RIGA, May 7 (Xinhuanet) -- US President George W. Bush concluded his visit to Latvia Saturday, with remarks that observers believe are likely to anger Russia over Cold War history.

    Bush, visiting Latvia before ceremonies in Moscow marking the 60 years since the end of World War Two in Europe, said in a speech here "I recognize that in the West the end of the Second World War meant peace but in the Baltics it brought occupation and communist oppression."

    Russia has not formally responded to Bush's remarks, but President Vladimir Putin said earlier Saturday that the Red Army was a liberator, not an oppressor, of Eastern Europe.

    "Our people not only defended their homeland, they liberated 11 European countries," Putin said after laying a wreath at a Moscow monument honoring Russia's war dead. About 27 million Soviet citizens died in World War Two.

    The three Baltic countries -- Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia -- have demanded Russian apology for Soviet rule, a demand dismissed by Moscow. The presidents of Lithuania and Estonia have decided not to attend Monday's ceremonies in the Russian capital.

    Latvia was the first leg of Bush's four-nation tour. He has arrived in the Netherlands late Saturday and will then visit Russia and Georgia.     Enditem