Press Review

Most papers report on the first day of Max van der Stoel’s visit to Latvia.

Most papers report on the first day of Max van der Stoels visit to Latvia. Neatkariga writes that the High Commissioner has not come forward with any recommendations concerning the Language Law but has suggested another meeting of European and Latvian experts before adoption of the law. After the meeting at the Saeimas Commission for Science, Education and Culture, head of the Commission Dzintars Abikis told the press that specifying what are public events could solve the problem with the article on usage of the language in public events. However, majority of politicians is said to take a principal position in the issue of signs in public places.

Yesterday, heads of the ruling factions agreed that the law should be adopted in its final version on December 9 while the deadline for submitting the proposals should be October 29.

Yesterday, heads of the ruling factions agreed that the law should be adopted in its final version on December 9 while the deadline for submitting the proposals should be October 29.

Latvian Foreign Minister Indulis Berzins in a radio interview on Tuesday suggested that it would be very useful if the High Commissioner addressed the Russian-speaking population advising them to learn the Latvian language in order to leave the impression that his mission is to reach a positive result for the whole society and not to appear as an advocate of the rights of the Russian-speakers.

Latvian Foreign Minister Indulis Berzins in a radio interview on Tuesday suggested that it would be very useful if the High Commissioner addressed the Russian-speaking population advising them to learn the Latvian language in order to leave the impression that his mission is to reach a positive result for the whole society and not to appear as an advocate of the rights of the Russian-speakers. Diena, Neatkariga, Chas, BB, Panorama Latvii

Yesterday’s Cabinet Meeting accepted the regulations on the model of the identity document for stateless persons as well as the order of issuing such documents. A stateless person who has reached the age of 16 gets the document. Persons under the age of 16 get a document for going to a foreign country. The rules are to become effective as of October 1, 1999

Yesterdays Cabinet Meeting accepted the regulations on the model of the identity document for stateless persons as well as the order of issuing such documents. A stateless person who has reached the age of 16 gets the document. Persons under the age of 16 get a document for going to a foreign country. The rules are to become effective as of October 1, 1999. Latvijas Vestnesis

Riga District Court started looking into the criminal case filed against Mihail Farbtuh, a former deputy chief of Daugavpils NKVD in the summer of 1941 for signing the decision on deportation of 31 families.

Riga District Court started looking into the criminal case filed against Mihail Farbtuh, a former deputy chief of Daugavpils NKVD in the summer of 1941 for signing the decision on deportation of 31 families. Diena, Chas, Jauna Avize.

Yesterday, the Cabinet agreed that instead of the current 26 regions the voters are supposed to elect 9 regional governments at the municipal elections in March of 2001.

Yesterday, the Cabinet agreed that instead of the current 26 regions the voters are supposed to elect 9 regional governments at the municipal elections in March of 2001. Diena

Press Review

Latvia’s Pensioner Federation has decided not to call people to sign for referendum as there is no conformity of opinions within the Federation about the amendments to the Pension Law. The opinion of the Federation is that each pensioner should individually decide whether to support the referendum. The President of Latvia yesterday listened to the opinions of the opposition parties and NGOs about the amendments to the law and the possibility of having the referendum. She will release her opinion later this week.

Latvias Pensioner Federation has decided not to call people to sign for referendum as there is no conformity of opinions within the Federation about the amendments to the Pension Law. The opinion of the Federation is that each pensioner should individually decide whether to support the referendum. The President of Latvia yesterday listened to the opinions of the opposition parties and NGOs about the amendments to the law and the possibility of having the referendum. She will release her opinion later this week. Neatkariga, Diena

During the Thursday session the Saeima plans to pass over the Language Law to be considered at the commissions. The issue is put on the August 26 agenda. The MPs will decide on the deadline for submitting the proposals exclusively concerning the articles objected by the President Vaira Vike-Freiberga. The ruling parties could agree on the deadline before the meeting.

During the Thursday session the Saeima plans to pass over the Language Law to be considered at the commissions. The issue is put on the August 26 agenda. The MPs will decide on the deadline for submitting the proposals exclusively concerning the articles objected by the President Vaira Vike-Freiberga. The ruling parties could agree on the deadline before the meeting.

It was reported earlier that Latvia’s Way supports a slow quality process for adopting the law. Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK holds a similar position - they want the law to be adopted after the Helsinki summit. People’s Party faction head Gundars Berzins believes that the law should be adopted in the autumn session.

It was reported earlier that Latvias Way supports a slow quality process for adopting the law. Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK holds a similar position - they want the law to be adopted after the Helsinki summit. Peoples Party faction head Gundars Berzins believes that the law should be adopted in the autumn session. Neatkariga

All papers report on the Baltic Way 10th anniversary celebration events yesterday as well as commemoration of the Molotov-Ribbentrop pact signed August 23 in 1939.

All papers report on the Baltic Way 10th anniversary celebration events yesterday as well as commemoration of the Molotov-Ribbentrop pact signed August 23 in 1939.

Press Review

Press Review

Prime Minister A.Skele announced at the meeting of the educators that the government and the Ministry of Education and Science would take care let pupil every could receive elementary education at his parish. At the same time the Minister of Education and Science S.Golde informed that there were amendments to the general education law elaborated establishing the minimal number of pupils in a class, including elementary school as well.

Prime Minister A.Skele announced at the meeting of the educators that the government and the Ministry of Education and Science would take care let pupil every could receive elementary education at his parish. At the same time the Minister of Education and Science S.Golde informed that there were amendments to the general education law elaborated establishing the minimal number of pupils in a class, including elementary school as well. Neatkariga

The Chairman of Central Election Commission informed that 32 posts to collect signatures for proposing the referendum on the pension law would be opened abroad.

The Chairman of Central Election Commission informed that 32 posts to collect signatures for proposing the referendum on the pension law would be opened abroad. Neatkariga

Minister of Education and Science S.Golde informed that according to the data of school boards and National Education Inspection there were about 2500 irreplaceable teachers of retirement age and may be the next year these people could retire because the government wished to increase the salaries of teachers for one teaching load by January 1, 2000 let young teachers come to schools. The salary would be almost doubled - up to 130 Ls for one load. The total amount of money necessary could be 70 million Ls. Also the Prime Minister expressed his understanding of this issue and said that the problem should be solved during the next year.

Minister of Education and Science S.Golde informed that according to the data of school boards and National Education Inspection there were about 2500 irreplaceable teachers of retirement age and may be the next year these people could retire because the government wished to increase the salaries of teachers for one teaching load by January 1, 2000 let young teachers come to schools. The salary would be almost doubled - up to 130 Ls for one load. The total amount of money necessary could be 70 million Ls. Also the Prime Minister expressed his understanding of this issue and said that the problem should be solved during the next year. Neatkariga, Diena, Vesti Segodnya

Polish Ambassador to Latvia J.Bratkevich, meeting with the representatives of the Ministry of Education and Science, acknowledged that although the current situation at Polish schools in Latvia was good, he would like it to be better, and Latvia state institutions could help more in this respect. The Ambassador pointed out that the furniture, used at these schools was old , therefore resources were necessary to exchange them for new, and the Latvian state could grant one time subsidy for this purpose. He did not name an exact sum but just wanted the Saeima to support these schools with a political decision.

Rigas Balss (19.08.99)

A.Yelkin in Panorama Latvii writes about the fate of the Language Law linking it with the referendum on the pension law. Latvijas Cels and TB/LNNK stand for adopting the Language Law at the beginning of the next year let it do not disturb the talks on Latvia joining EU. Then why is Peoples Party now more radical than the rest of the coalition members - PP want to kindle the nationalistic feelings of the population thus achieving their primary goal of this time to adopt the amendments to the pensions law because if there is a referendum, the 650 000 Latvian pensioners, majority of whom are citizens, would vote against the amendments and it would mean the end of Skele government. Panorama Latvii

Press Review

Press Review

The Chairman of Saeima faction TB/LNNK A.Pozarnovs accused Prime Minister A.Skele of violating the government forming coalition agreement by not informing the faction leaders about the fact that the government planned to discuss the composition of the high school reorganization commission.

The Chairman of Saeima faction TB/LNNK A.Pozarnovs accused Prime Minister A.Skele of violating the government forming coalition agreement by not informing the faction leaders about the fact that the government planned to discuss the composition of the high school reorganization commission. Neatkariga, Jauna Avize, Chas

The government forming coalition faction does not have a united opinion on the time when the Language Law should be adopted. K.Libane from

The government forming coalition faction does not have a united opinion on the time when the Language Law should be adopted. K.Libane from Latvijas Cels told the journalist that she stood for a rather long term to submit proposals, because this is the last time when we can adopt a harmonised law corresponding to international norms. A.Pozarnovs from TB/LNNK pointed out that the best time for adopting the law could be the beginning of the next year. G.Berzins from Peoples Party thinks that the law should be adopted this November. Neatkariga, Chas, Bizness & Baltiya

The Chairman of the Saeima Commission on Education, Culture and Science Dz.Abikis’s personal opinion is that the law should be adopted already in November this year because only the two articles the President had objections to should be discussed by the Saeima.

The Chairman of the Saeima Commission on Education, Culture and Science Dz.Abikiss personal opinion is that the law should be adopted already in November this year because only the two articles the President had objections to should be discussed by the Saeima. Diena

Yesterday the Saeima Speaker J.Straume announced amendments to the state budget of 1999 envisaging a decrease of the revenues part for 60 million lats.

Yesterday the Saeima Speaker J.Straume announced amendments to the state budget of 1999 envisaging a decrease of the revenues part for 60 million lats. Neatkariga

Russian MFA circulated an announcement on Wednesday where it criticized Latvian policy concerning national minorities. The Ministry stated that there were differences between citizens and non-citizens in more that 70 positions, including a possibility to hold posts, property rights, private entrepreneurship, etc. Answering to this Latvian MFA stated that the situation was just the opposite - Latvia had been congratulated for the progress achieved, and Russia had just expressed her opinion which was nothing new.

Diena, Chas

On August 23 the Union Tevzemei un Brivibai/LNNK will organize the annual march from Sigulda to Riga protesting against the Molotov-Ribentrop pact of 1939.

The OSCE High Commissioner Max van der Stoel has confirmed that he would come to Riga on August 25 and expressed a wish to speak about the Language Law. Lauku Avize, Bizness & Baltiya

Professor R.Janson from Tver University writes about the fate or Russians living in Latvia. He stated that the Russian authorities are eager to accuse Latvia of violating the rights and freedoms of the Russian speaking population in Latvia but did nothing to help those who wanted to move to Russia. Russian leaders want to preserve the current demographic situation thus maintaining their influence here. This is also confirmed by their statements about Russia’s geopolitical interests in this region.

Professor R.Janson from Tver University writes about the fate or Russians living in Latvia. He stated that the Russian authorities are eager to accuse Latvia of violating the rights and freedoms of the Russian speaking population in Latvia but did nothing to help those who wanted to move to Russia. Russian leaders want to preserve the current demographic situation thus maintaining their influence here. This is also confirmed by their statements about Russias geopolitical interests in this region. Diena (Russian version)

The two week hunger strike of O.Morozov from Tallin made the Russian National Council to take a decision to put on the agenda for the next meeting a proposal to discuss imposing of certain measures on Estonia to make this country to increase the rights of Russian speakers living there.

The two week hunger strike of O.Morozov from Tallin made the Russian National Council to take a decision to put on the agenda for the next meeting a proposal to discuss imposing of certain measures on Estonia to make this country to increase the rights of Russian speakers living there. Bizness & Baltiya

The Chairman of the Council of the Russian Society in Latvia Vy.Altuhov whites about the changes in the original goals of this organisation. After the adoption of the amendments to the Language Law RSL is ready for some compromises but only on bilateral basis. RSL will not demand the state language status for the Russian language if the Saeima allows free use of the Russian language in all spheres of human activities, but the documents concerning state acts. If these compromise proposals were ignored by the state officials, then the international society would get a clear picture who are against integration and international peace.

The Chairman of the Council of the Russian Society in Latvia Vy.Altuhov whites about the changes in the original goals of this organisation. After the adoption of the amendments to the Language Law RSL is ready for some compromises but only on bilateral basis. RSL will not demand the state language status for the Russian language if the Saeima allows free use of the Russian language in all spheres of human activities, but the documents concerning state acts. If these compromise proposals were ignored by the state officials, then the international society would get a clear picture who are against integration and international peace. Panorama Latvii

Press Review

Press Review

Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs I.Berzins considers that Russia could help the most to her compatriots living in Latvia by calling them to acquire Latvian citizenship. He made this statement commenting the announcement of the new Russian Prime Minister V.Putin that one of the foreign policy priorities of Russia would be protection of the interests of Russians living abroad.

Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs I.Berzins considers that Russia could help the most to her compatriots living in Latvia by calling them to acquire Latvian citizenship. He made this statement commenting the announcement of the new Russian Prime Minister V.Putin that one of the foreign policy priorities of Russia would be protection of the interests of Russians living abroad. Neatkariga, Chas

The Cabinet of Ministers granted the Central Elections Commission the necessary 190 000 Ls to organise collecting of signatures for the referendum on the amendments to the pensions law.

The Cabinet of Ministers granted the Central Elections Commission the necessary 190 000 Ls to organise collecting of signatures for the referendum on the amendments to the pensions law. Neatkariga

Latvijas Cels

faction will discuss a possibility to elaborate new amendments to the pension law permitting pensioners in some exact regions to work and at the same time receive their pension. faction will discuss a possibility to elaborate new amendments to the pension law permitting pensioners in some exact regions to work and at the same time receive their pension. Jauna AvizeJauna Avize The Board of Latvian Free Trade Unions decided yesterday to call people to take part in collecting signatures for the referendum. The Board also decided to prepare and circulate an official announcement on their attitude towards these amendments.

The Board of Latvian Free Trade Unions decided yesterday to call people to take part in collecting signatures for the referendum. The Board also decided to prepare and circulate an official announcement on their attitude towards these amendments. Neatkariga, Diena

The next EU expansion Commissioner G.Verheugen in his written answer to the EP questions points out Latvia as one of the three countries, where considerable improvements in human rights and minority rights issues have been observed lately “After the referendum a reform favourable for Russian speakers has been started in Latvia.”

The next EU expansion Commissioner G.Verheugen in his written answer to the EP questions points out Latvia as one of the three countries, where considerable improvements in human rights and minority rights issues have been observed lately After the referendum a reform favourable for Russian speakers has been started in Latvia. Diena

On Tuesday a round table discussion on Russia, Byelorussia and Latvia in the context of European integration took place. The Deputy Director of the Moscow Carnegy Centre D.Trenin expressed an opinion that Russia was gradually coming to realise that the Baltic states were not so much a problem as a possibility for development. He also voiced an opinion that the next Russian president should form relations with the Baltic states basing them on possibilities but not on problems.

On Tuesday a round table discussion on Russia, Byelorussia and Latvia in the context of European integration took place. The Deputy Director of the Moscow Carnegy Centre D.Trenin expressed an opinion that Russia was gradually coming to realise that the Baltic states were not so much a problem as a possibility for development. He also voiced an opinion that the next Russian president should form relations with the Baltic states basing them on possibilities but not on problems. Diena , Jauna Avize, Chas