Press Report

Last Wednesday the

Last Wednesday the Saeima Committee on Human Rights and Social Affairs supported a suggestion by "Tevzemei un Brivibai"/LNNK on postponing the complete ratification of the Geneva Convention on Refugees. "TB"/LNNK proposed to apply the Convention to all refugees irrespective of the countries of their original residence only after 2000. Press-Secretary of the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Andrejs Pildegovics told "DIENA" that the West could suspend its aid to the refugee center program in case the decision was adopted by the Saeima. Moreover, Latvia would not be able to establish a non-visa regime with Sweden and Finland. The Saeima plenary meeting on the issue will be held next week. The current version of the Law on the Ratification of the Geneva Convention applies the latter only to refugees entering Latvia from European countries. The Saeima has already adopted the first reading of the amendment to the Law that would allow to apply it to all refugees. Diena

The

The "Brivibai" ("For Freedom") society has formed a Saeima faction. The new faction consists of five independent deputies supporting the idea of universal presidential elections. Diena

Estonia adopted the law on education that provides for closing all Russian language state-financed schools in 2007. The opponents of the law point to the high percentage (around 40%) of Russian-speaking tax payers.

Estonia adopted the law on education that provides for closing all Russian language state-financed schools in 2007. The opponents of the law point to the high percentage (around 40%) of Russian-speaking tax payers. B&B

Press Report

According to the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the country is ready to sign border agreements with the three Baltic countries in the nearest future. The Ministry Press-Secretary said that most of the technical work had been completed. He added that the agreement with Lithuania had been already finalized and was ready for signing. Latvia and Russia have prepared all delimitation maps while Estonia has entered the final stage in the border talks with Russia.

According to the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the country is ready to sign border agreements with the three Baltic countries in the nearest future. The Ministry Press-Secretary said that most of the technical work had been completed. He added that the agreement with Lithuania had been already finalized and was ready for signing. Latvia and Russia have prepared all delimitation maps while Estonia has entered the final stage in the border talks with Russia. Diena

Independent Deputy Modris Lujans will join "People's Harmony" and will become the fifth member

Independent Deputy Modris Lujans will join "People's Harmony" and will become the fifth member "PH" deputy in the Saeima. This will return the "PH" deputy group the status of a faction. Mr. Lujans believes that the "PH" faction could form a basis of a future shadow cabinet. Chas

Mr. Vladlen Dozortsev of "People's Harmony" believes that the upcoming party congress should focus on political priorities for the next five years. He names the forming of a political nation and a non-aligned status of Latvia among important objectives of the party. According to Mr. Dozortsev, "People's Harmony" should identify itself as a Socialist-Democratic party. The party will co-operate with other Latvian Social-Democrats and will not agree to any compromises with

Mr. Vladlen Dozortsev of "People's Harmony" believes that the upcoming party congress should focus on political priorities for the next five years. He names the forming of a political nation and a non-aligned status of Latvia among important objectives of the party. According to Mr. Dozortsev, "People's Harmony" should identify itself as a Socialist-Democratic party. The party will co-operate with other Latvian Social-Democrats and will not agree to any compromises with "Tevzemei un Brivibai"/LNNK. Mr. Dozortsev criticized "Latvijas Cels" and "Saimnieks" for yielding to "TB"/LNNK pressure and agreeing to all its demands on human rights related issues. PL

"Latvijas Cels"

is holding a conference this Saturday. The agenda will focus on ethnic relations and human rights. Mr. Boris Tsilevich comments on the event noting that the sudden interest toward the problem seems to be surprising. Previously, is holding a conference this Saturday. The agenda will focus on ethnic relations and human rights. Mr. Boris Tsilevich comments on the event noting that the sudden interest toward the problem seems to be surprising. Previously, "LC""LC" has ignored the problem and blocked several proposals that would extend the rights of non-citizens. The author of the article connects the sudden change in the "LC" policy to the transformation of the party's priorities. has ignored the problem and blocked several proposals that would extend the rights of non-citizens. The author of the article connects the sudden change in the "LC" policy to the transformation of the party's priorities. "LC""LC" has already gained the control over bureaucratic structures and has to gain more votes in the elections to the Seventh Saeima. Mr. Tsilevich believes that has already gained the control over bureaucratic structures and has to gain more votes in the elections to the Seventh Saeima. Mr. Tsilevich believes that "LC""LC", most of its leaders being former high-ranking Communists, does not have any ideological backbone and is acting only to achieve its immediate practical goals. , most of its leaders being former high-ranking Communists, does not have any ideological backbone and is acting only to achieve its immediate practical goals. SMSM

Press Report

Press Report

According to statistical data quoted by

According to statistical data quoted by "DIENA", almost every third inhabitant of Daugavpils is a non-citizen (43,000 out of 120,000 inhabitants are non-citizens). Still, the naturalization rate in Daugavpils is one of the highest in Latvia. The local office of the Naturalization Board receives 35 to 50 applications for naturalization monthly. Head of the local office Mr. Bruziks notes that the process has become more stable and the "naturalization curve" has become more even. The Daugavpils office of the Board distributes brochures on Latvian citizenship through schools, trade unions and other local institutions. Potential applicants have an opportunity to meet test board members and their fears are often dispelled after the meetings. Diena

Latvia is introducing the new pattern for its entry visas. The new visas are better protected against fraud and will be processed automatically after the country purchases necessary equipment. A single entry visa is issued for a fee of Ls 6 while a visa allowing to stay in Latvia for one year costs Ls 50.

Latvia is introducing the new pattern for its entry visas. The new visas are better protected against fraud and will be processed automatically after the country purchases necessary equipment. A single entry visa is issued for a fee of Ls 6 while a visa allowing to stay in Latvia for one year costs Ls 50. Dienas Biznes

A meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and the Ministers of Finance of the EU countries showed that Sweden, Denmark, Italy and Greece are the only countries fully supporting simultaneous talks with Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania on their admission to the EU. The concept of simultaneous talks is opposed by the Netherlands, Finland, Great Britain, Austria, Germany, Portugal and Spain.

A meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and the Ministers of Finance of the EU countries showed that Sweden, Denmark, Italy and Greece are the only countries fully supporting simultaneous talks with Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania on their admission to the EU. The concept of simultaneous talks is opposed by the Netherlands, Finland, Great Britain, Austria, Germany, Portugal and Spain. Diena

Press Report

A special

A special Saeima committee is working on the draft of the Second Part of the Satversme entitled "On Human Rights". The final version of the draft is expected to be submitted to the Saeima in November. Mr. Ilmars Bisers, Chairman of the committee currently working on the draft, believes that Latvia will not be able to join the European Union without providing constitutional guarantees of human rights. The existing "Law on the Rights of an Individual and a Citizen" does not have the force of a constitutional law since it was not adopted by a qualified majority of votes. According to Mr. Bisers, the draft is based on constitutions of the EU countries and on international human rights instruments. Most of the discussions in the working committee are focused on the acceptability of capital punishment and on the difference between the rights of citizens and non-citizens. Still, Head of the Saeima Juridical Committee Antons Seiksts noted that most of the arguments concern legal issues rather than political ones. Diena

According to a spokesman for the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the signing of the border agreement with Latvia as well as President Ulmanis' visit to Russia are not scheduled for the nearest future. He explained that although all the required documents were prepared, the agreement could not be signed until delimitation maps were completed.

According to a spokesman for the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the signing of the border agreement with Latvia as well as President Ulmanis' visit to Russia are not scheduled for the nearest future. He explained that although all the required documents were prepared, the agreement could not be signed until delimitation maps were completed. B&B

According to the opinion poll by the SKDS company,

According to the opinion poll by the SKDS company, "Tevzemei un Brivibai"/LNNK has the highest rating among Latvia's inhabitants (13.6%). "TB"/LNNK is followed by Bojars' Social Democrats (12.3%), "Saimnieks" (9.4%) and "Latvijas Cels" (8.4%). All other parties are supported by not more than 4% of inhabitants. The poll shows the growth of "Saimnieks" popularity. All state institutions have a negative rating. The most unpopular ones are the Customs, the Police, the State Revenue Service, the Saeima, the State Human Rights Office, the Army and local self-governments. Neatkariga

Press Report

According to the CID, only 35,000 non-citizens have received new non-citizens' passports while the total number of new passports to be issued this year is 700,000. Old Soviet passports will become invalid for traveling abroad on January 1, 1997. Only 3.92% of non-citizens have received new passports in Riga.

According to the CID, only 35,000 non-citizens have received new non-citizens' passports while the total number of new passports to be issued this year is 700,000. Old Soviet passports will become invalid for traveling abroad on January 1, 1997. Only 3.92% of non-citizens have received new passports in Riga. Neatkariga