AUSTRALIAN BALTS AND WHITLAM – 1974
Had the Baltic communities in Australia not been successful in reversing the immoral decision, the road to renewed Baltic independence in 1989-1991 would have been much more difficult.
Saturday 18th October, 1:30 p.m., Sydney Latvian House
The news from Reuters in Moscow on the morning of Saturday 3 August 1974 sent waves of shock through the Baltic community in Australia. The Australian government under Gough Whitlam had decided to recognise the incorporation of the Baltic States into the Soviet Union de jure. This came despite decades of promises that the Australian government would continue to recognise only the fact that the Baltic states were under Soviet rule, but not legally. Suddenly the Baltic States and the Baltic refugees’ status was under threat.
Events over the next 16 months led to The Dismissal, Australia’s constitutional crisis, and the dismissal of the Australian Prime Minister by the Governor-General. Although this was brought about by several factors, the role of the Baltic communities cannot be ignored. Even more important is the fact that many other countries were following the reaction to the move in Australia. Other countries could have followed. Had the Baltic communities in Australia not been successful in reversing the immoral decision, the road to renewed Baltic independence in 1989-1991 would have been much more difficult. Maintenance of the continuity of de jure independence meant that the Baltic states had the basis for their renewed independences in 1990. It is also one of the reasons many of us are entitled to dual citizenship.
Valda Liepiņa, former chair of the Australian chapter of the Latvian Popular front, and current chair of the Executive Board of the Occupation Museum Association of Latvia will give an overview of the events of this historical period, as well as a brief look at the Baltic communities’ involvement in the renewal of independence of the Baltic States.
The talk will be in English.
Entry by donation, starting from $10, to aid the Museum of the Occupation of Latvia.
The Vecrīga café will be open from 12:30 for a light lunch and refreshments
