Press Report

Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK and People's Party's factions on Monday confirmed their different position regarding the most essential articles of the Language Law. However, the parties will continue consultations on Tuesday. Saeima's Committee on Education hopes for the support of the New Party in the vote for the law. Diena also runs the text of Articles 11 and 21 as supported by FF/LNNK and People's Party and Latvia's Way.

Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK and People's Party's factions on Monday confirmed their different position regarding the most essential articles of the Language Law. However, the parties will continue consultations on Tuesday. Saeima's Committee on Education hopes for the support of the New Party in the vote for the law. Diena also runs the text of Articles 11 and 21 as supported by FF/LNNK and People's Party and Latvia's Way. Diena, Neatkariga, Chas

Results of a survey compiled by the European Integration Office say that there is a stable support for Latvia's integration into EU and it is considerably bigger than in Estonia and Lithuania: 50% in Latvia said they will vote for joining the EU, 38% in Estonia and 30% in Lithuania.

Results of a survey compiled by the European Integration Office say that there is a stable support for Latvia's integration into EU and it is considerably bigger than in Estonia and Lithuania: 50% in Latvia said they will vote for joining the EU, 38% in Estonia and 30% in Lithuania. Diena, Neatkariga

Foreign Ministers of the EU member states yesterday in Brussels confirmed that EU accession negotiations will be started with 6 more candidate countries.

Foreign Ministers of the EU member states yesterday in Brussels confirmed that EU accession negotiations will be started with 6 more candidate countries. Neatkariga, Diena

Experts state that joining the EU for Latvia will bring principal changes in Latvia's constitutional and judicial sytem. These issues were discussed in an international conference on the Latvian Constitution and the EU legal system that was opened last week in Riga.

Experts state that joining the EU for Latvia will bring principal changes in Latvia's constitutional and judicial sytem. These issues were discussed in an international conference on the Latvian Constitution and the EU legal system that was opened last week in Riga. Diena

Diena runs an opinion by a politologist Ivars Indans on the importance of society integration in Latvia's development.

Yesterday, Riga District Court started the trial in the criminal case against the red partisan Vasily Kononov who is accused of killing 9 people during the WW2 in Ludza district. Otside the court building there were 2 different groups of rallyers: in support of Kononovs and people against him.

Yesterday, Riga District Court started the trial in the criminal case against the red partisan Vasily Kononov who is accused of killing 9 people during the WW2 in Ludza district. Otside the court building there were 2 different groups of rallyers: in support of Kononovs and people against him. Diena, Chas, Vesti

Vesti and Panorama Latvii run an announcement of the movement Equality asking people to come to a rally by the Saeima building on December 9 against passing the Language Law.

Panorama Latvii runs an interview with an MP and lawyer of the Latvian Human Rights Committee Yuri Sokolovsky about the situation with the old USSR passports and the approaching deadline for exchanging them for the Latvian non-citizen passports.

Latvijas Vestnesis runs the text of the interview with Andris Skele on Latvian Radio that took place Dec. 3. Answering one question Skele says that more and more non-ÄŽatvian parents send their children to Latvian schools and in general people in Latvia understand that knowing the language gives them more carrier opportunities.

Latvijas Vestnesis runs the text of the draft Language Law as prepared by the responsible Saeima's Commission for the vote on Dec. 9.

Press Report

On Saturday Peoples Party and TB/LNNK could not find a compromise on the issue of considering the Language law in the second reading. The interlocutors had a different understanding of using the language in public events and information materials. Instead of it they came to an agreement that the elementary school graduates, probably already this spring would have a mandatory history exam.

On Saturday Peoples Party and TB/LNNK could not find a compromise on the issue of considering the Language law in the second reading. The interlocutors had a different understanding of using the language in public events and information materials. Instead of it they came to an agreement that the elementary school graduates, probably already this spring would have a mandatory history exam. Neatkariga, Diena, Bizness & Baltiya

The Union Latvijas Cels had the annual party congress. The Chairman of Latvijas Cels A.Pantelejevs told the present that the Party was the only European capitalism party in Latvia and its mission was to maintain the slogan Wellbeing for everybody! During the congress he was re-elected to the Chairman’s post for one more year.

The Union Latvijas Cels had the annual party congress. The Chairman of Latvijas Cels A.Pantelejevs told the present that the Party was the only European capitalism party in Latvia and its mission was to maintain the slogan Wellbeing for everybody! During the congress he was re-elected to the Chairmans post for one more year. Neatkariga, Diena, Bizness & Baltiya

Latvian Social Democratic Workers Party holds its solemn council meeting to commemorate its 10 years anniversary. The speakers assured in their speeches that the party had become very influential, could win many seats in the next Saeima elections and form the Government.

Latvian Social Democratic Workers Party holds its solemn council meeting to commemorate its 10 years anniversary. The speakers assured in their speeches that the party had become very influential, could win many seats in the next Saeima elections and form the Government. Neatkariga

L.Fedoseyev in

L.Fedoseyev in Chas comments on this event and states that Social Democrats are for Latvian Latvia and one forth of them are ready to vote for the antidemocratic Language law.

TB/LNNK Board member A.Kimelis in Diena calls the Saeima members to stand up for the rights of Latvian language when the President has yielded to the impudent pressure of foreign experts and sent the Language law back to the Saeima for second consideration. When adopting the Language law, TB/LNNK will not move from its main goal – to ensure the leading role of the Latvian language in every sphere. Therefore the Party considers that the law should be adopted without any amendments, preserving the norms regulating language usage in all spheres.

TB/LNNK Board member A.Kimelis in Diena calls the Saeima members to stand up for the rights of Latvian language when the President has yielded to the impudent pressure of foreign experts and sent the Language law back to the Saeima for second consideration. When adopting the Language law, TB/LNNK will not move from its main goal – to ensure the leading role of the Latvian language in every sphere. Therefore the Party considers that the law should be adopted without any amendments, preserving the norms regulating language usage in all spheres. Diena

N.Locmele in

N.Locmele in Diena writes about the seminar Public integration through education and language. The conclusion of this seminar was that one of the greatest attractions and threats at the same is the wish of the basic nation to make minorities like itself therefore integration was a personal decision, and the state might only encourage it.

Former Latvian president G.Ulmanis speaking at the High Commissioner Max van der Stoel’s symposium mentioned Latvia as an example for other countries in co-operation with the OSCE commissioners.

Former Latvian president G.Ulmanis speaking at the High Commissioner Max van der Stoels symposium mentioned Latvia as an example for other countries in co-operation with the OSCE commissioners. Diena

Press Report

Press Report

After meting his Lithuanian colleague A.Saudargs during the session of the Baltic assembly, Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs I.Berzins considers that common political goals, similar history and united understanding of foreign policy have helped both countries to establish good neighbourly relations. Both ministers have discussed arranging of the common border and easing border-crossing procedures.

After meting his Lithuanian colleague A.Saudargs during the session of the Baltic assembly, Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs I.Berzins considers that common political goals, similar history and united understanding of foreign policy have helped both countries to establish good neighbourly relations. Both ministers have discussed arranging of the common border and easing border-crossing procedures. Neatkariga

Lauku Avize

published the whole package of documents starting with the Note of the Latvian Language Experts Commission, the High Commissioners answer, the response of the Experts Commission and the letter of the Chairman of the Saeima Commission on Education and Science Dz.Abikis. He thinks that the main task in this complicated situation was to preserve strict enough norms and give them an adequate wording thus allowing defending them in international institutions. Mr.Abikis thinks that the Commission has succeeded and no major deviation from the law has taken place. If the law is adopted, then the essential will be the fact what is the quality of the regulations on the implementation of the law, elaborated by the Cabinet of Ministers. Knowing the position of the Prime Minister A.Skele, Dz.Abikis hopes that the society will be satisfied with the final result. Representatives of Latvian Human Rights Committee inform about the appeals from Latvia addressed to the European Human Rights Court. About 100 appeals have been sent, 15 of them registered and several cases are being prepared for hearing. In one case, concerning illegal annulment of registration in the Residence Register, Latvia restored the registration before the court took any decision.

Representatives of Latvian Human Rights Committee inform about the appeals from Latvia addressed to the European Human Rights Court. About 100 appeals have been sent, 15 of them registered and several cases are being prepared for hearing. In one case, concerning illegal annulment of registration in the Residence Register, Latvia restored the registration before the court took any decision. Vesti Segodnya

A seminar on transfer of Russian speaking schools to the principal of bilingual education took place in Riga. The correspondent of

A seminar on transfer of Russian speaking schools to the principal of bilingual education took place in Riga. The correspondent of Vesti Segodnya V.Falkov doubts about the usefulness of this seminar stating that Latvian authorities are more interested in figures, how much money has been spent on this process, not about its quality. The process will turn the Russian language into something new when Latvian words have Russian endings. And due to the low birth rate the number of students is decreasing not only in Latvian but also in Russian speaking schools. There will be too many Latvian teachers. The jobless teachers will go to Russian schools to introduce the principle of bilingualism, thus ousting Russian teachers from these schools. Vesti Segodnya

 

Press Report

Press Report

Yesterday the Saeima adopted in the final reading the budget for the next year with planned 2% fiscal deficit from GNP.

Yesterday the Saeima adopted in the final reading the budget for the next year with planned 2% fiscal deficit from GNP. Neatkariga, Diena

The opposition factions during the voting tried to direct more funds for education, medicine, pensioners and other social needs.

The opposition factions during the voting tried to direct more funds for education, medicine, pensioners and other social needs. Panorama Latvii, Vesti Segodnya states that the budget had been adopted international interests of the rich.

The Chairman of Saeima Commission on Education and Science Dz.Abikis informed that the Commission had prepared the Language law for repeated consideration in the Saeima. Mr.Abikis thinks that the amendments, supported by the Commission, observe the demands of European institutions and defend the positions of the Latvian language.

The Chairman of Saeima Commission on Education and Science Dz.Abikis informed that the Commission had prepared the Language law for repeated consideration in the Saeima. Mr.Abikis thinks that the amendments, supported by the Commission, observe the demands of European institutions and defend the positions of the Latvian language. Neatkariga, Rigas Balss(01.12.1999)

At the same time he does not anticipate an easy adoption of the law and is not completely sure that it will be done on December 9.

At the same time he does not anticipate an easy adoption of the law and is not completely sure that it will be done on December 9. Diena, Jauna Avize, Lauku Avize

Lauku Avize

gives also the old reading of the law and the proposals of the Commission. gives also the old reading of the law and the proposals of the Commission. The Union of political organisations For Human Rights in United Latvia consider that the Government should extend the validity term of former USSR passports in Latvia because it expires on January 1, 2000. The DCMA estimate that 93 000 non-citizens will not exchange their passports. B.Cilevics from FHRIL says that in reality those people will become illegals because the law on staying of foreigners and stateless persons in Latvia will not be able to be applied to them because of lack of a valid ID.

The Union of political organisations For Human Rights in United Latvia consider that the Government should extend the validity term of former USSR passports in Latvia because it expires on January 1, 2000. The DCMA estimate that 93 000 non-citizens will not exchange their passports. B.Cilevics from FHRIL says that in reality those people will become illegals because the law on staying of foreigners and stateless persons in Latvia will not be able to be applied to them because of lack of a valid ID. Neatkariga, Panorama Latvii

Political scientist I.Indans in

Political scientist I.Indans in Diena writes about the idea to establish the Integration Fund. He describes the Estonian experience of such a fund and analyses what benefits such a fund could give to Latvia.

Professor I.Lazovskis supports the idea for preserving demands to use the Latvian language in public information and gives his reasons. One of them is that integration is determined by the practical life where dominates only one question – do I need the Latvian language?

Professor I.Lazovskis supports the idea for preserving demands to use the Latvian language in public information and gives his reasons. One of them is that integration is determined by the practical life where dominates only one question – do I need the Latvian language? Diena

On Wednesday at a solemn ceremony 70 new citizen of Latvia were presented the extracts from the Government decree on granting them Latvian citizenship thus continuing the tradition of the Naturalisation Board and Riga City Council.

On Wednesday at a solemn ceremony 70 new citizen of Latvia were presented the extracts from the Government decree on granting them Latvian citizenship thus continuing the tradition of the Naturalisation Board and Riga City Council. Diena

A.Smiltnieks from the Naturalisation Board informs about an international seminar on public integration with the help of education and language. The goal of this seminar is to analyse the problems of public integration in different EU countries.

A.Smiltnieks from the Naturalisation Board informs about an international seminar on public integration with the help of education and language. The goal of this seminar is to analyse the problems of public integration in different EU countries. Latvijas Vestnesis

Lately more and more children chose to attend schools with the Latvian language of tuition, and the number of students at Russian speaking schools has reduced considerably. These are the data of a poll organised by the Soros Fund Latvia. The results of this poll were presented to the participants of the seminar “Bilingual education: Latvian experience.”

Lately more and more children chose to attend schools with the Latvian language of tuition, and the number of students at Russian speaking schools has reduced considerably. These are the data of a poll organised by the Soros Fund Latvia. The results of this poll were presented to the participants of the seminar Bilingual education: Latvian experience. Lauku Avize

Press Report

Yesterday Head of the Citizenship and Migration Department Ints Zitars told the press that those non-citizens who will not manage to exchange their USSR citizen passports for Latvian non-citizen passports may lose their legal status and become foreigners who will have to apply for permanent residence permits. 93,000 residents have not received the new passports.

Yesterday Head of the Citizenship and Migration Department Ints Zitars told the press that those non-citizens who will not manage to exchange their USSR citizen passports for Latvian non-citizen passports may lose their legal status and become foreigners who will have to apply for permanent residence permits. 93,000 residents have not received the new passports. Diena, Russian Diena, Neatkariga, Vesti, Chas

Following the conference recently held by the University of Latvia Human Rights Institute, Naturalization Board, and the Council of Europe Nellija Locmele in

Following the conference recently held by the University of Latvia Human Rights Institute, Naturalization Board, and the Council of Europe Nellija Locmele in Diena looks at the reasons why Latvia did not sign the Convention on citizenship. Experts have said that legal differences between the Latvian Citizenship Law and the Convention are small, they say it is rather the lack of political will.

The party Latvia’s Way in November experienced the biggest drop in popularity rating in last ten months: it is – 2.5% compared to October. Social Democrats (2nd most popular after People’s Party) and Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK (3rd) saw growth.

The party Latvias Way in November experienced the biggest drop in popularity rating in last ten months: it is – 2.5% compared to October. Social Democrats (2nd most popular after Peoples Party) and Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK (3rd) saw growth. Neatkariga, Diena

Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK sent a letter to the Saeima’s Committee on Education expressing disappointment with the fact that the Committee has not prepared the table with the submitted proposals to the Language Law.

Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK sent a letter to the Saeimas Committee on Education expressing disappointment with the fact that the Committee has not prepared the table with the submitted proposals to the Language Law. Neatkariga, Jauna Avize, BB

President Freiberga does not support setting gender quotas for women participation in political representation as it is discrimination in a way.

President Freiberga does not support setting gender quotas for women participation in political representation as it is discrimination in a way. Neatkariga, Jauna Avize

After visiting Aluksne Mobile Rifle Battalion President Freiberga concluded that the State Language situation in Latvia’s Army is dramatic. She expressed hope that modern teaching methods can improve the situation.

After visiting Aluksne Mobile Rifle Battalion President Freiberga concluded that the State Language situation in Latvias Army is dramatic. She expressed hope that modern teaching methods can improve the situation. Neatkariga

BB reports that Head of the OSCE Mission to Latvia David Johnson paid a farewell visit to the Latvian Foreign Minister Indulis Berzins yesterday. The replacement is not known yet.

BB reports that Head of the OSCE Mission to Latvia David Johnson paid a farewell visit to the Latvian Foreign Minister Indulis Berzins yesterday. The replacement is not known yet.

After the survey carried out by Gallup International says that 72% of Estonians, 76% of Latvian and 65% of Lithuanian respondents believe that human rights are being partly respected in these countries.

After the survey carried out by Gallup International says that 72% of Estonians, 76% of Latvian and 65% of Lithuanian respondents believe that human rights are being partly respected in these countries. BB

Union of Citizens and Non-citizens of Latvia sent an open letter to the President Freiberga asking her to come up with an initiative to amend the law on elections to allow non-citizens to take part in local elections.

Union of Citizens and Non-citizens of Latvia sent an open letter to the President Freiberga asking her to come up with an initiative to amend the law on elections to allow non-citizens to take part in local elections. Vesti, BB