Two Latvians in the United Kingdom and one in Canada are to receive the top awards this year from the Culture Fund of the World Federation of Free Latvian (Pasaules brīvo latviešu apvienība, or PBLA), the association has announced on its Web site.

Winners of the USD 1,000 awards are Velta Sniķere of England for her collection of poetry, Pietuvoties vārdiem, Zigfrīds Sapietis of Scotland in recognition for his work in sculpture and Ingrida Vīksne of Canada for her work with the Latvian press, particularly in editing the Canadian-Latvian weekly, Latvija Amerikā.

Honorary diplomas have been awarded to Valda Oestreichere of Canada for her painting, “Trīs granātāboli,” and to Māris Pulis of England for his leadership since 1975 of the London folk dance troupe Kamoliņš.

The PBLA also named two winners of the Krišjānis Barons award, which carries a USD 500 prize. They are Andris Ritmanis of the United States for his documentary book, Dzīves drumstaliņas Amerikā, and Ziedonis Āboliņš of England, who since 1987 had led the mixed choir of the Straumēni retirement home.

Eight other individuals are recognized for their contributions to Latvian culture. They are Guna Ikona of Canada for her poem, “Nirstot”; Indra Gubiņa of Canada for her novel, Sārta svītra debesīs; Māra Gulēna of Canada for editing and publishing the e-zine Toronto Ziņas; and, for their lifetime achievement in Latvian theatre, Skaidrīte Pūpēde, Ilga Freija and Juris Freija, all of Canada, and Rita Kaugura and Ilga Rubene of the United States.

The PBLA is headquartered in Rīga, but its Culture Fund is based in Rockville, Md. The Culture Fund was founded in 1972 with a goal of supporting Latvian culture in exile.

The government of Prime Minister Indulis Emsis has fallen, forced out after its proposed 2005 budget failed Oct. 28 to be adopted by the Saeima, the Latvian parliament. Jockeying now begins as political parties try to form a new coalition to lead the country.

Parliamentary rules say that if a budget fails in the first or second readings, it is the equivalent of a vote of no confidence in the government. The vote in the first reading was 53 against, 39 in favor and 5 abstentions, according to Latvian media reports.

The Emsis government—a minority coalition comprised of three parties—proposed a budget that would spend LVL 2.73 billion in the next year. However, according to media reports, the vote against the budget was more a vote against the Emsis government rather than an attack on the overall budget.

Ironically, media reports also said Oct. 27 that the Emsis-led coalition had secured enough votes to be able to pass the budget on its first reading. But, the news agency LETA said, on Oct. 28 members of parliament from Tautas partija (People’s Party) turned against the government and voted against the budget, even though their party is part of the minority coalition.

The Emsis government easily survived a vote of no confidence on Sept. 16. The vote had been sought by the leftist Tautas saskaņas partija (National Harmony Party). The conservative Jaunais laiks (New Era) party, led by former Prime Minister Einars Repše, also has sought to force out Emsis.

Emsis became prime minister on March 9 when parliament approved his government in a 56-33 vote. The coalition of minority parties included Emsis’ own Zaļo un zemnieku savienība (Union of Greens and Farmers), the conservative Latvijas Pirmā partija (First Party of Latvia) and the conservative Tautas partija.

President Vaira Vīķe-Freiberga now has to invite a new candidate to become prime minister and form a new government, which will have to be approved by parliament. Emsis and his ministers are expected to continue serving until a new government is approved.

Another Estonian soldier has been killed in Iraq, according to the Estonian Ministry of Defense, becoming the third soldier from the small Baltic contingent to die in an attack by insurgents.

First Sgt. Arre Illenzeer, 28, was killed and five other Estonian soldiers were injured Oct. 25 when the vehicle in which they were riding drove over a bomb. Two of the injured are reported to be in serious condition, according to Baltic media.

Illenzeer is the second Estonian to die in Iraq. Junior Sgt. Andres Nuiamäe, 21, died Feb. 28. Latvian First Lt. Olafs Baumanis, 34, died June 8 in an attack on an ammunition depot.

Illenzeer, attached to the ESTPLA-9 light infantry unit, was part of a patrol in western Baghdad when the attack occurred.

Latvian Minister of Defense Atis Slakteris and Vice Adm. Gaidis Andrejs Zeibots, commander of the nation’s armed forces, expressed their condolences to Estonia over the death of the soldier. Latvia currently has 133 troops serving in Iraq, according to the Ministry of Defense.