Press Review

There are diametrically opposed opinions in Latvian society about the President’s decision to return the Language Law to the Saeima. By the end of July 19 the President’s Office received 30 letters expressing their attitude toward the President’s decision. Those who disagree with the decision write that this move would mean giving in to the foreign pressure. The supporters mention that the legal inaccuracies in the law would allow for inadequate interpretation and the following possibility to manipulate with this law.

There are diametrically opposed opinions in Latvian society about the Presidents decision to return the Language Law to the Saeima. By the end of July 19 the Presidents Office received 30 letters expressing their attitude toward the Presidents decision. Those who disagree with the decision write that this move would mean giving in to the foreign pressure. The supporters mention that the legal inaccuracies in the law would allow for inadequate interpretation and the following possibility to manipulate with this law. Jauna Avize

July 20, in a radio interview the new Latvian Foreign Minister Indulis Berzins announced that Latvia does not intend to create any obstacles for the development of relations with Russia. He informed the audience that Latvia has not received any official signals from Russia about improvement of the relations between the two countries, however, representatives from the Russian embassy to Latvia during informal talks had mentioned that the positive development started during the rule of the previous government will be continued. The minister added that Latvia’s strategic partners would like to see good relations between Latvia and Russia. The relations with the neighbouring country are planned to based on regional co-operation as well as co-operation between the Baltic Sea countries and within the project Northern Dimensions. The interstate commission headed by Anatolijs Gorbunovs will continue its work.

July 20, in a radio interview the new Latvian Foreign Minister Indulis Berzins announced that Latvia does not intend to create any obstacles for the development of relations with Russia. He informed the audience that Latvia has not received any official signals from Russia about improvement of the relations between the two countries, however, representatives from the Russian embassy to Latvia during informal talks had mentioned that the positive development started during the rule of the previous government will be continued. The minister added that Latvias strategic partners would like to see good relations between Latvia and Russia. The relations with the neighbouring country are planned to based on regional co-operation as well as co-operation between the Baltic Sea countries and within the project Northern Dimensions. The interstate commission headed by Anatolijs Gorbunovs will continue its work. Neatkariga, Chas, Panorama Latvii, CM

28 more non-citizen children born after August 21, 1991 were granted Latvian citizenship July 20. They all reside in Riga, ages between 1 and 8. In total parents of 190 children have requested Latvian citizenship for their children. In total, the Cabinet of Minsters July 20 granted Latvian citizenship through naturalization to 447 persons, 91 of them are younger than 18. 68% of them were Russians, 11% Belorussians, 7% Ukrainians, also, Lithuanians, Poles, people of other ethnic origin. 16,367 people have been granted citizenship through naturalization so far.

28 more non-citizen children born after August 21, 1991 were granted Latvian citizenship July 20. They all reside in Riga, ages between 1 and 8. In total parents of 190 children have requested Latvian citizenship for their children. In total, the Cabinet of Minsters July 20 granted Latvian citizenship through naturalization to 447 persons, 91 of them are younger than 18. 68% of them were Russians, 11% Belorussians, 7% Ukrainians, also, Lithuanians, Poles, people of other ethnic origin. 16,367 people have been granted citizenship through naturalization so far. Diena, Panorama Latvii

Panorama Latvii runs an article about the future of the military town in Skrunda called In A Half Year A Town Will Die expressing pitty for the fact that some objects slated for dismantling could be still used by the local residents, for instance, as a sportscenter or a metal workshop, the apartment buildings are suggested to be given to Latvians repatriating from Russia.

Press Report

July 17, twelve young people in Riga established a public organisation called Kolovrat. The statutes of the organisation provide for promotion of Russian culture and ties of the Russian population living in Latvia with Russia. Most of the organisation’s members are associated with the organisation Russian National Unity known as Barkashov’s group which is illegal in Russia.

July 17, twelve young people in Riga established a public organisation called Kolovrat. The statutes of the organisation provide for promotion of Russian culture and ties of the Russian population living in Latvia with Russia. Most of the organisations members are associated with the organisation Russian National Unity known as Barkashovs group which is illegal in Russia. Diena, Jauna Avize, CM

After Leta, there were no applicants for lease or operation of the buildings at the former military town of Skrunda radar station as the term for official applications expired a couple of days ago.

After Leta, there were no applicants for lease or operation of the buildings at the former military town of Skrunda radar station as the term for official applications expired a couple of days ago. Diena

Press Review

July 16, the Latvian parliament with 60 votes “for” and 37 votes “against” supported the government formed by the People’s Party, Latvia’s Way and FF/LNNK and headed by Andris Skele. President Vaira Vike-Freiberga hopes that in the ideal case this government should last till the next Saeima elections.

July 16, the Latvian parliament with 60 votes for and 37 votes against supported the government formed by the Peoples Party, Latvias Way and FF/LNNK and headed by Andris Skele. President Vaira Vike-Freiberga hopes that in the ideal case this government should last till the next Saeima elections.

In an interview to

In an interview to Diena the new prime minister Andris Skele expresses support to the Presidents move of returning the State Language Law to the parliament for the second review, however, his view is that the approach should not be too cosmopolitan and only well-motivated objections should be taken into account. He expresses a pity that there is a double standard in international practice: one for big nations and a different one for small nations (mentioning the language law in France). Commenting on the part in the new government declaration on co-operation with Russia Skele admits that Russia will always have interests in Latvia due the geographical location, with the new government Latvia could possibly focus more on co-operation with Russias regions, like St. Petersburg and Novgorod.

US Department of State supports the decision of the Latvian president to return the Language Law to the parliament for the second review. The Latvian government is invited to introduce the few amendments that would make the law comply with the OSCE recommendations in close co-operation with the OSCE High Commissioner Max van der Stoel.

US Department of State supports the decision of the Latvian president to return the Language Law to the parliament for the second review. The Latvian government is invited to introduce the few amendments that would make the law comply with the OSCE recommendations in close co-operation with the OSCE High Commissioner Max van der Stoel. Neatkariga, Chas

Friday, on the last day of the work of the Commission for US and Baltic Partnership the US Deputy Secretary of State Strobe Talbot called the admission of the Baltic countries to NATO “inevitable” due to the unusually big progress these countries had made. In the end document of the meeting NATO stresses that no country would be rejected due to geographical considerations.

Friday, on the last day of the work of the Commission for US and Baltic Partnership the US Deputy Secretary of State Strobe Talbot called the admission of the Baltic countries to NATO inevitable due to the unusually big progress these countries had made. In the end document of the meeting NATO stresses that no country would be rejected due to geographical considerations. Neatkariga

Although the number of Latvians in Daugavpils is small there is not enough places in schools with Latvian language of instruction as many non-Latvian parents want their children to attend Latvian schools. On the bases of the already existing schools at least three Latvian primary schools will be established in near future.

Although the number of Latvians in Daugavpils is small there is not enough places in schools with Latvian language of instruction as many non-Latvian parents want their children to attend Latvian schools. On the bases of the already existing schools at least three Latvian primary schools will be established in near future. Neatkariga

Press Review

The Saeima presidium ruled on Thursday, July 15 that the state president’s motivated objections to the language law should be passed on to the Saeima commissions during the first autumn session meeting, which is after August 23. The president’s move was welcomed by Latvia’s Way, the New Party and For Human Rights in United Latvia while the People’s Party, TB/LNNK and Social Democrats are more reserved. Currently only the New Party is ready to support the amendments suggested by the president.

The Saeima presidium ruled on Thursday, July 15 that the state presidents motivated objections to the language law should be passed on to the Saeima commissions during the first autumn session meeting, which is after August 23. The presidents move was welcomed by Latvias Way, the New Party and For Human Rights in United Latvia while the Peoples Party, TB/LNNK and Social Democrats are more reserved. Currently only the New Party is ready to support the amendments suggested by the president.

The government forming political forces People’s Party, Latvia’s Way and FF/LNNK Thursday signed the government declaration and coalition agreement providing for the principles and objectives of the new government. The Saeima is to vote on the new government this Friday.

The government forming political forces Peoples Party, Latvias Way and FF/LNNK Thursday signed the government declaration and coalition agreement providing for the principles and objectives of the new government. The Saeima is to vote on the new government this Friday.