Latvian President Valdis Zatlers, in Washington on a working visit, met with B'nai B'rith leaders on April 24. BBI President Moishe Smith and Executive Vice President Daniel S. Mariaschin hosted Zatlers at B'nai B'rith headquarters – their first meeting since he was sworn in as president in July 2007. At the meeting, Zatlers and the BBI leaders discussed such issues as property restitution, anti-Semitism, NATO enlargement, and European Union-Middle East policy.
"It was an honor to meet with President Zatlers," Smith said. "We discussed issues of great importance to the Jews of Latvia and the world. The president provided insightful commentary on a wide range of issues."
One year ago, Mariaschin received a state decoration from Latvia with the designation of the Order of Three Stars – Latvia's highest civilian honor. Mariaschin was honored for making Holocaust restitution and education efforts a top priority for Latvians and Jews.
"Our close ties with Latvia are a testament to the country's leadership," Mariaschin said. "Though the Jewish population of Latvia is small, President Zatlers demonstrated a keen interest in working through issues relevant to local Jews, as well as to the global Jewish community."
With a lodge in the capital Riga since the mid-1990s, BBI has a longstanding relationship with Latvia and its Jewish community.
During his U.S. visit, Zatlers is also meeting with Vice President Dick Cheney, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, and Defense Secretary Robert Gates.
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