The State Continuity Doctrine and Negotiations on Withdrawal of the Russian Armed Forces from Latvia, 1992–1994

Abstract

This article examines legal and political issues arising in respect to withdrawal of the former Soviet Union’s Armed Forces from Latvia. The Russian Federation had declared itself as the successor state to the Soviet Union and assumed jurisdiction of the Soviet Armed Forces stationed in the Baltic states. Having regained its independence, Latvia demanded that Russia remediate damages due to the occupation and incorporation by the USSR, first and foremost, rapidly and unconditionally withdrawing the Armed Forces of the former Soviet Union. Russia had willingly assumed the legal rights of the USSR, but in negotiations with Latvia it avoided assuming responsibility for these damages and instead advanced demands linking these with troop withdrawal and ignoring international legal issues. Latvia, as was the case for the other Baltic states, was compelled to assume responsibility for most of the consequences, including remediating the damage arising from the presence of the former USSR’s Armed Forces on its territory. This paper concludes that relations with Russia cannot rely solely upon respect for international legal norms.