Latvian president sees no threat from Russia+

TOKYO, Nov. 17 Kyodo - Latvian President Valdis Zatlers has said Russia, which invaded Georgia in August, does not pose ''any threat,'' noting collective security arrangements under NATO.

''We do not feel any threat,'' Zatlers said in a written answer to questions
sent by Kyodo News ahead of the 90th anniversary on Tuesday of Latvia's
declaration of independence from the Russian Empire.
''We are members of the European Union, members of the NATO alliance,'' he
said. ''We are looking at our security through the lens of collective approach
of NATO.''
Latvia was formerly subject to Russian imperial rule and was annexed by the
Soviet Union. The country restored its independence in 1991 and achieved its
major diplomatic goal of joining the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and the
European Union in 2004.
Zatlers criticized Russia for its plan to deploy missiles in its Baltic Sea
territory of Kaliningrad to counter U.S. plans to deploy anti-missile systems
in Poland and the Czech Republic.
Russia's plan is seen as ''a certain reduction of the level of trust,'' Zatlers
said.
Regarding the military conflict between Georgia and Russia over the pro-Russian
breakaway province of South Ossetia, Zatlers said, ''There are discussions
about how the war started and who's to blame.''
''Of course, the Georgian side has made some mistakes over the last years, but
it was clear that Russia was on high alert for the disproportionate response.''
Zatlers praised last year's visit to Latvia by Japanese Emperor Akihito and
Empress Michiko.
''Currently the bilateral relationship between Latvia and Japan are excellent
and ever deepening, but I am certain that we still have opportunities for
intensification of our contacts,'' he said.
''In the future, however, we are looking forward to expanding our cooperation
in other areas as well, including trade and economic cooperation,'' Zatlers
said.
==Kyodo