Press Report

Press Report

According to Head of the Naturalisation Board Eiýenija Aldermane, 550,000 out of 700,000 noncitizens permanently residing in Latvia have no right to apply for citizenship. The figure was quoted by Mrs Aldermane during her meeting with President Ulmanis last Friday. The agenda of the meeting was focused on naturalisation issues. The President’s attention toward the issue is directly connected with his forthcoming participation in the CE Parliamentary Assembly. 400 noncitizens aged 16 to 20 obtained citizenship through naturalisation this year. The expected number of noncitizens to receive citizenship since the start of naturalisation process is around 4000. 33,000 Latvia’s inhabitants have the right to undergo naturalisation this year. Still, only 450 applied for naturalisation. According to the Naturalisation Board, around 250,000 noncitizens are not planning to apply for Latvian citizenship. Mrs Aldermane told the President about numerous suggestions submitted by the Board to the

According to Head of the Naturalisation Board Eiýenija Aldermane, 550,000 out of 700,000 noncitizens permanently residing in Latvia have no right to apply for citizenship. The figure was quoted by Mrs Aldermane during her meeting with President Ulmanis last Friday. The agenda of the meeting was focused on naturalisation issues. The Presidents attention toward the issue is directly connected with his forthcoming participation in the CE Parliamentary Assembly. 400 noncitizens aged 16 to 20 obtained citizenship through naturalisation this year. The expected number of noncitizens to receive citizenship since the start of naturalisation process is around 4000. 33,000 Latvias inhabitants have the right to undergo naturalisation this year. Still, only 450 applied for naturalisation. According to the Naturalisation Board, around 250,000 noncitizens are not planning to apply for Latvian citizenship. Mrs Aldermane told the President about numerous suggestions submitted by the Board to the Saeima committees. Most of the suggested amendments are connected with flaws found in the Citizenship Law. As an example Mrs Aldermane mentioned 17,000 ethnic Latvians and Livs who currently can neither register nor naturalise. The Saeima has not reacted to numerous suggestions and inquests coming from the Naturalisation Board. Diena

DIENA interviewed President Ulmanis on his report to be delivered at the CE Parliamentary Assembly in Strasbourg. Mr Ulmanis will lay a special emphasis on the importance of integrating ethnic communities into a countrys society. He will assure the Assembly that Latvia will ratify the Human Rights Convention by the end of this year. The President says he is ready to face a fair amount of criticism and will respond to all comments and questions. He believes ratifying the agreement with oil companies would be premature. Latvia and Lithuania should try their best to reach a diplomatic solution to the border dispute. Mr Ulmanis would not agree to those who belive a recent conflict in Saimnieks to be a symptom of instability. Still, he believes that the Cabinet members representing different parties could co-operate more closely. Diena

Russia’s Prime-Minister Chernomyrdin said Russia will accept no territorial claims from Latvia. The statement was made last Friday during Chernomyrdin’s meeting with the Governor of the Pskov Region. The Declaration on Occupation has caused concern among the population and the authorities of the Pskov Region that incorporates the Abrene district since 1944.

Russias Prime-Minister Chernomyrdin said Russia will accept no territorial claims from Latvia. The statement was made last Friday during Chernomyrdins meeting with the Governor of the Pskov Region. The Declaration on Occupation has caused concern among the population and the authorities of the Pskov Region that incorporates the Abrene district since 1944. Diena

Press Report

Press Report

Most representatives of the

Most representatives of the Saeima factions believe a Minister should represent a party that would be responsible for his work. This allows to suggest that Mr Kreituss will be relieved of his duties after Prime-Minister Skele returns from his visits abroad. A new candidate is most likely to be named after the state budget is adopted. Observers expect the Prime-Minister could perform the duties of the Minister of Finance after Kreituss dismissal before a new Minister is appointed. According to the agreement between the governing factions, the post is to be taken by a Saimnieks member. Saimnieks Chairman Cevers says he will discuss possible candidatures with the Prime-Minister. Diena

On September 17 the governing factions and the Prime-Minister signed a co-operation agreement. The agreement is a supplement to the basic agreement currently in force and its objective is to foster the implementation of the Government Declaration within next twelve months. The document is a result of an intensive search for a compromise and it has taken the factions and the Prime-Minister several months to come to its final version acceptable to all sides. Some factions used their right of not joining separate points of the agreement.

On September 17 the governing factions and the Prime-Minister signed a co-operation agreement. The agreement is a supplement to the basic agreement currently in force and its objective is to foster the implementation of the Government Declaration within next twelve months. The document is a result of an intensive search for a compromise and it has taken the factions and the Prime-Minister several months to come to its final version acceptable to all sides. Some factions used their right of not joining separate points of the agreement. Tevzemei un Brivibai, among other points, did not agree to the introduction of a free land market. All stipulations suggested by factions have been included into the agreement. Diena

Kreituse has left the

Kreituse has left the Saimnieks party. Party Chairman Cevers does not exclude the possibility of recalling Mrs Kreituse from the Saeima Presidium. Diena

Yesterday the

Yesterday the Saeima adopted the first reading of draft amendments to the Law on the State Civil Service. The amendments suggested by the Committee for the Implementation of the Citizenship Law apply to 203 noncitizens employed as civil servants to be relieved of their duties according to the legislation currently in force. Noncitizens employed as civil servants will retain their positions if the amendments pass the second final reading. Recently a number of state institutions requested the Saeima to grant citizenship to some of their employees. The second final reading is expected in a week. The Tevzemei un Brivibai faction is opposing the amendments. Diena, SM

President Ulmanis is leaving for Strasbourg on 23 September. The President will address the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly. The subjects to be touched upon by the President will include integration of Latvia’s society and relations between ethnic communities. According to the President’s press-centre, Latvia’s experience can serve as an example for the rest of Europe since the issue is still topical for several European countries.

President Ulmanis is leaving for Strasbourg on 23 September. The President will address the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly. The subjects to be touched upon by the President will include integration of Latvias society and relations between ethnic communities. According to the Presidents press-centre, Latvias experience can serve as an example for the rest of Europe since the issue is still topical for several European countries. Diena

Press Report

Several

Several Saeima members believe the Prime-Minister (and not the Council of the Governing Factions) is to deciside on Kreituss dismissal. Saimnieks Chairman Cevers says his faction would not raise the issue of Kreituss dismissal in the absence of the Prime Minister. Mr Skele is expected back from his visits abroad on September 26. Skele is said to be satisfied with Kreituss work . The only objection to Kreituss retaining the post might be caused by the fact that he is not a party member any more. It will be up to the governing factions to decide whether they would agree to have a minister not belonging to any of the governing parties. Neatkariga, Diena

The 1950 European Human Rights Convention still has not been ratified by the

The 1950 European Human Rights Convention still has not been ratified by the Saeima. Ratifying the Convention and supplementary protocols was among the CE Parliamentary Assembly recommendations of January 31, 1996. The Saeima Human Rights Committee started analysing the compliance of Latvias legislation with the first twelve articles of the Convention. Materials studied by the Committee have been prepared by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in collaboration with the Ministry of Justice, the State Human rights Bureau, and the Council of Sworn Attorneys. A meeting of the Latvian side with the Council of Europe experts was held in Riga last May. The meeting pointed out particular aspects of Latvias legislation contradicting the European norms. Among those were death penalty, canceling residence permits whose holders had been registered as drug addicts or alcoholics, and a ban on issuing residence permits to individuals suffering from diseases dangerous to the society. The CE experts agreed to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Report that suggested amending the Constitutional Law on the Rights and Obligations of an individual and a Citizen. The amendments would set restrictions required for guaranteeing the security of the state. The meeting named the end of October 1996 as a deadline for submitting a report on the remaining points of the Convention to the CE. Mrs Malinovska of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs says she does not see any reasons why the Saeima could not ratify the Convention by the end of this year. Mr Dozortsev of Peoples Harmony says the Ministry of Foreign Affairs should have been more active to allow ratifying the Convention within one year after it was signed by Latvia. Dozortsev believes there are serious discrepancies between Latvias legislation and the Convention. Among most important points he named the fact that human rights do not have a constitutional status in the countrys legislation. Dozortsev is not enthusiastic about the Saeimas ability to adopt all necessary amendments before the end of the year, since all the amendments are to pass three readings. Diena

The CID has fired Ugis Sulcs who was working for the Department as a contracted expert. Earlier Mr Sulcs had been dismissed along with several other CID officers by the Minister of the Interior from a post of the Director’s advisor. CID Director Mr Zitars told “DIENA” he would have allowed Sulcs “to contribute to the work of the Department”. Minister of the Interior Turlais refused to comment on the firing of Sulcs.

The CID has fired Ugis Sulcs who was working for the Department as a contracted expert. Earlier Mr Sulcs had been dismissed along with several other CID officers by the Minister of the Interior from a post of the Directors advisor. CID Director Mr Zitars told DIENA he would have allowed Sulcs to contribute to the work of the Department. Minister of the Interior Turlais refused to comment on the firing of Sulcs. Diena

Last week Minister of Welfare Vladimirs Makarovs

Last week Minister of Welfare Vladimirs Makarovs (Tevzemei un Brivibai) told the press the Latvian authorities were considering the possibility of taxing retire Russian servicemens pensions. The step, if taken, would dramatically aggravate Latvias relations with Russia and would be a violation of the agreement between the two countries. The Government press-service says the idea is not backed up by a draft law and is just a proposal made by Mr Makarovs. SM

Press Review

PANORAMA LATVII

interviewed Russias plenipotentiary for military pensioners affairs Nikolay Yevteyev. The issue of the interview was recent statements by Minister of Welfare Makarovs and Minister of Finance Kreituss on possible taxing of pensions exceeding a certain minimum. The suggested amendment to the tax law could apply also to retired Russian servicemen. Mr Yevteyev says that in accordance with the agreement between Russia and Latvia servicemens pensions are to be paid in a foreign currency and are interviewed Russia’s plenipotentiary for military pensioners’ affairs Nikolay Yevteyev. The issue of the interview was recent statements by Minister of Welfare Makarovs and Minister of Finance Kreituss on possible taxing of pensions exceeding a certain minimum. The suggested amendment to the tax law could apply also to retired Russian servicemen. Mr Yevteyev says that in accordance with the agreement between Russia and Latvia servicemen’s pensions are to be paid in a foreign currency and are tax-free tax-free. The provision was included into the agreement on Yevteyevs request. Russias Embassy asked Latvias Ministry of Foreign Affairs for comments on the issue. Yevteyev says the problem should be resolved within the framework set by the two countries agreement on pensioned servicemen. . The provision was included into the agreement on Yevteyev’s request. Russia’s Embassy asked Latvia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs for comments on the issue. Yevteyev says the problem should be resolved within the framework set by the two countries’ agreement on pensioned servicemen. Panorama Latvii Panorama Latvii On September 13 the

On September 13 the Saimnieks Party Council voted for expelling Mr Kreituss from the party and recalling him from the post of the Minister of Finance. Speaker of the Saeima Mrs Ilga Kreituse requested the Council to expel her as well. The Council could not vote on the issue without the party leadership having adopted a corresponding decision. During her press-conference last Friday Mrs Kreituse criticised Minister of Foreign Affairs Birkavs, Deputy Prime-Minister Cevers, and President Ulmanis for questioning the necessity of the Declaration on Occupation. Kreituse said the ministers and the President should not criticise a decision adopted by the parliament. According to ITAR-TASS, Mr Gennady Tarasov of Russias Ministry of Foreign Affairs commented on the statements made by Mr Ulmanis in connection with the Declaration. Mr Tarasov said Latvias more active policy in the East mentioned by Ulmanis could create prerequisites for future summits and would avert the nationalists attempts to reduce the rights of noncitizens. Neatkariga, Diena

Prime-Minister Skele told the press he would make a decision on Kreituss’ possible dismissal only after having studied the motives given by “Saimnieks” leaders. The Prime-Minister believes the issue should be reviewed by the Council for the Faction Co-operation. Mr Skele is most likely to give his opinion by the end of this month after his return from abroad. Mr Kreituss says he will take his seat in the

Prime-Minister Skele told the press he would make a decision on Kreituss possible dismissal only after having studied the motives given by Saimnieks leaders. The Prime-Minister believes the issue should be reviewed by the Council for the Faction Co-operation. Mr Skele is most likely to give his opinion by the end of this month after his return from abroad. Mr Kreituss says he will take his seat in the Saeima in case of dismissal although he still cannot name a party he would choose to collaborate with. He explains the attempt to recall him from the Ministers post by his refusal to put Saimnieks men in charge of the Ministry of Finance and the State Revenue Service. Diena

Minister of Foreign Affairs Birkavs in an article for

Minister of Foreign Affairs Birkavs in an article for DIENA stresses the importance of Latvias efforts to join the EU and NATO. He firmly believes finladisation cannot guarantee Latvias security. Latvia should focus on bringing its foreign and domestic policies in compliance with the EU and NATO standards, writes Birkavs. Diena

The Ministry of Welfare representatives and the Council of Europe experts told the press Latvia was ready to join the European Social Charter. The Charter declares economic and social rights of a country’s citizens. Deputy State Secretary of the Ministry of Welfare Mrs Puriða says Latvia could join the Charter without ratifying its provisions on social welfare and benefits due to economic instability in the country.

The Ministry of Welfare representatives and the Council of Europe experts told the press Latvia was ready to join the European Social Charter. The Charter declares economic and social rights of a countrys citizens. Deputy State Secretary of the Ministry of Welfare Mrs Puriða says Latvia could join the Charter without ratifying its provisions on social welfare and benefits due to economic instability in the country. Diena

Press Report

Yesterday the meeting of

Yesterday the meeting of Saimnieks leaders expelled Kreituss from the party and decided to recall him from his post. Kreituss was accused in ignoring the party programme and disregarding the partys opinion on essential issues (pensions, teachers salaries, etc.). The party council is to make a final decision on Kreituss expulsion today. The meeting informed Prime-Minister Skele about its decision to recall Kreituss from the post of a Minister of Finance. The Prime-Minister will meet Kreituss today. The party leadership summoned Mrs. Kreituse to its next meeting. She will be asked to comment on her recent TV interview when Kreituse accused Cevers in destabilising the government. Kreituss says he will not resign and will discuss the situation with the Prime-Minister. According to unofficial information, Cevers had a meeting with Skele. The details of the meeting are unknown to the press. Representatives of other factions refused to comment on the possible resignation of the Minister of Finance. Deputy-Chairman of the Budget and Finance Committee Lambergs says it would be unwise to demand the resignation before the state budget is adopted. According to draft amendments to the Saeima Procedures, a report on the budget will be delivered by the Minister of Finance and not by the Chairman of the Budget Committee. Diena, Neatkariga

Yesterday Chairman of the

Yesterday Chairman of the Saimnieks faction Juris Kaksitis and Chairman of the Unity faction Edgars Bans signed an agreement on forming a political block. The block will have 27 seats (Saimnieks- 20, Unity- 7). The block will accept independent deputies. Diena

The

The Saeima adopted the second reading of draft amendments to the law on land in metropolitan areas. The amendments introduce a free land market although they apply only to company property and do not grant noncitizen and foreign individuals the right to own land. The Saeima voted against passing amendments to the Citizenship Law on extraordinary naturalisation of Polish citizens to the Commissions. Diena

The CID spokesmen says a recent decision by the Riga City Council on additional document to be required from noncitizens willing to privatise their apartments. The documents include a certificate from the CID confirming a person is holding or has a right to apply for a new noncitizen’s passport. Head of the CID passport Division Vaira Sprince says the Cabinet of Ministers has not set the procedure for the issuing of the new passports yet. The State Human Rights Office does consider the additional requirement suggested by the City Council to be a human rights violation.

The CID spokesmen says a recent decision by the Riga City Council on additional document to be required from noncitizens willing to privatise their apartments. The documents include a certificate from the CID confirming a person is holding or has a right to apply for a new noncitizens passport. Head of the CID passport Division Vaira Sprince says the Cabinet of Ministers has not set the procedure for the issuing of the new passports yet. The State Human Rights Office does consider the additional requirement suggested by the City Council to be a human rights violation. Diena