Today, Zatlers received greetings from the President of France Nicolas Sarkozy, President of Finland Tarja Halonen, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, President of Ukraine Victor Yushchenko and other country leaders.

Sarkozy in his greeting letter, underlined the importance he attributes to the development of ties between Latvia and France in the sectors of politics, economy, culture and science. "The political declaration on the strategic partnership between our countries, which was signed this year and the resolution on the need to implement the action plan in life will strengthen our relations even more," Sarkozy writes. He also expressed appreciation of the fact that Latvia has been accepted as an observer country of the International Francophonie Organization and thanked Latvia for the support it showed France during its European Union presidency.

The President of Russia, Dmitry Medvedev, states in his letter that "development of relations between Russia and Latvia in the spirit of mutual respect and good neighbor relations will benefit the interests of our nations."

The President of Ukraine Victor Yushchenko underlines that Latvia's achievements on international scale, for example, full-fledged membership in EU and NATO, constant advances towards developing democracy and welfare in Europe, reassure that Ukraine and Latvia can improve cooperation between them in a number of sectors, including support for Ukraine on its way to European and trans-Atlantic integration.

It is estimated that the most people - tens of thousands - gathered last night at the Freedom Monument for the concert and the president's address, and just as many were at the right bank of the Daugava later for the fireworks display-laser show.

As for violations, there were several dozen cases of buildings without the national flag raised. 49 motor vehicles were towed for parking in a zone cleared for a holiday event. It was discovered that one vehicle - towed from Merkela Street in downtown Riga - was stolen in rural Valka one week ago.

The culmination is scheduled for 9 p.m. at the Daugava River - a 13-minute fireworks and laser show accompanied by Latvian symphonic music from long ago till today.

At 5 p.m. today, a holiday concert was heard in the National Theater called "Latvia. The Next 90", but at this hour thousands have gathered at the Freedom Monument for a concert featuring music by popular Latvian composers Raimonds Pauls, Martins Brauns, Imants Kalnins, Zigmars Liepins and Janis Lusens, sung by a choir of 500 and played by the brass bands "Auseklitis" and "Riga".

At 8 p.m., President Valdis Zatlers is scheduled to address the nation, also at the Monument.

This evening's finale can be seen live on LTV1.

In the cemetery, they placed flowers at the Mother Latvia statue, and bowed their heads in prayer. Addresses were delivered by rectors from the University of Latvia, Riga Technical University and Latvian Agricultural University.

Following this, the students took flowers to place at the gravesites of deceased fraternity or sorority members.

People gathered on both sides of 11.novembra krastmala Street, many with Latvian flags. There were many children and young people in the crowd.

680 Armed Forces and Home Guard soldiers, the Border Guard, the police and the State Fire and Rescue Service officers, as well as soldiers from several NATO countries' armed forces took part in the parade.

Addressing the people, President and Commander-in-Chief Valdis Zatlers said that Latvia preserved its freedom during the War of Independence, when Latvia's allies helped the country greatly. "Today, we have many allies," said Zatlers, emphasizing that military representatives from Latvia's ally countries also took part in the parade today.

The Latvian army is made up of professional and well-trained soldiers, Zatlers said, congratulating the Armed Forces soldiers and their loved ones on the 90th Anniversary of Latvia.

After Zatlers' speech, the national anthem was played and the Home Guard Anti-Aircraft Battalion rendered the 21-gun salute.

Armed Forces General Juris Vectirans commanded the parade.

Units from the Latvian Air Force, National Defense Academy, the Land Force and the Navy participated in the parade. In conclusion of the parade, three Air Force helicopters "Mi-17" and two Border Guard helicopters "Augusta 109 Power" flew over Riga, as well as two NATO aircraft "F-15".

In the Daugava River, Naval Forces ships "Talivaldis", "Varonis", "Lode", Linga" and the Baltic Squadron ships from Lithuania "Zemaitis" and "Kursi" as well as the Border Guard patrol boat "Randa" were on display.

After the parade, Zatlers shook hands with and talked to many residents who had come to watch the parade, congratulating them on the 90th Anniversary of the Republic of Latvia, LETA observed.

Many of the officials who watched the parade had brought their children along.

Representatives from many foreign mass media also observed the parade.

The ones who know that November 18 is Latvia's Independence Day are mostly between the ages of 21 and 30, persons with a higher education, with personal income over LVL 400 a month, Riga District and Vidzeme province residents.

The persons who do not know the meaning of November 18 are mostly non-citizens, those with only an elementary education and Rigans.

56 percent of those surveyed attend the various events scheduled in person, 35 percent watch them on television. Every tenth person does not celebrate this holiday.

"Both then and now, people should unite for a common cause. There must be a goal and motivation for jointly tackling problems, jointly finding ways for further development and making Latvia a flourishing country. The lack of a clear goal causes uncertainty and undermines people's confidence in the development of the country," said Daudze.

"We have to formulate tasks and to find ways to attain our key goal - a flourishing state of Latvia," Daudze stressed. It is a task for not only Saeima and the government but for the entire nation.

If people unite, not erect barricades between themselves, then the goal of a prosperous Latvia will be feasible. "Yes, I am aware that the government and Saeima will have to pass difficult, even unpopular decisions, but it has to be done to resume both economic and social progress in Latvia," added Daudze.

Commenting on the difficult economic situation in Latvia, Daudze stressed that people must understand that Latvia is part of the world, and it is currently affected by exactly the same economic processes as are other countries.

"This is why we have to understand that there are things that Saeima and the government can, and must, do. Yet there also are issues that can be solved only on a global scale - in cooperation with other countries, cooperation with our partners in the European Union, cooperation with all our neighbor countries, so we can jointly overcome the economic and social challenges," said Daudze.

Daudze said that officials are often reproached with the processes that are beyond their control. "We cannot demand the government take responsibility for the financial crisis and the growing inflation in Europe and elsewhere in the world. We cannot hold the government responsible for the energy prices that are increasing in Riga as well as in Paris and Rome. We cannot influence food price fluctuations on global markets, which also affect our producers."

Daudze said that the government can be held responsible for improving the laws on business development and welfare, for creating mechanisms that would motivate the people in Latvia to participate in the economic process, social activity and national development.

"We can, and we must, ask of everyone, each member of the society: have you, before you talk about crisis and insufficient social guarantees, honored all your obligations to the state - honestly paid all taxes, so the state could increase salaries" for teachers, health care workers, police officers, firefighters, judges and others, said Daudze, emphasizing every individual's responsibility to the state.

Daudze said, "We will have to work hard, but I have no doubt that we are ready for this."

Much has been achieved since the restoration of independence eighteen years ago. Today, Latvia is an equal member of the European family of nations, it has been given security and independence guarantees, Latvia has restored, "de facto" and "de iure", its place in Europe, said Daudze.

Ex-Presidents Vaira Vike-Freiberga and Guntis Ulmanis, ex-Prime Ministers Andris Skele (People's Party, TP), Valdis Birkavs, Maris Gailis, Indulis Emsis, Andris Berzins (Latvia's First Party/Latvia's Way), Aigars Kalvitis (TP), former Saeima Chairpersons Ingrida Udre (Union of Greens and Farmers) and Alfreds Cepanis attended the Saeima session at the National Theater.

Also participated in the session the European Parliament members Georgs Andrejevs and Rihards Piks (TP), Riga Mayor Janis Birks (For Fatherland And Freedom/LNNK), members of the Riga City Council, the Supreme Council members who voted for the restoration of the independence of Latvia, including former Constitutional Court Chairman Aivars Endzins and Ventspils Mayor Aivars Lembergs.

Saeima members Anna Seile (Civic Union, PS), Sandra Kalniete (PS) and Inguna Ribena (New Era) came to the event donned in national costume, LETA observed.

Representatives of the diplomatic corps, Latvian State Television Director General Edgars Kots, Latvian State Radio Director General Aigars Semevics and other mass media representatives also attended the formal Saeima session.

For the occasion, the stage of the National Theater was decorated with the Latvian flag and Latvian coat of arms.

This is the first time since the restoration of independence that a Saeima session takes place outside the Saeima building.

U.S. President George W. Bush in his letter congratulates the state of Latvia on the 90th Independence Proclamation anniversary and wishes the Latvian nation every success. Bush points out that Latvia has achieved very much since the restoration of independence in 1991, emphasizing Latvia's contribution to the fight against terror and promoting democracy worldwide.

Bush also writes that he is proud of the close and lasting ties between the United States and Latvia.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev in his letter wishes prosperity to all residents of Latvia. "I an confident that the development of relations between Russia and Latvia will be based on mutual respect and good neighborly relations, and it will be in the interest of both countries."

Polish President Lech Kazcynski's congratulatory letter points out that Latvia and Poland both proclaimed independence ninety years ago, in 1918, and both had to fight for preserving their independence. Strong ties have been established between the two countries, and they support each other in democracy development. In the international arena Poland and Latvia speak with one voice, states Kaczynski, adding that he is confident that the ties between Poland and Latvia will become stronger yet.

Zatlers has also received congratulatory letters from German President Horst Kohler, Irish President Mary McAleese, Australian Governor-General Quentin Bryce, Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari, Indian President Pratibha Patil, Hungarian President Laszlo Solyom, Turkish President Abdullah Gul, Greek President Karolos Papoulias, Croatian President Stjepan Mesic, Singapore President Sellapan Ramanathan.

There were many elderly people in the crowd, as well as many families with children and young people.

Top state officials participated in the ceremony: President Valdis Zatlers, Prime Minister Ivars Godmanis (Latvia's First Party/Latvia's Way), Saeima Chairman Gundars Daudze (Union of Greens and Farmers), as well as ministers, Saeima members, representatives of the diplomatic corps, and others.

When times are hard, the nation has to be united and classless, all people must work hard to overcome the difficulties, Vanags said.

All men more tolerant, caring and happier would be the best present for Latvia on its 90th Anniversary, said Vanags.

President Valdis Zatlers and First Lady Lilita Zatlere, Prime Minister Ivars Godmanis (Latvia's First Party/Latvia's Way, LPP/LC), Children and Family Affairs Minister Ainars Bastiks (LPP/LC), other ministers, Saeima members and Riga City Council representatives attended the church service.

Zatlers said that he prayed for each family in Latvia, for faith and confidence of the people, as well as for free and prosperous future for Latvia.

As reported, many events are held in Riga and all over Latvia today to celebrate the 90th Independence Day anniversary of Latvia.