Anatols Dinbergs facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Anatols Dinbergs
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| Born | March 3 [O.S. February 2], 1911 Riga, Governorate of Livonia, Russian Empire
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| Died | November 3, 1993 (aged 82) |
| Nationality | Latvian |
Anatols Dinbergs (March 3, 1911 – November 9, 1993) was a very important diplomat from Latvia. He started working for Latvia's Foreign Ministry in 1932. When the Soviet Union took over Latvia, Dinbergs was abroad and stayed in the United States. He worked at the Latvian Legation in Washington, D.C., after World War II.
In 1970, Dinbergs became the highest-ranking Latvian diplomat outside of Latvia. He represented Latvia's interests until Latvia became independent again in 1991. After Latvia regained its freedom, Dinbergs was appointed Latvia's first ambassador to the United Nations. Later, he also became Latvia's first ambassador to the United States. After he retired, he continued to advise the Latvian Embassy in Washington, D.C., until he passed away in 1993.
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Anatols Dinbergs: Early Life and Career
Growing Up in Latvia
Anatols Dinbergs' family had to leave Latvia during the Latvian War of Independence (1914-1918). They lived as refugees in a place called Vitebsk. When they returned to Latvia, which was now an independent country, Anatols' father, Alfrēds, worked for the Latvian Railways. He was even elected to the Saeima, which is Latvia's parliament.
Anatols Dinbergs went to the Riga State Gymnasium No.1 and also studied at the French Institute. He later earned a law degree from the University of Latvia.
Starting His Diplomatic Journey
Dinbergs began working for Latvia's Foreign Ministry in 1932, even while he was still studying. His first job abroad was in Łódź, Poland, from 1933 to 1934. After that, he worked in different roles in the Foreign Ministry in Latvia. In 1937, he moved to New York to work at Latvia's consulate there.
Standing Up for Latvia's Freedom
Resisting Soviet Occupation
In June 1940, the Soviet Union invaded Latvia. Anatols Dinbergs was told to return home, but he refused. Because of this, the new Soviet government in Latvia removed him from his job. However, the Latvian diplomatic team outside of Latvia continued to work. They were led by Kārlis Reinholds Zariņš in London.
In Washington, D.C., the head of the Latvian consulate, Alfreds Bīlmanis, promoted Dinbergs. Dinbergs then moved to Washington, D.C., in 1941. He became a key diplomat there, working to keep Latvia's independence alive.
Leading the Diplomatic Service
After Bīlmanis passed away, Dinbergs temporarily took over as the main diplomat in Washington, D.C. This role is called chargé d'affaires ad interim. He did this from 1948 to 1949. Later, Julijs Feldmanis took the main position, and Dinbergs became the first secretary. When Feldmanis died in 1953, Dinbergs again stepped in temporarily.
While working, Dinbergs also continued his studies. In 1953, he earned his doctorate in political science from Georgetown University. His special project was about how Latvia was taken over by the Soviet Union.
In 1963, Arnolds Spekke became the head of the Latvian diplomatic service after Kārlis Zariņš died. The main office for Latvian diplomats then moved to Washington, D.C. On October 1, 1970, Dinbergs took over from Spekke when Spekke retired. Dinbergs became the general consul to the United States in 1971. Later that year, Latvian diplomats met in Paris and chose Dinbergs to be the chief of Latvia's diplomatic service. He led this service as chargé d'affaires until Latvia regained its independence.
Connecting with a Free Latvia
From 1940 to 1991, the Latvian Legation in Washington, D.C., did not talk to the government of the Latvian SSR. But in December 1988, they welcomed visitors from Latvia who were part of the Latvian Popular Front. After Latvia declared its independence on May 4, 1990, Dinbergs started to make unofficial connections with Latvia's new leaders. He also helped arrange visits to the U.S. for Latvia's prime minister, Ivars Godmanis, and foreign minister, Jānis Jurkāns.
In 1991, Dinbergs helped create a plan for how the Latvian Foreign Ministry and the legation in Washington, D.C., would work together. He also organized an important meeting in Washington, D.C., in April 1991, which Jurkāns attended.
The legation in Washington, D.C., played a very important role in January and August 1991. Dinbergs, along with diplomats from Estonia and Lithuania, kept the U.S. State Department informed about what was happening in the Baltic states as they worked to become independent. On August 21, 1991, the day Latvia regained its independence, Dinbergs sent a message to Riga. He congratulated the government and promised that the legation would work even more closely with Latvia's leaders.
Becoming an Ambassador
To show this new partnership, Latvia's acting president, Anatolijs Gorbunovs, visited the U.S. and the United Nations in September 1991. That same month, Dinbergs was officially appointed as both the head of Latvia's diplomatic service and the U.S. envoy.
On September 6, 1991, the Latvian government gave Anatols Dinbergs the full power to represent Latvia at the United Nations. He was officially appointed on September 17. This made him Latvia's first Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations. He had the honor of being there when Latvia's flag was raised for the first time as a UN member. Dinbergs retired from his UN job on December 5 that year, but he continued to lead the diplomatic service and serve as the U.S. envoy.
On September 18, 1991, the Latvian government also asked the U.S. government to upgrade the Legation to an Embassy. They also asked the U.S. to accept Dinbergs as their Ambassador. The U.S. agreed. On March 11, 1992, Anatols Dinbergs presented his official papers to U.S. president George H. W. Bush. President Bush was very happy to see Dinbergs in this role, praising him for his long and excellent service. Before 1991, Latvia only had envoys in the U.S., not ambassadors. So, Dinbergs became Latvia's first-ever ambassador to the United States.
Most of the diplomats Dinbergs had appointed in other countries, like the U.S., France, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and Germany, continued in their jobs after Latvia regained independence.
Dinbergs retired from active diplomatic duties in December 1992. He continued to serve as an advisor to the Embassy until his death on November 9, 1993.
Dinbergs left his property to the Fraternitas Lettica, one of the oldest Latvian student groups he belonged to. This money is used to fund scholarships for Latvian students. The first scholarship from the Fraternitas Lettica Senior Association Anatols Dinbergs Fund was given out in June 2005.
Remembering Anatols Dinbergs
Tributes to a Diplomat
Latvian foreign minister Māris Riekstiņš recognized Dinbergs' important work for Latvia on November 17, 2007. This was when the Foreign Ministry moved back to its original building in Riga. Riekstiņš said that the building held memories of important figures like Dinbergs, who worked for Latvia's diplomatic service in exile and lived to see Latvia become independent again.
His Lasting Impact
Sandra Kalniete, who was the foreign minister at the time, spoke about Dinbergs in 2004. She said that it was a great honor for her to receive Dinbergs' letter confirming his service to the Foreign Ministry after Latvia regained independence. She asked younger people to imagine how much it meant to Dinbergs to finally present his official papers to the President of the United States.
Ojārs Kalniņš, who later became Latvia's ambassador to the U.S., also spoke about Dinbergs. He said that Dinbergs and other Latvian diplomats in exile were heroes. He learned Latvia's history from their books. Kalniņš called Dinbergs his "diplomatic foster father and teacher." He said that Dinbergs achieved unique things in his life. Kalniņš also pointed out that Dinbergs was not just Latvia's first ambassador to the U.S., but the first Latvian ambassador in history. The main goal of diplomats in exile was to keep Latvia's independence alive. Kalniņš said that today's diplomats must work to keep Latvia free so that no Latvian ever has to flee into exile again.
In 2006, at the opening of the new Latvian Embassy in Washington, D.C., Latvia's President Vaira Vīķe-Freiberga and Ambassador Māris Riekstiņš spoke about the embassy's importance. They said that Washington, D.C., was where Latvia's independence continued to be recognized during the Soviet occupation. Ambassador Riekstiņš thanked Dinbergs' wife, Mrs. Ruth Dinbergs, for Anatols Dinbergs' many years of service to Latvia.
Leaders of Latvian Diplomacy Abroad
These people were in charge of representing the independent Republic of Latvia and its interests from 1940 to 1991:
- Kārlis Reinholds Zariņš, 1940 to 1963 (Envoy; Legation in London, UK)
- Arnolds Spekke, 1963 to 1970 (Chargé d'affaires; Legation in Washington, D.C., U.S.)
- Anatols Dinbergs, 1970 to 1991 (Chargé d'affaires; Legation in Washington, D.C., U.S.)
Latvian Ambassadors to the United States
- Anatols Dinbergs, March 11, 1992 to December 1992
- 1993–1999: Ojārs Ēriks Kalniņš
- 2000–2004: Aivis Ronis
- 2004–2007: Māris Riekstiņš
- 2007–2012: Andrejs Pildegovičs
- 2013–2016: Andris Razāns
- 2016–present: Andris Teikmanis
Before 1991, Latvia had envoys in the U.S. from 1922 to 1948, and then chargés d'affaires from 1948 to 1991. The position of ambassador was created in 1991.
Latvian Ambassadors to the United Nations (New York)
- Anatols Dinbergs, September 17, 1991 to December 5, 1991
- Aivars Baumanis, December 5, 1991 – 1997
- Jānis Priedkalns, November 3, 1997 – 2000
- Gints Jegermanis, May 12, 2001 – 2005
- Solveiga Silkalna, August 6, 2005 – ?
- Normans Penke
