Press Review

Minister of Education and Science Juris Celmins (

Minister of Education and Science Juris Celmins ("Saimnieks") in an interview for "PANORAMA LATVII" pointed to the importance of improving the quality of teaching of the Latvian language in Russian-language schools. He believes that the Language Law should meet EU requirements. He stressed that the Law should not create the basis for the forming of two isolated communities in the country. Panorama Latvii

Estonian Parliament adopted amendments to the Language Law. The amendments include new regulations for tests in the Estonian language and require a mandatory use of Estonian by employees involved in providing services, by individual entrepreneurs and by juridical entities. The requirement for the mandatory use of Estonian by businessmen was actively opposed by Russian-speaking Parliament members. Minister of Education Klaassen stressed that the requirements were applied only to those whose work and business involved public communication.

Estonian Parliament adopted amendments to the Language Law. The amendments include new regulations for tests in the Estonian language and require a mandatory use of Estonian by employees involved in providing services, by individual entrepreneurs and by juridical entities. The requirement for the mandatory use of Estonian by businessmen was actively opposed by Russian-speaking Parliament members. Minister of Education Klaassen stressed that the requirements were applied only to those whose work and business involved public communication. Diena

Press Review

According to the President's Press-Secretary Liga Krapane, President Ulmanis will not comment on the recent statement by

According to the President's Press-Secretary Liga Krapane, President Ulmanis will not comment on the recent statement by "Tevzemei un Brivibai"/LNNK threatening to start a discussion of recalling the President if he proceeded with expressing opinions "that do not meet national interests". Diena

"TB"/LNNK

leader Maris Grinblats told the press that President Ulmanis would meet representatives of the party this week. Prime-Minister Krasts said that the exchange of opinions between leader Maris Grinblats told the press that President Ulmanis would meet representatives of the party this week. Prime-Minister Krasts said that the exchange of opinions between "TB"/LNNK "TB"/LNNK and Mr. Ulmanis would not influence "constructive co-operation between the Prime-Minister and the President." and Mr. Ulmanis would not influence "constructive co-operation between the Prime-Minister and the President." Neatkariga Neatkariga

"SM"

interviewed its readers on naturalization. The question was: "What does not allow you to undergo naturalization?" All the readers said that they would like to take Latvian citizenship. Among most frequently mentioned problems they mentioned closed "naturalization windows" and expected difficulties in passing naturalization tests. Some of the readers insisted on a "zero option" or were offended by being denied Latvian citizenship despite their support of Latvia's independence in 1990/91. interviewed its readers on naturalization. The question was: "What does not allow you to undergo naturalization?" All the readers said that they would like to take Latvian citizenship. Among most frequently mentioned problems they mentioned closed "naturalization windows" and expected difficulties in passing naturalization tests. Some of the readers insisted on a "zero option" or were offended by being denied Latvian citizenship despite their support of Latvia's independence in 1990/91. SMSM

Press Review

The

The "Tevzemei un Brivibai"/LNNK party council at its yesterday's meeting decided to start a discussion on recalling President Ulmanis from his post in case the President "proceeded with the statements that contradicted national interests and undermined the stability of the Cabinet." The party would not share the responsibility for the consequences of the President's statements, said a "TB"/LNNK representative. President Ulmanis has not reacted to the statements made by Saeima Deputy-Speaker Jirgens and the "TB"/LNNK council. Diena

"DIENA"

Journalist Aivars Ozolins believes that Journalist Aivars Ozolins believes that "Latvijas Cels" "Latvijas Cels" and and "Saimnieks""Saimnieks" may openly oppose may openly oppose "TB"/LNNK"TB"/LNNK after the after the SaeimaSaeima adopts the budget for the coming fiscal year. The ultimate decision would be most probably to be made by adopts the budget for the coming fiscal year. The ultimate decision would be most probably to be made by "Latvijas Cels""Latvijas Cels", thinks Ozolins. , thinks Ozolins. DienaDiena

"TB"/LNNK

Secretary General Aigars Kimenis in an article for Secretary General Aigars Kimenis in an article for"DIENA""DIENA" connects recent release of former Communist leader Rubiks from prison with "the campaign against the new language Law". He warns against pressing connects recent release of former Communist leader Rubiks from prison with "the campaign against the new language Law". He warns against pressing "TB"/LNNK"TB"/LNNK from the Cabinet claiming that the move would detain Latvia's integration in the EU and would lead to massive naturalization of non-citizens currently opposed only by from the Cabinet claiming that the move would detain Latvia's integration in the EU and would lead to massive naturalization of non-citizens currently opposed only by "TB"/LNNK "TB"/LNNK. . DienaDiena Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Press-Secretary Andrejs Pildegovics told

Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Press-Secretary Andrejs Pildegovics told "NEATKARIGA" that "the OSCE Mission was fulfilling an important task" and confirmed that its mandate was extended until 31 December 1997. The OSCE Mission refused to comment on its future activities. Mr. Pildegovics does not exclude the possibility of certain changes in the mandate of the Mission. Head of the State Human Rights Office Olafs Bruvers stressed that the Office had a productive co-operation with the OSCE Mission. Similar opinion was expressed by Deputy-Director of the Naturalization Board Janis Kohanovics. He noted that the Mission helped the Board in establishing contacts with foreign embassies. Chairman of the Saeima Committee on Foreign Affairs Andris Rubins said that the Committee had not considered the issue on the Mission's presence in Latvia. The final decision is to be made by the OSCE Permanent Committee in Vienna. Neatkariga

Yesterday the

Yesterday the Saeima Declined the amendments to the Law on Pensions that would allow non-citizens to receive pensions for the years of employment outside Latvia. Saeima Speaker Cepanis was among those voting against the amendments while Chairman of the Saeima Human Rights Committee Seiksts chose not to take part in the voting. Panorama Latvii

Chairman of the

Chairman of the "Saimnieks" faction Ernests Jurkans told "SM" that "Saimnieks" was planning to draft amendments to the Citizenship Law that would abolish "the naturalization windows" and grant citizenship to children born in Latvia after 1991. He also does not exclude the possibility of granting Latvian citizenship to children one of whose parents was born in Latvia. SM

Only 120 thousand non-citizens have received new alien passports. The total number of passports to be issued is around 600 thousand. Head of the Russian Embassy Consular Department Rylov expressed concern about the situation and told

Only 120 thousand non-citizens have received new alien passports. The total number of passports to be issued is around 600 thousand. Head of the Russian Embassy Consular Department Rylov expressed concern about the situation and told "SM" that the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the two countries will discuss possible solutions that would allow non-citizens to travel to Russia after January 1, 1998, which is the date after which old USSR passports will not be valid for travel outside Latvia. SM

Yesterday the

Yesterday the Saeima voted for granting Latvian citizenship to Parex Bank President Kargin and Chairman of the Board of the same bank Krasovitsky for their outstanding service to Latvia. Diena

Press Review

Saeima

Deputy-Speaker Aigars Jirgens told Deputy-Speaker Aigars Jirgens told "DIENA"DIENA" that "Guntis Ulmanis could not be entrusted with the duties of the President and " that "Guntis Ulmanis could not be entrusted with the duties of the President and "Tevzemei un Brivibai"/LNNK"Tevzemei un Brivibai"/LNNK would discuss recalling Mr. Ulmanis." Mr. Jirgens' statement followed the President's suggestion on reconsidering the agreement between the governing factions that currently does not allow to amend the Citizenship Law. Mr. Jirgens stressed that during his 1996 election campaign President Ulmanis told would discuss recalling Mr. Ulmanis." Mr. Jirgens' statement followed the President's suggestion on reconsidering the agreement between the governing factions that currently does not allow to amend the Citizenship Law. Mr. Jirgens stressed that during his 1996 election campaign President Ulmanis told "TB""TB" representatives that the existing version of the Citizenship Law was the only possible compromise allowing the survival of the Latvian nation. Aigars Jirgens believes that representatives that the existing version of the Citizenship Law was the only possible compromise allowing the survival of the Latvian nation. Aigars Jirgens believes that "TB"/LNNK"TB"/LNNK may launch a campaign aimed at gaining the support of at least 50 may launch a campaign aimed at gaining the support of at least 50 SaeimaSaeima members. According to the members. According to the SatversmeSatversme, 50 votes of , 50 votes of Saeima Saeima members are required to hold a closed members are required to hold a closed Saeima Saeima session while recalling the President is to be supported by at least 67 session while recalling the President is to be supported by at least 67 SaeimaSaeima members. Acting Chairman of the members. Acting Chairman of the "TB"/LNNK"TB"/LNNK faction Karlis Leiskalns admitted that the President had the rights to express his own opinion. Head of the faction Karlis Leiskalns admitted that the President had the rights to express his own opinion. Head of the "Saimnieks""Saimnieks" faction Ernests Jurkans expressed a similar view and added that faction Ernests Jurkans expressed a similar view and added that "Saimnieks""Saimnieks" would draft its amendments to the Citizenship Law in December. According to would draft its amendments to the Citizenship Law in December. According to "CHAS""CHAS", the, the "TB"/LNNK "TB"/LNNK faction has already discussed Mr. Jirgens' statement. faction has already discussed Mr. Jirgens' statement. "TB"/LNNK"TB"/LNNK will hold a conference on November 29 to define a compromise that it could agree to. will hold a conference on November 29 to define a compromise that it could agree to. Diena, Chas, Neatkariga, panorama Latvii Diena, Chas, Neatkariga, panorama Latvii The

The "International Herald Tribune" in its yesterday's issue published a clarification on the article by "TB" member Aivars Slucis that appeared in the paper on November 13. The statement by the newspaper explains that the article being "a paid advertisement" should have been labeled so. The article by Aivars Slucis calls last twenty generations of Russians "the most aggressive, barbarian, treacherous and uncivilized in the world." The author also addressed OSCE High Commissioner van der Stoel saying that his "meanness was indescribable" and accusing him in assisting "the Russian genocide against Latvians and Estonians." Saeima member Juris Sinka ("TB") openly supported the article noting that Mr. Slucis' opinion "mostly coincided with the opinion of the party". Chas

The Russian State

The Russian State Duma Committee on CIS Affairs and Contacts with Compatriots Abroad has drafted a Federal Act on Relations with Compatriots Abroad. The draft Act applies to citizens of the Russian Federation residing outside Russia, persons having dual citizenship, former USSR citizens who do not have Russian citizenship, emigrants from the Russian Empire, the Russian Socialist Republic, the Russian Federation and to their descendants. The draft Act is prepared for the first reading by the State Duma. Panorama Latvii

Press Review

In his speech on the Independence Day President Ulmanis called upon the governing factions to review the coalition agreement. "If the agreement between the governing factions blocks naturalization I would like it to be reviewed," said the President. President Ulmanis also pointed to the forming of two isolated communities in Latvia and stressed that the tendency was undermining the country's stability. Mr. Ulmanis stressed the importance of facilitating the naturalization process.

In his speech on the Independence Day President Ulmanis called upon the governing factions to review the coalition agreement. "If the agreement between the governing factions blocks naturalization I would like it to be reviewed," said the President. President Ulmanis also pointed to the forming of two isolated communities in Latvia and stressed that the tendency was undermining the country's stability. Mr. Ulmanis stressed the importance of facilitating the naturalization process. Saeima Speaker Alfreds Cepanis in his speech supported the President's opinion and called the existing situation "unhealthy". Last Monday Mr. Ulmanis had a meeting with "Tevzemei un Brivibai"/LNNK Chairman Maris Grinblats. Mr. Grinblats told "DIENA" that he and the President agreed that Guntars Krasts' cabinet "should work until the elections to the Seventh Saeima." "TB"/LNNK will hold a party conference on November 29. Its agenda will include the discussion of possible compromise and the drawing of an approach to co-operation with coalition partners. Diena, Chas

President Ulmanis in an interview for

President Ulmanis in an interview for "SM" said that "the window mechanism" should be canceled. He noted that he could feel a change in the approach of political parties to the Citizenship Law. Mr. Ulmanis expects the governing parties to abandon declarations on the immunity of the Citizenship Law during their election campaigns. The President believes that the country needs a new language Law. He expects the new Law to consolidate the society and to contribute to the forming of an integrated society. Mr. Ulmanis said that he would not support a Law that would isolate Latvian and non-Latvian communities. SM