LATVIAN ELECTIONS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue LXXI, 14 September 1940, Page 6

LATVIAN ELECTIONS.

COMMUNIST GOVERNMENT,

AMBASSADOR'S ATTITUDE

The Latvian Consul in Auckland, Mr. Norman Heath, has received a letter from the Latvian Ambassador in London, Mr. Charles Zurrin, in which the latter states that he is maintaining his oftiee as an independent, national Government. He states that the Parliamentary elections were held in Latvia on July 14 and I~> under extic conditions of duress with strong foreign armed forces and high .Russian Government officials present. The only political party able to prepare was the Communist JKirty, and in direct contravention of the Latvian Constitution on which the election was professed to I>c based, tho Parliament elected had resolved to seek incorporation in . the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. "As a representative of the independent, national Latvian Government, and of tile president of the republic who on July ID was deposed from his office, I regard my country as having become the victim of wanton aggression, and all the recent happenings mentioned above as enacted under duress and illegal," continued the Ambassador. Accordingly I' liavo informed His Majesty's Government that I do not relished in Latvia, and I shall continuo to act as the rcpreseiiative of an Independent Latvia and .the free Latvian people. I sincerely hope to enjoy, in this sad hour of my country, the full co-opcrntion which I have always been so glad to receive from you under happier auspices." Mr. Heath states he intends to onrry mi and recognise the authority of the Ambassador and will continue to fly the national flag of Latvia over liis office on national days of observance as' he had liitbcrto done.