Press Review

Press Review

It is anticipated that the amendment to the budget will be adopted today in the third reading because the three government forming factions support it. The opposition parties will vote against these amendments.

It is anticipated that the amendment to the budget will be adopted today in the third reading because the three government forming factions support it. The opposition parties will vote against these amendments. Neatkariga, Jauna Avize, Bizness & Baltiya, SM

Should the Saeima support the decision of the Budget and Finances Commission, the age of retirement would be raised quicker that it was planned by the government - 1 year for men and 1.5 years for women.

Should the Saeima support the decision of the Budget and Finances Commission, the age of retirement would be raised quicker that it was planned by the government - 1 year for men and 1.5 years for women. Diena

Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs I.Berzins considers that Russia is interested to see Latvia in EU and NATO because a safe and predictable neighbour is more convenient to it that a state from “the grey zone”. He finds current Latvian Russian relations as very passive. I.Berzins pointed out that a complete dialogue with Russia is necessary and the neighbouring state should not be ignored but treated honestly.

Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs I.Berzins considers that Russia is interested to see Latvia in EU and NATO because a safe and predictable neighbour is more convenient to it that a state from the grey zone. He finds current Latvian Russian relations as very passive. I.Berzins pointed out that a complete dialogue with Russia is necessary and the neighbouring state should not be ignored but treated honestly. Diena

According to the new procedure of issuing and exchange of passports adopted by the Estonian government, Estonia citizens in the case of necessity will be able to receive one more passport the could be used only as a travel document. The new law will take effect from January 1, 2000.

According to the new procedure of issuing and exchange of passports adopted by the Estonian government, Estonia citizens in the case of necessity will be able to receive one more passport the could be used only as a travel document. The new law will take effect from January 1, 2000. Diena

Press Review

Press Review

The total number of Latvian population continues to decrease. This is the information from the Central Statistics Board. Last quarter there resided about 2 434 500 people in Latvia, it is 0.2% less than in the first quarter of this year.

The total number of Latvian population continues to decrease. This is the information from the Central Statistics Board. Last quarter there resided about 2 434 500 people in Latvia, it is 0.2% less than in the first quarter of this year. Neatkariga

The Cabinet of Ministers considered the planned amendments to the budget law and did not introduce any major changes, even the proposal to soften the pensions law. The only increase of expenditures is planned for the Ministry of Defence - 350 000 Ls for ensuring international peacekeeping activities.

The Cabinet of Ministers considered the planned amendments to the budget law and did not introduce any major changes, even the proposal to soften the pensions law. The only increase of expenditures is planned for the Ministry of Defence - 350 000 Ls for ensuring international peacekeeping activities. Neatkariga, Diena, Panorama Latvii, Bizness & Baltiya,

A.Yelkin in

A.Yelkin in SM writes that in accordance with the Article 71 of the Constitution not less than 34 deputies may address the President with a request not to announce the adopted law. The Saeima factions of For Human Rights in United Latvia, New Party and Social Democrats have 38 voices, and blocking of the new pensions law is quite likely. The next step for the deputies is to collect 10 000 signatures to propose a referendum. A.Yelkin considers that such a referendum will take place. SM

Latvia Minister of Foreign Affairs I.Berzins in his yesterday press conference told that Latvia had five priorities in her co-operation with Russia - to continue preparation of agreements, propose dialogues with different officials, further contacts among state enterprises and institutions, to co-operate in the framework of international organisations as well as to develop regional co-operation. Concerning the cancelled visit of Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs I.Ivanov to Latvia, Latvian Ambassador to Russia I.Daudiss during his recent visit to Riga admitted that it could be organised at the end of August of begging of September, but the official representative of Russian MFA V.Rahmaninov announced yesterday that the MFA Information and Press Department did not have such information, but pointed out that the visit would surely take place. The same statement was made by Russian Ambassador A.Udaltsov during his meeting with I.Berzins.

Latvia Minister of Foreign Affairs I.Berzins in his yesterday press conference told that Latvia had five priorities in her co-operation with Russia - to continue preparation of agreements, propose dialogues with different officials, further contacts among state enterprises and institutions, to co-operate in the framework of international organisations as well as to develop regional co-operation. Concerning the cancelled visit of Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs I.Ivanov to Latvia, Latvian Ambassador to Russia I.Daudiss during his recent visit to Riga admitted that it could be organised at the end of August of begging of September, but the official representative of Russian MFA V.Rahmaninov announced yesterday that the MFA Information and Press Department did not have such information, but pointed out that the visit would surely take place. The same statement was made by Russian Ambassador A.Udaltsov during his meeting with I.Berzins. Neatkariga, Diena, Chas,

Russian Embassy has sent a note to the Latvian MFA about the fact of defiling Ivan cemetery with a request to punish the guilty. According to the LETA information the missing graveyard plates had not been stolen but just taken for restoration.

Russian Embassy has sent a note to the Latvian MFA about the fact of defiling Ivan cemetery with a request to punish the guilty. According to the LETA information the missing graveyard plates had not been stolen but just taken for restoration. Neatkariga

Journalists from Russian speaking newspaper

Journalists from Russian speaking newspaper Chas have traced the firm which undertook restoration and verified that all the plates were there.

Estonian government adopted stricter norms for of the Estonian language knowledge for persons employed in public sector but these demands, with small exceptions, were not applied for private businesses although the law took effect on July 1. These norms were the issue of major concern of the OSCE representatives and Russian speaking population. The postponement was necessary to harmonise the regulations with EU legislation. Estonian Minister of Foreign Affairs considers that Estonian policy concerning national minorities corresponds to OSCE and EU principles.

Diena

Press Review

Press Review

The Saeima Presidium has decided to summon an extraordinary meeting on Thursday to adopt the amendments to the state budget and supplementary laws. The only proposal of the factions and deputies, Prime Minister A.Skele agreed to was that the one of TB/LNNK that cuttings in the defense budget should be 8.2% less than planned.

The Saeima Presidium has decided to summon an extraordinary meeting on Thursday to adopt the amendments to the state budget and supplementary laws. The only proposal of the factions and deputies, Prime Minister A.Skele agreed to was that the one of TB/LNNK that cuttings in the defense budget should be 8.2% less than planned. Neatkariga

Although the total number of people of major nationalities residing in Latvia decreased in 1998, the percentage of Latvians among them increased up to 55.7%, compared to 55.2% at the beginning of 1998. The percentage of Latvians varies in different regions of Latvia. The highest is in Venspils - 95.6%, Talsi - 91,2%, Kuldiga - 89.4%; the lowest - in Daugavpils City - only 14.3%, Daugavpils Region - 37.2%, Riga - 38.8%. The number of Russians, Byelorussians, Ukrainians and Poles has decreased during the last decade, but the Jewish population had decreased even three times. The numbers of Russians is still high - 788 000 people or 32.3% from the whole population.

Although the total number of people of major nationalities residing in Latvia decreased in 1998, the percentage of Latvians among them increased up to 55.7%, compared to 55.2% at the beginning of 1998. The percentage of Latvians varies in different regions of Latvia. The highest is in Venspils - 95.6%, Talsi - 91,2%, Kuldiga - 89.4%; the lowest - in Daugavpils City - only 14.3%, Daugavpils Region - 37.2%, Riga - 38.8%. The number of Russians, Byelorussians, Ukrainians and Poles has decreased during the last decade, but the Jewish population had decreased even three times. The numbers of Russians is still high - 788 000 people or 32.3% from the whole population. Neatkariga

It is anticipated that the OSCE High Commissioner Max van der Stoel could pay his regular visit to Latvia. This would be his third visit here this year. The agenda is still to be discussed.

It is anticipated that the OSCE High Commissioner Max van der Stoel could pay his regular visit to Latvia. This would be his third visit here this year. The agenda is still to be discussed. Neatkariga

Political scientists of Russia in their report to the government on the political situation abroad have pointed out that solidarity of the Baltic states is getting weaker due to several factors. They think that the most important issue is territorial disputes.

Political scientists of Russia in their report to the government on the political situation abroad have pointed out that solidarity of the Baltic states is getting weaker due to several factors. They think that the most important issue is territorial disputes. Neatkariga

Latvian political scientist A.Runcis characterises this report as a well thought over and moderate.

Latvian political scientist A.Runcis characterises this report as a well thought over and moderate. Lauku Avize

G.Yevdokimov states that nationalism will remain the main food for politicians if 45.8% of electorate would keep supporting it. Therefore it is no wonder that Prime Minister A.Skele sticks to the most radical version of the Language Law. G.Yevdokimov thinks that one of the reasons of so active fight for preservation of the Latvian language is the struggle for power among different groups in the ruling elite.

G.Yevdokimov states that nationalism will remain the main food for politicians if 45.8% of electorate would keep supporting it. Therefore it is no wonder that Prime Minister A.Skele sticks to the most radical version of the Language Law. G.Yevdokimov thinks that one of the reasons of so active fight for preservation of the Latvian language is the struggle for power among different groups in the ruling elite. SM

The Mayor of Venspils A.Lembergs thinks that losses from the unannounced sanctions of Russia against Latvia have reached 120 million LVL. He feels sorry that Latvian politicians are not informed about the already imposed sanctions, and considers that Latvia with her policy had done a lot to provoke these sanctions.

The Mayor of Venspils A.Lembergs thinks that losses from the unannounced sanctions of Russia against Latvia have reached 120 million LVL. He feels sorry that Latvian politicians are not informed about the already imposed sanctions, and considers that Latvia with her policy had done a lot to provoke these sanctions. Bizness & Baltiya

Press Report

Neatkariga

has obtained a copy of Russias federal draft law On Activities of the Russian Federation to Prevent Violation of the Basic Rights of the Russian Citizens and Ethnic Russians in the Republic of Latvia and introduces the readers with the main points mentioned in the document. has obtained a copy of Russia’s federal draft law On Activities of the Russian Federation to Prevent Violation of the Basic Rights of the Russian Citizens and Ethnic Russians in the Republic of Latvia and introduces the readers with the main points mentioned in the document. The official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry Vladimir Rahmanin informed BNS that visit of the Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov to Latvia was still on the agenda. He noted that “Moscow is inclined to develop good neighbour relations with Latvia”. Specific time of the visit will be agreed through diplomatic channels.

The official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry Vladimir Rahmanin informed BNS that visit of the Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov to Latvia was still on the agenda. He noted that Moscow is inclined to develop good neighbour relations with Latvia. Specific time of the visit will be agreed through diplomatic channels. Neatkariga

In response to an event in Talsi where a young gypsy man Mareks Ignats was not allowed in a cafe because of being gypsy and the following claim Mareks submitted to Latvia’s Human Rights Office,

In response to an event in Talsi where a young gypsy man Mareks Ignats was not allowed in a cafe because of being gypsy and the following claim Mareks submitted to Latvias Human Rights Office, Chas devotes a full page to the issues of ethnic discrimination, also telling about the situation in the US and revealing the history of Jew-baiting in Europe. In response to the claim from Mareks the Human Rights Office has initiated a service investigation in the National Guards battalion as one of their officers guarded the cafe. Head of the Human Rights Office Olafs Bruvers invites the readers to inform the office about any cases of ethnic discrimination.

Press Review

Diena

runs an opinion by Paul Goble reproaching OSCE of applying double standards regarding minority and human rights issues in small and big countries. runs an opinion by Paul Goble reproaching OSCE of applying double standards regarding minority and human rights issues in small and big countries. NATO European forces commander Wesley Clark after his visit in Latvia July 29 pointed out that NATO expansion was a political and not a military decision and admitted that Russia had applied pressure against Latvia’s joining NATO.

NATO European forces commander Wesley Clark after his visit in Latvia July 29 pointed out that NATO expansion was a political and not a military decision and admitted that Russia had applied pressure against Latvias joining NATO. Diena, BB

The report on Russian-Baltic relations presented by Russia’s Non-Government Foreign and Defence Policy Council July 29 will be released to the press only in ten days.

The report on Russian-Baltic relations presented by Russias Non-Government Foreign and Defence Policy Council July 29 will be released to the press only in ten days. Diena, Chas

Administration of Riga’s Institute of the Arts is in negotiations with the Board of Naturalisation to get the permission for the Latvian language test passed at the institute to be considered valid as a test for naturalisation. After director of the institute Natalija Lice, the Ministry of Justice has agreed to the initiative.

Administration of Rigas Institute of the Arts is in negotiations with the Board of Naturalisation to get the permission for the Latvian language test passed at the institute to be considered valid as a test for naturalisation. After director of the institute Natalija Lice, the Ministry of Justice has agreed to the initiative. Chas