Press Review

Press Review

At the request of 36 deputies from

At the request of 36 deputies from the Fatherland and Freedom, the Peoples Party and Social Democratic Union the Saeima Presidium announced the summoning of the extraordinary session on 16 June to adopt the state language law in the final reading. Today the Saeima Standing Commission on Education, Science and Culture will decide whether to uphold the previous decision to postpone the consideration of the draft law till fall. If the commission decides to postpone the consideration, the Saeima will not be able to review the draft law on the 16th of June. In a case the commission decides to have the consideration of the draft law before the summer recess, it should prepare the draft law for the final reading by the end of this week. As Mr. Abikis told Diena, theoretically it is possible.

Chair of the fraction

Chair of the fraction For Fatherland and Freedom A. Pozharnovs thinks that it would be possible to review the proposals submitted for the final reading without a conclusion of the responsible commission - the Commission on Education, Science and Culture.(JAUNA AVIZE, 8 June)

The New Party

will ask will ask the Fatherland and Freedomthe Fatherland and Freedom to explain the hurried summoning of the extraordinary session because it does not see a reason for rushing with the adoption of the law. to explain the hurried summoning of the extraordinary session because it does not see a reason for rushing with the adoption of the law. Yesterday during the interview for the Latvian Radio the State President Guntis Ulmanis does not see a reason why the adoption of the state language law should be delayed.

Yesterday during the interview for the Latvian Radio the State President Guntis Ulmanis does not see a reason why the adoption of the state language law should be delayed. Diena, Neatkariga, SM, Panorama Latvii

Deputy of the fraction

Deputy of the fraction For Human Rights Janis Urbanovich believes that if the commission decides to prepare the draft law for the extraordinary session on 16 June, the state law will be adopted in the present version which contradicts with all international norms. As a result, for Latvia the road to the EU will be blocked, and the Latvian - Russian relations will worsen. SM

In an article for Rigas Balss Ph.D student of the Latvian University D. Baltaiskalna reminds that the present language policy has been implemented for more than 10 years. Its basic principles correspond with the fundamental statements of the international law binding on Latvia, namely - providing the functioning of the state language in all spheres of life, the state guaranteed development of the national minority languages and their use for certain functions. Moreover, many studies have showed that the existing state policy fulfils these tasks and the language conflicts have not increased. Therefore, there is not need to digress from the model set by the existing Language law.

In an article for Rigas Balss Ph.D student of the Latvian University D. Baltaiskalna reminds that the present language policy has been implemented for more than 10 years. Its basic principles correspond with the fundamental statements of the international law binding on Latvia, namely - providing the functioning of the state language in all spheres of life, the state guaranteed development of the national minority languages and their use for certain functions. Moreover, many studies have showed that the existing state policy fulfils these tasks and the language conflicts have not increased. Therefore, there is not need to digress from the model set by the existing Language law. Rigas Balss

Panorama Latvii and SM review the interview with chair of the For Fatherland and Freedom fraction A. Pozharnovs broadcast on the Latvian TV. Mr. Pozharnovs explained the position of the party on the draft language law.

Mr. Pozharnovs also told that his party together with social democrats have address the Constitutional Court with a request to assess the decision of the Naturalisation Board concerning the combining of the graduation exam of the Latvian language with the language exam for naturalisation. Mr. Pozharnovs believes that this decision was illegal.

Mr. Pozharnovs also told that his party together with social democrats have address the Constitutional Court with a request to assess the decision of the Naturalisation Board concerning the combining of the graduation exam of the Latvian language with the language exam for naturalisation. Mr. Pozharnovs believes that this decision was illegal. SM, Panorama Latvii

Press Review

On Friday

On Friday the Peoples Party and For Fatherland and Freedom had collected a half of needed amount of signatures for summoning an extraordinary session of the Saeima on 16 June to adopt the State Language law in the final reading. Social Democrats also support the initiative. However, the responsible commission - the Standing Commission on Education, Culture and Science has not prepared the draft language law for the consideration in the Saeima in the third reading, the Chair of the Commission Dz. Abikis told DIENA. As informed earlier, the commission decided to postpone the consideration till August. The Chair of the Saeima Legal Office G. Kusins argues that accordance with the Saeima Role of Procedure a final draft law should be prepared by the responsible commission. Moreover the parliament can consider a draft law only after it has been made available to deputies at least five days prior to the consideration. Thus, if upon the initiative of some deputies the extraordinary session is summoned, there will be no draft law to be considered since the responsible commission will not have prepared it. Diena

Neatkarigainforms about the collection of signatures for summoning the extraordinary session of the Saeima to adopt the state language law in the final reading. According to NEATKARIGA, the Latvian Way and the New Party will decide whether to support the initiative of the Peoples Party and For Fatherland and Freedom. The Social Democrats might sign the initiative while For Human Rights will not support it. Neatkariga

SM commenting the initiative of For Fatherland and Freedom to summon an extraordinary session of the Saeima to adopt the State Language Law, argues that deputies have ignored not only the opinion of national minorities who ask to amend the draft law, but also an advice of the OSCE High Commissioner Max van der Stoel to postpone the consideration till the fall. SM

Subbota publishes an interview with a candidate for the State President’s office Anatolijs Gorbunovs who thinks that the social integration is the main issue to be dealt with when he becoms the State President. According to him, it is necessary to awaken in all people the feeling of belonging to this state and responsibility. The state, in its turn should provide security and stable life.

Subbota publishes an interview with a candidate for the State Presidents office Anatolijs Gorbunovs who thinks that the social integration is the main issue to be dealt with when he becoms the State President. According to him, it is necessary to awaken in all people the feeling of belonging to this state and responsibility. The state, in its turn should provide security and stable life. Subbota

In order to assess the Latvian history in the 20th century, especially emphasising the legacy of the Second World War, and to prevent wrong assumptions about those events, the commission of historians formed on the initiative of the State President, the Latvian History Institute, the National Archive and the Latvian University Department of History organises a conference “Latvia in the Second World War” on 14-15 June.

In order to assess the Latvian history in the 20th century, especially emphasising the legacy of the Second World War, and to prevent wrong assumptions about those events, the commission of historians formed on the initiative of the State President, the Latvian History Institute, the National Archive and the Latvian University Department of History organises a conference Latvia in the Second World War on 14-15 June.

At the event devoted to the 200th anniversary of the Russian Poet A. Pushkin some 300 (

At the event devoted to the 200th anniversary of the Russian Poet A. Pushkin some 300 (Neatkariga mentions - 150, while SM - 300 to 400 and CHAS - 500) people protested against the draft language law. Along with the reciting the Pushkins poems the participants criticised the draft language law which restricts the development and freedom of the Russian language.

Press Review

Press Review

Peoples Party

together with TB/LNNK have decided to collect the necessary 34 signatures to summon an extraordinary meeting before June 23 to consider the draft language law I the third reading. This meeting according to Peoples Party faction Chairman G.Berzins could take place on June 16. He said that the law would slightly contradict OSCE recommendations, and the government should pay more attention to explain the international society the position of Latvia. Neatkariga, Diena, Chas The day of presidential election is approaching and all the Saeima factions have announced that there will be no trading of votes - the election is too important. But J.Pelss doubts it and tries to prove his position.

The day of presidential election is approaching and all the Saeima factions have announced that there will be no trading of votes - the election is too important. But J.Pelss doubts it and tries to prove his position. Neatkariga, Diena, Chas

J.Saratovs has been elected the Secretary General of TB/LNNK. He replaced A.Kimenis who is now heading the TB/LNNK faction in Riga City Council.

Neatkariga Portugal has informed Latvian MFA about new norms to be observed by Latvian citizens who plan to go there using the no visa regime.

Portugal has informed Latvian MFA about new norms to be observed by Latvian citizens who plan to go there using the no visa regime. Neatkariga

Minister of Foreign Affairs V.Birkavs tells the newspaper

Minister of Foreign Affairs V.Birkavs tells the newspaper Neatkariga about the North dimension for Latvia. MFA has formed a working group to evaluate the possibilities of this dimension. Neatkariga

All 12 grade graduates will have a possibility when taking the Latvian language exam next year to pass the naturalisation test as well. This is the opinion of the Minister of Education as well as the Head of the Naturalisation Board E.Aldermane. Some Saeima deputies have expressed an opinion that combining those two tests was a bit of rush and was not legally precise. This year 2433 students voluntarily participated in the experiment to combine the both tests.

All 12 grade graduates will have a possibility when taking the Latvian language exam next year to pass the naturalisation test as well. This is the opinion of the Minister of Education as well as the Head of the Naturalisation Board E.Aldermane. Some Saeima deputies have expressed an opinion that combining those two tests was a bit of rush and was not legally precise. This year 2433 students voluntarily participated in the experiment to combine the both tests. Diena

TB/LNNK will not rush to support

TB/LNNK will not rush to support Social Democrats joining the government forming coalition because they want to wait until the presidential election is over and get certain if the government posts are not traded for votes to get a support for some president candidate. The Chairman of Social Democrats faction E.Baldzens said that this position of TB/LNNK did no bother SD at all, because it was acceptable for them to act within the framework of the already concluded agreement. Diena

According to the opinion poll organised by Latvijas fakti, in May the popularity of

According to the opinion poll organised by Latvijas fakti, in May the popularity of Peoples Party decreased but that of Social Democrats - increased. Only 18.7% of respondents were ready to vote for the Peoples Party (1.8% less than in April). Diena

The State Language Inspection examined Riga schools, and during the first four months of this year they discovered more that 440 fake language knowledge certificates and in May 15 more. They discovered falsified documents even among the school directors. From 112 teachers having fake certificates, the Inspection dismissed only 20 employees. The found guilty are not always punished, they are given a possibility to take the test one more time.

The State Language Inspection examined Riga schools, and during the first four months of this year they discovered more that 440 fake language knowledge certificates and in May 15 more. They discovered falsified documents even among the school directors. From 112 teachers having fake certificates, the Inspection dismissed only 20 employees. The found guilty are not always punished, they are given a possibility to take the test one more time. Jauna Avize

A retired English language teacher Yesterday. Naumova gives a piece of advise how to distinguish between a low an high quality language training courses for people who want to master the Latvian language.

A retired English language teacher Yesterday. Naumova gives a piece of advise how to distinguish between a low an high quality language training courses for people who want to master the Latvian language. Chas

SM

interviewed J.Jurkans, the Chairman of the faction For Human Rights in United Latvia and V.Birkavs, Minister of Foreign Affairs about the planned visit of Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs I.Ivanov to Latvia. J.Jurkans thinks that this visit could strengthen the positions of Latvijas Cels, but V.Birkavs considers that it could serve as the starting point for the future meeting of prime ministers. Yesterday two pickets were held - one opposite the UNDP premises and the other in Jelgava. The participants of Riga picket held slogans “There is genocide in RL” “ We demand a political asylum”, etc. The leader of these people spoke about arbitrariness of Latvian officials. The Jelgava picket was larger in number and people protested against high communal fees, etc.

Yesterday two pickets were held - one opposite the UNDP premises and the other in Jelgava. The participants of Riga picket held slogans There is genocide in RL We demand a political asylum, etc. The leader of these people spoke about arbitrariness of Latvian officials. The Jelgava picket was larger in number and people protested against high communal fees, etc. SM

SM

writes about the emigrants from Latvia. The largest numbers left Latvia in 1992 - about 53 thousand people, in 1996 only 10 000 people. Most of them left for Russia, Byelorussia, Ukraine. When writing about the discussions on the concept of the national integration program, the journalist points out that for organising different seminars and conferences on this issue, about 60 000 Ls were spent(only 19 000 came from the state budget).

When writing about the discussions on the concept of the national integration program, the journalist points out that for organising different seminars and conferences on this issue, about 60 000 Ls were spent(only 19 000 came from the state budget). Bizness & Baltiya

Press Review

Press Review

Yesterday the Saeima Standing Committee on Education decided to postpone the consideration of the draft language until August when the deputies return from summer vacations. Dz. Abikis, the chair of the Committee told journalists that one of the reasons for postponing the consideration of this law was the work on other draft laws including several education laws.

Yesterday the Saeima Standing Committee on Education decided to postpone the consideration of the draft language until August when the deputies return from summer vacations. Dz. Abikis, the chair of the Committee told journalists that one of the reasons for postponing the consideration of this law was the work on other draft laws including several education laws.

Politicians have earlier expressed the opinion about postponing the consideration of the draft language law because it needs more precise definitions.

Politicians have earlier expressed the opinion about postponing the consideration of the draft language law because it needs more precise definitions. Diena, Neatkariga

The Minister of Education J. Gaigals sent a letter to the Chair of the Saeima Standing Committee on Education Dz. Abikis asking to ensure the consideration of the Law on General Education and Law on Vocational Education till the summer recess of the Saeima. Both draft laws have already been adopted in the second reading.

The Minister of Education J. Gaigals sent a letter to the Chair of the Saeima Standing Committee on Education Dz. Abikis asking to ensure the consideration of the Law on General Education and Law on Vocational Education till the summer recess of the Saeima. Both draft laws have already been adopted in the second reading. Neatkariga

Yesterday the 6th protocol of the European Human Rights Convention abolishing the death penalty came into force in Latvia. Today the Saeima Standing Committee of Defence and Interior affairs will work on amendments to the Criminal Law of the Republic of Latvia which still provides the possibility of sentencing the death penalty.

Yesterday the 6th protocol of the European Human Rights Convention abolishing the death penalty came into force in Latvia. Today the Saeima Standing Committee of Defence and Interior affairs will work on amendments to the Criminal Law of the Republic of Latvia which still provides the possibility of sentencing the death penalty. Diena

Graduates of national minority high schools are taking the centralised examination of the Latvian language which if passed successfully will count as the language examination for naturalisation. Officials of the Ministry of Education Naturalisation Board, and members of parliament participate in the examination as observers.

Graduates of national minority high schools are taking the centralised examination of the Latvian language which if passed successfully will count as the language examination for naturalisation. Officials of the Ministry of Education Naturalisation Board, and members of parliament participate in the examination as observers. Diena

Neatkariga writes about the examination in the Riga High School No 53. Only 4 students of 37 who took the exam have decided to combine it with the examination for acquiring citizenship

Deputy director of the Examination Commission Emils Liepins believes that only some 500-600 graduates out of some 3500 who take the centralised Latvian language examination, will use this opportunity to combine these examinations.

Deputy director of the Examination Commission Emils Liepins believes that only some 500-600 graduates out of some 3500 who take the centralised Latvian language examination, will use this opportunity to combine these examinations. SM

Neatkariga'sjournalist V. Hermanis discusses functions of mass media in the situation when there are attempts to integrate the ethnically, religiously and socially divided society in Latvia. Neatkariga

SM reviews an interview of the Latvian Foreign Affairs Minister V. Birkavs published by the Polish newspaper Rzeczpospolita in which the minister criticises the Russias policy towards Latvia. SM reminds that this interview appears before the visit of the Russian Foreign Minister to Latvia. SM comments that it has become a tradition for Latvian politicians prior important meeting with Russian politicians to do something extraordinary, thus, creating a possibility to suspend talks. SM

Press Review

Press Review

On Friday the Joint Committee on the Skrunda Radar informed journalists that the dismantling of the Radar is conducted in accordance with the international agreements and there are no doubts that the last active military person of the Russian army would leave Latvia by 29 February 2000. The Russian representative A. Nikitin said that the dismantling of the Radar might be completed in October this year. The Latvian representative Edgars Skuja told journalists that Russian party has considerably reduced the number of military personnel and the amount of ammunition. The OSCE Representative Juergen Huebschen stated that both parties fully comply with the Agreement. The work is done in professional and co-operative way.

On Friday the Joint Committee on the Skrunda Radar informed journalists that the dismantling of the Radar is conducted in accordance with the international agreements and there are no doubts that the last active military person of the Russian army would leave Latvia by 29 February 2000. The Russian representative A. Nikitin said that the dismantling of the Radar might be completed in October this year. The Latvian representative Edgars Skuja told journalists that Russian party has considerably reduced the number of military personnel and the amount of ammunition. The OSCE Representative Juergen Huebschen stated that both parties fully comply with the Agreement. The work is done in professional and co-operative way. Diena

Russia pays 5 million dollars annually for the rent of the land of the Skrunda Radar Station. The dismantling has cost two million dollars. The Colonel Nikitin refused to tell the exact amount of expenses, 

Russia pays 5 million dollars annually for the rent of the land of the Skrunda Radar Station. The dismantling has cost two million dollars. The Colonel Nikitin refused to tell the exact amount of expenses,Neatkariga writes.

The Saeima Standing Committee on Implementation of Citizenship Law has prepared the amendments to the Law on the Status of Former USSR Citizens Who are Not Citizens of Latvia and Any Other Country providing instances of losing the status of non-citizen.

The Saeima Standing Committee on Implementation of Citizenship Law has prepared the amendments to the Law on the Status of Former USSR Citizens Who are Not Citizens of Latvia and Any Other Country providing instances of losing the status of non-citizen. Diena in Russian

During the 3rd congress of the For Fatherland and Freedom taking place on Saturday delegates adopted a resolution stating that approval of the OSCE recommendations on the state language law might threaten the existence of the Latvian language.

During the 3rd congress of the For Fatherland and Freedom taking place on Saturday delegates adopted a resolution stating that approval of the OSCE recommendations on the state language law might threaten the existence of the Latvian language. Diena

SM provides more extensive coverage of the congress. It is said that the Party called the Saeima deputies not to yield to recommendations of foreign commissars but to recognise own responsibility about the right of the Latvian nation to communicate in its own language in its own country, to think about the future of the Latvian language and adopt the strict law which would reinforce the primary role of the State language in all spheres of life on whole territory of Latvia. A delegate J. Freimanis called the congress and the fraction For Fatherland and Freedom to deal with the issue of suspending the activity of the Naturalisation Board since there are working historians with diploma issued in the USSR and foreigners who cannot come up with Latvian history as it really was. SM

Three social democratic parties - the Latvian Social Democratic Workers Party, the Latvian Social Democratic Party and the Latgale Democratic Party joined during a congress on Saturday. The leader of the former Social Democratic Party Juris Bojars became the leader of the united party.

Three social democratic parties - the Latvian Social Democratic Workers Party, the Latvian Social Democratic Party and the Latgale Democratic Party joined during a congress on Saturday. The leader of the former Social Democratic Party Juris Bojars became the leader of the united party. Diena

In order to promote integration process the CHAS journalist L. Fedoseev suggests instead of organising big conferences which do not solve anything, to form permanent working groups consisting of people who have earned the trust of not only Latvians.

In order to promote integration process the CHAS journalist L. Fedoseev suggests instead of organising big conferences which do not solve anything, to form permanent working groups consisting of people who have earned the trust of not only Latvians. Chas

In an article for the 

In an article for theDiena in Russian (31 May) V. Sorokin discusses the role of mass media in the integration process. Mr. Sorokin believes that Latvian and Russian journalists cannot agree because they place their own ethnic and political identity over the professional ethics. Speaking about the Russian mass media, Mr Sorokin argues that a half of Russian journalists believe that their task is to provoke the government and actively participate in politics rather than simply tell about events. Mr. Sorokin believes that a politician working in the mass media as a journalist sooner or later violates the freedom of speech even if he/she does not want it. Besides, that activity cannot be called journalism rather the public relations - creating positive image of a favourite politician and party. Diena