LATVIA'S UNIQUE PATH TOWARD INDEPENDENCE: THE CHALLENGES ASSOCIATED WITH THE TRANSITION FROM A SOVIET REPUBLIC TO AN INDEPENDENT STATE.

The article discusses Latvia's transition from its role of a Soviet republic to its status as an independent state, moving toward a democratic government and a market economy. Other topics include the history of Latvia in relation to Russification under Soviet Union (USSR) rule, the identity of Latvia along with Lithuania and Estonia as a Baltic State, and ethnic tension between Russians and Latvians. Also addressed are the Third Awakening movement in Latvian culture, the creation of civil society organizations in Latvia, and problems involving citizenship law and non-Latvians in Latvia following independence.