Press Review

Press Review

Russian President B.Yeltsin sent to the State Council a negative conclusion on the Council’s draft law anticipating ceasing all economic and political relations with Latvia. The President considers, “There is no doubt that the Republic of Latvia has to obey its international obligations concerning human rights. But, taking into consideration the consistent and corresponding to international standards steps, taken by the Russian party, both on political and economical fields, adopting a federal law anticipating to break up the relations with Latvia do not correspond to the interests of Russia.”

Russian President B.Yeltsin sent to the State Council a negative conclusion on the Councils draft law anticipating ceasing all economic and political relations with Latvia. The President considers, There is no doubt that the Republic of Latvia has to obey its international obligations concerning human rights. But, taking into consideration the consistent and corresponding to international standards steps, taken by the Russian party, both on political and economical fields, adopting a federal law anticipating to break up the relations with Latvia do not correspond to the interests of Russia. Neatkariga, Diena, Vesti Segodnya

G.Kokars thinks that this step of B.Yelstsin is just a political manoeuvre taking into consideration the coming election.

G.Kokars thinks that this step of B.Yelstsin is just a political manoeuvre taking into consideration the coming election. Neatkariga (13.09.99)

Union

Union Latvijas Cels has authorised party representatives in the Cabinet of Ministers not to support introduction of tuition fees and refusal to finance the Culture Capital Fond from lottery and gambling tax, as well as increasing of taxes. Neatkariga

President Vaira Vike-Freiberga reminded at the Baltic and Black Seas countries summit meeting pointed out the symbolic meaning of this event, the possibility for each country to chose its own development in modern Europe, as well as the necessity of co-operation between the states of both regions.

President Vaira Vike-Freiberga reminded at the Baltic and Black Seas countries summit meeting pointed out the symbolic meaning of this event, the possibility for each country to chose its own development in modern Europe, as well as the necessity of co-operation between the states of both regions. Neatkariga, Diena

During his work visit to Liepaja, the Minister of Justice V.Birkavs announced that the system of domicile registration should be abolished. Such proposals had been submitted to the Cabinet of Ministers but not considered yet. Currently a working group was working to prepare amendments to the corresponding legal documents.

During his work visit to Liepaja, the Minister of Justice V.Birkavs announced that the system of domicile registration should be abolished. Such proposals had been submitted to the Cabinet of Ministers but not considered yet. Currently a working group was working to prepare amendments to the corresponding legal documents. Neatkariga

Documents have been submitted to the Ministry of Justice showing that on August 21 a new political party had been established - Well-being Party. There are 207 party member candidates and 47 supporters.

Documents have been submitted to the Ministry of Justice showing that on August 21 a new political party had been established - Well-being Party. There are 207 party member candidates and 47 supporters. Neatkariga

Riga City Council deputy J.Zhuravlov appealed the decision to annul his Latvian citizenship, but the Supreme Court decided to postpone the hearing for October. Meanwhile Mr.Zhuravlov exchanged his nationality from Russian to Latvian. He thinks that this exchange will help him to get back his Latvian citizenship.

Riga City Council deputy J.Zhuravlov appealed the decision to annul his Latvian citizenship, but the Supreme Court decided to postpone the hearing for October. Meanwhile Mr.Zhuravlov exchanged his nationality from Russian to Latvian. He thinks that this exchange will help him to get back his Latvian citizenship. Diena

The Saeima deputy I.Udre (

The Saeima deputy I.Udre (New Party) considers that Prime Minister A.Skele has planned the amendments to the pension law not to improve the situation with the state budget but to set on each other representatives of different social groups of population. Vesti Segodnya

Press Review

Press Review

The discord between Prime Minister and Minister of Economics on privatisation of Latvian Shipping Company, the different opinions within the ruling coalition on amending the law on pensions show that the government forming faction is not united, and thiscould lead to a government crisis. This is the opinion of politicians. TB/LNNK representative G.Krasts stated that if the Prime Minister demanded the resignation of the Minister of Economics, TB/LNNK could leave the ruling coalition, but such a possibility had not been discussed yet.

The discord between Prime Minister and Minister of Economics on privatisation of Latvian Shipping Company, the different opinions within the ruling coalition on amending the law on pensions show that the government forming faction is not united, and thiscould lead to a government crisis. This is the opinion of politicians. TB/LNNK representative G.Krasts stated that if the Prime Minister demanded the resignation of the Minister of Economics, TB/LNNK could leave the ruling coalition, but such a possibility had not been discussed yet. Peoples Party faction Chairman G.Berzins thinks that resignation of one minister could not cause a threat for the whole government. Neatkariga, Diena, Vesti Segodnya, Bizness & Baltiya

Saeima Foreign Affairs Commission did not submit to the Parliament for consideration in the first reading the sea border agreement between Latvia and Lithuania. They decided to go on with the discussion next Monday. The majority of the Commission members were inclined to forward the agreement for consideration, but the Chairman G.Krasts wished to continue the discussion.

Saeima Foreign Affairs Commission did not submit to the Parliament for consideration in the first reading the sea border agreement between Latvia and Lithuania. They decided to go on with the discussion next Monday. The majority of the Commission members were inclined to forward the agreement for consideration, but the Chairman G.Krasts wished to continue the discussion. Diena

The Ministry of Justice wants to establish immediately one institution for solving citizenship and national minority issues - Citizenship and National Affairs Board on the basis of the present Naturalisation Board. On Wednesday the Minister of Justice V.Birkavs introduced the members of Saeima Human Rights Commission with his intention to establish such an institution by the beginning of the next year.

The Ministry of Justice wants to establish immediately one institution for solving citizenship and national minority issues - Citizenship and National Affairs Board on the basis of the present Naturalisation Board. On Wednesday the Minister of Justice V.Birkavs introduced the members of Saeima Human Rights Commission with his intention to establish such an institution by the beginning of the next year. Diena

The Mayor of Moscow Y.Luzhkov accused Latvian authorities of violating human rights for starting court proceedings against a former KGB officer accused for deportation of Latvian people to Siberia.

The Mayor of Moscow Y.Luzhkov accused Latvian authorities of violating human rights for starting court proceedings against a former KGB officer accused for deportation of Latvian people to Siberia. Panorama Latvii

Press Review

Press Review

Latvian and Lithuanian presidents, while meeting in Vilnius, expressed a hope that sea border agreement, concluded between those two countries, could be ratified immediately. It its turn the Saeima Economics Commission, basing on the negative opinion of the opposition deputies, rejected the consideration of the agreement in the first reading. Latvian MFA State Secretary M.Riekstins pointed out that, according to international legal norms, it would be hard or almost impossible for Latvia to conclude a more favourable agreement.

Latvian and Lithuanian presidents, while meeting in Vilnius, expressed a hope that sea border agreement, concluded between those two countries, could be ratified immediately. It its turn the Saeima Economics Commission, basing on the negative opinion of the opposition deputies, rejected the consideration of the agreement in the first reading. Latvian MFA State Secretary M.Riekstins pointed out that, according to international legal norms, it would be hard or almost impossible for Latvia to conclude a more favourable agreement. Neatkariga, Diena, Vesti Segodnya, Bizness & Baltiya

The heads of Aluksne, Gulbene and Madona regional councils, when discussing the formation of the nine districts adopted by the government, came to a conclusion that East-Vidzeme District would become the economically less developed one, therefore there was no use for amalgamation. Somebody even made a proposal to elect the district government basing on the twochamber system.

The heads of Aluksne, Gulbene and Madona regional councils, when discussing the formation of the nine districts adopted by the government, came to a conclusion that East-Vidzeme District would become the economically less developed one, therefore there was no use for amalgamation. Somebody even made a proposal to elect the district government basing on the twochamber system. Neatkariga

Minister of Justice V.Birkavs writes in

Minister of Justice V.Birkavs writes in Neatkariga about his priorities and states that the main objective for him is to realise the standards of a legal state adopted in EU let Latvia could become a full fledged EU member state. Every person in Latvia has a right to demand an effective, competent and just consideration of his/her case at a court of juridical institution.

G.Tihonov, Head of the National Council Commission on CIS Affairs and Relation with Compatriots considers that the former USSR citizens who are residing outside Russia but have not asked for a citizenship of some other country should be granted the right to elect the Parliament.

G.Tihonov, Head of the National Council Commission on CIS Affairs and Relation with Compatriots considers that the former USSR citizens who are residing outside Russia but have not asked for a citizenship of some other country should be granted the right to elect the Parliament. Vesti Segodnya

Press Report

September 6 till October 5 people in Latvia will sign in support of holding the referendum on amendments to the Pension Law. The Central Election Committee has asked the commissions not to release preliminary results of the procedure to avoid campaigning. At least 134,195 signatures are needed to organise the referendum.

September 6 till October 5 people in Latvia will sign in support of holding the referendum on amendments to the Pension Law. The Central Election Committee has asked the commissions not to release preliminary results of the procedure to avoid campaigning. At least 134,195 signatures are needed to organise the referendum. Neatkariga, Diena

Sunday, after an unofficial meeting of the EU foreign ministers the French foreign minister informed the press that majority of the 15 EU member countries support passing a decision during the Helsinki summit on Latvia and other second group countries to join the EU accession negotiations.

Sunday, after an unofficial meeting of the EU foreign ministers the French foreign minister informed the press that majority of the 15 EU member countries support passing a decision during the Helsinki summit on Latvia and other second group countries to join the EU accession negotiations. Neatkariga, Jauna Avize

Press Review

Latvia’s Way and Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK are working on a compromise solution to specify the stopped amendments to the Pension Law. Deputy Head of FF/LNNK Janis Straume believes that the compromise version should take into account the interests of the whole society and the work should be started while signatures for referendum are still being collected.

Latvias Way and Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK are working on a compromise solution to specify the stopped amendments to the Pension Law. Deputy Head of FF/LNNK Janis Straume believes that the compromise version should take into account the interests of the whole society and the work should be started while signatures for referendum are still being collected. Diena, Neatkariga

After the meeting of the three Baltic and German Foreign Ministers in Tallinn the German Foreign Minister said that Germany maintains a strong support for fast integration of the Baltic countries into EU and stressed the progress made by Latvia and Lithuania.

After the meeting of the three Baltic and German Foreign Ministers in Tallinn the German Foreign Minister said that Germany maintains a strong support for fast integration of the Baltic countries into EU and stressed the progress made by Latvia and Lithuania. Diena, Neatkariga

Ventspils municipality provides a special support to the signature collection campaign by opening five places for this purpose while two would be enough as far as the population. Diena

Ventspils municipality provides a special support to the signature collection campaign by opening five places for this purpose while two would be enough as far as the population. Diena