Press Review

Prime-Minister Guntars Krasts is discussing the future of the Coalition with the governing parties. Leaders of is own party (

Prime-Minister Guntars Krasts is discussing the future of the Coalition with the governing parties. Leaders of is own party (TB/LNNK) believe that the problem requires a careful approach. Observers do not believe that the Prime-Minister will take any steps that may destroy the coalition before the EU makes a decision on its enlargement in the end of this week. Diena, Chas

Swedish Ambassador Hans Magnusson in an interview for

Swedish Ambassador Hans Magnusson in an interview for "CHAS" said that "certain provisions of the draft Language Law will bring problems into Latvia's relations with international human rights organizations". He believes that "a more positive approach" to the issue is required. The Ambassador hopes that ten restrictions on non-citizens' employment will be canceled. Diena

Leonid Fedoseyev in his article for

Leonid Fedoseyev in his article for "CHAS" assumes that the nationalists are trying to use legislation (e.i., the draft Language Law) as a tool for ousting non-Latvians from the country. The consequences of such policies could be disastrous to both communities. An aggressive ethnic confrontation would lead to an ethnic civil war and an intervention of Russian radical nationalists. Mr. Fedoseyev does not support the concept of two separate communities supported by some Russian journalists in Latvia. The Russian-speaking community would later split into smaller ethnic groups, each group trying to protect its own interests. The only concept suitable for Latvia, according to Fedoseyev, is the forming of a political nation where all inhabitants of Latvia have equal rights and use the Latvian language for communication between ethnic groups. Chas

The latest UN report on refugees mentions Latvia as a traditional transit state on refugees' way to Scandinavia. The report also points to a large number of stateless inhabitants in Latvia and Estonia. One of its co-authors stresses that the situation undermines relations between the two countries and Russia. The report stresses that statelessness can be a source of political instability and a threat to international security. A UN regional office on refugees will open in Riga next spring.

The latest UN report on refugees mentions Latvia as a traditional transit state on refugees' way to Scandinavia. The report also points to a large number of stateless inhabitants in Latvia and Estonia. One of its co-authors stresses that the situation undermines relations between the two countries and Russia. The report stresses that statelessness can be a source of political instability and a threat to international security. A UN regional office on refugees will open in Riga next spring. Diena

The Mandate of the OSCE Mission to Latvia has been extended until 1 July 1997. Although the Latvian authorities believe that the Mission has accomplished its task, the Government expects that the OSCE Mission could assist Latvia in continuing the naturalization process as well as in resolving other issues.

The Mandate of the OSCE Mission to Latvia has been extended until 1 July 1997. Although the Latvian authorities believe that the Mission has accomplished its task, the Government expects that the OSCE Mission could assist Latvia in continuing the naturalization process as well as in resolving other issues. Neatkariga

Press Review

CID Deputy-Director Andris Leins told the press that non-citizens holding former USSR passports would be able to return to Latvia after January 1, 1998, only with former USSR travel passports and return visas. According to the information distributed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs earlier, non-citizens could return to Latvia holding old internal Soviet passports before July 1, 1998. Deputy-Head of the CID Passport Division Ms. Sprince confirmed that non-citizens should hold former USSR travel passports and return visas to return to Latvia before July 1, 1998. According to Ms. Sprince, that was the official standpoint of the CID based on the fact that the provisional agreement between Latvia and Russia on the crossing of the border expired on January 1998. Still, she added that non-citizens holding former USSR internal passports will be allowed to return to Latvia. "But it is better not to take risks," added Ms. Sprince. Meanwhile, Head of the Russian Consular Department in Latvia Alexander Rylov told

CID Deputy-Director Andris Leins told the press that non-citizens holding former USSR passports would be able to return to Latvia after January 1, 1998, only with former USSR travel passports and return visas. According to the information distributed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs earlier, non-citizens could return to Latvia holding old internal Soviet passports before July 1, 1998. Deputy-Head of the CID Passport Division Ms. Sprince confirmed that non-citizens should hold former USSR travel passports and return visas to return to Latvia before July 1, 1998. According to Ms. Sprince, that was the official standpoint of the CID based on the fact that the provisional agreement between Latvia and Russia on the crossing of the border expired on January 1998. Still, she added that non-citizens holding former USSR internal passports will be allowed to return to Latvia. "But it is better not to take risks," added Ms. Sprince. Meanwhile, Head of the Russian Consular Department in Latvia Alexander Rylov told "PANORAMA LATVII" that Russia had not changed its regulations in connection with the expiration of the agreement. The Russian side has already suggested to discuss the situation while the Latvian authorities postponed the meeting until January 1998. Director of the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Consular Department Ms. Solvita Mellupe says that non-citizens holding former USSR passports will be able to leave Latvia before January 1, 1998, and to return to Latvia before July 1, 1998. She stressed that the regulations were not changed in any manner and that the expiration of the provisional agreement would not influence the existing regulations. PL

Prime-Minister Guntars Krasts told the press that he allowed the possibility of excluding

Prime-Minister Guntars Krasts told the press that he allowed the possibility of excluding "Saimnieks" from the governing coalition. The statement followed the voting on the state budget last Thursday when Minister of the Interior Cevers and Minister of Education Celmins insisted on the drawing of a deficit budget. The governing coalition has 66 seats in the Saeima and will not constitute a parliamentary majority if 20 "Saimnieks" deputies are forced to leave it. President Ulmanis said last Friday that he "did not believe the current Saeima to be able to form a new Cabinet" if the governing coalition split.

Last Friday President Ulmanis received an official invitation to visit Washington on January 16, 1998. The Latvian President will sign a Charter of Partnership between the US and the Baltic states. The letter of invitation signed by President Clinton marks Mr. Ulmanis' contribution to the establishment of the state "where representatives of all nationalities speaking different languages...enjoy peace and equality."

Last Friday President Ulmanis received an official invitation to visit Washington on January 16, 1998. The Latvian President will sign a Charter of Partnership between the US and the Baltic states. The letter of invitation signed by President Clinton marks Mr. Ulmanis' contribution to the establishment of the state "where representatives of all nationalities speaking different languages...enjoy peace and equality."

Estonian President Meri did not accept the amendments to the Language Law. The Estonian President called upon the Parliament to review the amendments and pointed to their noncompliance with the Constitution. His objections were caused by the provision authorizing the Government to set requirements to Parliament members' command of the Estonian language. The President also criticized the amendments for intervening with private businesses by requiring that all entrepreneurs had a command of Estonian.

Estonian President Meri did not accept the amendments to the Language Law. The Estonian President called upon the Parliament to review the amendments and pointed to their noncompliance with the Constitution. His objections were caused by the provision authorizing the Government to set requirements to Parliament members' command of the Estonian language. The President also criticized the amendments for intervening with private businesses by requiring that all entrepreneurs had a command of Estonian. Diena

Philosopher Dzintars Buss in an article for

Philosopher Dzintars Buss in an article for "DIENA" ironically complains about the lack of the identity among Latvians. While Estonians can identify themselves with Nordic nations and Lithuanians can feel strong links to Central Europe, Latvians cannot find a suitable image. The author believes that the real identity in the modern world should be "based on economics and politics."

Press Report

Yesterday the European Parliament voted for starting admission talks with all potential EU members simultaneously. Still, "intensive talks" will be started only with the countries that achieved the progress. The European Parliament marked successful economic reforms in Latvia and named the status of a Russian minority among the problems to be resolved by the country.

Yesterday the European Parliament voted for starting admission talks with all potential EU members simultaneously. Still, "intensive talks" will be started only with the countries that achieved the progress. The European Parliament marked successful economic reforms in Latvia and named the status of a Russian minority among the problems to be resolved by the country. Diena

Swedish linguist Ens Olwud held a discussion of the language situation in Latvia. He characterized the draft Language Law as a tool of shock therapy. He compared the language situation in Latvia to the situation in Malaysia where Chinese ad Indian immigrants still do not speak the local language after having lived in the country for many years. The Swedish linguist agrees that the Russian-speaking inhabitants of Latvia should master the Latvian language. Participants of the discussion supported the opening of "naturalization windows" as an impetus for studying the Latvian language.

Swedish linguist Ens Olwud held a discussion of the language situation in Latvia. He characterized the draft Language Law as a tool of shock therapy. He compared the language situation in Latvia to the situation in Malaysia where Chinese ad Indian immigrants still do not speak the local language after having lived in the country for many years. The Swedish linguist agrees that the Russian-speaking inhabitants of Latvia should master the Latvian language. Participants of the discussion supported the opening of "naturalization windows" as an impetus for studying the Latvian language. Diena

The Latvian Association of teachers of the Russian Language and Literature points to several drawbacks of the draft Language Law. The Law does not give a precise definition of the state language. It classifies all Languages other than Latvian as "foreign" without giving the languages spoken by non-Latvians the status of minority languages.

The Latvian Association of teachers of the Russian Language and Literature points to several drawbacks of the draft Language Law. The Law does not give a precise definition of the state language. It classifies all Languages other than Latvian as "foreign" without giving the languages spoken by non-Latvians the status of minority languages. Chas

Only 65 thousand non-citizens have received new alien passports. CID Deputy-Director Janis Leins says that the CID can issue new passports to all non-citizens (over 600 thousand) before the New Year. 50 thousand citizens still have not exchanged their old Soviet identification documents for citizens' passports.

Only 65 thousand non-citizens have received new alien passports. CID Deputy-Director Janis Leins says that the CID can issue new passports to all non-citizens (over 600 thousand) before the New Year. 50 thousand citizens still have not exchanged their old Soviet identification documents for citizens' passports. SM

Press Review

Yesterday the

Yesterday the Saeima Human Rights Committee voted against submitting the draft of the Second Part of the Satversme ("On Human Rights") to the Saeima. A "Tevzemei un Brivibai"/LNNK" representative voted against the consideration of the draft by the Saeima while another "TB"/LNNK representative and a "The Farmers' Union"/"The Union of Christian Democrats" member abstained. The Committee consists of six members. The "TB"/LNNK faction decided not to support the draft claiming the Constitutional Law on Human Rights to be a sufficient guarantee of observance of human rights. The faction suggests to discuss the draft at a meeting of the Coalition Faction Council. Diena

Aigars Jirgens (

Aigars Jirgens ("TB"/LNNK) in his article for "JAUNA AVIZE" stresses that the EU should take into consideration Latvia's peculiar demographic situation that resulted from the decades of occupation. Mr. Jirgens quoted Russian politicians who had openly suggested to press on Latvia through European organizations to change its policy toward non-citizens. He believes that "subjective" statements made by OSCE High Commissioner van der Stoel and CBSS Commissioner Ole Espersen cause skepticism toward the EU among Latvian citizens. Such statements also allow non-citizens to hope for easier naturalization tests and to demand giving Russian the status of the second state language. Jauna Avize

In his interviews for Spanish press Prime-Minister Guntars Krasts said that most Russia-speakers did not have Latvian citizenship because they still considered Latvia to be part of Russia. "They are under the influence of Russian mass-media and are still waiting for changes in Latvia's status," said the Prime-Minister in an interview for

In his interviews for Spanish press Prime-Minister Guntars Krasts said that most Russia-speakers did not have Latvian citizenship because they still considered Latvia to be part of Russia. "They are under the influence of Russian mass-media and are still waiting for changes in Latvia's status," said the Prime-Minister in an interview for "El Mondo". SM

Yesterday President Ulmanis had a meeting with Chairman of the

Yesterday President Ulmanis had a meeting with Chairman of the Saeima Committee on Education and Science Dzintars Abikis. They agreed that Latvia needed a new Education Law. Mr. Ulmanis believes that the Law should create a situation when "the knowledge of Latvian was required in all places of residence and during all personal contacts". Still, the President thinks that private enterprises should be allowed to choose a language of communication in special cases. He suggested to achieve a balance between objectives and means of reaching those. Such an approach would exclude any interference of the State into private life, said Mr. Ulmanis.SM

The Council of the Russian Cultural Autonomy addressed the

The Council of the Russian Cultural Autonomy addressed the Saeima with an open letter pointing to contradictions between the draft Language Law and the documents of the OSCE Conference on Human Dimension. The Russian community in Latvia understands the current concern about the development of the Latvian language. Still, the adoption of the new Language Law would lead to a forceful assimilation of a large group of Latvia's inhabitants. SM

Press Review

According to the latest statistical data, 50,437 residents of Liepaja are citizens, 42,409 are non-citizens and 400 have citizenship of countries other than Latvia. The city has the lowest naturalization rate in the country. Head of the local Naturalization Board office Juris Abolins believes this to be "psychological heritage of militarism" since Liepaja used to be a major Russian military base. Around thirteen thousand persons left the city with the Russian troops. The Naturalization Board in collaboration with the Center for Ethnic Studies has implemented several programs aimed at informing young non-citizens about the essence of citizenship.

According to the latest statistical data, 50,437 residents of Liepaja are citizens, 42,409 are non-citizens and 400 have citizenship of countries other than Latvia. The city has the lowest naturalization rate in the country. Head of the local Naturalization Board office Juris Abolins believes this to be "psychological heritage of militarism" since Liepaja used to be a major Russian military base. Around thirteen thousand persons left the city with the Russian troops. The Naturalization Board in collaboration with the Center for Ethnic Studies has implemented several programs aimed at informing young non-citizens about the essence of citizenship. Diena

The Cabinet of Ministers decreased the naturalization fee for pensioners, second category invalids and school students to Ls 15. The fee is not to be paid by the politically repressed, by first category invalids, by orphans and by children not supported by their parents. The Head of the Naturalization Board has the right to exempt persons officially recognized to be destitute from the naturalization fee. According to the Naturalization Board, only 4,313 persons have received citizenship through naturalization. Officials working in the area of naturalization believe that naturalization rate would not change even if the fee was decreased to Ls 5.

The Cabinet of Ministers decreased the naturalization fee for pensioners, second category invalids and school students to Ls 15. The fee is not to be paid by the politically repressed, by first category invalids, by orphans and by children not supported by their parents. The Head of the Naturalization Board has the right to exempt persons officially recognized to be destitute from the naturalization fee. According to the Naturalization Board, only 4,313 persons have received citizenship through naturalization. Officials working in the area of naturalization believe that naturalization rate would not change even if the fee was decreased to Ls 5. SM

Yesterday the

Yesterday the Saeima Juridical Committee declined a draft amendment that would allow non-citizens to work as lawyers. The amendment drafted by the Human Rights Committee will be considered at the Saeima plenary session. Member of the Juridical Committee Maris Grinblats ("TB"/LNNK) explained that the amendment would contradict several Latvian laws. B&B, Jauna Avize

Mr. Andrey Vorontsov (Editor of

Mr. Andrey Vorontsov (Editor of "SM SEVODNYA") in an article for "DIENA" welcomes the tendency of recognizing the existence of two communities in Latvia. Mr. Vorontsov does not see any danger in preserving the situation and believes that the two communities can peacefully coexist. He assumes that ethnic relations in the country could be more harmonious if non-Latvians were given political rights in the early nineties. Integration of non-Latvians supported by the Latvian bureaucracy presumes their assimilation. The existing situation leads to negative attitude toward naturalization among the Russian-speaking population. Mr. Vorontsov does not believe naturalization tests to be a real reason for a low naturalization rate. Most of Russian-speakers see Latvia as their native country and are loyal to it. The author warns against trying to oust non-Latvians from the country. Such an attempt may result in an open conflict. He believes that the Russian-speaking community should have its representative institutions that would protect its interests in accordance with the Satversme. Strict Citizenship and Language laws will only press non-Latvians to take Russian citizenship subjecting them to possible political manipulations by Russian radical political forces.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Valdis Birkavs in a brief interview for

Minister of Foreign Affairs Valdis Birkavs in a brief interview for "SM" stressed that it was only Russian security guarantees that Latvia declined. The Latvian side was ready to consider other Russian initiatives and "to take practical steps" toward the signing of the border agreement. Mr. Birkavs criticized "near-sighted politicians and political adventurers" trying to stir ethnic hatred in the country.