Press Report

Representatives of the State Language Center during the meeting with the Saeima’s Commission for Education, Culture and Science stressed that they cannot fully agree with the objections presented by the President of Latvia concerning the passed language law. The Center’s opinion is that public information should be only in the state language while Cabinet regulations should provide for the cases when other language can be used along with the state language. Language specialist Ina Druviete said that OSCE does not take into account the actual situation in Latvia which is why she has officially requested the organization’s representatives during their next stay in Latvia to meet the Center’s specialists.

Representatives of the State Language Center during the meeting with the Saeimas Commission for Education, Culture and Science stressed that they cannot fully agree with the objections presented by the President of Latvia concerning the passed language law. The Centers opinion is that public information should be only in the state language while Cabinet regulations should provide for the cases when other language can be used along with the state language. Language specialist Ina Druviete said that OSCE does not take into account the actual situation in Latvia which is why she has officially requested the organizations representatives during their next stay in Latvia to meet the Centers specialists.

The Center’s representatives agreed that the law could have a more specific definition of what is a “public event”, also, that the requirement to use the state language could be not applied to art performances.

The Centers representatives agreed that the law could have a more specific definition of what is a public event, also, that the requirement to use the state language could be not applied to art performances. Neatkariga, Diena, BB, Panorama Latvii

Specialists interviewed by Diena commenting on the results of the study carried out in Russian language schools admit that the government should clearly declare that Russian language will never be the state language in Latvia and at the same time invest more money and support in society integration.

Specialists interviewed by Diena commenting on the results of the study carried out in Russian language schools admit that the government should clearly declare that Russian language will never be the state language in Latvia and at the same time invest more money and support in society integration. Diena

After estimates, roughly one third of the signatures necessary to start the referendum on Pension Law are collected by now. Information was released by the Head of the Social Democrats faction Egils Baldzens. He is sure that the necessary amount will be collected thanks to the active campaigning work.

After estimates, roughly one third of the signatures necessary to start the referendum on Pension Law are collected by now. Information was released by the Head of the Social Democrats faction Egils Baldzens. He is sure that the necessary amount will be collected thanks to the active campaigning work. Neatkariga

Justice Ministry is having a discussion concerning having the assessors at the court. Most of the judges think that assessors are usually pension-age people passively taking part in trial. Giving up this practice money could be saved.

Justice Ministry is having a discussion concerning having the assessors at the court. Most of the judges think that assessors are usually pension-age people passively taking part in trial. Giving up this practice money could be saved. Neatkariga

Latvian President Vaira Vike Freiberga speaking to SWH Radio from New York said that officials from other countries show good attitude towards Latvia although there have been questions about the serious problems with ethnic minorities in Latvia. The President took the chance to explain the actual situation in personal meetings. During Freiberga’s meeting with Kofi Annan they discussed society integration issues and the process of passing the Language Law.

Latvian President Vaira Vike Freiberga speaking to SWH Radio from New York said that officials from other countries show good attitude towards Latvia although there have been questions about the serious problems with ethnic minorities in Latvia. The President took the chance to explain the actual situation in personal meetings. During Freibergas meeting with Kofi Annan they discussed society integration issues and the process of passing the Language Law. Neatkariga

In her address to the UN Assembly Freiberga mentioned that Latvia is looking forward to develop co-operation with Russia as a strong democratic country while today Latvia’s foreign policy is first of all directed towards the West as joining the EU is one of the political priorities for the country.

In her address to the UN Assembly Freiberga mentioned that Latvia is looking forward to develop co-operation with Russia as a strong democratic country while today Latvias foreign policy is first of all directed towards the West as joining the EU is one of the political priorities for the country. Panorama Latvii

September 21 Latvian government granted citizenship through naturalization to 816 persons, among them 143 are children.

September 21 Latvian government granted citizenship through naturalization to 816 persons, among them 143 are children. Panorama Latvii

Press Report

A study carried out by Baltijas Datu Nams that was released yesterday shows that majority of the students of the schools with Russian language of instruction do not feel they belong to Latvia’s society, they are not willing to speak Latvian, most of them want Russian to be recognized as the second state language in Latvia, they do not support the shift to Latvian as the language of instruction. The study was done in 50 schools in Latvia among the students in grades 9 to 11, their parents and teachers. There are more negative answers given by the students than by their parents or teachers.

A study carried out by Baltijas Datu Nams that was released yesterday shows that majority of the students of the schools with Russian language of instruction do not feel they belong to Latvias society, they are not willing to speak Latvian, most of them want Russian to be recognized as the second state language in Latvia, they do not support the shift to Latvian as the language of instruction. The study was done in 50 schools in Latvia among the students in grades 9 to 11, their parents and teachers. There are more negative answers given by the students than by their parents or teachers. Diena, Panorama Latvii

Latvian TV channel LNT in co-operation with the Latvian Language Training State Program plans to start a new bilingual program. The project is initiated and financed by the European Council. The program will be in Russian and Latvian with simultaneous translation (subtitles).

Latvian TV channel LNT in co-operation with the Latvian Language Training State Program plans to start a new bilingual program. The project is initiated and financed by the European Council. The program will be in Russian and Latvian with simultaneous translation (subtitles). Diena

The government meeting decided that teachers in Latvia will see the pay rise only starting the next September instead of previously planned January. Teachers hope to have the funding for education increased up to 29 million lats and the planned pay rise. In case the teachers’ demands are not met it is possible they will stage demonstrations.

The government meeting decided that teachers in Latvia will see the pay rise only starting the next September instead of previously planned January. Teachers hope to have the funding for education increased up to 29 million lats and the planned pay rise. In case the teachers demands are not met it is possible they will stage demonstrations. Neatkariga

Yesterday’s government meeting supported the draft law providing for the defence budget to reach 2% of GDP by 2003 to ensure that development of the armed forces is up to NATO standards.

Yesterdays government meeting supported the draft law providing for the defence budget to reach 2% of GDP by 2003 to ensure that development of the armed forces is up to NATO standards. Diena

After the initiative of Ventspils Mayor Aivars Lembergs, a consultative forum with participation of all social groups of the town, including non-citizens, will convene at the end of the year.

After the initiative of Ventspils Mayor Aivars Lembergs, a consultative forum with participation of all social groups of the town, including non-citizens, will convene at the end of the year. Chas

BB runs a short interview with Eizenija Aldermane where she is quite optimistic about the pace of naturalization after dropping the window system. By now the waiting lines for submitting applications have reduced from 5-6 months to 1 month. 7464 people (among them 1125 children) have acquired citizenship after dropping the windows.

Interior Ministry is looking for the government support to introduce unified ID cards for Latvia’s residents for domestic use. It is planned to start the project in 2001. Then, passports will be needed for travelling abroad only.

Interior Ministry is looking for the government support to introduce unified ID cards for Latvias residents for domestic use. It is planned to start the project in 2001. Then, passports will be needed for travelling abroad only. BB

Press Report

Committee of the Cabinet of Ministers supported amendments to the naturalization regulations allowing for the school graduates who have passed the Latvian language exam not to take this exam when undergoing the naturalization procedure. Also, amendments provide for the list of documents to be attached to the naturalization application.

Committee of the Cabinet of Ministers supported amendments to the naturalization regulations allowing for the school graduates who have passed the Latvian language exam not to take this exam when undergoing the naturalization procedure. Also, amendments provide for the list of documents to be attached to the naturalization application. Chas, Panorama Latvii, Latvijas Vestnesis

Danish Foreign Ministry's State Secretary is paying an official visit to Latvia. He announced that Denmark was interested to see Latvia to pass the Language Law in compliance with international norms and OSCE recommendations. The Danish official informed about the financial support of US$100,000 the Danish government plans to grant Latvia to continue the state language training.

Danish Foreign Ministry's State Secretary is paying an official visit to Latvia. He announced that Denmark was interested to see Latvia to pass the Language Law in compliance with international norms and OSCE recommendations. The Danish official informed about the financial support of US$100,000 the Danish government plans to grant Latvia to continue the state language training.

The official informed the journalists that Denmark will actively support Latvia to be included in the first EU negotiation group and to have no second group at all.

The official informed the journalists that Denmark will actively support Latvia to be included in the first EU negotiation group and to have no second group at all. Chas, Diena

US State Secretary during the meeting with Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga expressed her appreciation for Freiberga's active work as the state president as well as her position concerning the State Language Law.

US State Secretary during the meeting with Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga expressed her appreciation for Freiberga's active work as the state president as well as her position concerning the State Language Law. Diena

Press Report

The State President’s Office and the Latvian Ambassador to the UN make contradictory statements and blame each other for the choice of the expensive Waldorf Tower hotel for the President’s Stay in New York.

The State Presidents Office and the Latvian Ambassador to the UN make contradictory statements and blame each other for the choice of the expensive Waldorf Tower hotel for the Presidents Stay in New York. Diena, Neatkariga, Vesti, Chas, BB

State Language Inspection has found no forged state language proficiency certificates since the new type of the document with holograms is introduced. State language testing takes place since 1992, as of this June 475,000 people have passed the tests. However, the inspection still finds forged certificates of the old type.

Diena First cases from Latvia will be considered at the European Court of Human Rights this year. The Latvian government has not yet appointed a person to represent Latvia in the Court.

First cases from Latvia will be considered at the European Court of Human Rights this year. The Latvian government has not yet appointed a person to represent Latvia in the Court. Diena

September 19, a national-Bolshevik public organization Limonka was founded in Riga. The declared goal of the organization was “to become a broom to sweep away the current rulers of the country”. The room of the meeting was decorated with red cloth and sickle-and-hammer images.

September 19, a national-Bolshevik public organization Limonka was founded in Riga. The declared goal of the organization was to become a broom to sweep away the current rulers of the country. The room of the meeting was decorated with red cloth and sickle-and-hammer images. BB, Chas, Vesti, Diena

Boris Tsilevich offers ways, including appealing to the Court of Human Rights in Strasbourgh, how to fight with the State Language Law as it gets passed.

Boris Tsilevich offers ways, including appealing to the Court of Human Rights in Strasbourgh, how to fight with the State Language Law as it gets passed. Chas

Press Report

Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK and People’s Party agreed to establish a working group for reaching agreement on the position of the ruling factions before the vote on Language Law. Latvia’s Way is sceptical about this move. The responsible Saeima’s Commission will start discussion of the law the following week. FF/LNNK faction head said that opinions should be co-ordinated and compromise should be sought after the proposals come in at the end of October.

Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK and Peoples Party agreed to establish a working group for reaching agreement on the position of the ruling factions before the vote on Language Law. Latvias Way is sceptical about this move. The responsible Saeimas Commission will start discussion of the law the following week. FF/LNNK faction head said that opinions should be co-ordinated and compromise should be sought after the proposals come in at the end of October.

Latvian President stressed that the law should be passed taking into account the objections she presented after the law was passed by the Parliament.

Latvian President stressed that the law should be passed taking into account the objections she presented after the law was passed by the Parliament. Diena

The Saeima last Thursday passed the draft law On the September 28, 1954 Convention on the Status of the Stateless that guarantees human rights and basic freedoms for the persons who don’t have citizenship of any country.

The Saeima last Thursday passed the draft law On the September 28, 1954 Convention on the Status of the Stateless that guarantees human rights and basic freedoms for the persons who dont have citizenship of any country. Diena

Saeima’s commission for human rights and public affairs has agreed to the proposal made by the Justice Minister Valdis Birkavs to reorganize the Naturalization Board into the Board of Citizenship and Ethnic Affairs that would include the Justice Ministry’s department of ethnic affairs and some functions currently performed by the Board of Citizenship and Migration. The minister stressed that the new institution should be set up immediately. Head of the above commission Antons Seiksts suggested that a law on ethnic minorities is developed in near future.

Saeimas commission for human rights and public affairs has agreed to the proposal made by the Justice Minister Valdis Birkavs to reorganize the Naturalization Board into the Board of Citizenship and Ethnic Affairs that would include the Justice Ministrys department of ethnic affairs and some functions currently performed by the Board of Citizenship and Migration. The minister stressed that the new institution should be set up immediately. Head of the above commission Antons Seiksts suggested that a law on ethnic minorities is developed in near future. Neatkariga

President of the Bank of Latvia Einars Repse during his meeting with the President Vaira Vike-Freiberga stated that there was no room for concern about the stability of the Latvian lat as the central bank’s monetary policy as well as the currency reserve is a sufficient safeguard.

President of the Bank of Latvia Einars Repse during his meeting with the President Vaira Vike-Freiberga stated that there was no room for concern about the stability of the Latvian lat as the central banks monetary policy as well as the currency reserve is a sufficient safeguard. Neatkariga

In early October the Russian State Duma is planning to have the second reading of the draft law on sanctions against Latvia although the President Yeltsin has expressed a negative opinion about the draft law.

In early October the Russian State Duma is planning to have the second reading of the draft law on sanctions against Latvia although the President Yeltsin has expressed a negative opinion about the draft law. Neatkariga

During the last meeting the Saeima passed over to commissions draft amendments to the law On Status of the Citizens of the Former USSR Who Do Not Have Latvian or Other Citizenship. After the draft amendments, the former military or militia officers who were in the service of a foreign country after July 1, 1992 or who were registered residents in any of CIS countries may lose the non-citizen status.

During the last meeting the Saeima passed over to commissions draft amendments to the law On Status of the Citizens of the Former USSR Who Do Not Have Latvian or Other Citizenship. After the draft amendments, the former military or militia officers who were in the service of a foreign country after July 1, 1992 or who were registered residents in any of CIS countries may lose the non-citizen status. Chas

September 16 the Swedish government decided to grant additional US$200,000 for the work of the State Language Training Program after the request made by the Latvian Education Ministry and UNDP due to the growing demand for the state language training. US$1.4 million were granted earlier by Sweden in support to the program.

September 16 the Swedish government decided to grant additional US$200,000 for the work of the State Language Training Program after the request made by the Latvian Education Ministry and UNDP due to the growing demand for the state language training. US$1.4 million were granted earlier by Sweden in support to the program. Panorama Latvii