[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 30, Number 18 (Monday, May 9, 1994)]
[Page 953]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Statement on the Agreement To Withdraw Russian Military Forces From 
Latvia

April 30, 1994

    I applaud today's agreement signed by Latvian President Guntis 
Ulmanis and Russian President Boris Yeltsin that will lead to the 
withdrawal of Russian military forces from the territory of the Republic 
of Latvia by August 31, 1994. I have contacted both leaders to offer my 
personal congratulations for their vision and statesmanship in 
concluding this historic accord.
    Since the early days of my administration, among my highest foreign 
policy priorities has been promoting agreement on an orderly withdrawal 
of Russian forces from the Baltic countries. I discussed this frequently 
with President Yeltsin and President Ulmanis. The United States has 
played an active role with both parties during the course of the 
Latvian-Russian negotiations. I believe that our engagement with both 
sides, along with the support provided by other countries, in particular 
Sweden, has played a constructive role in bringing this agreement to a 
successful conclusion.
    Over the course of their negotiations, both the Latvian and Russian 
Governments displayed a pragmatic approach to resolving their 
differences. The understandings that this document embodies, including 
the continued operation of the radar installation at Skrunda as a 
civilian facility, are testimony to the determination of both sides to 
conclude an agreement that responds to Russian concerns while affirming 
Latvia's full and unrestricted sovereignty and promoting its integration 
into the world community.
    The agreement between Latvia and Russia now opens the door to a more 
normal relationship between the two countries. It constitutes an 
important contribution to overall stability in the Baltic region and to 
European security as a whole. I hope that this agreement also will help 
stimulate a speedy conclusion of the troop withdrawal negotiations 
between Estonia and Russia.