Press Report

Minister of Foreign Affairs Birkavs believes that the corruption scandal in the Latvian government can become an obstacle to the country's admission to the European Union. During his meeting with representatives of the Latvian community in the US, Mr. Birkavs said that the EU "had problems of its own and was looking for a pretext for postponing talks with potential new members."

Minister of Foreign Affairs Birkavs believes that the corruption scandal in the Latvian government can become an obstacle to the country's admission to the European Union. During his meeting with representatives of the Latvian community in the US, Mr. Birkavs said that the EU "had problems of its own and was looking for a pretext for postponing talks with potential new members." Diena

Press Report

Press Report

Opposition deputies may submit a draft bill on dismissing Mr. Alfred Cepanis from the post of the

Opposition deputies may submit a draft bill on dismissing Mr. Alfred Cepanis from the post of the Saeima Speaker. The deputies criticized Cepanis for lobbying the interests of the "Kienast Metall" company. The German company was removing the wrecks of Russian war ships from the Liepaja port upon a contract with the Russian Ministry of Defense. Mr. Cepanis supported the company in obtaining a permission required for extending the contract. Diena

Five thousand inhabitants of Latvia have received citizenship through naturalization. Mrs. Stoniene, an ethnic Lithuanian, was the five-thousandth applicant receiving her citizen's passport last Friday in Jelgava. She was congratulated by Head of the Naturalization Board Aldermane and Lithuanian Ambassador Rimantas Karazija at the Jelgava City Hall.

Five thousand inhabitants of Latvia have received citizenship through naturalization. Mrs. Stoniene, an ethnic Lithuanian, was the five-thousandth applicant receiving her citizen's passport last Friday in Jelgava. She was congratulated by Head of the Naturalization Board Aldermane and Lithuanian Ambassador Rimantas Karazija at the Jelgava City Hall. Diena

Deputy-Director of the Bureau for Protection of Satversme Uldis Dzenitis told

Deputy-Director of the Bureau for Protection of Satversme Uldis Dzenitis told "SM" that the explosion at the Monument to the Liberators of Riga was organized by individual terrorist having no connection to any organized group. Both of them died during the explosion. SM

Press Report

The US Administration informed NATO about its plans to suggest three candidates for the bloc membership. Those are Poland, Hungary and Czech Republic. According to US Administration Press-Secretary Mackary, President Clinton believes that a limited number of countries should be covered by the first stage of NATO enlargement.

The US Administration informed NATO about its plans to suggest three candidates for the bloc membership. Those are Poland, Hungary and Czech Republic. According to US Administration Press-Secretary Mackary, President Clinton believes that a limited number of countries should be covered by the first stage of NATO enlargement. Neatkariga Director of the Bureau for Protection of the Satversme Lainis Kamaldins told "PANORAMA LATVII" that planting of a bomb at the Monument to the Liberators of Riga was an individual terrorist act. Two police identified two bodies discovered at the explosion site. Mr. Kamaldins admitted that both men killed by the explosion were former "Aizsargi" members. He said that the Latvian security service obtained information on a person (persons) who managed to escape from the scene of the crime. "NEATKARIGA" contacted of the two wings of the "Aizsargi" organization. Its head admitted that the two men who perished during the explosion were former members of the organization adding that they were "expelled for treason". PL, Neatkariga

Latvia is placed 92-nd in the UN annual report on human development going 37 points down as compared with the 1996 report. Mr. John Hendra of the UNDP explained Latvia's low rating by the use of outdated information for the report.

Latvia is placed 92-nd in the UN annual report on human development going 37 points down as compared with the 1996 report. Mr. John Hendra of the UNDP explained Latvia's low rating by the use of outdated information for the report. Neatkariga

Several analysts and

Several analysts and Saeima members believe that Prime-Minister Skele will resign irrespectively of the results of the investigation by the Prosecutor General's Office. The Prosecutor General's Office is investigating alleged violation of the Anti-Corruption Law by Cabinet members. Skele's resignation may strengthen the position held by "Saimnieks" in the Cabinet. SM

President Ulmanis in an interview for "

President Ulmanis in an interview for "SM" said that he would focus his attention on the drafting of the Law on Education and will consider possible amendments to the Law on Naturalization. Mr. Ulmanis believes that the naturalization fee should be decreased and suggests granting Latvian citizenship to all children born in Latvia. In his interview the President singled out legal, political and psychological aspects of naturalization. He agreed that some non-citizens might feel offended by having to undergo naturalization procedures while they were promised citizenship during Latvia's strife for independence. Still, he believes that they should not be indifferent to becoming a part of the country' society. Mr. Ulmanis also touched upon Latvia's relations with Russia. He hopes to meet President Yeltsin or Prime-Minister Chernomyrdin during his visit to Russia.

Press Report

President Ulmanis condemned the act of terrorism against the Monument to the Liberators of Riga. Mr. Ulmanis called it "a provocative attempt to complicate Latvia's international relations." Prime-Minister Skele told the press that "the stupid provocation could lead to negative consequences in Latvia as well as well as outside the country." He positively evaluated the reaction of the Riga City Council and stressed the importance of restoring the Monument. Head of the Bureau for Protection of the

President Ulmanis condemned the act of terrorism against the Monument to the Liberators of Riga. Mr. Ulmanis called it "a provocative attempt to complicate Latvia's international relations." Prime-Minister Skele told the press that "the stupid provocation could lead to negative consequences in Latvia as well as well as outside the country." He positively evaluated the reaction of the Riga City Council and stressed the importance of restoring the Monument. Head of the Bureau for Protection of the Satversme Mr. Kamaldins told the press that two men killed by the explosion were former members of the "Aizsargi" paramilitary organization expelled for their radical views. Diena, B&B

The

The "Tevzemei un Brivibai" faction decided to extend Minister of Welfare Makarov's term in the office. The faction may cancel its decision on recalling Mr. Makarov from the Minister's post if the Saeima agrees to increase the pension budget. Diena

Russian border-guards detained underage children and their parents returning to Latvia on the border station of Sebezh. The children were registered in their parents' passports as Latvian citizens and did not have passports. The CID refused to comment on the problem.

Russian border-guards detained underage children and their parents returning to Latvia on the border station of Sebezh. The children were registered in their parents' passports as Latvian citizens and did not have passports. The CID refused to comment on the problem. SM

Rasma Karklina, an American political scientist, in her article argues with those who claim the current education policy to lead to non-Latvians' assimilation. She refers to statistical data that does not show a considerable inflow of Russian-speaking children to Latvian schools. Moreover, the number of ethnic Latvians studying in Russian-language schools exceeds the number of Russian-speakers attending Latvian schools. According to Mrs. Karklina, the

Rasma Karklina, an American political scientist, in her article argues with those who claim the current education policy to lead to non-Latvians' assimilation. She refers to statistical data that does not show a considerable inflow of Russian-speaking children to Latvian schools. Moreover, the number of ethnic Latvians studying in Russian-language schools exceeds the number of Russian-speakers attending Latvian schools. According to Mrs. Karklina, the Saeima tends to support an education concept similar to the one suggested by a group of Russian-speaking intellectuals in 1996. The concept provides for teaching of several subjects directly related to Latvia (the country's history, geography, etc.) in Latvian. Diena

Press Report

US Ambassador to Latvia Larry Napper during his yesterday's meeting with President Ulmanis said that the three Baltic states will receive a draft US-Baltic Charter soon. After the Charter is considered by the Baltic states, their Presidents will be invited by President Clinton to sign the document. The Charter will contain the historic evaluation of relation between the USA and the Baltic states and will stress the importance of their independence for US national interests.

US Ambassador to Latvia Larry Napper during his yesterday's meeting with President Ulmanis said that the three Baltic states will receive a draft US-Baltic Charter soon. After the Charter is considered by the Baltic states, their Presidents will be invited by President Clinton to sign the document. The Charter will contain the historic evaluation of relation between the USA and the Baltic states and will stress the importance of their independence for US national interests. Diena

Head of the Naturalization Board Eizenija Aldermane confirmed that the number of applications for naturalization has

Head of the Naturalization Board Eizenija Aldermane confirmed that the number of applications for naturalization has DECREASED considerably after President Ulmanis' suggestion to reduce the naturalization fee. Some applicants having already paid the fee even require information on the possibility of reimbursement. Diena

Head of the

Head of the "Tevzemei un Brivibai" and the LNNK faction in the Riga City Council Aigars Kimenis told the press that the Council would have to decide on the dismantling of the Monument to the Liberators of Latvia. Faction member Lasmanis said that restoring "a pile of stones while thousands are almost starving would be a violation of human rights." Neatkariga

Russian Ambassador to Latvia Alexander Udaltsov in an interview for

Russian Ambassador to Latvia Alexander Udaltsov in an interview for "SM" said that the majority of the Saeima deputies support developing normal neighborly relations with Russia. The Ambassador confirmed that Russia would connect the observance of the rights of Russian speakers with other aspects of its relations with Latvia. He referred to OSCE High Commissioner van der Stoel's suggestions on canceling "naturalization windows" and simplifying the naturalization process. Mr. Udaltsov stressed that the Russian Parliament would not ratify any agreement with Latvia unless the situation of Russian-speakers is changed. He criticized Latvia for "weakening the motivation for obtaining citizenship" by introducing new alien passports. The Ambassador said that Russia will make a final decision on the alien passports only after thorough consultations with the Latvian side. Mr. Udaltsov emphasized the role of "certain political forces" in creating the atmosphere leading to an act of terrorism against the Monument to the Liberators of Riga. SM