Lithuania	Arūnas Bubnys
11.20	USSR caused damage/losses to Estonia.	Estonia	Kalev Kukk
11.40	USSR caused damage/losses to Georgia.	Georgia	Teimuraz Papaskiri
12.00	USSR caused damage/losses to Poland.	Poland	Dariusz Rogut
12.20	Differences between East and West Germany’s development after WWII and the total costs for the unification of Germany.	FRG	Hans-Georg Wieck
12.40	EU view about the Soviet occupation of the Baltic States and appraisal of the USSR role.*	EP	Possible lecturer from the European Parliament*
*13.00*	*Lunch break / coffee pause* *During lunch break in separate room – press conference* *with the conference organizers, supporters, leading lecturers.*
14.00	Is USSR (Russia) indebted to the Baltic countries?	Russia
14.20	Latvia’s industry during 1940-1960s.	Latvia (LOIB)	J.Prikulis
14.40	Occupation losses/damage estimation: A hypothetical view of Latvia’s developmental path, if Latvia had not been invaded/occupied by the Soviet Union.	Latvia (LOIB)	J.Kalniņš G.Piņķe
15.00	USSR caused/inflicted demographic losses.	Latvia	P.Zvidriņš, E.Vītoliņš
15.20	Methodology for estimating a “person’s value”.	Latvia (LOIB)	J.Počs
15.35	About Soviet caused losses/damage in the Baltic States and compensation possibilities by Russia.	Russia	B.Sokolov
16.00	Panel discussion.
16.45-17.00	First day summary.	Latvia
*~ 19.00*	*Formal reception* (conference organizers, supporters, lecturers and collaborating partners)

Note –time given after each lecturer’s presentation to answer questions from the audience

* The topic and the speaker to be finalized / determined.

Second day (18 June 2011): Damage to the environment

Time	Presentation topic	Country/ Representation	Speaker
*From 9:30*	*Registration, coffee*
10.00	Latvia’s expenditures to date and additional funding needed to eliminate USSR caused pollution and pollution associated problems.	Latvia
10.25	The methodology used to determine the damage done to Latvia’s environment by the USSR occupation regime.	Latvia	R.A.Bebris
10.40	Pesticides used by USSR in agriculture and their harm to Latvia’s environment.	VSIA “Vides projekti”*	D.Pužule, I.Krūmiņa
11.00	USSR industrial and petroleum product pollution in Latvia.	VSIA “Vides projekti”	I.Semjonovs
11.30	EU evaluation of environmental condition and on the damage caused from the occupation. **	EP	Possible lecturer from the European Parliament*
11.50	The legal foundation for USSR caused losses/damage limit determination.	Latvia
*12.15*	*Lunch break / coffee pause*
13.00	USSR Army caused losses to Latvia.	Latvia (LOIB***)	I.Upmalis, Ē.Tilgass
13.20	“Lielvārde Airbase” – An example of Soviet military pollution.	SIA “Venteko”	O.Aleksans
13.40	Pollution of Latvia’s harbors/ports by USSR and consequence appraisal.	VSIA “Vides projekti”	O.Gerke
14.00	USSR chemical pollution of the sea and USSR missiles targeting Finland.	Finland
14.20.	Discussion panel.
15.00	Conference summary and closing remarks.	Latvia

Notes:

* VSIA “Vides projekti” – Environmental Projects.

** The topic and the speaker to be finalized / determined.

*** LOIB (Latvijas Okupācijas Izpētes Biedrība) – The Occupation of Latvia Research Society.