Press Review

Press Review

Russian President B.Yeltsin in his speech in the Federal Assembly of Russia announced yesterday that one of priorities of Russia’s foreign policy would be defence of Russian speakers living abroad. He said that the question of discrimination of Russian speaking population in Latvia and Estonia were still on the agenda and Russia would insist demanding these countries to change their approach towards human rights.

Russian President B.Yeltsin in his speech in the Federal Assembly of Russia announced yesterday that one of priorities of Russias foreign policy would be defence of Russian speakers living abroad. He said that the question of discrimination of Russian speaking population in Latvia and Estonia were still on the agenda and Russia would insist demanding these countries to change their approach towards human rights. Neatkariga, Diena

Russian TV days in Latvia started yesterday by a press conference with participation of the heads of major Russian TV channels. Russian journalists told the audience that they would make reports on social, cultural and political life in Latvia, but no warranties were given that this information would by unbiased.

Russian TV days in Latvia started yesterday by a press conference with participation of the heads of major Russian TV channels. Russian journalists told the audience that they would make reports on social, cultural and political life in Latvia, but no warranties were given that this information would by unbiased. Neatkariga, Diena, Jauna Avize, Chas , SM, Panorama Latvii, Bizness & Baltiya

E.Goncharov from the Russian Society in Latvia writes about the concept of national program for public integration. He does not claim to represent the opinion of al Russian speaking population but he knows the opinion of all major Russian speaking public organisations. Mr.Goncharov states that it is high time for people of all nationalities to learn to understand each other, otherwise it could lead to a situation as it was and is in Karabach, Abchasia and Kosovo. And such an integration program was needed already in 1991 - 1993.

Diena (Russian version)

Minister of Foreign Affairs V.Birkavs told a German newspaper that Latvia would like to improve the relations with Russia, and the grounds for it could be a common document on the period of Soviet occupation in Latvia. The Minister confirmed that joining NATO and EU would be the main priority of Latvia, but at the same time it would try to renew it political dialogue with Russia. Latvia is ready to discuss all Latvian - Russian problems. Diena (Russian version)

Panorama Latvii writes about the results of the telephone opinion poll, organised by this newspaper. People see the situation as follow: after hundreds of thousands of them have been deprived of their citizenship, now the authorities try to ban their language, and it could lead to escalation of tension. The current policy of the government is assimilation, not integration. Therefore the newspaper proposes to organise Days of our memory (commemoration).

Last year Russia annulled eased railroad cargo tariffs, and it made transporting of goods through Latvian ports unprofitable. One of the last Latvian attempts to solve the situation was during the visit of Russian Minister of Communications N.Akseyenko. After this visit the Latvian Minister of Communications A.Gorbunovs announced that the parties had come to an agreement on tariffs policy, and it a was planned that tariffs would be changed within several months. But no changes have been made yet, and Latvian authorities have received no information on any changes planned for April. It seems that the big brother will not change its policy, at least for the time until political problems, existing between these two countries, are not solved. Bizness & Baltiya

Press Review

Press Review

Prime Minister V.Kristopans does not consider that it would be necessary to amend the coalition agreement because in the existing document covers the most important government coalition forming regulations sufficiently. This was an answer to the announcement made by the

Prime Minister V.Kristopans does not consider that it would be necessary to amend the coalition agreement because in the existing document covers the most important government coalition forming regulations sufficiently. This was an answer to the announcement made by the New Party that they were going to make proposals how to improve the coalition agreement. Neatkariga

Prime Minister V.Kristopans has decided to organise just press briefings instead of press conferences as it has been so far. Prime Minister’s Press Secretary L.Krapane explained this decision with radical changes in the relations with mass media. All questions have to be submitted in a written form and so will be the answers.

Prime Minister V.Kristopans has decided to organise just press briefings instead of press conferences as it has been so far. Prime Ministers Press Secretary L.Krapane explained this decision with radical changes in the relations with mass media. All questions have to be submitted in a written form and so will be the answers. Neatkariga, Diena Jauna Avize, Chas, Panorama Latvii, Bizness & Baltiya

Panorama Latvii continues its series of articles on the naturalisation process. This time these are answers to the questins of the Latvian history test.

Panorama Latvii continues its series of articles on the naturalisation process. This time these are answers to the questins of the Latvian history test.

On March 10, a group of government representatives, scientists and experts presented for public discussion the concept of the draft “Public integration in Latvia”, announcing that this document was available at local Naturalisation Board offices, municipalities, libraries, etc. Regional correspondents of the newspaper

On March 10, a group of government representatives, scientists and experts presented for public discussion the concept of the draft Public integration in Latvia, announcing that this document was available at local Naturalisation Board offices, municipalities, libraries, etc. Regional correspondents of the newspaper Lauku Avize questioned the self-government representatives in Gulbene Region but none of them had received this document at that time.

At the same time they (

At the same time they ( Lauku Avize) asked local farmers if they had heard about such a draft and what they thought about it. None of the farmers had heard anything about this document, but the opinion on integration differed - one of the farmers said it was up to the politicians to set the things straight because they were guilty of this mess in Latvia, another did not think that people would need this Riga made document in the countryside, the third one had a different opinion on Russian speakers in Latvia - the part which came to work here had nothing against Latvia and they could integrate, but former militaries and their family members would always be hostile towards the independent Latvia, and the Saeima should adopt a law allowing to evict the most active hatred kindlers from the country. Lauku Avize

Press Review

Press Review

The DCMA has summarised the results of its last years activities and come to a conclusion that no major changes had taken place in the processes, only more and more people change their nationality or give up their Latvian citizenship. Last year the DCMA rendered 113 572 services related to issuing visas, issued 7634 PRPs, most of them to foreign citizens permanently residing in Latvia, issued 145 273 Latvian citizen passports and supplied with non-citizen passports about 55.5% of non-citizen population of Latvia. Last year 689 persons changed their nationality (in 1997 - 452). A rather large number of Latvian citizens expressed a wish to give up their citizenship the DCMA received 529 such applications, most of these people planned to leave for living abroad or had already been living outside Latvia or had received citizenship of some other state.

The DCMA has summarised the results of its last years activities and come to a conclusion that no major changes had taken place in the processes, only more and more people change their nationality or give up their Latvian citizenship. Last year the DCMA rendered 113 572 services related to issuing visas, issued 7634 PRPs, most of them to foreign citizens permanently residing in Latvia, issued 145 273 Latvian citizen passports and supplied with non-citizen passports about 55.5% of non-citizen population of Latvia. Last year 689 persons changed their nationality (in 1997 - 452). A rather large number of Latvian citizens expressed a wish to give up their citizenship the DCMA received 529 such applications, most of these people planned to leave for living abroad or had already been living outside Latvia or had received citizenship of some other state. Neatkariga

Russian Ambassador to Latvia condemns the Saeima decision to support NATO bombing of Yugoslavia. He assured that this position would not help to improve bilateral relations with Russia. The Ambassador also explained Russian position.

Russian Ambassador to Latvia condemns the Saeima decision to support NATO bombing of Yugoslavia. He assured that this position would not help to improve bilateral relations with Russia. The Ambassador also explained Russian position. Diena (Russian version)

The newspaper

The newspaper Panorama Latvii states that after adoption in the second reading the draft language law, it is evident that the Russian language is under threat to be ousted from the public life and organises a telephone opinion poll, asking people to call and express their opinion on this problem from 12 to 1 p.m. on Sunday. Panorama Latvii

March 29, 1999

March 29, 1999

This week the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will submit to the government a report on the procedure of harmonising the national legislation with EU normative acts. As the Press Secretary T.Baumanis informed that harmonising had been proceeding successfully, although the EU experts conclusion was that Latvia still had many things to complete but was on the right track.

This week the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will submit to the government a report on the procedure of harmonising the national legislation with EU normative acts. As the Press Secretary T.Baumanis informed that harmonising had been proceeding successfully, although the EU experts conclusion was that Latvia still had many things to complete but was on the right track. Neatkariga

Byelorussian Vice- Prime minister V.Koziks is arriving to on a tree day to Latvia. He plans to meet Latvian Prime Minister V.Kristopans, Minister of Foreign Affairs V.Birkavs and Minister of Communications A.Gorbunovs.

Byelorussian Vice- Prime minister V.Koziks is arriving to on a tree day to Latvia. He plans to meet Latvian Prime Minister V.Kristopans, Minister of Foreign Affairs V.Birkavs and Minister of Communications A.Gorbunovs. Neatkariga

Vladimir Buzayev, co-chairman of Latvian Human Rights Committee contemplates about the naturalisation process in Latvia. He starts with describing a meeting of the Co-ordination Council of Public Organisation where the Russian speaking public organisations discussed a document, proposed by the Russian Public Council on the possible system, to fight discrimination of non-citizens. Then he turns to the differences between citizens and non-citizens - naming such profession bans as being heads of enterprises having a license to provide security services. The same ban refers to alcohol and drug addicts, members of terrorist organisations, criminal groups, as well as persons not knowing the state language on the highest level.

SM

The member of the Saeima faction For Human Rights in United Latvia Janis Urbanovics, commenting the findings of the Commission on Fighting Racism and Intolerance of the European Council that there were cases of aggressive nationalism, racism and anti-Semitism in Latvia, says that nothing else could be expected. The facts - blasts at the synagogue, publishing of Mein Kampf, etc. The MP, answering to the question on the possible consequences, states that such a conclusion could lead to serious trouble for Latvia up to imposing sanctions and postponing Latvias joining EU and NATO. Panorama Latvii

Press Review

Press Review

Yesterday at the German, American and French Embassies in Riga some 20 persons were picketing against the NATO military actions in Yugoslavia. The Russian Ambassador in Latvia A. Udalcov told the BNS that the Latvia’s support of the NATO aggression toward Yugoslavia will not facilitate the understanding and co-operation in the Latvian-Russian relations. Yesterday at the press briefing the Consul of the Russian Embassy in Latvia M. Demurin said that the NATO has violated the basic principles of its own Constitution adopted in 1949. Speaking about the Latvia’s support to the NATO actions, Mr. Demurin said that taking into consideration Latvia’s history, it should have had different opinion concerning the attack of the military organisation on a sovereign country.

Yesterday at the German, American and French Embassies in Riga some 20 persons were picketing against the NATO military actions in Yugoslavia. The Russian Ambassador in Latvia A. Udalcov told the BNS that the Latvias support of the NATO aggression toward Yugoslavia will not facilitate the understanding and co-operation in the Latvian-Russian relations. Yesterday at the press briefing the Consul of the Russian Embassy in Latvia M. Demurin said that the NATO has violated the basic principles of its own Constitution adopted in 1949. Speaking about the Latvias support to the NATO actions, Mr. Demurin said that taking into consideration Latvias history, it should have had different opinion concerning the attack of the military organisation on a sovereign country. Diena, B&B, SM

SM publishes the statement by the Movement for Equality concerning the NATO aggression toward Yugoslavia in which it is said that the unauthorised by the UN bombing of Serbia can be qualified as a step towards the initiating the war.

SM publishes the statement by the Movement for Equality concerning the NATO aggression toward Yugoslavia in which it is said that the unauthorised by the UN bombing of Serbia can be qualified as a step towards the initiating the war. SM

The Russian Society in Latvia begins the registering of the volunteers who are ready “to help the Yugoslav people in the struggle against the NATO aggression.” B&B;

The Russian Society in Latvia begins the registering of the volunteers who are ready to help the Yugoslav people in the struggle against the NATO aggression. B&B

Panorama Latvii publishes the text of the Cabinet of Ministers Regulations on the Procedure of Receiving and Consideration the Applications for the Naturalisation.

Press Review

Press Review

The Latvian politicians support the NATO resolution to start military actions against Yugoslavia. The negative position by Russia, however, raise the worries about the further instability in Europe. Commenting the military actions against Yugoslavia the Russian newspapers 

The Latvian politicians support the NATO resolution to start military actions against Yugoslavia. The negative position by Russia, however, raise the worries about the further instability in Europe. Commenting the military actions against Yugoslavia the Russian newspapersChas and Panorama Latvii state that it is the first military operation in the 50-years history of the NATO which is directed towards the sovereign European country. Diena, Chas

Today Latvia commemorates the victims of the Communist terror. Fifty years ago on 25 March 1949 more than 10, 000 families were deported to Siberia. All newspapers

Today Latvia commemorates the victims of the Communist terror. Fifty years ago on 25 March 1949 more than 10, 000 families were deported to Siberia. All newspapers

Despite the recent scandal concerning the investigation of the bombing of the Riga Synagogue last year, the National Security Council decided to re-nominate Lainis Kamaldins to the post of the Constitution Defence Bureau.

Despite the recent scandal concerning the investigation of the bombing of the Riga Synagogue last year, the National Security Council decided to re-nominate Lainis Kamaldins to the post of the Constitution Defence Bureau. Diena

Yesterday the Russian Minister on Ethnic Affairs Ramazan Abdulatipov was appointed to the post of the co-chairman of the Latvian-Russian intergovernmental commission.

Yesterday the Russian Minister on Ethnic Affairs Ramazan Abdulatipov was appointed to the post of the co-chairman of the Latvian-Russian intergovernmental commission. Chas

The Mayor of Moscow Jury Luzhkov passed a resolution on creating a fund providing assistance to the Russian pupils and students in the Baltic countries.

The Mayor of Moscow Jury Luzhkov passed a resolution on creating a fund providing assistance to the Russian pupils and students in the Baltic countries. Chas

Within the framework of the project on computerisation of the naturalisation process the Naturalisation Board received 84 new computers and printers yesterday that would allow to speed up the naturalisation. The project is financed by the EU Phare program, the Council of Europe, from the NB budget and the Latvian state investments.

Within the framework of the project on computerisation of the naturalisation process the Naturalisation Board received 84 new computers and printers yesterday that would allow to speed up the naturalisation. The project is financed by the EU Phare program, the Council of Europe, from the NB budget and the Latvian state investments. Diena, Rigas Balss

Commenting the Draft Concept of the State Integration Program, Mr. N. Vezhenieks states that it is the imitation of the consolidation of the two-community state rather than the activity plan involving whole political system of the country. According to the author of the article, a resident of Latvia will begin to believe in integration as the whole state business only when the Saeima annuls the laws discriminating the non-citizens, the Latvian political parties guarantee the realisation of the program, the parliament adopts a resolution obliging the government to have an appropriate provision in the governmental declaration that formulates the practical activities on the implementation of the integration program, and the Latvian mass media stop humiliating the Russians, Jews.

Commenting the Draft Concept of the State Integration Program, Mr. N. Vezhenieks states that it is the imitation of the consolidation of the two-community state rather than the activity plan involving whole political system of the country. According to the author of the article, a resident of Latvia will begin to believe in integration as the whole state business only when the Saeima annuls the laws discriminating the non-citizens, the Latvian political parties guarantee the realisation of the program, the parliament adopts a resolution obliging the government to have an appropriate provision in the governmental declaration that formulates the practical activities on the implementation of the integration program, and the Latvian mass media stop humiliating the Russians, Jews. Panorama Latvii