[Appeal issued by the "Equal Rights" faction to the peoples of Latvia, Riga SOVETSKAYA LATVIYA in Russian 18 Jan 91 p 1]

[Text] Political and economic adventurism is destroying our republic. We are surrounded by calumny, lies, and provocation--minor and gross--endangering people's lives. The barricades in Old Riga and on the city's bridges are no less than a crime.

Are those who have sent people to the barricades really expecting tanks. If so, will not a high price be exacted for these props which are fit only for a tear-jerking movie which will subsequently be sold for hard currency. If not, their crime still lies ahead.

The alliance between the Congress of Citizens and the Latvian Republic Supreme Soviet is nothing more than an ordinary parliamentary coup. Affairs in the Supreme Soviet are now being run by a few dozen national-radical deputies, and they are playing for very high political stakes. In these conditions the "Equal Rights" faction deems it impossible to take part in the work of the republic Supreme Soviet.

The formation of a totalitarian regime of nationalist persuasion which gives to some at the expense of others is under way.

We deputies of the "Equal Rights" faction urge all political and social movements to halt. Confrontation on the streets of Riga could lead to bloodshed. The political ambitions of a group of political intriguers will be paid for with peoples' lives.

It is sad that barricades have also been erected in people's hearts. The hysteria in the mass media has already so changed people's minds that the very idea of compromise seems impossible.

Nevertheless, we do urge the opposing forces to sit down at the negotiating table for the sake of our Latvia's salvation.

S. Dimanis, chairman of the "Equal Rights" faction.