Riga  - Latvian President Valdis Zatlers named Valdis Dombrovskis as the troubled Baltic state's likely new prime minister Thursday.

Speaking at Riga castle, Zatlers chose the 38-year-old from the New Era party over regional affairs minister Edgars Zalans of the People's Party, the other candidate remaining in the race after days of political wrangling by Latvia's patchwork of parties.

Riga - Latvian President Valdis Zatlers refused to bow to calls that he should launch the process of dissolving the unpopular national parliament Wednesday, instead offering a compromise plan to both government and opposition parties in the troubled Baltic state.

Zatlers has been caught in a constitutional pincer since January 14 when, in the wake of riots in the capital Riga, he gave the coalition government of Ivars Godmanis until March 31 to become more responsive to the people or face the prospect of dissolution.

Riga - Latvian President Valdis Zatlers launched a national history project Friday in the suitably historic surroundings of Riga Castle.

Zatlers recorded a brief piece of video in which he talks about Latvia from a personal perspective.

His contribution will be added to an online library of interviews with ordinary Latvians which has been created at the website www. collectivememory. tv.

The hope is that as video clips are added to the 40 currently online, an authentic aural history of the Baltic nation will be established, distinct from academic history.

Washingto