Latvia: Information on a paramilitary organization, reportedly neo-Nazi, called "Zemessarge", which apparently existed prior to WWII as well as today, and one of whose leaders is named Janis Riba

According to a public affairs officer with the American-Latvian Association in Rockville, Maryland, the above information is deceiving (2 August 1994). "Zemessarge", which the officer indicates should be spelled with a "dz", i.e., "Zemessardze" (which means national guard in Latvian), is part of the Latvian military structure, whereas the "Aizsargi" organization, led by Janis Riba, is a non-governmental, paramilitary and quite radical organization (ibid.). Aizsargi, which existed previously (prior to WWII), resurfaced a few years ago (ibid.).

The Manchester Guardian Weekly indicates that the Aizsargi organization is known to have carried out pogroms throughout the country in 1941 (28 Feb. 1993). The Guardian goes on to say that an organization with the same name was created recently to act as the armed wing of the Latvian Citizens' Committee, one of the most right-wing groups in the country (ibid.). The Aizsargi claims to be the successor to the historic militia of the same name; in addition to its members wearing the same uniforms, it too has as its motto "Latvia for Latvians" (ibid.). The Guardian also states that the leader of the Aizsargi, Janis Riba, claims to command 15,000 soldiers who are preparing for war between the Latvians and the Soviet settlers (ibid.). The newspaper adds that the goal of the Aizsargi and of the Latvian Citizens' Committee is to make life so "uncomfortable" for the foreigners that they will leave on their own initiative (ibid.).

According to Time magazine, the government founded and armed the Zemessardze (national guard) in anticipation of a violent reaction, especially by the Russian-speaking police (Dec. 1992). The magazine also reports that the Zemessardze has 15,000 members and two units of ex-soldiers, some of whom are allegedly ex-members of the Waffen-SS (ibid.).

Time also discusses the Aizsargi, which in December 1992 claimed to have 14,000 members, patrolled the streets, took part in demonstrations and armed itself illegally (ibid.).

According to the Latvian Institute of International Affairs, a volunteer national defence force was founded on 24 August 1991 (1993, 51). In 1993, this force comprised 38 battalions totalling 17,000 men and women (ibid.).

For further information, please consult the attached documentation.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

References

American-Latvian Association, Rockville, Md. 2 August 1994. Telephone conversation with a public affairs officer.

Life [New York]. December 1992. Edward Barnes. "Soon They Will Come for Us." (NEXIS)

Latvian Institute of International Affairs, Riga. 1993. Led by Guntis Stamers. Latvia Today.

Manchester Guardian Weekly [London]. 22-28 February 1993. "Latvia's SS is Back." (NEXIS)

Attachments

Latvian Institute of International Affairs, Riga. 1993. Led by Guntis Stamers. Latvia Today, pp. 51-53.

Life [New York]. December 1992. Edward Barnes. "Soon They Will Come for Us." (NEXIS)

Manchester Guardian Weekly [London]. 22-28 February 1993. "Latvia's SS is Back." (NEXIS)

Russian Press Digest [Moscow]. 28 August 1990. Krasnaya Zvezna. "The Aizsargs Are Returning." (NEXIS)