2009 Programs and Events
The U.S. Embassy in Latvia Extends its Condolences to the Families of Latvian Soldiers and People of Latvia
Riga, May 1, 2009. - The Embassy of the United States extends its deepest condolences to the families of the two Latvian soldiers killed in action today in Afghanistan and to the people of Latvia. We also hope for a recovery in the nearest time for the wounded Latvian soldiers. The United States shares in this grief as three of our own soldiers were killed fighting side by side in the same operation.
American and Latvian soldiers are working together in the NATO mission in Afghanistan to bring stability to that country and train Afghans to be able to take responsibility for their own security. The Afghan army also lost three soldiers in this attack. The mission in Afghanistan is NATO’s highest priority because the terrorists trained there have carried out attacks around the world including in New York, London, Madrid and Istanbul. Today’s incident demonstrates the difficulty of this mission, but we reaffirm its importance to our collective security.
The U.S. is proud of the partnership with Latvia in the mission which is the first combined U.S/Latvian deployment to Afghanistan and indicative of the strong commitment to our common security.
U.S. Embassy, Riga, Public Affairs Section
Smilšu iela 7
Rīga, LV 1050
Phone: 371 67509037; 371 28350094
Internet: www.riga.usembassy.gov
Media specialist’s e-mail: kreilek@state.gov