Press Report

Press Report

Yesterday Prime-Minister Skele delivered a speech at the European Union summit in Dublin. He pointed at Latvia's achievements in reforming the court system and the Ministry of the Interior. He also mentioned reorganization currently taking place in the Border Guard that would allow to improve control over illegal immigration. Skele stressed that foreign investments were encouraged by adopting a more liberal Land Law.

Yesterday Prime-Minister Skele delivered a speech at the European Union summit in Dublin. He pointed at Latvia's achievements in reforming the court system and the Ministry of the Interior. He also mentioned reorganization currently taking place in the Border Guard that would allow to improve control over illegal immigration. Skele stressed that foreign investments were encouraged by adopting a more liberal Land Law. Diena

The Estonian Minister of Foreign Affairs expressed concern about the possibility of NATO concluding an agreement with Russia allowing the Czech Republic, Hungary and other Central European countries to join the block, leaving the Baltic states outside the enlargement process. Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs Birkavs told the press that the agreement would not mean a deal between NATO and Russia. He added that European security was impossible without Russia's participation.

The Estonian Minister of Foreign Affairs expressed concern about the possibility of NATO concluding an agreement with Russia allowing the Czech Republic, Hungary and other Central European countries to join the block, leaving the Baltic states outside the enlargement process. Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs Birkavs told the press that the agreement would not mean a deal between NATO and Russia. He added that European security was impossible without Russia's participation. Diena

According to an

According to an "SM" correspondent in Moscow, Russia is considering taking a firmer stand in its relations with Latvia and Estonia. The journalist refers to a source in the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs who said that Russia would stop "being soft" toward the countries "violating the rights of compatriots". The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs circulated a statement saying that Russia would insist on Latvia and Estonia granting citizenship to all its permanent residents. The agreement concluded after the recognition of Latvia's independence by Russia obliges the two countries to grant citizenship to all individuals residing in the countries on the day of the signing of the agreement. The Ministry stresses that Russia has fulfilled its obligations. Russia is expecting Latvia to exclude the 1920 Peace Treaty from the agenda of the border delimitation talks. It is only after this change in the Latvian delegation mandate that Russia will agree to hold a meeting between Prime-Minister Chernomyrdin and Latvian Premier Skele. The article in "SM" claims that the OSCE Mission mandate was extended as a result of Russia's pressure. SM

Fifty-three refugees from the Olaine Camp are leaving for Sweden today (16 December).

Fifty-three refugees from the Olaine Camp are leaving for Sweden today (16 December). Diena

The majority of Christian Democrats at the fifth congress of the party voted against uniting with

The majority of Christian Democrats at the fifth congress of the party voted against uniting with "Tevzemei un Brivibai" and LNNK. Diena

Press Report

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs decided to extend the mandate of the OSCE Mission to Latvia for six moths. Last summer the Latvian Government stated the tasks set by the Mission mandate to be almost fulfilled with only few technical issues awaiting their final solution. The Government and the OSCE member countries will discuss other possible forms of co-operation with the OSCE.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs decided to extend the mandate of the OSCE Mission to Latvia for six moths. Last summer the Latvian Government stated the tasks set by the Mission mandate to be almost fulfilled with only few technical issues awaiting their final solution. The Government and the OSCE member countries will discuss other possible forms of co-operation with the OSCE. Neatkariga

According to several politicians, Sarmite Jegere may not be appointed Minister of Finance. Although she was named as the

According to several politicians, Sarmite Jegere may not be appointed Minister of Finance. Although she was named as the "Saimnieks" candidate, "Saimnieks" deputy Kezbergs told "DIENA" that the party has other candidates as well. Another "Saimnieks" member told "DIENA" that Prime-Minister Skele was not satisfied with Mrs. Jegere work in the Government. Still, he did not object openly to Jegere's candidature.

Vladlen Dozortsev told

Vladlen Dozortsev told "SM" that he might leave the Consultative Council on Nationalities. He criticized the Council for ignoring minority problems. He said that he, being a member of the Council, insisted on working out practical decisions to burning problems. Dozortsev suggested that the Council should deal with differences between the rights of citizens and non-citizens. Dozortsev believes that the Government should declare a moratorium on further restrictions of non-citizens' rights. Dozortsev also suggested that the President could personally monitor the situation with non-citizens' passports. Among Dozortsev's suggestions is also forming of national and cultural autonomies. Suggestions on education submitted by Mr. Dozortsev to the Council included state financing of Russian language schools and a signing of an agreement between the schools and the Government. The agreement should oblige the schools to ensure perfect knowledge of Latvian by their graduates. Dozortsev insisted on considering possible amendments to the Citizenship Law that would eliminate the "window" principle of naturalization. He believes that the President should support the Council by expressing his opinion to the Saeima. Otherwise, the Council would seem to be just an facade created to show the world that Latvia has no human rights and minority problems. SM

Press Report

Yesterday the

Yesterday the Saeima adopted a non-deficit budget for 1997. 73 deputies supported the budget while 11 voted against it. The budget was opposed by the Socialists, the "Latvijai" faction, by independent deputy Janis Adamsons, by Janis Urbanovics of "People's Harmony", and by Guntars Valdmanis of the "Unity" party. Although "Saimnieks" leader Cevers previously had threatened the Cabinet, saying that the party might leave the governing coalition if the budget did not provide for a more profound financing of social protection, ASaimnieks@ in the endsupported the budget yesterday. Diena, Neatkariga, PL

Mr. Aivars Endzins was elected acting Chairman of the Constitutional Court by the first meeting of the Court yesterday. The Chairman of the Constitutional Court and his Deputy can be elected only after all seven judges of the Court are elected. Currently the Constitutional Court lacks one member. Maris Krumins, the only candidate for the position, is accused of unlawfully registering the Latvian Chamber of Agriculture while working as a Ministry of Justice official. The

Mr. Aivars Endzins was elected acting Chairman of the Constitutional Court by the first meeting of the Court yesterday. The Chairman of the Constitutional Court and his Deputy can be elected only after all seven judges of the Court are elected. Currently the Constitutional Court lacks one member. Maris Krumins, the only candidate for the position, is accused of unlawfully registering the Latvian Chamber of Agriculture while working as a Ministry of Justice official. The Saeima is about to consider the issue and will decide whether Mr. Krumins can be appointed Judge of the Constitutional Court. Diena, PL

Last Tuesday the Consultative Nationalities Council supported OSCE High Commissioner van der Stoel's recommendation to state nationality in a passport only upon the request of a holder of the passport. The Council, though, agrees that such a reform will require taking into consideration a peculiar situation in Latvia and amending the Latvian legislation.

Last Tuesday the Consultative Nationalities Council supported OSCE High Commissioner van der Stoel's recommendation to state nationality in a passport only upon the request of a holder of the passport. The Council, though, agrees that such a reform will require taking into consideration a peculiar situation in Latvia and amending the Latvian legislation. PL

CID Deputy-Director Leins in an interview for

CID Deputy-Director Leins in an interview for "SM" said that former USSR passports would not be considered as a basis for issuing non-citizens with new aliens' passports. Leins recommended noncitizens to collect all required documents in advance.

US Secretary of State Christopher called Russia's decision to start talks with NATO "a very good sign". According to Christopher, Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Primakov agreed to discuss Russia's relations with NATO. The US Secretary of State believes that Russia’s concern about NATO enlargement might dissipate since the talks will be focused on establishing special relations between NATO and Russia. Primakov says that Russia still objects against former Eastern block countries joining NATO.

US Secretary of State Christopher called Russia's decision to start talks with NATO "a very good sign". According to Christopher, Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Primakov agreed to discuss Russia's relations with NATO. The US Secretary of State believes that Russias concern about NATO enlargement might dissipate since the talks will be focused on establishing special relations between NATO and Russia. Primakov says that Russia still objects against former Eastern block countries joining NATO. Diena

Press Report

The

The Saeima is discussing the 1997 budget. Deputies interviewed by "DIENA" believe that the draft will pass its final reading. It is expected to be supported by the governing factions and by deputies supporting the Cabinet. The "Latvijas Cels" faction will have mandatory voting in favor of the draft budget objecting only to some points of the draft. Head of the "Tevzemei un Brivibai" factionJanis Straume told the press that "TB" supported the draft budget. "Saimnieks" will also vote for the budget and will vote only against minor points. Yesterday the Saeima, while considering the 1997 budget, voted for a 100% increase of the President's salary (Ls 1,000 plus Ls 200 for representation). Diena, Neatkariga

The

The "Saimnieks" faction has finally nominated its candidate for Minister of Finance. The candidate is former State Minister of Investments and Credit Policy Sarmite Jegere. She held the position until November when "Saimnieks" recalled all its members from the posts of State Ministers. The duties of the Minister of Finance are currently performed by Prime-Minister Skele. Mr. Skele says that he will discuss the candidate with the Council on Co-operation between Factions. According to an agreement between the governing factions, the post is to be held by a "Saimnieks" member. Diena

Yesterday NATO set the date of talks on the admission of new members. Sixteen Ministers of Foreign Affairs of NATO countries agreed that the talks will be held in Madrid on July 8 and 9, 1997. The process of admission will take two years, to be completed not later than 1999. Among candidates having the strongest chances of joining NATO during the first stage of its enlargement are Hungary, Poland and the Czech Republic. US Secretary of State Christopher, while addressing the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, said that no nuclear weapons will be deployed on the territory of new NATO members.

Yesterday NATO set the date of talks on the admission of new members. Sixteen Ministers of Foreign Affairs of NATO countries agreed that the talks will be held in Madrid on July 8 and 9, 1997. The process of admission will take two years, to be completed not later than 1999. Among candidates having the strongest chances of joining NATO during the first stage of its enlargement are Hungary, Poland and the Czech Republic. US Secretary of State Christopher, while addressing the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, said that no nuclear weapons will be deployed on the territory of new NATO members. Diena, Neatkariga

Boris Tsilevich criticizes Latvian politicians for double standards. In his article for

Boris Tsilevich criticizes Latvian politicians for double standards. In his article for "SM" he stresses that "Latvijas Cels" fostered the naturalization quota principle to be included into the Citizenship Law. Now its faction leader Pantelejevs says that "LC" will try to persuade "Tevzemei un Brivibai" to "soften" the Law. Tsilevich considers this as tying to form a more "liberal" image before the upcoming municipal elections. He also mentions Kreituss who was an ardent supporter of "shock" therapy for the country's economics. After leaving "Saimnieks", Mr. Kreituss quite unexpectedly started to promote Socialist ideas and speaks about "forming a strong left-wing party". According to Tsilevich, "Saimnieks" member Tenis and Social-Democrat Adamsons during their visits to Daugavpils claimed that they had not voted for the amendments to the Law on Local Elections banning the Mayor of the city from running for another term. Both deputies said that their votes were misquoted in a print-out of the voting results. Tsilevich writes that double standards and hypocrisy have become the trade-mark of Latvian political life. Politicians are stirring fear of "the Russian bear" and using ethnic solidarity to gain votes during election campaigns, writes Tsilevich. SM

Press Report

Saeima

Deputy-Speaker Andris Ameriks and Chairman of the Deputy-Speaker Andris Ameriks and Chairman of the SaeimaSaeima Committee on European Affairs Edvins Inkens held a press-conference upon their return from the Western European Union Assembly in Paris. Ameriks and Inkens said that they had noted a considerable change in the attitude of the West toward the enlargement of NATO and the role of Russia in the process. The two Latvian politicians believe that NATO has succumbed to Russia="s" pressure by deciding to sign a special agreement with Russia on the enlargement of the block. Mr. Ameriks said that Latvia should improve its relations with Russia. According to Ameriks and Inkens, Latvia may not be admitted to the European Union if it fails to enter NATO during the first stage of its enlargement. The participants of the Assembly were trying to avoid discussing security of the Baltic states. The President of Poland in his speech made it clear that Poland would not welcome the admission of the Baltic states to the block on the first stage of its enlargement. According to Inkens, Spanish and Norwegian delegations have also changed their opinion on the issue after visiting Moscow. Committee on European Affairs Edvins Inkens held a press-conference upon their return from the Western European Union Assembly in Paris. Ameriks and Inkens said that they had noted a considerable change in the attitude of the West toward the enlargement of NATO and the role of Russia in the process. The two Latvian politicians believe that NATO has succumbed to Russia="s" pressure by deciding to sign a special agreement with Russia on the enlargement of the block. Mr. Ameriks said that Latvia should improve its relations with Russia. According to Ameriks and Inkens, Latvia may not be admitted to the European Union if it fails to enter NATO during the first stage of its enlargement. The participants of the Assembly were trying to avoid discussing security of the Baltic states. The President of Poland in his speech made it clear that Poland would not welcome the admission of the Baltic states to the block on the first stage of its enlargement. According to Inkens, Spanish and Norwegian delegations have also changed their opinion on the issue after visiting Moscow. DienaDiena Today the State Human Rights Office, the Council of Europe Information Center, and the Institute of Human Rights of the Latvian State University are organizing a Seminar on the implementation of the European Human Rights Convention. Its aim is to make lawyers aware of the effect of the Convention on their work. Latvia has signed the Convention and it is still to be ratified by the

Today the State Human Rights Office, the Council of Europe Information Center, and the Institute of Human Rights of the Latvian State University are organizing a Seminar on the implementation of the European Human Rights Convention. Its aim is to make lawyers aware of the effect of the Convention on their work. Latvia has signed the Convention and it is still to be ratified by the Saeima. Neatkariga

Co-chairmen of the Latvian Human Rights Committee Vladimir Buzayev and Gennady Kotov believe that UN refusal to review the minority problem in Latvia may "lead to grievous consequences". The Government is now free to unleash discrimination mechanisms that have been halted for a while. Among these are the Laws "On Education" and "On Languages". The Latvian Human Rights Committee is picketing the UNDP office today to mark the International Human Rights Day.

Co-chairmen of the Latvian Human Rights Committee Vladimir Buzayev and Gennady Kotov believe that UN refusal to review the minority problem in Latvia may "lead to grievous consequences". The Government is now free to unleash discrimination mechanisms that have been halted for a while. Among these are the Laws "On Education" and "On Languages". The Latvian Human Rights Committee is picketing the UNDP office today to mark the International Human Rights Day. SM