on 4 may 1990, the supreme soviet, which afterwards became known as the supreme council of the republic of latvia, declared the restoration of independence of latvia and began secession from the soviet union. the ussr did not recognize these actions and considered them contrary to the soviet federal and republican constitutions. consequently, the tension in relations between latvia and the soviet union and between the independence movement and pro-soviet forces, such as the international front of the working people of latvia (interfront) and the communist party of latvia, along with its all-latvian public rescue committee, grew.