Although I posted something on the opening page, I thought I’d repeat and expand on it here.
Gunars Meierovics deserves a place of honor alongside his father in the history of Latvia’s nationhood. I would even go so far as to characterize Gunars as Latvia’s de facto foreign minister in exile between 1950 and 1991. During that time he was the guiding light and chief strategist for all refugee Latvian organizations engaged in keeping the flame of Latvian independence alive. He was one of the founders of ALA and PBLA in the 1950’s and while many served these organizations with dedication and honor in the ensuing years, Gunars Meierovics dedicated his life to them. One of his greatest achievements was uniting US Latvian, Lithuanians and Estonians in forming the Joint Baltic American National Committee - JBANC. JBANC is and remains the most influential, respected and accomplished Baltic lobbying group in Washginton D.C. Gunars understood that 1 million Baltic-Americans were much more effective in lobbying Latvia’s interests than 100,000 Latvian-Americans. Gunars always fought for Baltic unity, and also enlisted the cooperation and support of other Captive Nation organizations throughout the United States.
I first got to know Gunars in 1985 when I moved to Washington, D.C. to work for ALA, and quickly realized that he was the only serious, knowledgeable, full-time Latvian lobbyist and activist in the Beltway at that time. Many others contributed to the cause, took leading positions in organizations and devoted time and money to the effort, but for most it was a part-time undertaking away from their day jobs. For Gunars, this was a full-time, full-committment mission.
He was well known and highly respected in all the halls of power in Washington, from the White House and State Department to the US Congress. He was a valued friend and colleague to the diplomats in exile that ran all three Baltic diplomatic missions in the US during the Cold War years. And he was a source of information and inspiration to the young Baltic-Americans who joined the crusade for Baltic independence. When the Atmoda began around 1987, Gunars was actively engaged in making contacts with Helsinki 86, LNNK, Tautas Fronte and others. Although Gunars had his moments of doubt, cautious scepticism and suspicion, he didn’t hesitate to make contact with anyone from Latvia involved the independence movement, and provided many of us with wise counsel on how to evaluate people and policies.
For most Latvians in Latvia, Gunars is only known through his activities in Riga after 1991. He was instrumental in forming Latvijas Cels, became a member of parliament and was even a candidate for the presidency. He then worked in the Foreign Ministry for many years. Even after his retirement, Gunars remained fully engaged, interested and committed. For me, he was also a living legend, who spanned several generations and fondly talked about his memories of Karlis Ulmanis and other major personalities prior to 1940.
Gunars Meierovics is a true hero - a patriot, a diplomat and a Latvian who lived his life for his country. I am very proud to have known him and worked with him. Vieglas smilts Gunar!
Ojars Kalnins
