Press Report

On Saturday,

On Saturday, Tevzemei un Brivibai/LNNK Council refrained from expressing their attitude towards the proposal of the New Party on the need to form a majority government and evaluate the necessity for several existing governmental posts. The Deputy Chairman of the party A.Straume expressed an opinion that the faction would decline these proposals on Monday. He pointed out that some elements on government instability were observed, and the attempts to swing the government boat to solve some privatisation issues, hiding behind political passions, could create problems. Diena, Bizness & Baltiya

Farmers Union and

Farmers Union and Social Democrats have responded to the call of the Democratic Party Saimnieks for closer co-operation of all centrist and left-centrist powers, but none of them have a clear opinion how to do it. Diena, Bizness & Baltiya

Prime Minister V.Kristopans, reporting on the government activities during the first 100 days at the conference of

Prime Minister V.Kristopans, reporting on the government activities during the first 100 days at the conference of Latvijas Cels, said that there was a need for two new state ministers. He commented his government as one of the most stable ones and expressed readiness to start consultations on expanding it. Diena

A conference

A conference Transition to a standard education system in Latvia, problems and solutions took place in Liepaja. The participants - teachers from Liepaja, Riga, Venspils and Pavilosta, came together to find out how ready Latvian minority schools are to start working according to the unified bilingual education system. The teachers were worried about the lack of qualified specialists who could work both in the Latvian and Russian languages, text books and training courses for teachers. It was the first time when the problems of psychological aspects of bilingual education and integration, preservation of ethnic identity of national minorities students were discussed. Diena

Press agency BNS conducted a public opinion poll and found out that about 40 % of the population considered V.Kristopans’s government to be unstable. They did not believe that this government could last till the end of 7th Saeima.

Press agency BNS conducted a public opinion poll and found out that about 40 % of the population considered V.Kristopanss government to be unstable. They did not believe that this government could last till the end of 7th Saeima. Jauna Avize

Press Review

Press Review

A meeting of Latvian and Lithuanian Ministers of Foreign Affairs took place in Lithuanian town Palanga. Both Ministers came to a conclusion that there were no problems in relations between those two countries - talks on see border would start already in April, and the problem of import taxes for agricultural goods had been solved. Nevertheless, the Latvian MFA is still waiting for an official document to be able to clarify whether Lithuania annuls the taxes or just reduces them.

A meeting of Latvian and Lithuanian Ministers of Foreign Affairs took place in Lithuanian town Palanga. Both Ministers came to a conclusion that there were no problems in relations between those two countries - talks on see border would start already in April, and the problem of import taxes for agricultural goods had been solved. Nevertheless, the Latvian MFA is still waiting for an official document to be able to clarify whether Lithuania annuls the taxes or just reduces them. Neatkariga

Diena adds that V.Birkavs after this meeting expressed a hope that the border dispute would be solved, but it was not guaranteed that the agreement could be signed already in this century.

Diena adds that V.Birkavs after this meeting expressed a hope that the border dispute would be solved, but it was not guaranteed that the agreement could be signed already in this century.

Russian newspaper Vremya MN considers that due to cold Russian - NATO relations Latvia could close access for Russian oil to Venspils oil terminals, and therefore it is vitally important for Russia to construct the Baltic pipeline system, bypassing the three Baltic states.

Russian newspaper Vremya MN considers that due to cold Russian - NATO relations Latvia could close access for Russian oil to Venspils oil terminals, and therefore it is vitally important for Russia to construct the Baltic pipeline system, bypassing the three Baltic states. Neatkariga

In the Russian version of

In the Russian version of Diena Ms. Baiba Rulle writes about the plan of this Baltic pipeline system in more details.

The draft law, included in the agenda of the Russian National Council, prohibits any kind of economic contacts with Latvia, and it may be adopted in the first reading in the nearest future. The title of this draft law is “On activities of the Russian Federation to prevent violations of basic rights and freedoms of Russian citizens and Russian compatriots in the Republic of Latvia”.

The draft law, included in the agenda of the Russian National Council, prohibits any kind of economic contacts with Latvia, and it may be adopted in the first reading in the nearest future. The title of this draft law is On activities of the Russian Federation to prevent violations of basic rights and freedoms of Russian citizens and Russian compatriots in the Republic of Latvia. Diena

The Deputy Chairman of the Saeima faction

The Deputy Chairman of the Saeima faction For Human Rights in United Latvia J.Urbanovics told about his meeting with the representatives of the Commission of CIS Affairs and Contacts with Russian Compatriots of the Russian National Council and their promise to inform the FHRIUL faction about all draft laws the Russian Parliament was preparing against Latvia. The reason for this urgent meeting was the draft law on economic sanctions against Latvia. The Russian officials had explained that their goal was not to harm Latvia but to make it to stop discrimination of Russian speaking population. SM (12.04.99)

Newspaper

Newspaper Chas writes about the findings of the Latvian MFA in the draft language law. The MFA has found eight contradictions to European standards - the draft law stipulates too much interference of the Latvian language in private businesses, contradictory to European recommendations to limit this interference only to the cases, concerning protection of legal interests of the society.

Bizness & Baltiya

writes about the planned meeting of Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs V.Birkavs and the Minister on European Affairs D.Benshop in the Hague and asked K.Eihenbaums, Latvian representative to the Netherlands, about a possibility for V.Birkavs to meet the OSCE High Commissioner Max van der Stoel and this official did not exclude such a possibility. This meeting would attract a lot of interest, especially taking into consideration that OSCE experts are coming soon to Latvia to evaluate the draft language law. writes about the planned meeting of Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs V.Birkavs and the Minister on European Affairs D.Benshop in the Hague and asked K.Eihenbaums, Latvian representative to the Netherlands, about a possibility for V.Birkavs to meet the OSCE High Commissioner Max van der Stoel and this official did not exclude such a possibility. This meeting would attract a lot of interest, especially taking into consideration that OSCE experts are coming soon to Latvia to evaluate the draft language law. Bizness & BaltiyaBizness & Baltiya (12.04.99) (12.04.99)  

Press Review

Press Review

It is planned that next week the coalition council will discuss the assessment of the compliance of the draft Language law with the international standards which was prepared by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Prime Minister has got acquainted with the assessment but will not comment it till its discussion at the meeting of the coalition council next week. According to unofficial information at the disposal of

It is planned that next week the coalition council will discuss the assessment of the compliance of the draft Language law with the international standards which was prepared by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Prime Minister has got acquainted with the assessment but will not comment it till its discussion at the meeting of the coalition council next week. According to unofficial information at the disposal of Diena, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has stated contradiction of several provisions of the Draft Language Law regulating the use of the language in the private sphere, with the OSCE recommendations. The Saeima Standing Committee of Education, Culture and Science informedDiena that the draft law has also been sent to the OSCE for the assessment. However, no response has been received, yet. Diena, Neatkariga, Chas

Panorama Latvii returns to the discussion about the compliance of the Cabinet of Ministers Regulations No 34 on Procedure of Receiving and Considering the Applications for the Naturalisation with the Citizenship Law. Regardless of the fact that the Head of the Naturalisation Board Eizenija Aldermane disagrees with the conclusions of the articles author, Mr. Zaletayev repeatedly argues that the Regulations does not comply with the provisions of the Law.

Panorama Latvii publishes the text of the Cabinet of Ministers Regulations No 34 on the Procedure of Receiving and Considering the Applications for the Naturalisation.

In her letter to the Latvian Prime Minister US State Secretary M. Olbright positively appraises the Prime Minister’s stand concerning the 16 March events. She also welcomes the idea of the transferring the commemoration day to another date.

In her letter to the Latvian Prime Minister US State Secretary M. Olbright positively appraises the Prime Ministers stand concerning the 16 March events. She also welcomes the idea of the transferring the commemoration day to another date. Neatkariga

The Latvian Foreign Affairs Ministry has received an official information about the appointment of Russian Minister for National Affairs Mr. Ramazan Abdulatipov to the post of the co-chairman of the Latvian-Russian intergovernmental committee. The Latvian Foreign Affairs Ministry does not possess the information when the committee could resume the work.

The Latvian Foreign Affairs Ministry has received an official information about the appointment of Russian Minister for National Affairs Mr. Ramazan Abdulatipov to the post of the co-chairman of the Latvian-Russian intergovernmental committee. The Latvian Foreign Affairs Ministry does not possess the information when the committee could resume the work. Neatkariga

Dienainforms about the joined project Open School signed by the Soros Fund Latvia, Ministry of Education and the Naturalisation Board on Wednesday. The objective of the project if to form the common values for the Latvian pupils and the pupils of national minorities by promoting the tolerance and understanding. Within the framework of the project a special attention will be paid to popularising bilingual education methods and creating teaching materials for minority schools. Diena

The Russian Ambassador in Latvia A. Udalcov was infuriated over the explosion at the Jewish monument in suburbs of Riga but acknowledged the quick reaction of the Latvian authorities to the incident. He expressed the hope that the investigation will be professional and will not be influenced by notions of ideological and political state of affairs.

The Russian Ambassador in Latvia A. Udalcov was infuriated over the explosion at the Jewish monument in suburbs of Riga but acknowledged the quick reaction of the Latvian authorities to the incident. He expressed the hope that the investigation will be professional and will not be influenced by notions of ideological and political state of affairs. Neatkariga, Jauna Avize

Today the Russian State Duma has planned to discuss the draft law on economic sanctions against Latvia. B&B; asked the initiators of the draft law - the deputy chairs of the Duma Committee on Affairs with the CIS A. Chehoev and J. Kuznetsov to comment on it. According to Mr. Chehoev, there will be no difficulties with the adoption of the law, since almost all decrees or laws concerning the protection of the interests of Russian countrymen have received the support of the majority of the Duma. Mr. Kuznetsov is convinced that if necessary, Russia will apply wide spectrum of pressure on Latvia.

Today the Russian State Duma has planned to discuss the draft law on economic sanctions against Latvia. B&B asked the initiators of the draft law - the deputy chairs of the Duma Committee on Affairs with the CIS A. Chehoev and J. Kuznetsov to comment on it. According to Mr. Chehoev, there will be no difficulties with the adoption of the law, since almost all decrees or laws concerning the protection of the interests of Russian countrymen have received the support of the majority of the Duma. Mr. Kuznetsov is convinced that if necessary, Russia will apply wide spectrum of pressure on Latvia. B&B

Commenting the activities of Mr. Urbanovich (

Commenting the activities of Mr. Urbanovich (For Human Rights) in Moscow,Diena commentator Aivars Ozolins argues that the fraction For Human Rights is transforming from a pro-Russian political force into an implementer of the Russian state policy in Latvia.

Press Review

Press Review

The State President, Prime Minister, Ministers of the Interior and Foreign Affairs denounced the act of vandalism on Wednesday night when unknown persons attempted to blow up a Jewish monument in Riga. The State Secretary of the Foreign Affairs Ministry Maris Riekstins said that the policy of the Latvian government and the state regarding the Jewish community and the Jewish minority is well-know, therefore all attempts by the vandals to undermine the image of Latvia would fail.

The State President, Prime Minister, Ministers of the Interior and Foreign Affairs denounced the act of vandalism on Wednesday night when unknown persons attempted to blow up a Jewish monument in Riga. The State Secretary of the Foreign Affairs Ministry Maris Riekstins said that the policy of the Latvian government and the state regarding the Jewish community and the Jewish minority is well-know, therefore all attempts by the vandals to undermine the image of Latvia would fail. Diena, B&B

In order to promote the social integration in the sphere of education, the Minister of Education Janis Gaigals, Director of the Soros Fund Latvia Vita Terauda and the Director of the Naturalisation Board Eizenija Aldermane signed the joined project yesterday. The objective of the project is to promote the rapprochement of the Latvian and minority schools and the elimination of the information barriers. The project will be implemented during the period of 1999 - 2003. Eight kindergartens, ten schools with other than Latvian language of instruction and ten Latvian schools will be involved in the first stage of the project implementation. Within the framework of this project it is planned to create new teaching materials, to further educate the teachers and to draft new examinations of the social sciences for primary school.

In order to promote the social integration in the sphere of education, the Minister of Education Janis Gaigals, Director of the Soros Fund Latvia Vita Terauda and the Director of the Naturalisation Board Eizenija Aldermane signed the joined project yesterday. The objective of the project is to promote the rapprochement of the Latvian and minority schools and the elimination of the information barriers. The project will be implemented during the period of 1999 - 2003. Eight kindergartens, ten schools with other than Latvian language of instruction and ten Latvian schools will be involved in the first stage of the project implementation. Within the framework of this project it is planned to create new teaching materials, to further educate the teachers and to draft new examinations of the social sciences for primary school. Jauna Avize

All ruling coalition parties support the nomination of Elmars Vebers to the post of the National Human Rights Office Director. On Monday the Social Democrats that nominated Mr. Vebers will submit to the Presidium of the Saeima the draft decree on dismissal of the present NHRO Director Olafs Bruvers.

All ruling coalition parties support the nomination of Elmars Vebers to the post of the National Human Rights Office Director. On Monday the Social Democrats that nominated Mr. Vebers will submit to the Presidium of the Saeima the draft decree on dismissal of the present NHRO Director Olafs Bruvers. Jauna Avize, Chas

During the visit in Moscow the deputy of the fraction

During the visit in Moscow the deputy of the fraction For Human Rights J. Urbanovich reached an agreement with representatives of the Russian State Duma, Moscow City Council and the Russian Foreign Affairs providing that the Russian side will inform the fraction For Human Rights about the sanctions that are prepared against Latvia and will listen to its opinion. Diena

The New Party will ask the Prime Minister to discuss the changes in the governmental coalition agreement aiming at the formation of the stable majority government. According to Silvija Dreimane, the chair of the

The New Party will ask the Prime Minister to discuss the changes in the governmental coalition agreement aiming at the formation of the stable majority government. According to Silvija Dreimane, the chair of the New Part fraction in the Saeima, the social democrats should sign the agreement with the governmental coalition. Diena

According to the sociological survey done by the Baltic Data House, the majority of the Latvian population does not support the NATO military actions against Yugoslavia. The survey showed that only 18% of the respondents support the NATO actions, 59% are against, and 23% could not give the answer.

According to the sociological survey done by the Baltic Data House, the majority of the Latvian population does not support the NATO military actions against Yugoslavia. The survey showed that only 18% of the respondents support the NATO actions, 59% are against, and 23% could not give the answer. Diena

Diena in Russian publishes a readers letter in which he describes the law on integration as the usual bluff to confuse the West and to ensure the privileges for the local activists.

According to MP M. Mitrofanov (For Human Rights), the Education Law dictates the strategy of survival for the Russian education. One of its directions is towards the Latvian state. Mr. Mitrofanov argues that the conscious mastering of the Latvian language will give the opportunity with the help of the language to protect the rights of the Russians. The other way is to put pressure upon the executive power by protesting against the education policy. Mr. Mitrofanov believes that when Latvians start seeing Russian as fellow-citizens, the psychological grounds for the discrimination will disappear.

According to MP M. Mitrofanov (For Human Rights), the Education Law dictates the strategy of survival for the Russian education. One of its directions is towards the Latvian state. Mr. Mitrofanov argues that the conscious mastering of the Latvian language will give the opportunity with the help of the language to protect the rights of the Russians. The other way is to put pressure upon the executive power by protesting against the education policy. Mr. Mitrofanov believes that when Latvians start seeing Russian as fellow-citizens, the psychological grounds for the discrimination will disappear. Panorama Latvii

Press Review

Press Review

The representative of the People’s Harmony Party Janis Urbanovich went to Moscow to try to convince the Russian Duma not to impose the economic sanctions onto Latvia, 

The representative of the Peoples Harmony Party Janis Urbanovich went to Moscow to try to convince the Russian Duma not to impose the economic sanctions onto Latvia,Diena informs.

The Daugavpils division of the Russian Community in Latvia started to collect the signatures against the Draft Language Law adopted in the second reading. In the official letter to the State President and the Saeima the Russian Community calls for the granting of the official status to the Russian language and the state financed education in the Russian language.

The Daugavpils division of the Russian Community in Latvia started to collect the signatures against the Draft Language Law adopted in the second reading. In the official letter to the State President and the Saeima the Russian Community calls for the granting of the official status to the Russian language and the state financed education in the Russian language. Diena

In order to ensure the effective work of the Naturalisation Board, the government decided to allocate additional 25, 000 Lats that is a half of the amount requested by the Naturalisation Board.

In order to ensure the effective work of the Naturalisation Board, the government decided to allocate additional 25, 000 Lats that is a half of the amount requested by the Naturalisation Board. Neatkariga

According to the MP’s of the fraction

According to the MPs of the fraction For Human Rights, the provisions of the existing Draft State Language Law once adopted in the final reading, will lead to the discrimination on the basis of language. MP J. Pliner (For Human Rights) states that all attempts by the fraction to amend the draft language law in correspondence with the OSCE recommendations are in vain, since it represent the minority. Panorama Latvii

Yesterday during the interview for the Latvian Radio the Minister of Foreign Affairs Valdis Birkavs said that it is clear that the Russian anti-democratic forces look for any reason to force the Baltic States to give up their strategical goals of the foreign policy, namely the participation in the NATO and the EU.

Yesterday during the interview for the Latvian Radio the Minister of Foreign Affairs Valdis Birkavs said that it is clear that the Russian anti-democratic forces look for any reason to force the Baltic States to give up their strategical goals of the foreign policy, namely the participation in the NATO and the EU. Chas

The Saeima deputies doubt that Russia might decide to use the military forces against the Baltic States due to the Yugoslavian precedent. Such an opinion was expressed when commenting the statement by the representative of the Russian Duma V. Lukin that by supporting the NATO military action against Yugoslavia, Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia give to the Russian communists an indirect justification to possible military actions against the Baltic States.

The Saeima deputies doubt that Russia might decide to use the military forces against the Baltic States due to the Yugoslavian precedent. Such an opinion was expressed when commenting the statement by the representative of the Russian Duma V. Lukin that by supporting the NATO military action against Yugoslavia, Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia give to the Russian communists an indirect justification to possible military actions against the Baltic States. Diena in Russian