Press Report

According to a source in the Russian Ministry of Defense, the construction of a radar station in Baranovichi, Byelorussia, has slowed down. The Ministry cannot cover the costs of electronic equipment to be installed at the facility. The Duma Defense Committee is likely to study the problem and may raise the issue of extending the term of operation of the Skrunda radar. A source, referred to by

According to a source in the Russian Ministry of Defense, the construction of a radar station in Baranovichi, Byelorussia, has slowed down. The Ministry cannot cover the costs of electronic equipment to be installed at the facility. The Duma Defense Committee is likely to study the problem and may raise the issue of extending the term of operation of the Skrunda radar. A source, referred to by "DIENA", says that there are no indications of Russia planning to insist on extending the term. The issue is not included in the agenda of talks between Russia and Latvia.

The

The LNNK and the Farmers' Union/the Union of Christian Democrats will agree on the candidate for Minister of Defense next week. According to the agreement between the governing factions, the Minister should represent either the LNNK or the Farmers' Union/the Christian Democratic faction. Diena

Last Monday President Ulmanis spoke in favor of universal direct presidential elections. He made the statement at the Farmers' Union Conference. The Farmers' Union supported the universal presidential elections during the drafting of the

Last Monday President Ulmanis spoke in favor of universal direct presidential elections. He made the statement at the Farmers' Union Conference. The Farmers' Union supported the universal presidential elections during the drafting of the Satversme. The concept is opposed by major governing factions. Diena

The OSCE decided to prolong the stay of its mission in Estonia. Although the activities of the OSCE Mission in the country do not meet open objections of the Estonian Government, the country's Minister of Foreign Affairs said that the presence of OSCE representatives made the West doubt Estonia's stability.

The OSCE decided to prolong the stay of its mission in Estonia. Although the activities of the OSCE Mission in the country do not meet open objections of the Estonian Government, the country's Minister of Foreign Affairs said that the presence of OSCE representatives made the West doubt Estonia's stability. B&B

The Trade Union of Water Transport Workers addressed President Yeltsin with a letter asking to restore special tariffs on railway transit through Latvia that were canceled last year. The letter points out that economic measures directed at protecting the rights of Russian-speakers will only damage their interests. The European Union Transport Committee plans to exclude Latvia from the list of "transit corridors" to Russia in June. The decision, if taken, would seriously damage the economic situation of Latvian ports.

The Trade Union of Water Transport Workers addressed President Yeltsin with a letter asking to restore special tariffs on railway transit through Latvia that were canceled last year. The letter points out that economic measures directed at protecting the rights of Russian-speakers will only damage their interests. The European Union Transport Committee plans to exclude Latvia from the list of "transit corridors" to Russia in June. The decision, if taken, would seriously damage the economic situation of Latvian ports. SM

Press Report

Press Report

The

The LNNK has three candidates for the post of Minister of Defense while the "Farmers' Union"/the Christian Democrats are expected to nominate their own candidates. The only candidate mentioned by the LNNK is Einars Cilinskis. LNNK Chairman Juris Dobelis did not name the other two candidates and said that he would not be nominated for the office. Mr. Dobelis told "DIENA" that Minister for the Affairs of the European Union Aleksandrs Kirsteins could be dismissed since he was expelled from the LNNK last Saturday. According to Prime-Minister's Advisor Juris Liepnieks, Mr. Kirsteins can retain his office while remaining an LNNK faction member. Diena

According to a source in the US Department of State, Russia will not manage to launch a new radar station in Baranovichi, Byelorussia, before August 31, 1998, i.e., before the final date of the operation of the Skrunda radar. The radar station in Byelorussia is built to take over the functions of the Skrunda radar. A US State Department Official referred to by

According to a source in the US Department of State, Russia will not manage to launch a new radar station in Baranovichi, Byelorussia, before August 31, 1998, i.e., before the final date of the operation of the Skrunda radar. The radar station in Byelorussia is built to take over the functions of the Skrunda radar. A US State Department Official referred to by "DIENA" said that the Skrunda radar currently in operation was of no strategic importance to Russia. Still, the official believes that Russia could require an extension of its operation term due to political reasons. Diena

Head of the CID Passport Division Dzintra Peneze told

Head of the CID Passport Division Dzintra Peneze told "NEATKARIGA" that 2050 new alien passports had been issued to residents of Latvia. The highest demand for the new documents was observed in Daugavpils (450) and the Vidzeme District of Riga (376). Only 60% of applicants having the right to receive new alien passports have used it. Neatkariga

Russian Ambassador Aleksander Udaltsov in an interview for

Russian Ambassador Aleksander Udaltsov in an interview for "SM" said that the Embassy "was closely involved" in resolving Natalya Parfenova's case. He confirmed that Parfenova agreed to leave for Russia being aware of her "vulnerable situation". Formally, she was still a Russian serviceman's spouse, her marriage not being dissolved. The Ambassador said that the Russian side had managed to reach "mutual understanding" with CID Director Zitars. Natalya Parfenova was issued with a Russian travel passport, and a ban on her entering Latvia within next five years was annulled. Mr. Udaltsov stressed that the Embassy would monitor further developments in Parfenova's case. SM

Chairman of the Constitutional Court Aivars Endzins expressed hope that a chapter on human rights would be introduced into the Satversme. Currently, the only right guaranteed by the

Chairman of the Constitutional Court Aivars Endzins expressed hope that a chapter on human rights would be introduced into the Satversme. Currently, the only right guaranteed by the Satversme is the right to vote and be elected. SM

Press Report

Press Report

Head of the Naturalization Board Eizenija Aldermane believes that potential applicants for naturalization often exaggerate the complexity of the naturalization history test. Young people offered standard test questions managed to give a required minimum of correct answers. Mrs. Aldermane interviewed young non-citizens during a youth seminar. Most of them said that their skeptical attitude toward naturalization was to a great extend influenced by their parents most of whom could apply for naturalization only after up to four years. Non-citizens questioned by the Naturalization Board named several reasons for not applying for naturalization. Among those is a bad command of the Latvian language, poor knowledge of the Latvian history, a high naturalization fee and a possibility to travel to Russia without entrance visas with former USSR passports. Mrs. Aldermane believes that political parties should develop a definite viewpoint on the issue of citizenship.

Head of the Naturalization Board Eizenija Aldermane believes that potential applicants for naturalization often exaggerate the complexity of the naturalization history test. Young people offered standard test questions managed to give a required minimum of correct answers. Mrs. Aldermane interviewed young non-citizens during a youth seminar. Most of them said that their skeptical attitude toward naturalization was to a great extend influenced by their parents most of whom could apply for naturalization only after up to four years. Non-citizens questioned by the Naturalization Board named several reasons for not applying for naturalization. Among those is a bad command of the Latvian language, poor knowledge of the Latvian history, a high naturalization fee and a possibility to travel to Russia without entrance visas with former USSR passports. Mrs. Aldermane believes that political parties should develop a definite viewpoint on the issue of citizenship. Diena

The

The LNNK Party Council expelled Juris Karlsons, Janis Rupkus, Mirdza Vitola, Maris Purgailis and Aleksandrs Kirsteins from the party. Mr. Kirsteins will retain his office of LNNK/the Latvian Green Party faction Chairman. Among the reasons for Kirsteins' expulsion is his opposition to several decisions of the Party Council including his objections to a referendum by "Tevzemei un Brivibai" on the Citizenship Law. Former Riga Mayor Purgailis was accused by the Council of failing to implement the policy of the party while holding Mayor's office. Diena, Neatkariga

Minister of Defense Andrejs Krastins (

Minister of Defense Andrejs Krastins (LNNK) resigned upon Prime-Minister Skele's demand. His duties will be performed by minister of Justice Dzintars Rasnacs. The contract with "Man-Tess" company on the purchase of fuel for the Navy that was the reason for the Minister's resignation is canceled. According to the agreement between the governing factions, candidate for Minister of Defense should be nominated by the LNNK/the Greens. One of the possible candidates is Juris Dobelis. Diena

Head of the CID Passport Office Vaira Sprince told

Head of the CID Passport Office Vaira Sprince told "SM" that two thousand non-citizens have received new alien passports. The new passports have been officially recognized by twenty-two countries. Mrs. Sprince hopes that Russia will recognize the new passports later this year. Currently, Latvian non-citizens can enter Russia with either former USSR passports or "brown" non-citizens' passports.SM

Press-Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Andrejs Pildegovics told

Press-Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Andrejs Pildegovics told BNS that the Ministry believed the criticism expressed by the Russian Parliamentary Delegation to be groundless. Delegation members accused Latvia of ignoring the OSCE High Commissioner's recommendations on non-citizens. Mr. Pildegovics said that Latvia had received fifteen recommendations. Nine of those were fully implemented while three were implemented partly. Latvia did not accept recommendations on canceling "the nationality column" in passports, on abolishing "the window mechanism" and on simplifying naturalization tests in the Latvian language for elderly applicants. Mr. Pildegovics explained that the agreement between the governing factions did not allow to amend the Citizenship Law making the implementation of recommendations on "the window mechanism" and the language tests impossible. SM

Press Report

The Procurator General is studying the documents on Minister of Defense Krastins's activities. Last Wednesday Mr. Krastins and Prime-Minister Skele met to discuss the documents that might be used as evidence against Mr. Krastins. The Minister of Defense said that although he would have to resign upon the Prime-Minister's demand, he believed that accusation of being corrupt should come first. Mr. Krastins does not exclude that the Prime-Minister was deliberately misinformed on the issue. He refused to comment on the possibility of connections between the scandal and the upcoming merging of the LNNK and "Tevzemei un Brivibai."

The Procurator General is studying the documents on Minister of Defense Krastins's activities. Last Wednesday Mr. Krastins and Prime-Minister Skele met to discuss the documents that might be used as evidence against Mr. Krastins. The Minister of Defense said that although he would have to resign upon the Prime-Minister's demand, he believed that accusation of being corrupt should come first. Mr. Krastins does not exclude that the Prime-Minister was deliberately misinformed on the issue. He refused to comment on the possibility of connections between the scandal and the upcoming merging of the LNNK and "Tevzemei un Brivibai." Diena

Yesterday the Saeima introduced amendments to the Land law allowing non-citizens to own land in urban areas and adopted the first reading of the Law on Refugees.

Yesterday the Saeima introduced amendments to the Land law allowing non-citizens to own land in urban areas and adopted the first reading of the Law on Refugees. SM

Latvia has become a unique country, its residents using six different identification documents. The main document is a citizen's passport (1). Another commonly used document is a former USSR internal passport (2) held by approximately one third of Latvia's residents. In September 1995 the Ministry of the Interior ran out of its stock of former USSR travel passports (3). Still, those documents are used by some residents of Latvia. The Government tried to resolve the problem by issuing non-citizens "brown" passports (4). Still, those were not recognized by several European countries. In 1996 the Cabinet of Ministers approved new aliens' passports (5) now available to Latvia's non-citizens. Along with the aforementioned documents, Russian citizens residing in Latvia on the basis of residence permits hold Russian passports (6). Although Russia has not recognized new aliens' passports yet, Head of the Naturalization Board Eizenija Aldermane sees no connection between the passport problem and the slow speed of the naturalization process. 124 thousand Latvia's residents currently have the right to apply for citizenship while only 10% used the right.

Latvia has become a unique country, its residents using six different identification documents. The main document is a citizen's passport (1). Another commonly used document is a former USSR internal passport (2) held by approximately one third of Latvia's residents. In September 1995 the Ministry of the Interior ran out of its stock of former USSR travel passports (3). Still, those documents are used by some residents of Latvia. The Government tried to resolve the problem by issuing non-citizens "brown" passports (4). Still, those were not recognized by several European countries. In 1996 the Cabinet of Ministers approved new aliens' passports (5) now available to Latvia's non-citizens. Along with the aforementioned documents, Russian citizens residing in Latvia on the basis of residence permits hold Russian passports (6). Although Russia has not recognized new aliens' passports yet, Head of the Naturalization Board Eizenija Aldermane sees no connection between the passport problem and the slow speed of the naturalization process. 124 thousand Latvia's residents currently have the right to apply for citizenship while only 10% used the right. Diena

Yesterday the Russian Parliamentary Delegation visited the Human Rights' Office. Acting Head of the Office Kaija Gertnere told Delegation members that the Office supported amending the Citizenship Law to allow individuals born on the territory of Latvia to receive citizenship. She also told the Delegation about non-compliance of certain provisions of the draft Language Law with international agreements signed by Latvia. The Acting Head of the Human Rights Office believes that the State would only benefit from increasing the number of its loyal citizens. She put Saeima members in a rather awkward situation by naming 34 differences between the rights of citizens and non-citizens while deputies insisted there were only nine differences. Russian Parliament members stressed that Latvian politicians should not see the State Duma as a direct descendant of the Soviet political system. Russia is a newly established independent state that would not take any responsibility for the policy of the former USSR, says one of the Delegation members.

Yesterday the Russian Parliamentary Delegation visited the Human Rights' Office. Acting Head of the Office Kaija Gertnere told Delegation members that the Office supported amending the Citizenship Law to allow individuals born on the territory of Latvia to receive citizenship. She also told the Delegation about non-compliance of certain provisions of the draft Language Law with international agreements signed by Latvia. The Acting Head of the Human Rights Office believes that the State would only benefit from increasing the number of its loyal citizens. She put Saeima members in a rather awkward situation by naming 34 differences between the rights of citizens and non-citizens while deputies insisted there were only nine differences. Russian Parliament members stressed that Latvian politicians should not see the State Duma as a direct descendant of the Soviet political system. Russia is a newly established independent state that would not take any responsibility for the policy of the former USSR, says one of the Delegation members. SM

Human rights activist Vladimir Bogdanov claims Natalya Parfenova's deportation to Russia to be illegal. N.Parfenova did not enter Latvia illegally, she has been residing in the country since the seventies, and she has no place of residence or any other connections with Russia. Mr. Bogdanov believes that Parfenova was forced to agree to leave Latvia by being kept in custody in inhuman conditions. Persons detained for violating immigration laws are badly fed, cannot use a shower and are often not allowed to contact their lawyers (Natalya Parfenova was not allowed even to appeal the expulsion order as provided for by the Law). According to Mr. Bogdanov, one of the individuals kept in custody by the Immigration Police has contracted TB.

Human rights activist Vladimir Bogdanov claims Natalya Parfenova's deportation to Russia to be illegal. N.Parfenova did not enter Latvia illegally, she has been residing in the country since the seventies, and she has no place of residence or any other connections with Russia. Mr. Bogdanov believes that Parfenova was forced to agree to leave Latvia by being kept in custody in inhuman conditions. Persons detained for violating immigration laws are badly fed, cannot use a shower and are often not allowed to contact their lawyers (Natalya Parfenova was not allowed even to appeal the expulsion order as provided for by the Law). According to Mr. Bogdanov, one of the individuals kept in custody by the Immigration Police has contracted TB. SM

Press Report

Press Report

Yesterday Prime-Minister Skele accused Minister of Defense Krastins of ignoring the interests of the state and demanded his dismissal. Mr. Skele told the press that the Ministry of Defense had concluded contracts for the purchase of fuel that allowed to suspect its officials in being either unprofessional or corrupt. The Prime-Minister also demanded the dismissal of the State Secretary of the Ministry of Defense Einars Vaivods. President Ulmanis admitted that certain problems existed in the Ministry of Defense. The State Secretary of the Ministry of Defense told BNS that the Ministry had not violated any regulations and concluded a contract for fuel shipments on the basis of an open tender. In case of Krastins' resignation his post is to be taken by either a "Farmers' Union"/ "Union of Christian Democrats" or a

Yesterday Prime-Minister Skele accused Minister of Defense Krastins of ignoring the interests of the state and demanded his dismissal. Mr. Skele told the press that the Ministry of Defense had concluded contracts for the purchase of fuel that allowed to suspect its officials in being either unprofessional or corrupt. The Prime-Minister also demanded the dismissal of the State Secretary of the Ministry of Defense Einars Vaivods. President Ulmanis admitted that certain problems existed in the Ministry of Defense. The State Secretary of the Ministry of Defense told BNS that the Ministry had not violated any regulations and concluded a contract for fuel shipments on the basis of an open tender. In case of Krastins' resignation his post is to be taken by either a "Farmers' Union"/ "Union of Christian Democrats" or a LNNK member. The rumor is that the post may be taken by Mr. Juris Dobelis, a current LNNK Chairman. Mr. Krastins is known to say that he would not join the party established after merging of LNNK with "Tevzemei un Brivibai" (he even called it "a national-socialist party"). Staying outside the new party would require his resignation. "Biznes i Baltiya" believes that the scandal could be provoked as a "preventive step" by the Minister's political opponents within LNNK and "TB" with an aim to ruin his reputation. Diena, Neatkariga

According to Head of the Russian Parliamentary Delegation Mikhail Vakulenko, the Russian State

According to Head of the Russian Parliamentary Delegation Mikhail Vakulenko, the Russian State Duma would not ratify any agreements with Latvia if the country did not follow international recommendations on human rights issues. He stressed that the State Duma would not ratify any agreement with Latvia even if the executive power signs it. Mr. Vakulenko said that the visit had not changed the opinion of Delegation members on the situation in Latvia. Yesterday Delegation members had a meeting with the "Equal Rights" faction. Its members agreed that the rights of non-citizens were violated in Latvia. Diena

Natalya Parfenova will leave Latvia this Sunday. Expenses connected with her travel to Moscow are covered by the Russian Embassy. Head of the Russian Consular Office Rylov agreed with the CID that a stamp in Parfenova's passport banning her from entering Latvia within the next five years will be annulled. The Russian Embassy will issue a travel passport to Parfenova allowing her to enter Latvia.

Natalya Parfenova will leave Latvia this Sunday. Expenses connected with her travel to Moscow are covered by the Russian Embassy. Head of the Russian Consular Office Rylov agreed with the CID that a stamp in Parfenova's passport banning her from entering Latvia within the next five years will be annulled. The Russian Embassy will issue a travel passport to Parfenova allowing her to enter Latvia. SM, Panorama Latvii