US Deputy Secretary of State Robert Zoellick says the upcoming visit of President George W. Bush to Latvia is not targeted at Russia.

He emphasized that Bush's tour marks a kind of recognition to the Baltic country's achievements and is not at all targeted at Russia.

Local media regard Zoellick's remarks as a denial of some reports that Bush's coming visits to Latvia and Georgia are intended to exert pressure on Russia.

President Bush is to visit Latvia from May 6 to 7, and will meet with the presidents of the three Baltic countries of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania in Riga.

(CRI.com April 4, 2005)