Press Report

Press Report

The Press Center of the Ministry of the Interior informs that Ziedonis Cevers, Minister of the Interior, personally will supervise the solution of “three problems”, namely, the recruitment of the Mobile police staff, and the solution to continuing disagreements between the Ministry of the Interior and the Lattelekom. The third problem is the “unresolved status of 6,000 persons in whose destiny the OSCE has particularly become interested.”

The Press Center of the Ministry of the Interior informs that Ziedonis Cevers, Minister of the Interior, personally will supervise the solution of three problems, namely, the recruitment of the Mobile police staff, and the solution to continuing disagreements between the Ministry of the Interior and the Lattelekom. The third problem is the unresolved status of 6,000 persons in whose destiny the OSCE has particularly become interested. Diena

Roberts Zile, Minister of Finance, is convinced that the 1998 budget draft will be submitted to the Saeima on time, that is on September 16.

Roberts Zile, Minister of Finance, is convinced that the 1998 budget draft will be submitted to the Saeima on time, that is on September 16. Diena

A new corruption scandal might break out after revealing the list of the Saeima deputies who had violated the Anti-Corruption Law. Ilmars Bisers, Head of the Mandate Commission in the Saeima, indicated that cases of 46 deputies were submitted to the Prosecutor General. Andrejs Pantelejevs thinks that the authors of the Law and the members of the Prosecutor General’s office should agree on the interpretation of the Anti-Corruption Law. Otherwise, this scandal might spread to the municipal level and could “paralyze” the work of the prosecutor’s office for a long time. Ernests Jurkans, Deputy Head of the Democratic Party Saimnieks fraction, said that there would be no scandal if the politization of this issue was avoided.

A new corruption scandal might break out after revealing the list of the Saeima deputies who had violated the Anti-Corruption Law. Ilmars Bisers, Head of the Mandate Commission in the Saeima, indicated that cases of 46 deputies were submitted to the Prosecutor General. Andrejs Pantelejevs thinks that the authors of the Law and the members of the Prosecutor Generals office should agree on the interpretation of the Anti-Corruption Law. Otherwise, this scandal might spread to the municipal level and could paralyze the work of the prosecutors office for a long time. Ernests Jurkans, Deputy Head of the Democratic Party Saimnieks fraction, said that there would be no scandal if the politization of this issue was avoided. Diena

Forty-three officers of the Latvian National Armed Forces receive the pension from other countries, mainly from Russia. As was mentioned earlier, the Minister of Defense signed the writ according to which persons serving in the Latvian National Armed Forces and persons working in the Ministry of Defense will not be allowed to receive pensions from other countries. Talavs Jundzis, Minister of Defense, said that there was no reason to worry that the loss of former USSR military persons would be a disadvantage for the Latvian National Armed Forces, since at the moment there are approximately one thousand professional officers serving in the NAF. An officer who currently serves in the NAF and receives a pension from Russia told NEATKARIGA that a choice between the service and the pension was humiliating to those who were the first ones to transfer from the Russian to the Latvian Army.

Forty-three officers of the Latvian National Armed Forces receive the pension from other countries, mainly from Russia. As was mentioned earlier, the Minister of Defense signed the writ according to which persons serving in the Latvian National Armed Forces and persons working in the Ministry of Defense will not be allowed to receive pensions from other countries. Talavs Jundzis, Minister of Defense, said that there was no reason to worry that the loss of former USSR military persons would be a disadvantage for the Latvian National Armed Forces, since at the moment there are approximately one thousand professional officers serving in the NAF. An officer who currently serves in the NAF and receives a pension from Russia told NEATKARIGA that a choice between the service and the pension was humiliating to those who were the first ones to transfer from the Russian to the Latvian Army. Diena, Neatkariga

PANORAMA LATVII opened its own donation fund for the reconstruction of the Victory monument. During the campaign last Sunday, nine hundred fifty-six Lats were donated.

PANORAMA LATVII opened its own donation fund for the reconstruction of the Victory monument. During the campaign last Sunday, nine hundred fifty-six Lats were donated.

LAUKU AVIZE publishes an interview with Alexander Udaltsov, Russian Ambassador to Latvia, in which he notes that the political instability in Latvia does not assist to the creation of a stable and long-term basis for co-operation between Russia and Latvia. If the new government as pragmatic as the previous Cabinet was, then a normal relationship would be possible. Mr. Udaltsov also commented on security guarantees for Latvia. According to him, it is time to sign a comprehensive agreement between Russia and Latvia that would include security guarantees. Referring to the situation with non-citizens he stressed that Russia supports the OSCE and the EU recommendations, such as granting citizenship to children who were born in Latvia, lowering the cost for the naturalization process, and liquidation of the “naturalization windows.”

LAUKU AVIZE publishes an interview with Alexander Udaltsov, Russian Ambassador to Latvia, in which he notes that the political instability in Latvia does not assist to the creation of a stable and long-term basis for co-operation between Russia and Latvia. If the new government as pragmatic as the previous Cabinet was, then a normal relationship would be possible. Mr. Udaltsov also commented on security guarantees for Latvia. According to him, it is time to sign a comprehensive agreement between Russia and Latvia that would include security guarantees. Referring to the situation with non-citizens he stressed that Russia supports the OSCE and the EU recommendations, such as granting citizenship to children who were born in Latvia, lowering the cost for the naturalization process, and liquidation of the naturalization windows. Lauku Avize

Press Report

Press Report

The Press Center of the Ministry of the Interior informs that Ziedonis Cevers, Minister of the Interior, personally will supervise the solution of “three problems”, namely, the recruitment of the Mobile police staff, and the solution to continuing disagreements between the Ministry of the Interior and the Lattelekom. The third problem is the “unresolved status of 6,000 persons in whose destiny the OSCE has particularly become interested.”

The Press Center of the Ministry of the Interior informs that Ziedonis Cevers, Minister of the Interior, personally will supervise the solution of three problems, namely, the recruitment of the Mobile police staff, and the solution to continuing disagreements between the Ministry of the Interior and the Lattelekom. The third problem is the unresolved status of 6,000 persons in whose destiny the OSCE has particularly become interested. Diena

Roberts Zile, Minister of Finance, is convinced that the 1998 budget draft will be submitted to the Saeima on time, that is on September 16.

Roberts Zile, Minister of Finance, is convinced that the 1998 budget draft will be submitted to the Saeima on time, that is on September 16. Diena

A new corruption scandal might break out after revealing the list of the Saeima deputies who had violated the Anti-Corruption Law. Ilmars Bisers, Head of the Mandate Commission in the Saeima, indicated that cases of 46 deputies were submitted to the Prosecutor General. Andrejs Pantelejevs thinks that the authors of the Law and the members of the Prosecutor General’s office should agree on the interpretation of the Anti-Corruption Law. Otherwise, this scandal might spread to the municipal level and could “paralyze” the work of the prosecutor’s office for a long time. Ernests Jurkans, Deputy Head of the Democratic Party Saimnieks fraction, said that there would be no scandal if the politization of this issue was avoided.

A new corruption scandal might break out after revealing the list of the Saeima deputies who had violated the Anti-Corruption Law. Ilmars Bisers, Head of the Mandate Commission in the Saeima, indicated that cases of 46 deputies were submitted to the Prosecutor General. Andrejs Pantelejevs thinks that the authors of the Law and the members of the Prosecutor Generals office should agree on the interpretation of the Anti-Corruption Law. Otherwise, this scandal might spread to the municipal level and could paralyze the work of the prosecutors office for a long time. Ernests Jurkans, Deputy Head of the Democratic Party Saimnieks fraction, said that there would be no scandal if the politization of this issue was avoided. Diena

Forty-three officers of the Latvian National Armed Forces receive the pension from other countries, mainly from Russia. As was mentioned earlier, the Minister of Defense signed the writ according to which persons serving in the Latvian National Armed Forces and persons working in the Ministry of Defense will not be allowed to receive pensions from other countries. Talavs Jundzis, Minister of Defense, said that there was no reason to worry that the loss of former USSR military persons would be a disadvantage for the Latvian National Armed Forces, since at the moment there are approximately one thousand professional officers serving in the NAF. An officer who currently serves in the NAF and receives a pension from Russia told NEATKARIGA that a choice between the service and the pension was humiliating to those who were the first ones to transfer from the Russian to the Latvian Army.

Forty-three officers of the Latvian National Armed Forces receive the pension from other countries, mainly from Russia. As was mentioned earlier, the Minister of Defense signed the writ according to which persons serving in the Latvian National Armed Forces and persons working in the Ministry of Defense will not be allowed to receive pensions from other countries. Talavs Jundzis, Minister of Defense, said that there was no reason to worry that the loss of former USSR military persons would be a disadvantage for the Latvian National Armed Forces, since at the moment there are approximately one thousand professional officers serving in the NAF. An officer who currently serves in the NAF and receives a pension from Russia told NEATKARIGA that a choice between the service and the pension was humiliating to those who were the first ones to transfer from the Russian to the Latvian Army. Neatkariga, Diena

PL opened its own donation fund for the reconstruction of the Victory monument. During the campaign last Sunday, nine hundred fifty-six Lats were donated. Panorama Latvii

Lauku Avize publishes an interview with Alexander Udaltsov, Russian Ambassador to Latvia, in which he notes that the political instability in Latvia does not assist to the creation of a stable and long-term basis for co-operation between Russia and Latvia. If the new government as pragmatic as the previous Cabinet was, then a normal relationship would be possible. Mr. Udaltsov also commented on security guarantees for Latvia. According to him, it is time to sign a comprehensive agreement between Russia and Latvia that would include security guarantees. Referring to the situation with non-citizens he stressed that Russia supports the OSCE and the EU recommendations, such as granting citizenship to children who were born in Latvia, lowering the cost for the naturalization process, and liquidation of the naturalization windows.

Press Report

Press Report

Yesterday the new Cabinet list of Prime-Minister Guntars Krasts was supported by a majority in the Latvian parliament. Seventy-three of 100 deputies in the Saeima voted for the new government. Guntars Krasts in his speech to the parliament asked deputies for constructive co-operation, and assured everyone that in the nearest future a new crisis could not be expected.

Yesterday the new Cabinet list of Prime-Minister Guntars Krasts was supported by a majority in the Latvian parliament. Seventy-three of 100 deputies in the Saeima voted for the new government. Guntars Krasts in his speech to the parliament asked deputies for constructive co-operation, and assured everyone that in the nearest future a new crisis could not be expected. Diena

Yesterday the Latvian delegation led by Mr. Aivars Vovers, Deputy State Secretary of the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Russian delegation led by Mr. Ludvig Chizhov, Ambassador of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, completed work on the finalization of the border agreement between Russian and Latvia. During the talks both sides agreed that the text of the agreement was ready to be submitted to the Russian and Latvian governments. It is expected that there would be no problems with the signing of the agreement. Still, the ratification of the agreement in the Saeima might cause serious debates related to the Abrene issue. In February the Latvian side renounced the claim to include a reference on the 1920 Peace Treaty between Russia and Latvia. “

Yesterday the Latvian delegation led by Mr. Aivars Vovers, Deputy State Secretary of the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Russian delegation led by Mr. Ludvig Chizhov, Ambassador of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, completed work on the finalization of the border agreement between Russian and Latvia. During the talks both sides agreed that the text of the agreement was ready to be submitted to the Russian and Latvian governments. It is expected that there would be no problems with the signing of the agreement. Still, the ratification of the agreement in the Saeima might cause serious debates related to the Abrene issue. In February the Latvian side renounced the claim to include a reference on the 1920 Peace Treaty between Russia and Latvia. Tevzemei un Brivibai, on contrary, has never recognized the incorporation of the Abrene District into the Russian Federation. Diena

Talavs Jundzis, Latvian Minister of Defence, signed a writ, according to which the Ministry of Defence officials and military personnel of the National Armed Forces who are currently receiving pension from other countries will not be able to do so while serving in these Latvian institutions. Some 20 Russian military pensioners who currently work at the Ministry of Defence, and some 50 who serve in the National Armed Forces, will have to choose either to serve in Latvian institutions or to receive the pension from Russia.

Talavs Jundzis, Latvian Minister of Defence, signed a writ, according to which the Ministry of Defence officials and military personnel of the National Armed Forces who are currently receiving pension from other countries will not be able to do so while serving in these Latvian institutions. Some 20 Russian military pensioners who currently work at the Ministry of Defence, and some 50 who serve in the National Armed Forces, will have to choose either to serve in Latvian institutions or to receive the pension from Russia. Diena

“SM” publishes an interview with Alexander Rylov, Head of the Consular Department of the Russian Embassy. Mr. Rylov confirmed that holders of Latvian non-citizen passports would not have obstacles to entering the Russian Federation. He also expressed the hope that Latvia would take international recommendations related with the slow naturalization process into consideration.

SM publishes an interview with Alexander Rylov, Head of the Consular Department of the Russian Embassy. Mr. Rylov confirmed that holders of Latvian non-citizen passports would not have obstacles to entering the Russian Federation. He also expressed the hope that Latvia would take international recommendations related with the slow naturalization process into consideration. SM

Press Report

Press Report

Yesterday the leaders of

Yesterday the leaders of Tevzemei un Brivibai/LNNK, Democratic Party Saimnieks, Latvijas Cels, and Latvian Farmers Union/ Christian Democratic Union fractions signed the governmental declaration. Today the Saeima will vote on the new government. The new government will likely win parliamentary support, since the four government - forming parties command 67 votes in the parliament. Diena

The Russian federal tax police blocked correspondent accounts of several Baltic banks in St. Petersburg over alleged financial violations. Among them are such Latvian banks as

The Russian federal tax police blocked correspondent accounts of several Baltic banks in St. Petersburg over alleged financial violations. Among them are such Latvian banks as Rietumu Bank, Lateko Bank, Saules Bank, and Parekss Bank. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs plans to present an official note to Russia with a request to explain the situation. The Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs thinks that such activities by the Russian institutions undermine Russias prestige as a trade partner. Einars Repse, President of the Bank of Latvia, said that the arrest of correspondent accounts of Baltic banks might influence the economic relations between Latvia and Russia. According to Teodoras Tveryionas, President of Latvian Commercial Banks Association, it is a deliberate action of Russia against all Baltic banks. B&B

DIENA publishes an interview with Mr. Vadim Yentyakov, Head of the Russian Migration Department at the Russian Embassy. Mr. Yentiakov told that during last couple of years some 5,000 to 6,000 persons a year emigrated from Latvia to Russia, and it was not expected that the number would increase in the nearest future. According to Mr. Yentiakov, there are various factors that make people leave the country on seemingly “voluntarily basis”, for example, the requirement of state language for the applying for a job. On a question about the co-operation with the Latvian Citizenship and Immigration Department, Mr. Yentiakov responded that both sides had agreed to exchange information and to monitor the migration situation.

DIENA publishes an interview with Mr. Vadim Yentyakov, Head of the Russian Migration Department at the Russian Embassy. Mr. Yentiakov told that during last couple of years some 5,000 to 6,000 persons a year emigrated from Latvia to Russia, and it was not expected that the number would increase in the nearest future. According to Mr. Yentiakov, there are various factors that make people leave the country on seemingly voluntarily basis, for example, the requirement of state language for the applying for a job. On a question about the co-operation with the Latvian Citizenship and Immigration Department, Mr. Yentiakov responded that both sides had agreed to exchange information and to monitor the migration situation. Diena

SM publishes the excerpts from the question - answer action with Ms. Eizenija Aldermane, Director of the Naturalization Board, organized by the SM on July 30.

Press Report

Press Report

It is planned that the governmental fractions will sign the declaration of the new Cabinet today. According to Mr. Krasts, the new declaration formulates many tasks that the previous government did not plan to do. Still, there are some issues that this government will not take over from the previous Cabinet, for example, the elimination of the

It is planned that the governmental fractions will sign the declaration of the new Cabinet today. According to Mr. Krasts, the new declaration formulates many tasks that the previous government did not plan to do. Still, there are some issues that this government will not take over from the previous Cabinet, for example, the elimination of the propiska system. The full text of the declaration will be available to the press today. Diena

During its last meeting the Skele Cabinet accepted 18 legal acts. Among them were amendments to the Law on Foreign Citizens’ and Stateless Persons’ Entry and Residence in Latvia. According to the amendments, foreign citizens and stateless persons who, according to the Latvian Law on Refugees, had received the refugee status, receive the permanent residence permit.

During its last meeting the Skele Cabinet accepted 18 legal acts. Among them were amendments to the Law on Foreign Citizens and Stateless Persons Entry and Residence in Latvia. According to the amendments, foreign citizens and stateless persons who, according to the Latvian Law on Refugees, had received the refugee status, receive the permanent residence permit. Diena, Latvijas Vestnesis

All ministries, except the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, have submitted proposals to the European Integration Bureau on how to speed up and improve the work on Latvia’s integration into the EU. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has promised to submit proposals today. The Bureau should summarize all suggestions, so that on August 12 the government could review and approve the memorandum to the European Commission and the EU countries.

All ministries, except the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, have submitted proposals to the European Integration Bureau on how to speed up and improve the work on Latvias integration into the EU. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has promised to submit proposals today. The Bureau should summarize all suggestions, so that on August 12 the government could review and approve the memorandum to the European Commission and the EU countries. Neatkariga

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that the next round of border talks between Latvia and Russia will take place today and tomorrow in Riga. It is planned to focus on the technical aspects of the border issue.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that the next round of border talks between Latvia and Russia will take place today and tomorrow in Riga. It is planned to focus on the technical aspects of the border issue. PL

Upon request of the Minister of Justice Mr. Rasnacs, the Director of Naturalization Board Eizenija Aldermane has prepared responses to the questions about the naturalization process in Latvia by the European Commission. According to the Naturalization Board, all reprimands by the European Commission regarding the status of non-citizens are unsubstantiated. According to the governmental regulations on the non-citizen passports, holders of these passports are guaranteed the legal protection abroad by the Latvian government. Only when Latvia ratifies the European Convention on Citizenship, it will be necessary to amend these legal acts. Ms. Aldermane noted that the situation with the children who were born in Latvia, but were not its citizens, was much more serious, since it contradicts the Convention on Children Rights that Latvia had already ratified.

Upon request of the Minister of Justice Mr. Rasnacs, the Director of Naturalization Board Eizenija Aldermane has prepared responses to the questions about the naturalization process in Latvia by the European Commission. According to the Naturalization Board, all reprimands by the European Commission regarding the status of non-citizens are unsubstantiated. According to the governmental regulations on the non-citizen passports, holders of these passports are guaranteed the legal protection abroad by the Latvian government. Only when Latvia ratifies the European Convention on Citizenship, it will be necessary to amend these legal acts. Ms. Aldermane noted that the situation with the children who were born in Latvia, but were not its citizens, was much more serious, since it contradicts the Convention on Children Rights that Latvia had already ratified. Diena

In an article on the language examinations Iveta Pelse, Chair of the Examination Commission at the Naturalization Board, notes that the main task of the commission is not to check the applicant’s Latvian grammar, but to determine whether a person is able to communicate in Latvian that, in turn, would help him or her integrate into the Latvian society. The commission reports that there were 9 cases on appeal during the whole period of naturalization, four of which were satisfied. An average of 98% of persons who take the language exam, pass it.

In an article on the language examinations Iveta Pelse, Chair of the Examination Commission at the Naturalization Board, notes that the main task of the commission is not to check the applicants Latvian grammar, but to determine whether a person is able to communicate in Latvian that, in turn, would help him or her integrate into the Latvian society. The commission reports that there were 9 cases on appeal during the whole period of naturalization, four of which were satisfied. An average of 98% of persons who take the language exam, pass it. Diena