Press Review

Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga has chosen the former head of prime minister’s office Martins Bondars to head her office, the journalist and poet Rimants Ziedonis to become her press secretary, the former Environment State Minister Inese Vaidere to advise her on political and economic issues.

Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga has chosen the former head of prime ministers office Martins Bondars to head her office, the journalist and poet Rimants Ziedonis to become her press secretary, the former Environment State Minister Inese Vaidere to advise her on political and economic issues.

After draft amendments developed by the Welfare Ministry and submitted to the government July 26, pension age for both men and women possibly will be gradually raised to 62 years increasing it by 6 months every January 1.

After draft amendments developed by the Welfare Ministry and submitted to the government July 26, pension age for both men and women possibly will be gradually raised to 62 years increasing it by 6 months every January 1.

Diena runs an article about the plans of the new Justice Minster Valdis Birkavs in his office. Naturalisation Board is one of the institutions under supervision of the Justice Ministry. The minister wants to strengthen the institution and change its structure by putting in one hands all issues related to ethnic minorities. By this September the concept of the state program Society Integration In Latvia should be finished and submitted to the government so that by the end of the year specific draft programs can be developed and the concept turns into real activity. Also, Justice Ministry will be responsible for developing the necessary regulations after the State Language Law is passed this autumn.

Central Election Committee in co-operation with the regional newspapers has started a survey by asking people to fill in questionnaires in order to find out the public opinion about several issues related to elections. The first questionnaire will be published in the regional newspapers in the last week of July. The questions will be about accessibility of information during election time. The next questionnaires will be published to find out the opinion about the election system and referendum. The Committee plans to keep the dialogue with the constituents till the local government elections scheduled for March of 2001.

Central Election Committee in co-operation with the regional newspapers has started a survey by asking people to fill in questionnaires in order to find out the public opinion about several issues related to elections. The first questionnaire will be published in the regional newspapers in the last week of July. The questions will be about accessibility of information during election time. The next questionnaires will be published to find out the opinion about the election system and referendum. The Committee plans to keep the dialogue with the constituents till the local government elections scheduled for March of 2001. Diena

An article in

An article in Vesti Segodna (the former CM) doubts that there is a chance for the current government to sign the border agreement with Russia as it was earlier optimistically predicted by the Latv. Prime Minister Andris Skele and Foreign Minister Indulis Berzins. Referring to a source in Russian Foreign Ministry the paper notes that before signing the agreement there has to be an improvement of the political climate between the two countries which is said to become possible only in the case if Latvian authorities change their attitude towards ethnic Russians and Russian citizens residing in Latvia.

Ventspils mayor Aivars Lembergs in a press conference on July 26 said he had information about major economic sanctions against Latvia being discussed and prepared in Russia to become effective this autumn. After Lembergs, the move was caused by the Language Law passed in Latvia.

Ventspils mayor Aivars Lembergs in a press conference on July 26 said he had information about major economic sanctions against Latvia being discussed and prepared in Russia to become effective this autumn. After Lembergs, the move was caused by the Language Law passed in Latvia. Neatkariga did not get confirmation of the above information neither in Latvian Foreign Ministry nor Economic Ministry. Neatkariga, Chas, BB, Panorama Latvii

The official paper

The official paper Latvijas Vestnesis gives a short report about Latvian Foreign Minister Indulis Berzins meeting head of the OSCE Mission to Latvia David Johnson on July 23.

Press Report

Diena

runs a commentary by Ineta Ziemele, urging Latvian authorities to take more initiative in international organisations and activities dealing with human rights issues. If not for the fighting around the Citizenship law, or the current discussions around the wording of the Education and Language laws and other provisions it is possible that the society in Latvia would not know about existence of such international commissioners, European courts and other international organisations, also, the experience of politicians and state administrators would have been incomparably smaller. runs a commentary by Ineta Ziemele, urging Latvian authorities to take more initiative in international organisations and activities dealing with human rights issues. “If not for the fighting around the Citizenship law, or the current discussions around the wording of the Education and Language laws and other provisions it is possible that the society in Latvia would not know about existence of such international commissioners, European courts and other international organisations, also, the experience of politicians and state administrators would have been incomparably smaller.” Ambassador of European Commission Delegation to Latvia believes that Latvia has every chance to get invitation to EU accession negotiations by the end of Finland’s presidency. The ambassador expressed this view when meeting Latvian prime minister Andris Skele July 23.

Ambassador of European Commission Delegation to Latvia believes that Latvia has every chance to get invitation to EU accession negotiations by the end of Finlands presidency. The ambassador expressed this view when meeting Latvian prime minister Andris Skele July 23. Diena

Last year 2554 protocols were created by the language inspectors in Latvia. In most cases - 1637 - the fines were paid for not using Latvian language in customer service. In 352 cases imported goods did not have labels in Latvian. In 308 cases inspectors found fake language proficiency certificates. 201 protocols were created for violations in public information: billboards had no information in Latvian or a foreign language was used along with Latvian in cases not provided for by the law. Other violations in a few cases include usage of wrong language, hiring people without sufficient knowledge of the language, keeping account records in a foreign language. The author of the article reveals his experience of visiting different places along with a language inspector who pays these visits after complaints filed by customers.

Last year 2554 protocols were created by the language inspectors in Latvia. In most cases - 1637 - the fines were paid for not using Latvian language in customer service. In 352 cases imported goods did not have labels in Latvian. In 308 cases inspectors found fake language proficiency certificates. 201 protocols were created for violations in public information: billboards had no information in Latvian or a foreign language was used along with Latvian in cases not provided for by the law. Other violations in a few cases include usage of wrong language, hiring people without sufficient knowledge of the language, keeping account records in a foreign language. The author of the article reveals his experience of visiting different places along with a language inspector who pays these visits after complaints filed by customers. CM

Press Review

US International Development Agency officially finished its operation in Latvia July 22. Its management and US officials believe that Latvia is a country strong enough to develop further independently. The program has worked in Latvia for eight years to implement more than 60 projects worth of roughly $57 million. The funds were mainly allocated to promote the economic development, as well as social programs and formation of a civic society.

US International Development Agency officially finished its operation in Latvia July 22. Its management and US officials believe that Latvia is a country strong enough to develop further independently. The program has worked in Latvia for eight years to implement more than 60 projects worth of roughly $57 million. The funds were mainly allocated to promote the economic development, as well as social programs and formation of a civic society. Diena, Neatkariga, Jauna Avize, BB

The ceremony of granting citizenship to 20 new persons who acquired citizenship through naturalisation in Jelgava was attended by the representative of the US International Development Agency to mark the successful co-operation with the Naturalisation Board since the opening of the Board in 1995. The US representative said that Latvia has managed to create a dialogue between citizens and non-citizens. The latest joint project was setting up an information centre to provide information about any issues related to citizenship and naturalisation. Since the beginning of naturalisation process in February of 1995 till this July Latvian citizenship was granted by the rule of the Cabinet of Ministers to 16,374 people, 6874 applications are still being considered. Of all the applicants, 66% were women, 58% were ethnic Russians, 13% - Lithuanians and Estonians. 96% passed the language and history examinations.

The ceremony of granting citizenship to 20 new persons who acquired citizenship through naturalisation in Jelgava was attended by the representative of the US International Development Agency to mark the successful co-operation with the Naturalisation Board since the opening of the Board in 1995. The US representative said that Latvia has managed to create a dialogue between citizens and non-citizens. The latest joint project was setting up an information centre to provide information about any issues related to citizenship and naturalisation. Since the beginning of naturalisation process in February of 1995 till this July Latvian citizenship was granted by the rule of the Cabinet of Ministers to 16,374 people, 6874 applications are still being considered. Of all the applicants, 66% were women, 58% were ethnic Russians, 13% - Lithuanians and Estonians. 96% passed the language and history examinations. Neatkariga, Diena

During the last week another Latvian top official made the speech in English at a public event. Latvian Foreign Minister Indulis Berzins spoke English with Latvian translation when addressing the audience at the closing ceremony of US International Development Agency’s assistance program. Minister said he spoke English to stress his personal attitude and the government’s position towards the US assistance program. Specialists say it was not a violation of the law but rather an issue of ethics.

During the last week another Latvian top official made the speech in English at a public event. Latvian Foreign Minister Indulis Berzins spoke English with Latvian translation when addressing the audience at the closing ceremony of US International Development Agencys assistance program. Minister said he spoke English to stress his personal attitude and the governments position towards the US assistance program. Specialists say it was not a violation of the law but rather an issue of ethics. Diena

Starting July 26 a new Russian language daily Vesti Segodna will replace the current newspaper CM. The paper is planned to be 6 pages big with the circulation of 10,000.

Starting July 26 a new Russian language daily Vesti Segodna will replace the current newspaper CM. The paper is planned to be 6 pages big with the circulation of 10,000. Diena

CM

publishes an interview with the new Education Minister Silva Golde. Questions touch upon the planned changes in the system of education in general as well as the fate of the current Russian schools. After 2004 the language of instruction in secondary schools will be Latvian. Currently the schools of ethnic minorities can choose among four models of bi-lingual education. publishes an interview with the new Education Minister Silva Golde. Questions touch upon the planned changes in the system of education in general as well as the fate of the current Russian schools. After 2004 the language of instruction in secondary schools will be Latvian. Currently the schools of ethnic minorities can choose among four models of bi-lingual education.

Press Review

Lauku

AvizeAvize publishes an interview with the head of Naturalisation Board Eizenija Aldermane. Among general information about the work her office does she expresses her views on topical issues, like the shift to Latvian language of instruction in secondary schools by 2004 provided for by the education law. She suggests that the term should be differentiated from 2001 till 2008 depending on the local situation: in Kurzeme and Vidzeme the shift could take place immediately while in Latgale pupils need to go first through all the 9 years of primary school with bi-lingual instruction to be able to study in Latvian in secondary school. Also, she mentions the work on Integration program planned to be submitted to the Cabinet of Ministers on August 5. Speaking about the naturalisation tests she explains the story behind the changes introduced in the history exam. As for the Latvian language exam, Daugavpils is said to have the biggest percentage of those who fail: It happens that only 3 or 4 pass out of 15 who take the test. Aldermane firmly believes that the centralised Latvian language exam in non-Latvian schools should replace the naturalisation exam. publishes an interview with the head of Naturalisation Board Eizenija Aldermane. Among general information about the work her office does she expresses her views on topical issues, like the shift to Latvian language of instruction in secondary schools by 2004 provided for by the education law. She suggests that the term should be differentiated from 2001 till 2008 depending on the local situation: in Kurzeme and Vidzeme the shift could take place immediately while in Latgale pupils need to go first through all the 9 years of primary school with bi-lingual instruction to be able to study in Latvian in secondary school. Also, she mentions the work on Integration program planned to be submitted to the Cabinet of Ministers on August 5. Speaking about the naturalisation tests she explains the story behind the changes introduced in the history exam. As for the Latvian language exam, Daugavpils is said to have the biggest percentage of those who fail: “It happens that only 3 or 4 pass out of 15 who take the test.” Aldermane firmly believes that the centralised Latvian language exam in non-Latvian schools should replace the naturalisation exam. Head of Daugavpils Naturalization Board said that it is mostly people in the ages 30 to 50 who apply for citizenship. There are very few secondary school students and even less of those who want to register their children born after August of 1991. There were only 6 children registered this year although at least 100 non-citizen children are born per year in Daugavpils. The main obstacle for naturalisation is the poor language skills. 45% failed in May, 40% in June.

Head of Daugavpils Naturalization Board said that it is mostly people in the ages 30 to 50 who apply for citizenship. There are very few secondary school students and even less of those who want to register their children born after August of 1991. There were only 6 children registered this year although at least 100 non-citizen children are born per year in Daugavpils. The main obstacle for naturalisation is the poor language skills. 45% failed in May, 40% in June. Neatkariga

The successful co-operation between the UN and Latvia could be used as a model for UN relations with transition countries, said head of the UN representative office to Latvia Jan Sand Sorensen during the meeting with Latvian Foreign Minister Indulis Berzins. Berzins thanked Sorensen for the effort taken by UN to attract funding for the Latvian language training program. Both officials agreed that the program is an important instrument for integration of the society in Latvia.

The successful co-operation between the UN and Latvia could be used as a model for UN relations with transition countries, said head of the UN representative office to Latvia Jan Sand Sorensen during the meeting with Latvian Foreign Minister Indulis Berzins. Berzins thanked Sorensen for the effort taken by UN to attract funding for the Latvian language training program. Both officials agreed that the program is an important instrument for integration of the society in Latvia. Neatkariga after LETA

The only OSCE observer from Latvia Georgs Kerlins received a disciplinary punishment for not fulfilling his duties while on the mission in Macedonia. Since the violation committed by Kerlins was not deliberate the punishment is said not to influence his future carrier at Baltbat, he could be promoted to the position of deputy company commander.

The only OSCE observer from Latvia Georgs Kerlins received a disciplinary punishment for not fulfilling his duties while on the mission in Macedonia. Since the violation committed by Kerlins was not deliberate the punishment is said not to influence his future carrier at Baltbat, he could be promoted to the position of deputy company commander. Neatkariga

Latvian Prime Minister Andris Skele plans to meet heads of the parliament factions to discuss holding of an extraordinary Saeima session to amend the state budget. The government is scheduled to accept amendments to the budget July 27 and then submit the draft to the Saeima. The government will try to cut the budget expenditure by 40 million lats.

Latvian Prime Minister Andris Skele plans to meet heads of the parliament factions to discuss holding of an extraordinary Saeima session to amend the state budget. The government is scheduled to accept amendments to the budget July 27 and then submit the draft to the Saeima. The government will try to cut the budget expenditure by 40 million lats. Diena