Press Report

Press Report

Yesterday the

Yesterday the Saeima adopted amendments to the Law on the ratification of the 1951 Geneva Convention on the Status of Refugees. The amendments provide for applying the status to refugees entering Latvia from any part of the World. The initial version of the Law adopted on June 19 allowed to apply it only to refugees from European countries. Adoption of the amendments will allow Latvia to establish a non-visa regime with Sweden and Finland. Diena

Former USSR passports with Register of Inhabitants stamps held by non-citizens will not be valid for traveling abroad starting January 1, 1998. Such passports held by citizens will not be valid for leaving Latvia starting November 1, 1997. Still, non-citizens do not hurry to apply for new alien passports. According to the CID, new passports are held only by 4% of non-citizens.

Former USSR passports with Register of Inhabitants stamps held by non-citizens will not be valid for traveling abroad starting January 1, 1998. Such passports held by citizens will not be valid for leaving Latvia starting November 1, 1997. Still, non-citizens do not hurry to apply for new alien passports. According to the CID, new passports are held only by 4% of non-citizens. Chas

"Tevzemei un Brivibai/LNNK"

Deputy-Chairman Juris Dobelis in an interview for Deputy-Chairman Juris Dobelis in an interview for "BIZNES & BALTIYA""BIZNES & BALTIYA" said that the party chose "a pragmatic approach" toward current political issues. As an example he mentioned its participation in the discussion of employment restrictions for non-citizens. Mr. Dobelis claimed the Prime-Minister and said that the party chose "a pragmatic approach" toward current political issues. As an example he mentioned its participation in the discussion of employment restrictions for non-citizens. Mr. Dobelis claimed the Prime-Minister and "TB"/LNNK"TB"/LNNK to have similar standpoints on the most essential issues. to have similar standpoints on the most essential issues.

Press Report

The agenda of the yesterday's extraordinary plenary session of the

The agenda of the yesterday's extraordinary plenary session of the Saeima included the final reading of an amendment to the "Employment Law". The amendment suggested by Mr. A.Bartashevich ("Equal Rights") did not allow to deprive an individual of his/her status of an unemployed "on the basis of language, nationality and race". Currently, persons who have graduated from non-Latvian schools are to produce an official certificate of their command of Latvian when applying for unemployment benefits. Persons having no certificates are not registered as the unemployed. The requirement is contained in a decree by the Cabinet of Ministers while the "Employment Law" does not provide for any restrictions on the right to apply for the status of the unemployed with regard to an applicant's command of the state language. Currently, over 11,000 unemployed not holding language certificates cannot apply for benefits. The Saeima declined the amendment. Mr. Bartashevich believes the restriction to be a violation of the European Human Rights Convention and admitted that his faction failed to collect twenty signatures by Saeima members to apply to the Satversme Court.

Yesterday the Saeima failed to vote on canceling the ban on employment of non-citizens as aircraft pilots due to a breakdown of a computer polling system. The voting is to be held today.

Yesterday the Saeima failed to vote on canceling the ban on employment of non-citizens as aircraft pilots due to a breakdown of a computer polling system. The voting is to be held today. Diena

Head of the analytical center of the Russian Duma

Head of the analytical center of the Russian Duma "Yabloko" faction Aleksey Kuzmin in an interview for "DIENA" said that Latvia would be forced to fulfill EU recommendations, including those on citizenship and naturalization. Mr. Kuzmin believes that Russia should support the integration of the three Baltic states in the EU and to influence their policy toward Russian-speakers through the European Union. Diena

Press Report

Press Report

Yesterday Procurator General Skrastins told the press that rumors of his possible resignation "were not serious". Mr. Krastins had a meeting with members of the Saeima investigation commission on the loss of three million dollars by the

Yesterday Procurator General Skrastins told the press that rumors of his possible resignation "were not serious". Mr. Krastins had a meeting with members of the Saeima investigation commission on the loss of three million dollars by the "Latvenergo" state company. The commission called upon the procurator General not to yield to any pressure in connection with the case. Diena

According to

According to "NEATKARIGA", Prime-Minister Krasts had a meeting with the leaders of his party ("Tevzemei un Brivibai"/LNNK) on the Refugee Convention. "TB"/LNNK deputy-Chairmen told the newspaper that the party was open to a discussion on the problem. Still, Mr. Dobelis added that Latvia should not rush to fulfill all EU recommendations. Prime-Minister Krasts is trying to persuade his party colleagues to support the draft law on the ratification of the UN Refugee Convention that would allow to grant refugee status to all asylum seekers. "TB"/LNNK supports the option suggested by Saeima human Rights Committee that provides for applying the Convention to all refugees only after the year 2000. Neatkariga

Boris Tsilevich in an article for

Boris Tsilevich in an article for "SM" points to the lack of interest toward the cultural autonomy for ethnic minorities displayed by the Latvian authorities. Although the law guaranteeing the autonomy was adopted in 1991, no mechanisms for implementing the law have been developed. Cultural societies are constantly facing grave financial problems and are systematically deprived of their premises. Mr. Tsilevich advises activists of minority societies to inform the European Commission on the situation. SM

Press Report

Latvian Prime-Minister Guntars Krasts held a press-conference upon his return from Brussels and Denmark. Mr. Krasts claimed that his talks with EU Commission Chairman Mr. Saunter had proved the problem of non-citizens to be of minor importance. The Latvian Prime-Minister does not believe it could influence the joining of the EU by Latvia. According to Mr. Krasts, European Parliament deputies believe the Latvian legislation to be acceptable since it clearly defines the age groups entitled to obtain citizenship through naturalization. The Prime-Minister mentioned the analysis non-citizens' situation by some Danish independent research group highly praising Latvia's approach to the problem. Mr. Krasts said that he supported the ratification of the Refugee Convention that would apply it to all refugees regardless of whether they entered Latvia from Europe or from the rest of the world. He admitted that his point of view differed from the concept supported by his party (

Latvian Prime-Minister Guntars Krasts held a press-conference upon his return from Brussels and Denmark. Mr. Krasts claimed that his talks with EU Commission Chairman Mr. Saunter had proved the problem of non-citizens to be of minor importance. The Latvian Prime-Minister does not believe it could influence the joining of the EU by Latvia. According to Mr. Krasts, European Parliament deputies believe the Latvian legislation to be acceptable since it clearly defines the age groups entitled to obtain citizenship through naturalization. The Prime-Minister mentioned the analysis non-citizens' situation by some Danish independent research group highly praising Latvia's approach to the problem. Mr. Krasts said that he supported the ratification of the Refugee Convention that would apply it to all refugees regardless of whether they entered Latvia from Europe or from the rest of the world. He admitted that his point of view differed from the concept supported by his party ("Tevzemei un Brivibai"). The Prime-Minister told the press that he would discuss the issue with the "TB" faction. Mr. Krasts said that EU experts would examine the updated statistical information on Latvia's economy. PL, B&B, Neatkariga

Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs Valdis Birkavs had a meeting with Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Evgeny Primakov in New-York on September 26. Mr. Primakov said that Russia was developing a new policy toward the Baltic states aimed at establishing long-term, balanced and neighborly relations with the three countries. The Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs expressed concern about the situation of "compatriots" in Latvia and the country's plans of joining NATO. Mr. Primakov said that Russia would expect Latvia to implement OSCE recommendations on non-citizens. Russia would not like those people to repatriate, said Primakov. He believes non-citizens to be loyal to Latvia and able to integrate in the Latvian society. The Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs suggested to resolve security issues through bilateral talks. Russia also welcomed the participation of Nordic countries and the USA in providing security guarantees to Latvia. Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs Birkavs said that Latvia adhered to a different security concept and would not consider any alternatives to NATO membership.

Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs Valdis Birkavs had a meeting with Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Evgeny Primakov in New-York on September 26. Mr. Primakov said that Russia was developing a new policy toward the Baltic states aimed at establishing long-term, balanced and neighborly relations with the three countries. The Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs expressed concern about the situation of "compatriots" in Latvia and the country's plans of joining NATO. Mr. Primakov said that Russia would expect Latvia to implement OSCE recommendations on non-citizens. Russia would not like those people to repatriate, said Primakov. He believes non-citizens to be loyal to Latvia and able to integrate in the Latvian society. The Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs suggested to resolve security issues through bilateral talks. Russia also welcomed the participation of Nordic countries and the USA in providing security guarantees to Latvia. Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs Birkavs said that Latvia adhered to a different security concept and would not consider any alternatives to NATO membership. Diena

Press Report

Press Report

According to anonymous sources referred to by

According to anonymous sources referred to by "CHAS", Latvian Procurator General Janis Skrastins may resign in the nearest future. The possibility of the Procurator General's resignation is connected to the "Latvenergo" scandal (the loss of several million USD as a result of an unlawful deal). According to "CHAS", the Procurator General's Office is facing considerable pressure that slows down the investigation of the case. The newspaper contacted Procurator General's Skrastins who neither confirmed nor dispelled the rumor of his possible resignation. Chas

Mr. Vladlen Dozortsev ("People's Harmony") participated in the recent

Mr. Vladlen Dozortsev ("People's Harmony") participated in the recent "Latvijas Cels" conference on the forming of a political nation in Latvia. In an article for "SM" he stresses the lack of a distinctive opinion on the problems of non-citizens and non-Latvians among "Latvijas Cels" leaders. Head of the "LC" faction Andrejs Pantelejevs in his report to the conference formulated several vital questions (Is there a need in increasing the naturalization rate? Should the naturalization quota principle be restored? Should employment restrictions for non-citizens be preserved?) but did not give any answers to them. Mr. Dozortsev explains a sudden interest displayed by "LC" toward the problem of non-citizens and ethnic minorities by the intention to win the votes of non-Latvians in next Saeima elections.