Press Report

Press Report

Russian Premier Chernomyrdin in his speech at the Vilnius Conference stressed once again that Russia would strongly object to the joining of NATO by the three Baltic states. Mr. Chernomyrdin called the European Security Charter the only suitable comprehensive security model. Russia has already circulated a detailed plan of the document among the OSCE members. President Ulmanis, while commenting on the results of the meeting, noted that Prime-Minister Chernomyrdin did not address the issues traditionally raised by Russia. The agenda of Mr. Ulmanis' meeting with the Russian Prime-Minister included the border agreement and humanitarian issues. The Latvian President hopes to sign several important agreements during his visit to Moscow in the nearest future. (Still, the Council of

Russian Premier Chernomyrdin in his speech at the Vilnius Conference stressed once again that Russia would strongly object to the joining of NATO by the three Baltic states. Mr. Chernomyrdin called the European Security Charter the only suitable comprehensive security model. Russia has already circulated a detailed plan of the document among the OSCE members. President Ulmanis, while commenting on the results of the meeting, noted that Prime-Minister Chernomyrdin did not address the issues traditionally raised by Russia. The agenda of Mr. Ulmanis' meeting with the Russian Prime-Minister included the border agreement and humanitarian issues. The Latvian President hopes to sign several important agreements during his visit to Moscow in the nearest future. (Still, the Council of "Tevzemei un Brivibai"/LNNK during its meeting last Saturday decided to press its coalition partners to include a reference to the 1920 Peace Treaty in the Border Agreement with Russia). President Ulmanis told Premier Chernomyrdin that the Latvian Government was ready to accelerate the naturalization process by simplifying naturalization procedures. Mr. Ulmanis also met Byelorussian President Lukashenko. According to Mr. Lukashenko, the two countries are planning to sign an agreement on refugees. Among other issues discussed by the two Presidents was the closing of the Byelorussian Office of the Soros Foundation. Its bank account was blocked by the Byelorussian authorities and the Foundation was pressed to terminate its activities in Byelorussia. Diena, Neatkariga

"SM"

interviewed Head of the interviewed Head of the "Latvijas Cels""Latvijas Cels" faction Andrejs Pantelejevs on the current political situation in Latvia and on faction Andrejs Pantelejevs on the current political situation in Latvia and on "LC""LC" policy in the policy in the SaeimaSaeima. Mr. Pantelejevs said that . Mr. Pantelejevs said that "LC""LC" would not agree to several demands currently put forward by would not agree to several demands currently put forward by "Tevzemei un Brivibai"/LNNK"Tevzemei un Brivibai"/LNNK. The . The "LC""LC" faction will insist on applying the Refugee Convention to all asylum-seekers (but not only to those coming from the West, as demanded by faction will insist on applying the Refugee Convention to all asylum-seekers (but not only to those coming from the West, as demanded by "TB"/LNNK"TB"/LNNK). The faction will also support the abolishment of restrictions on the employment of non-citizens and will vote against introducing Latvian as the only language of instruction in secondary schools. According to Mr. Pantelejevs,). The faction will also support the abolishment of restrictions on the employment of non-citizens and will vote against introducing Latvian as the only language of instruction in secondary schools. According to Mr. Pantelejevs, "LC" "LC" is supporting the acceleration of naturalization. Mr. Pantelejevs believes that "the window mechanism" should be replaced by quotas that would tremendously exceed the current annual number of applicants for citizenship. is supporting the acceleration of naturalization. Mr. Pantelejevs believes that "the window mechanism" should be replaced by quotas that would tremendously exceed the current annual number of applicants for citizenship. "LC""LC" will hold a conference on the forming of a political nation on September 20. Other issues on the agenda will include education, language, and cultural autonomy. will hold a conference on the forming of a political nation on September 20. Other issues on the agenda will include education, language, and cultural autonomy. SMSM "People's Harmony" faction deputy Janis Urbanovics criticizes the governing coalition for yielding to

"People's Harmony" faction deputy Janis Urbanovics criticizes the governing coalition for yielding to "TB"/LNNK pressure while preparing the Memorandum for the European Commission. Mr. Urbanovics stresses that "LC" is pursuing its own political interests and would not oppose the Nationalists while "Saimnieks" focuses on protecting its own economic interests. The author of the article proves that such policies impede Latvia's integration in Europe and slow down its overall economic and political development. Diena

Press Report

The Luxembourg meeting of EU Ministers worked out a new approach to potential EU members. Each candidate country will be offered its own program and will have individual talks on its possible admission to the EU. The main purpose of the new approach is to minimize the tension between the candidates.

The Luxembourg meeting of EU Ministers worked out a new approach to potential EU members. Each candidate country will be offered its own program and will have individual talks on its possible admission to the EU. The main purpose of the new approach is to minimize the tension between the candidates. Diena

Last Saturday (October 4) the Third Congress of the Democratic Party

Last Saturday (October 4) the Third Congress of the Democratic Party Saimnieks adopted state nationalism as the partys ideology. Party Chairman Ziedonis Cevers opposed state nationalism to ethnic nationalism and stressed the importance of forming a political nation and integrating non-Latvians in the Latvian society. Mr. Cevers was elected Chairman of the Party for another term. Diena, Chas

“People’s Harmony” circulated an open letter to Prime-Minister Guntars Krasts signed by its Chairman Janis Jurkans. “PH” requests the Prime-Minister to demand a more simple procedure for the issuing of new alien passports. The letter points to a three-month term often required for issuing a passport. “PH” believes such delays to be purposeful. CID Deputy-Director Atis Leins told

Peoples Harmony circulated an open letter to Prime-Minister Guntars Krasts signed by its Chairman Janis Jurkans. PH requests the Prime-Minister to demand a more simple procedure for the issuing of new alien passports. The letter points to a three-month term often required for issuing a passport. PH believes such delays to be purposeful. CID Deputy-Director Atis Leins told Diena that applicants received new passports within twenty working days unless additional check-ups of Register of Inhabitants data were required. He believes that the slow exchange of old USSR passports for new alien passports could be explained by Russia having suspended the recognition of the new documents. According to BIZNES & BALTIYA only 5.45% of non-citizens have received new alien passports. B&B

Mr. George Soros visited Latvia for the annual presentation of the Soros Foundation Awards. In his speech delivered at the event Mr. Soros expressed concern about the indifference of the Latvian Government toward integration of non-Latvians in the Latvian society.

Mr. George Soros visited Latvia for the annual presentation of the Soros Foundation Awards. In his speech delivered at the event Mr. Soros expressed concern about the indifference of the Latvian Government toward integration of non-Latvians in the Latvian society. Chas

Press Review

Press Review

Russian Premier Chernomyrdin told the

Russian Premier Chernomyrdin told the "Interfax" news agency that Russia was ready to discuss possible security guarantees with the three Baltic states. Mr. Chernomyrdin will address the international conference on security in Europe in Vilnius today. The Russian Prime-Minister said that Russia would not change its negative attitude toward the joining of NATO by the Baltic states. The step, according to Mr. Chernomyrdin, would produce "additional sources of distrust" in these countries' relations with Russia. Latvian President Ulmanis during his meeting with Prime-Minister Chernomyrdin will confirm that Latvia is ready to sign the border agreement with Russia. Mr. Ulmanis will put a special emphasis on the importance of the Inter-Governmental Commission. The agenda of the meeting will also include Latvia's decision to undertake a thorough analysis of employment restrictions applied to non-citizens. The Latvian side will discuss issues related to Baltic security but will not accept security guarantees from Russia. According to Chairman of the Saeima Committee for Foreign Affairs Indulis Berzins, "Tevzemei un Brivibai"/LNNK was the only governing party that opposed the signing of the border agreement with Russia without referring to the 1920 Peace Treaty. During their meeting with the President, all governing coalition parties objected to amending the Citizenship Law but agreed to consider employment restrictions. Diena, B&B

The Lithuanian Security Service arrested seven individuals suspected of planning a terrorist act during the Vilnius conference. All of them are members of the Lithuanian Voluntary Home Guard. Yesterday an unidentified person called the Estonian bureau of the BNS news agency and warned about a possible attempt upon the life of Estonian President Meri during his visit to Vilnius. The Estonian and Lithuanian security services are reported to take adequate measures.

The Lithuanian Security Service arrested seven individuals suspected of planning a terrorist act during the Vilnius conference. All of them are members of the Lithuanian Voluntary Home Guard. Yesterday an unidentified person called the Estonian bureau of the BNS news agency and warned about a possible attempt upon the life of Estonian President Meri during his visit to Vilnius. The Estonian and Lithuanian security services are reported to take adequate measures. Chas, B&B

Press Review

Press Review

The Latvian Security Police has detained two young men who, according to Head of the Bureau for Protection of the

The Latvian Security Police has detained two young men who, according to Head of the Bureau for Protection of the Satversme Lainis Kamaldins, participated in organizing the act of terrorism against the Monument to the Liberators of Riga. The Police will not reveal any further details until the investigation is completed. The Monument was seriously damaged on July 6 when a bomb planted by unidentified terrorists exploded killing two men (who presumably planted it). Diena

Prime-Minister Krasts in his interview for the German business newspaper

Prime-Minister Krasts in his interview for the German business newspaper "Handelsblatt" stressed the role that could be played by Germany in persuading the EU to start talks with all three Baltic states simultaneously. The Latvian Premier believes that the admission of Estonia would create "dramatic inequality" and would increase Moscow's pressure on Latvia and Lithuania. Mr. Krasts, while touching upon the problem of the large number of non-citizens, said that many of them had no intention to take Latvian citizenship. For many of them Latvia is only a convenient place of residence and they would rather take citizenship of a Western country. According to Mr. Krasts, many Russian-speakers still did not consider Latvia to be an independent state. Diena

Yesterday President Ulmanis had a meeting with leaders of the governing coalition parties. The agenda of the meeting included possible compromise with Russia on the border issue and on the problem of the large number of non-citizens. Mr. Cevers (

Yesterday President Ulmanis had a meeting with leaders of the governing coalition parties. The agenda of the meeting included possible compromise with Russia on the border issue and on the problem of the large number of non-citizens. Mr. Cevers ("Saimnieks") told "SM" that the parties agreed to authorize the President to inform the Russian side about its plans for reducing the number of employment restrictions for non-citizens. The President will also speak about the possibility of simplifying the process of naturalization. President Ulmanis is expected to meet Russian Premier Chernomyrdin in Vilnius this week during the summit that will be attended by leaders of twelve countries. SM

Director of the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Solvita Mellupe told 

Director of the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Solvita Mellupe toldDiena that Latvia should improve "the safety of its Eastern border" to establish a non-visa regime with European countries. Finland is among the European countries ready to establish such a regime for Latvian citizens. Still, the Finnish side is expecting Latvia to apply the Refugee Convention to all asylum seekers and not only to residents of European countries. Finland also expects Latvia to improve the quality of citizens' passports to make them suitable for computer processing. Germany has suspended its talks with Latvia on the subject explaining that Latvian passports are easily forged. The German authorities also point at the lack of a uniform information network in Latvia. Diena

Press Review

Press Review

Minister of Foreign Affairs Birkavs while assessing the points of the Government Declaration said that the Latvian foreign policy remained unchanged. The new Declaration gives a more precise definition of some aspects of the foreign policy. Mr. Birkavs believes that there are signs showing that the European Commission puts special requirements to Latvia. He noted that Sweden and Finland would not agree to establish a non-visa regime until Latvia adopts the reading of the Refugee Law that would provide a refugee status not only to inhabitants of European countries. Last week the "Tevzemei un Brivibai"/LNNK faction blocked the corresponding amendments to the Law on the Refugee Convention. Mr. Birkavs also stressed the importance of the Border Agreement with Russia. Director of the Latvian Institute of Foreign Policy Atis Leins criticized the Declaration for paying little attention to Latvia's relations with Russia. Former Minister of Foreign Affairs Janis Jurkans believes that relations with Russia cannot be improved under the current Cabinet. No improvement is possible without amending the Citizenship Law, believes Mr. Jurkans.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Birkavs while assessing the points of the Government Declaration said that the Latvian foreign policy remained unchanged. The new Declaration gives a more precise definition of some aspects of the foreign policy. Mr. Birkavs believes that there are signs showing that the European Commission puts special requirements to Latvia. He noted that Sweden and Finland would not agree to establish a non-visa regime until Latvia adopts the reading of the Refugee Law that would provide a refugee status not only to inhabitants of European countries. Last week the "Tevzemei un Brivibai"/LNNK faction blocked the corresponding amendments to the Law on the Refugee Convention. Mr. Birkavs also stressed the importance of the Border Agreement with Russia. Director of the Latvian Institute of Foreign Policy Atis Leins criticized the Declaration for paying little attention to Latvia's relations with Russia. Former Minister of Foreign Affairs Janis Jurkans believes that relations with Russia cannot be improved under the current Cabinet. No improvement is possible without amending the Citizenship Law, believes Mr. Jurkans. Diena

Chairman of the Board of the Foundation for Consolidation of the Latvian Society Peteris Lakis believes that ethnic Russians in Latvia find it difficult to identify themselves as an ethnic minority. He suggests that the state is starting to play a consolidating role by giving political power to ethnic Latvians in the situation when the economics are controlled to a large extent by ethnic Russians. The two sides are trying to co-operate and to find common grounds. Mr. Lakis believes that naturalization tests should be simplified and sees the acceleration of naturalization among the objectives of his foundation.

Chairman of the Board of the Foundation for Consolidation of the Latvian Society Peteris Lakis believes that ethnic Russians in Latvia find it difficult to identify themselves as an ethnic minority. He suggests that the state is starting to play a consolidating role by giving political power to ethnic Latvians in the situation when the economics are controlled to a large extent by ethnic Russians. The two sides are trying to co-operate and to find common grounds. Mr. Lakis believes that naturalization tests should be simplified and sees the acceleration of naturalization among the objectives of his foundation. Diena

An international youth conference on human rights was held in Kemeri in August. It was organized by the "Culture, Tolerance, Friendship" youth organization. Participants of the conference had meetings with representatives of the State Human Rights Office, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the OSCE (Mr. F.Lange

An international youth conference on human rights was held in Kemeri in August. It was organized by the "Culture, Tolerance, Friendship" youth organization. Participants of the conference had meetings with representatives of the State Human Rights Office, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the OSCE (Mr. F.Lange).Diena

"Tevzemei un Brivibai"/LNNK Secretary General Aigars Kimenis in an article for "DIENA" stresses that his party supports Latvia's integration in the EU. Still, he does not see slow naturalization and a large number of non-citizens as a main problem faced by Latvia. Mr. Kimenis believes that Latvia should concentrate on resolving its economic problems and on improving its general image on the international scale. In this connection, he refers to Estonian experience. Economic reforms and international information campaigns helped the country to become a candidate to the EU without amending its Citizenship Law. Mr. Kimenis explains that the ratification of the European Charter on Local or Minority Languages and of the Framework Convention on Minority Rights would automatically give Russian a status of the second state language and would help individuals disloyal to Latvia's independence to penetrate state and self-government institutions.

"Tevzemei un Brivibai"/LNNK Secretary General Aigars Kimenis in an article for "DIENA" stresses that his party supports Latvia's integration in the EU. Still, he does not see slow naturalization and a large number of non-citizens as a main problem faced by Latvia. Mr. Kimenis believes that Latvia should concentrate on resolving its economic problems and on improving its general image on the international scale. In this connection, he refers to Estonian experience. Economic reforms and international information campaigns helped the country to become a candidate to the EU without amending its Citizenship Law. Mr. Kimenis explains that the ratification of the European Charter on Local or Minority Languages and of the Framework Convention on Minority Rights would automatically give Russian a status of the second state language and would help individuals disloyal to Latvia's independence to penetrate state and self-government institutions. Diena