Rinkēvičs says Latvians would mobilise quickly in a crisis

Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs is confident the country’s people would mobilise to defend Latvia in a crisis, he told Latvian Television in an interview reported by LSM.

Speaking on Lāčplēsis Day, Rinkēvičs said it was difficult to imagine the atmosphere of events 107 years ago, even after reading history books and memoirs. He said he believed people today would act as those who fought for Latvia’s independence did.

Rinkēvičs said people may find it hard to predict how they would respond to a crisis, but history showed that during the barricades and the national awakening, people mobilised quickly to fight for independence and its restoration.

He stressed that this confidence was no reason to neglect preparation or leave people to handle a crisis alone. Latvia should consider how best to prepare, he said, adding that people already mobilise to help others in everyday life, including through donations and other assistance.

“When there is a crisis, I am confident we will manage, but the question is how to prepare better for it,” Rinkēvičs said.