Press Review

Press Review

News No 1 in all Latvian newspapers - Prime Minister V.Kristopans fires the Minister of Economics - A.Slesers. It was announced yesterday that the Prime Minister wo ask A.Slesers to resign and the

News No 1 in all Latvian newspapers - Prime Minister V.Kristopans fires the Minister of Economics - A.Slesers. It was announced yesterday that the Prime Minister wo ask A.Slesers to resign and the New Party to nominate a new candidate for this post. The main argument for such a decision was lack of professionalism of this minister. Neatkariga, Diena, Jauna Avize,Lauku Avize , SM, Chas , Bizness & Baltiya, Panorama Latvii

On Wednesday negotiations will start between Latvian and Russian intergovernmental commission working groups on social and humanitarian issues. Experts plan to start working on agreement on co-operation in the field of social welfare. This agreement has been discussed for almost three years. The draft agreement has bee prepared, and there are hopes that they could discuss the final version of this draft. Latvia would like to discuss the agreements on labour movement and health care, but Russia plans to speak about naturalisation issues and problems of military pensioners residing in Latvia.

On Wednesday negotiations will start between Latvian and Russian intergovernmental commission working groups on social and humanitarian issues. Experts plan to start working on agreement on co-operation in the field of social welfare. This agreement has been discussed for almost three years. The draft agreement has bee prepared, and there are hopes that they could discuss the final version of this draft. Latvia would like to discuss the agreements on labour movement and health care, but Russia plans to speak about naturalisation issues and problems of military pensioners residing in Latvia. Neatkariga

The Chairman of

The Chairman of Peoples Party A.Skele officially announced that Peoples Party had started presidential election campaign and stated that their candidate V.Paegle and TB/LNNK candidate J.Priedkalns were the most appropriate for this post. Neatkariga, Diena, SM, Bizness & Baltiya

Prime Minister V.Kristopans has made up his mind to invite 4 state ministers to the government. Evidently plenary session he will offer the Saeima to confirm as the Forestry State Minister G.Kaktins from

Prime Minister V.Kristopans has made up his mind to invite 4 state ministers to the government. Evidently plenary session he will offer the Saeima to confirm as the Forestry State Minister G.Kaktins from Union of Latvian Social Democrats, as the Higher Education State Minister - T.Koke from Peoples Party, as Health Care State Minister - V.Jaksons from TB/LNNK and as the Minister of Special Portfolio - J.Bunkss from Latvijas Cels on Thursday. Neatkariga, Diena, Jauna Avize

The TB/LNNK Saeima faction A.Pozarnovs informed that the TB/LNNK faction deputies and ministers were to submit proposals for co-operation agreement with the

The TB/LNNK Saeima faction A.Pozarnovs informed that the TB/LNNK faction deputies and ministers were to submit proposals for co-operation agreement with the Union of Latvian Social Democrats within one week, as well as to evaluate the conformity of this document to the party program, coalition agreement and government declaration. Neatkariga

The leaders of government forming coalition parties consider that the latest announcements, made by

The leaders of government forming coalition parties consider that the latest announcements, made by Peoples Party leaders, about a possibility for some position deputies to join the opposition leaders, should be linked with the oppositions wish to destabilize the governing coalition. Neatkariga

Yesterday the first 14 non-citizens children born after August 21, 1991 were granted citizenship. Since the amendments to the Law on Citizenship took effect in February this year, only 98 persons have submitted a request for granting citizenship to their children.

Yesterday the first 14 non-citizens children born after August 21, 1991 were granted citizenship. Since the amendments to the Law on Citizenship took effect in February this year, only 98 persons have submitted a request for granting citizenship to their children. Neatkariga, Diena

K.Yevlogin in

K.Yevlogin in SM ponders on two modern terms - convergence and integration. Present Latvian leaders have mixed up those terms and by integration they just understand a very simple process - turning everything starting from teaching in schools to all record keeping and private communications into the Latvian language, and everybody would be loyal. He describes the situation of Russian speakers living in Latvia, they are not wanted here and they feel aliens in Russia. And the thing what is needed for many of them (even Russian speaking citizens of Latvia, is convergence, not integration. SM

The faction

The faction For Human Rights in United Latvia deputy J.Urbanovich, commenting the information spread in some mass media that this faction was ready to co-operate with Peoples Party, said that it was as shocking for them as it was for the governing coalition. But FHRUL understands that any of their attempts to join the coalition would fail, but nobody can stop them from so called selection of the government - to minimize the number of nationalist radicals there. Panorama Latvii

Press Report

Several members of the radical organisation, led by Lemonov, were detained for provocative actions during the commemoration event of May 9 at the Victory Monument.

Several members of the radical organisation, led by Lemonov, were detained for provocative actions during the commemoration event of May 9 at the Victory Monument. Neatkariga, Diena

During the four months of this year about 50 persons have exchanged their nationality in Latvia. Most of them had a very good command of the Latvian language and exchanged their Russian nationality for Latvian. This procedure lasts for one month and the state fee is 20 Ls.

During the four months of this year about 50 persons have exchanged their nationality in Latvia. Most of them had a very good command of the Latvian language and exchanged their Russian nationality for Latvian. This procedure lasts for one month and the state fee is 20 Ls. Neatkariga

Latvian truck drivers were surprised when a new so called “preserve tax” was introduced for crossing Latvian Byelorussian border in Braslava Region because this region was announced to be a protected area. Neither Byelorussian Consulate General, accredited in Daugavpils, nor Consul General V.Sisoyev had made any comments on it. The amount of tax for foreign cars is 5 USD and 10 USD for trucks.

Latvian truck drivers were surprised when a new so called preserve tax was introduced for crossing Latvian Byelorussian border in Braslava Region because this region was announced to be a protected area. Neither Byelorussian Consulate General, accredited in Daugavpils, nor Consul General V.Sisoyev had made any comments on it. The amount of tax for foreign cars is 5 USD and 10 USD for trucks. Neatkariga

The Chairman of

The Chairman of Peoples Party faction G.Berzins announced that if there would be no change of the government, their faction could increase by some five of six deputies from the government forming factions. He refused to give any names not to cause problems for them. The Chairman of New Party faction S.Dreimane thinks this to be just another trick of the opposition to attract attention. Diena

A delegation from Poland has arrived to Latvia to learn about the activities of the Naturalisation Board, experiences in solving citizenship issues and the situation of Polish minority in Latvia.

A delegation from Poland has arrived to Latvia to learn about the activities of the Naturalisation Board, experiences in solving citizenship issues and the situation of Polish minority in Latvia. Jauna Avize

OSCE High Commissioner Max van der Stoel might come to Latvia at the end of May to discuss the conformity of the draft language law to the international standards.

Jauna Avize According to the Finance Minister I.Godmanis, the most difficult times for Latvia are over, and no major crises are to be expected in the future. He was a bit more pessimistic when speaking about tax revenues.

According to the Finance Minister I.Godmanis, the most difficult times for Latvia are over, and no major crises are to be expected in the future. He was a bit more pessimistic when speaking about tax revenues. Jauna Avize

The Head of the Language Inspection M.Birznieks, commenting Prime Minister V.Kristopans’s proposals for amending the language law, said that the seven last years of Inspection’s work had been in vain. At the end of April, V.Kristopans submitted to the Saeima his version of the amendments to the language law to ease the life of private businesses. According to Mr. Birzgalis, local businessmen have not many problems with the existing law, there were only 10 statements of case on violating the language law in book keeping last year.

The Head of the Language Inspection M.Birznieks, commenting Prime Minister V.Kristopanss proposals for amending the language law, said that the seven last years of Inspections work had been in vain. At the end of April, V.Kristopans submitted to the Saeima his version of the amendments to the language law to ease the life of private businesses. According to Mr. Birzgalis, local businessmen have not many problems with the existing law, there were only 10 statements of case on violating the language law in book keeping last year. Chas

An analogous list to the Latvian Union

An analogous list to the Latvian Union For Human Rights in United Latvia was prepared for municipal election in Estonia. The only difference is that this Russian list contains names of 23 political parties. Among the top priorities of this Union is to legalise the use of the Russian language in all spheres of human activities in the regions where Russian speakers constitute at least 1/3 of the population. Chas

A discussion “The concept of public integration in Latvia - national minorities’ point of view” took place on May 4. One of the speakers, A.Gilman compared this discussion to a plan to grow oranges in Latvia - people were discussing methods how to improve the process disregarding the fact of severe winters here. Also an MP Cilevich was pessimistic about it, stating that an opinion was being cultivated here as if the existence of Russian intellectual elite endangered the statehood of the Republic of Latvia, and it was the reason for attempts to exterminate an education on the Russian language.

A discussion The concept of public integration in Latvia - national minorities point of view took place on May 4. One of the speakers, A.Gilman compared this discussion to a plan to grow oranges in Latvia - people were discussing methods how to improve the process disregarding the fact of severe winters here. Also an MP Cilevich was pessimistic about it, stating that an opinion was being cultivated here as if the existence of Russian intellectual elite endangered the statehood of the Republic of Latvia, and it was the reason for attempts to exterminate an education on the Russian language. Panorama Latvii

OSCE High Commissioner Max van der Stoel, while visiting Estonia last week, met Estonian President L.Meri who proposed to close the Mission in Estonia. According to the President, the Mission had fulfilled all its tasks. As there were no problems with human rights issues in Estonia, the resources allocated for the Mission could be used for other needs. For example - opening a conflict prevention centre.

OSCE High Commissioner Max van der Stoel, while visiting Estonia last week, met Estonian President L.Meri who proposed to close the Mission in Estonia. According to the President, the Mission had fulfilled all its tasks. As there were no problems with human rights issues in Estonia, the resources allocated for the Mission could be used for other needs. For example - opening a conflict prevention centre. Bizness & Baltiya

Press Review

Press Review

Estonian Prime Minister M.Laar, finishing his visit to Latvia, stated that there were no problems in Latvian - Estonian relations and promised that Estonia would do the utmost to help Latvia and Lithuania in their attempts to be invited for negotiations to join EU by the end of this year.

Estonian Prime Minister M.Laar, finishing his visit to Latvia, stated that there were no problems in Latvian - Estonian relations and promised that Estonia would do the utmost to help Latvia and Lithuania in their attempts to be invited for negotiations to join EU by the end of this year. Neatkariga, Diena, Chas

Latvian and Lithuanian experts worked for two days to establish precise co-ordinates of sea border between those two countries. Unfortunately, journalists did not manage to get any more information on the results due to the confidentiality of it.

Latvian and Lithuanian experts worked for two days to establish precise co-ordinates of sea border between those two countries. Unfortunately, journalists did not manage to get any more information on the results due to the confidentiality of it. Neatkariga

The government forming factions do not intend to propose a vote of non-confidence to the Minister of Economics A.Slesers. The expressions of TB/LNNK about the uncompleted tasks of the Ministry of Economics were not intended to dismiss A.Slesers from his post. The Prime Minister did not give any concrete evaluation of this minister although he had requested information about the things completed by A.Slesers.

The government forming factions do not intend to propose a vote of non-confidence to the Minister of Economics A.Slesers. The expressions of TB/LNNK about the uncompleted tasks of the Ministry of Economics were not intended to dismiss A.Slesers from his post. The Prime Minister did not give any concrete evaluation of this minister although he had requested information about the things completed by A.Slesers. Neatkariga, Diena

Minister of Foreign Affairs V.Birkavs officially submitted to the EC Secretary General D.Tarschys the protocol on Latvia’s joining the Sixth Protocol of the European Human Rights Convention on abolishing the capital penalty. The ratification protocol will take effect on June 1.

Minister of Foreign Affairs V.Birkavs officially submitted to the EC Secretary General D.Tarschys the protocol on Latvias joining the Sixth Protocol of the European Human Rights Convention on abolishing the capital penalty. The ratification protocol will take effect on June 1. Neatkariga

MFA Press Secretary T.Baumanis informed that soon Latvian residents, while being abroad, would be able to receive consular assistance in a case of need at 34 Estonian an Lithuanian foreign representatives because a mutual agreement on rendering mutual consular assistance would take effect.

MFA Press Secretary T.Baumanis informed that soon Latvian residents, while being abroad, would be able to receive consular assistance in a case of need at 34 Estonian an Lithuanian foreign representatives because a mutual agreement on rendering mutual consular assistance would take effect. Neatkariga, Jauna Avize (10.05.99)

Faction TB/LNNK has sent a letter to the Prime Minister V.Kristopans with a proposal not to amend the coalition agreement. The faction chairman A.Pozarnovs said that government forming factions could work basing on the current agreement, just the execution of individual articles of the agreement should be controlled more strictly.

Faction TB/LNNK has sent a letter to the Prime Minister V.Kristopans with a proposal not to amend the coalition agreement. The faction chairman A.Pozarnovs said that government forming factions could work basing on the current agreement, just the execution of individual articles of the agreement should be controlled more strictly. Neatkariga

Germany Minister of Foreign Affairs J.Fischer expressed a full support to Latvia on its road to EU during the talks with his Latvian counterpart in Bonn this Friday and pointed out a necessity to harmonise the state language law with the demands of the Union.

Germany Minister of Foreign Affairs J.Fischer expressed a full support to Latvia on its road to EU during the talks with his Latvian counterpart in Bonn this Friday and pointed out a necessity to harmonise the state language law with the demands of the Union. Diena

The Institute of European Integration Studies in Bonn will assist Latvian to elaborate a strategy to speed up Latvia’s joining EU.

The Institute of European Integration Studies in Bonn will assist Latvian to elaborate a strategy to speed up Latvias joining EU. Neatkariga, Diena, Jauna Avize (10.05.99)

Diena

published a large interview with the Head of the OSCE Mission to Latvia D.Johnson where he told the journalist about the current tasks of the Mission and its peception of the national public integration program. published a large interview with the Head of the OSCE Mission to Latvia D.Johnson where he told the journalist about the current tasks of the Mission and its peception of the national public integration program. Representatives of the Russian political organisation “Yabloko” have arrived to Latvia upon an invitation made by the

Representatives of the Russian political organisation Yabloko have arrived to Latvia upon an invitation made by the Peoples Harmony Party. They informed Latvian deputies that Russia did not demand anything more in the field of human rights in Latvia as it was stated in the demands of the EU. Russian National Council deputy V.Averchev said that Russia wished Russian speakers, residing in Latvia, to have a possibility to acquire citizenship while preserving their national identity. But it seemed that Latvian party wanted to get a reciprocation with the current draft language law for those concessions Latvia made by abolishing window mechanism. Rigas Balss (07.05.99)

In his interview to

In his interview to Lauku Avize the Head of the Saeima the Saeima Commission on Education, Culture and Science Dz.Abikis, speaks about the discussion results with the OSCE experts. The position of the experts was the same as the one expressed in High Commissioner Max van der Stoels letter, to regulate use of the state language as little as possible. And Mr. Abikis complained about unwillingness of the experts to understand Latvian attempts to establish an integrated society. Lauku Avize

Press Review

Press Review

The Russian Party Jabloko will vote against the draft law on the economic sanctions against Latvia, since does not support such measures, representatives of the Party V. Averchev and B. Moiseev who were on one day visit to Latvia, told journalists yesterday. Speaking about the party’s position concerning the situation of Russian countrymen residing in Latvia, both guests stated that the Jabloko opinion coincides with the assessments of the international experts.

The Russian Party Jabloko will vote against the draft law on the economic sanctions against Latvia, since does not support such measures, representatives of the Party V. Averchev and B. Moiseev who were on one day visit to Latvia, told journalists yesterday. Speaking about the partys position concerning the situation of Russian countrymen residing in Latvia, both guests stated that the Jabloko opinion coincides with the assessments of the international experts.

Yesterday at the meeting with the Saeima deputies the Russian representatives reproached Latvia for its failure to fulfil several recommendations by the international institutions concerning the national minorities and human rights issues. Mr, Averchev said that the granting to the non-citizens the rights to participate in the municipal elections would be an important step towards the social integration of Latvia, and improvement of the relations with Russia. He emphasised that all residents of Latvia should know the Latvian language, but the state should allow peoples to develop their national culture.

Yesterday at the meeting with the Saeima deputies the Russian representatives reproached Latvia for its failure to fulfil several recommendations by the international institutions concerning the national minorities and human rights issues. Mr, Averchev said that the granting to the non-citizens the rights to participate in the municipal elections would be an important step towards the social integration of Latvia, and improvement of the relations with Russia. He emphasised that all residents of Latvia should know the Latvian language, but the state should allow peoples to develop their national culture.

Neatkarigacomments that for some unclear reasons the press conference with the Russian deputies in the Saeima was conducted in the Russian language without the translations into the Latvian language. Diena, Chas, Neatkariga

In the interview for the B&B;, Mr. Averchev states that the matter of the admission of the new countries into the NATO is neither bureaucratic nor technical problem, but the evaluation of each country according to the real situation there. The report of the Council of Europe about Latvian is very critical, so is the OSCE assessment of the Law on State Language. According to Mr. Averchev, such Latvia does not associate with the system of European values. That, however, is the matter of Latvia’s internal development.

In the interview for the B&B, Mr. Averchev states that the matter of the admission of the new countries into the NATO is neither bureaucratic nor technical problem, but the evaluation of each country according to the real situation there. The report of the Council of Europe about Latvian is very critical, so is the OSCE assessment of the Law on State Language. According to Mr. Averchev, such Latvia does not associate with the system of European values. That, however, is the matter of Latvias internal development.

Mr. Averchev reminds that neither NATO nor the USA will risk the relations with Russia because of the Baltics. B&B;

Mr. Averchev reminds that neither NATO nor the USA will risk the relations with Russia because of the Baltics. B&B

Dienainforms that on 14 and 15 May in St. Petersburg the Foreign Affairs Ministers of the Baltic States, Scandinavian countries as well as Russia will meet to discuss the EU strategy in relations with Russia, the perspectives of the regional co-operation and the European security issues.

SM publishes the article about a court case against the DCMA on the issue of the distorted family name. Mr and Mrs. Rittiny sued the DCMA for having issued the passports with the Latvianized family name Ritini.

SM publishes an open letter of a non-citizen Ms. N. Palkova to the State President and the Saeima deputies in which she claims that due to the Latvian legislation her 82 years old mother who is the Russian citizen and resides in Russia, has not been issued residence permit to stay in Latvian with the relatives for more than 1 year. In March of the last year she had sent the letters to the Saeima Standing Committee on Human Rights, the OSCE Mission to Latvia and National Human Rights Office, asking to pay attention to the need to amend the appropriate laws. Unfortunately, she had not received any reply. SM

Press Review

Press Review

The provisions of the draft language law concerning the use of the language at the public events and in open announcements raised most disagreements between the Saeima deputies and the OSCE experts, the head of the Saeima Standing Committee on Education Dz. Abikis told the press. The OSCE experts support the free choice of the language used at the public events which are not organised by the state or municipal institutions. The Saeima deputies, on contrary, think that the Latvian language should be used at all public events or if a foreign language is used, the translation into the state language should be provided.

The provisions of the draft language law concerning the use of the language at the public events and in open announcements raised most disagreements between the Saeima deputies and the OSCE experts, the head of the Saeima Standing Committee on Education Dz. Abikis told the press. The OSCE experts support the free choice of the language used at the public events which are not organised by the state or municipal institutions. The Saeima deputies, on contrary, think that the Latvian language should be used at all public events or if a foreign language is used, the translation into the state language should be provided.
Concerning open announcements, advertisements and information, the OSCE experts suggest alongside the texts in the Latvian language to allow the translation into the foreign language, while some deputies believe that the public information forms the language environment and therefore it should be only in the state language. Mr. Abikis admits that the Saeima and the OSCE might no have the same opinion concerning these issues. According to Mr. Abikis, compromises are possible on other issues. For example, the phrase where there is the legitimate public interest could be included in the provisions about the knowledge and use of the Latvian language for employees. As Mr. Abikis told Neatkariga, more successful formulation of these provisions would satisfy the experts.

As the language specialist I. Druviete told

As the language specialist I. Druviete told Diena, the OSCE experts look at the draft law only from the legal aspect, but the socio-linguistic and political aspects should be also taken into account. Diena, Neatkariga

SM writes that the mission of the OSCE experts who arrived to prevent Latvia from the international scandal might turn out to be a failure, since there are doubts that the OSCE recommendations would be taken into account when adopting the draft language law. SM

The foreign investors working in Latvia believe that the adoption of the draft language law in the present version will create financial burden and administrative obstacles to foreign enterpreneurship in Latvia. It will in turn, cause the price rise or lower salaries for employees.

The foreign investors working in Latvia believe that the adoption of the draft language law in the present version will create financial burden and administrative obstacles to foreign enterpreneurship in Latvia. It will in turn, cause the price rise or lower salaries for employees. Diena

Dienain Russian publishes the interview with the Head of the OSCE Mission to Latvia David Johnson.

At the meeting of the representatives of the party For Human Rights with the Russian deputies from the party Jabloko the provisions of the draft language law, concept document of the State Integration Program, as well as the Russian-Latvian relations were discussed.

At the meeting of the representatives of the party For Human Rights with the Russian deputies from the party Jabloko the provisions of the draft language law, concept document of the State Integration Program, as well as the Russian-Latvian relations were discussed. Neatkariga

Co-chairman of the Union of the Ukrainians in Latvia V. Stroy comments the chapter on Information of the concept document of the State Integration Program and argues that it only discusses the integration of ethnic minorities and ignores the integration of other social groups. The Union of the Ukrainians in Latvia believe that this concept documents is not acceptable and offers its participation in the drafting new version.

Co-chairman of the Union of the Ukrainians in Latvia V. Stroy comments the chapter on Information of the concept document of the State Integration Program and argues that it only discusses the integration of ethnic minorities and ignores the integration of other social groups. The Union of the Ukrainians in Latvia believe that this concept documents is not acceptable and offers its participation in the drafting new version. Panorama Latvii

According to the regulations adopted by the Cabinet of Ministers non-citizen who will leave Latvia for the permanent residence in a foreign country, will receive compensation of the travel expenses and the allowance to obtain the apartment in the foreign country. The regulations will come into effect on 1 January 2001.

According to the regulations adopted by the Cabinet of Ministers non-citizen who will leave Latvia for the permanent residence in a foreign country, will receive compensation of the travel expenses and the allowance to obtain the apartment in the foreign country. The regulations will come into effect on 1 January 2001. SM

In the interview for the SM, Director of the Lithuanian Department on Emigration and National Minority Affairs R. Motuzas argues that the Lithuanian school in Latvia needs the state support the Lithuanian school in Latvia in order to survive.

In the interview for the SM, Director of the Lithuanian Department on Emigration and National Minority Affairs R. Motuzas argues that the Lithuanian school in Latvia needs the state support the Lithuanian school in Latvia in order to survive. SM

The students of the Driceni secondary school who are winners of the competition for the pupils “Towards the Civil Society” organised by the Naturalisation Board, believe that the social integration in Latvia is a long term process, and it will be more successful if by using the bilingual teaching methods schools gradually introduce the instruction only in the state language. The Head of the Naturalisation Board Eizenija Aldermane said that 20% of schools that participated in the competition were schools with the Russian as the language of instruction. She believes that if such a competition will be organised following years, more non-Latvian schools will take part in it.

The students of the Driceni secondary school who are winners of the competition for the pupils Towards the Civil Society organised by the Naturalisation Board, believe that the social integration in Latvia is a long term process, and it will be more successful if by using the bilingual teaching methods schools gradually introduce the instruction only in the state language. The Head of the Naturalisation Board Eizenija Aldermane said that 20% of schools that participated in the competition were schools with the Russian as the language of instruction. She believes that if such a competition will be organised following years, more non-Latvian schools will take part in it. Diena