Lietuvos ginčas su Latvija dėl Šventosios ir Palangos (1918-1921 m.)

LTStraipsnyje aptariama, kaip Šventoji ir Palanga, po I pasaulinio karo atitekusi Latvijai, po ilgų derybų 1921 m. perduota Lietuvai. Pastarajai ši teritorija svarbi kaip tuo metu vienintelis išėjimas į jūrą, nors ir Latvija čia turėjo ekonominių bei strateginių interesų. Šis sudėtingas teritorinis ginčas sureguliuotas taikiai, diplomatiniu būdu, nustačius abiejų valstybių sieną. Lietuvos ir Latvijos pajūrio gyventojai savo tautines aspiracijas, pageidavimus priklausyti konkrečiai valstybei reiškė organizuotai: dalyvavo mitinguose, rašė peticijas. Smurto buvo išvengta. Tai rodo, kad aiški tautinė savimonė konfliktų nesukelia, atvirkščiai - net padeda juos sureguliuoti. Šis sienos nustatymo epizodas keltinas iš užmaršties ir teiktinas kaip šiandieninių teritorinių konfliktų sprendimo pavyzdys. Pagrindiniai žodžiai: Šventoji, Palanga, Lietuvos ir Latvijos sienos nustatymas, Baltijos valstybės.

ENThe article is devoted to the history of regaining the territories of Šventoji and Palanga for Lithuania. After World War I these territories as part of Courish province were allocated to the newly established state of Latvia. Lithuania was also claiming the coastline of Šventoji and Palanga as its historical lands and as the only access to the Baltic Sea (at that time Klaipėda did not constitute part of Lithuania). Latvia was not willing to abandon the contested territory either because of economic and strategic interests it had there. It agreed to exchange that piece of land for Mažeikiai, which was important as a railway node connecting Liepaja with central areas in Latvia. Such an exchange was unacceptable to Lithuania: one territory of the country could not be exchanged for another as both Mažeikiai and Šventoji-Palanga coastline were its undis- putable historical lands. Resolution of the situation seemed hopeless. The border negotiations between Lithuania and Latvia held in 1919 and 1920 in Paris, Jelgava, Kaunas and Riga actually bore no fruit. Yet, both states found strength to resolve the territorial conflict in a peaceful way- through diplomatic means. The dispute was passed to the Arbitration Commission headed by professor Simpson, a representative of England. In 1921 the Commission made a final decision concerning demarcation of the Lithuania-Latvia border and allocated Šventoji and Palanga to Lithuania.This way the territorial dispute was resolved without a military conflict. Latvia transferred all the Šventoji-Palanga coastline to Lithuania peacefully. Residents on the Lithuanian and Latvian side tried to express their national aspirations in an organised manner by taking part in meetings, signing petitions and making their wish to be citizens of one or the other state known in other peaceful ways. It is a proof that national consciousness contains no conflict in itself. Clear understanding of one’s identity only helps to resolve disputes. This border compromise shows that territorial conflicts can be resolved peacefully even under most difficult circumastances. This is especially relevant today, at a time of the terrorist threat. Keywords: Šventoji, Palanga, Lithuania-Latvia border demarcation, Baltic States. [From the publication]