Press review

"Diena" (in Latvian): D
"Neatkariga" (in Latvian): N
"Tchass" (in Russian): T
"Business and Baltia" (in Russian): BB
"Vesti Segodnya" (in Russian): VS
"Lauku Avize" (in Latvian): LA
"Dienas Bizness" (in Latvian): DB
"Telegraf (in Russian): TEL

Jewish Related Issues:
" TEL" (p.3, with photo of Arkadij Sukharenko) publishes the comments of Head of the Jewish Community, Arkadij Sukharenko, on Zuroff's visit under the headline "The Past Cannot Be Sold".

A. S. reminds readers about the aim of Zuroff’s visit and about the meaning of "The Last Chance" operation. However, A. S. declares that he disagrees with some of Zuroff’s announcements and especially with the form of Z.'s activity, as it exists today. This way of activity has no reasonable ground - as a result there can be the wave of anti-Semitism in Latvia, A. S. writes. The Jewish Community in Latvia supports the investigation of Nazi's crimes during the World War II. A.S. considers that the main reason for this work is not punishment but the hope that such a tragedy would not take place in the future. A. S. points out that the activities to improve relations with the Jewish Community carried out by the President and the Minister's Cabinet of Latvia should be marked especially. However, A.S. wrote, relations among different nationalities in one country are a very fragile issue, and both sides are using every effort not to allow any action that can lead to outbursts of anti-Semitism. This is what might happen upon Z's announcements. A.S. concludes his comments as follows: "But in case Simon Wiesenthal's Center will present any concrete information about Nazi criminals in Latvia, I am ready to be a provider for transmission this information to the Latvian Authorities in order murderers to be punished. Because every criminal who once had raised his hand against an innocent victim must remember all his life that he will never escape punishment.

"VS" from July 13 publishes a short article "MFA Against Zuroff"
MFA of Latvia considers that "incorrect" announcements of E.Z. about tens of Nazi criminals in Latvia are too general and do not promote finding out the truth in this matter. MFA representatives also point out that the Ministry is doing all its best not only in finding the criminals but in informing the people about the results in order such crimes would not take place in the future.

" NA" (p. 3; "The Information About the Criminals Is to Be Summarized) publishes an informative article about Zuroff’s visit to Riga and the "Last Chance Operation". The article gives general description of the "operation" and the reaction of MFA.

“D" (p. 16, with Janis Buls's picture of Efraim Zuroff) publishes the commentary article of "Diena's" reader under the headline "The Opportunity for Nazi Hunters."

The Director of S. Wiesenthal Is Looking for Somebody to Judge". The author writes that E.Z. has already proved that his visits to the Baltics provoke "special" emotions and both local Authorities and Jewish Community do not eagerly expect these visits. "Last Chance" operation calls the Latvian population to give information about 50 years old crimes. He argues Prof A. Stranga's research data saying that only 300-500 people who dealt with Nazis is stupidity because "the local policemen who helped to chase Jews together also are criminals because they participated in annihilation of their neighbors. Latvia was the only place (!!) in the World where Jews were brought especially for murdering and the killers here were so good that even have been sent to other places," The author comments on Z's speech and gives some of Z's biographic details. The author also cites Z's reasons for this kind of activity and investigations. Z. condemns Authorities of the Baltics saying that they now know how to speak nice about Jewish matters, but at the same time they do nothing. According to the author Z. is now in a great hurry because within coming 2-3 years there will be no World War II Nazi criminals - they will just die. The author ends with the words: "Now he simply needs to find somebody to judge. Of course, if there are such people here".

“LA” publishes an article by Inara Murniece (p.4, with Efraim Zuroff’s picture) called “The Nazi Hunters Promise Money Rewards". This article gives general information on E.Z. visit to Riga and "Last Chance" operation. I.M. cites many of E. Z. announcements, the opinion of MFA of Latvia, and some of utterances from the press-conference participants.

" T" (p. 8), "Wiesenthal Center Submits to Estonia a List of Suspected People".
Zuroff visited Tallinn and submitted to the State Security Police a list of 17 persons suspected in extermination of Jews during WWII. The Estonian Security Police said that they will check the information and if there will be any grounds, they will start the criminal investigation. Majority of Estonian politicians said that the announced reward has a kind of "dirty smell". On Wednesday Zuroff said to press that Estonia is the only State in the Baltics where no investigations against Nazis have been started. He was objected by the Tartu University Professor, whose doctor's thesis was dedicated to the Holocaust research in the Baltics. He said that there where 24 trials against persons who have committed crimes against humanity.

T, (p.2), from T discussion column, "Resonance: Nazis Must be Searched" (by anonymous author with a nickname Chechaco). The author basically agreed with Zuroff’s activities and he said that Nazis should be hunted here in order to avoid legends about courageous Latvian pilot fighting against Nazis during WWII.

________________________________________________________________________