LATVIA: RIGA: CRITICISM OF LATVIAN WAFFEN SS MARCH

(16 Mar 2000) Russian/Nat Jewish and some Russian groups in Latvia have criticised a remembrance ceremony and procession by three hundred veterans of the Latvian Waffen S-S. The annual march marks a major battle that took place on March 16, 1944, between the Latvian Waffen S-S and Russia's Red Army. Over the last two years the march has continually provoked a storm of protest at home and abroad. Present day supporters of the World War-two Latvian Waffen S-S, also known as the Latvian Legion, say it was strictly a frontline army. They argue it was not the same as the regular S-S - Adolf Hitler's elite force that carried out mass executions during the Holocaust. Even so, Russia claims the event shows contempt for the millions of Soviet war dead. And members of Latvia's 11 thousand-strong Jewish community say the march is insensitive to the memory of 80 thousand Latvian Jews massacred during the 1941-44 Nazi occupation. But despite the criticism the ceremony has still gone ahead as planned. The former soldiers, most in their 70s and 80s, first gather in a church to sing and pray. From there they begin a slow march across the old city's cobble-stoned streets to lay flowers at a nearby independence monument. The marchers are not embarrassed by the past - rather they are proud of their history. SOUNDBITE: (German) "Today we remember the dead legionnaires and Latvians still think about this. They fought against what the communists were doing here (in Latvia)." SUPER CAPTION: Ludwig Schultz, veteran Some of the grey-haired veterans clutch bouquets of flowers or carry Latvian flags as they walk. Although some local residents lined the street to watch, the crowds were smaller than last year. The police presence, heavy during last year's march, was also less noticeable. Controversy was heightened last year after Latvia's parliament declared March 16 an official day of remembrance. But earlier this year the parliament sought to reduce tensions and international criticism by rescinding that decision. Latvians say the controversy stems from a misunderstanding of history. The Soviets occupied Latvia at the start of the war in 1940, Germany ruled the country from 1941-44, and the Soviets retook it in 1944. With Latvia sandwiched between the Nazi and Soviet armies, 250 thousand Latvians ended up fighting on one side of the conflict or the other, usually after being conscripted. Some 150 thousand Latvian combatants died in the war. Latvia regained its independence from Moscow in 1991 following the collapse of the Soviet Union. Find out more about AP Archive: www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter: twitter.com/AP_Archive Facebook: www.facebook.com/APArchives ​​ Instagram: www.instagram.com/APNews/ You can license this story through AP Archive: www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/5665583e8e30226…

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