Latvia may disclose names of former KGB agents Nov. 1
16/10/2006 14:46 RIGA, October 16 (RIA Novosti) - The legal affairs commission of the Latvian parliament may disclose the contents of KGB files containing the names of former secret police agents, a commission spokesman said Monday.
On Wednesday, the commission will finalize amendments to a draft law on the disclosure of information about former KGB agents, and if formalities are completed within the established timeframe, the information could be released November 1.
The commission said it intends to publish all 4,500 names and aliases used by former KGB agents in Latviisky vestnik, an official government newsletter.
The discussion of the need to disclose information about secret KGB agents has been ongoing in Latvia since 1991, when the country gained its independence from the Soviet Union. In 2004, parliament officially endorsed disclosure.
According to Latvian law, former agents of the Soviet state security services may not vote in any elections or be elected, so the disclosure may deal a telling blow to Latvia's political elite.
Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga opposes disclosure, saying that publishing information about former KGB agents will endanger their privacy and personal security.
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