Wiesenthal Center Protests Glorification of Latvian SS Legion by Latvian Defense Minister

Jerusalem-The Simon Wiesenthal Center today protested statements made recently by Latvian Defense Minister Artis Pabriks in praise of the Latvian SS Legions whichfought alongside the forces of Nazi Germany.

In a letter sent today to Latvian Ambassador Ms. Elita Gavele, the Center expressed its shock and indignation in response to the praise heaped by Minister Pabriksupon his countrymen who joined forces with those of the Third Reich, describing those men as "the pride of the Latvian people and state."

According to Zuroff:

"Given the fact that the Legion fought for a victory of the Third Reich, the most genocidal regime in history, and that among those serving in it were activeparticipants in the mass murder of Latvian Jewry, as well as of German and Austrian Jews deported by the Nazis to Riga, such comments are incomprehensible, let alone deeply offensive, coming froma senior minister of a country with full membership in the European Union and NATO."

For additional information please contact the Israel Office of the Wiesenthal Center: Tel: 972-2-563-1274 or Tel: 972-50-721-4156, join the Center onFacebook, www.facebook.com/simonwiesenthalcenter, or follow @simonwiesenthal @EZuroff for news updates sent direct to your Twitter feed.

The Simon Wiesenthal Center is one of the largest international Jewish human rights organizations with over 400,000 member families in the United States. It is anNGO at international agencies including the United Nations, UNESCO, the OSCE, the OAS, the Council of Europe and the Latin American Parliament (Parlatino).

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