the government of the soviet union and other pro-soviet groups threatened that a state of emergency would be established which would grant unlimited authority in latvia to president gorbachev and military force would be used to "implement order in the baltic republics". at the time soviet troops, omon units and kgb forces were stationed in latvia. on 23 december 1990 a large combat group of kgb was exposed in jūrmala. it was rumored at the time that there would be a coup and a dictatorship would be established. foreign minister of the soviet union eduard shevardnadze seemingly confirmed this when he resigned on 20 december 1990, stating that a dictatorship was coming.