Press Review

Press Review

The Head of the Naturalisation Board E.Aldermane presented the results of the first phase of a EU PHARE project aimed to establish a computerised system to proceed naturalisation applications in the Naturalisation Board. Ms.Aldermane said that this would help to speed up the process of considering applications for naturalisation and other related documents. The Naturalisation Board has received 84 computers, a fail server, 5 laptops, 34 laser printers and other necessary equipment and software. The project is planned to be completed by 2002 and total expenses will be 950 000 Lats.

The Head of the Naturalisation Board E.Aldermane presented the results of the first phase of a EU PHARE project aimed to establish a computerised system to proceed naturalisation applications in the Naturalisation Board. Ms.Aldermane said that this would help to speed up the process of considering applications for naturalisation and other related documents. The Naturalisation Board has received 84 computers, a fail server, 5 laptops, 34 laser printers and other necessary equipment and software. The project is planned to be completed by 2002 and total expenses will be 950 000 Lats. Neatkariga, Jauna Avize, Chas

Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs V.Birkavs considers that the fact of electing Latvia into the administration of the 55th session of the UN Human Rights Commission is acknowledgement of the international community of the things achieved in human rights field in Latvia.

Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs V.Birkavs considers that the fact of electing Latvia into the administration of the 55th session of the UN Human Rights Commission is acknowledgement of the international community of the things achieved in human rights field in Latvia. Neatkariga

The faction of the

The faction of the Union of Latvian Social Democrats proposed the Deputy Chairman of the Saeima Foreign Affairs Commission R.Labanovskis to the post of the State President and academician E.Vebers - to the post of the NHRO Director. Neatkariga, Diena, Jauna Avize

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, upon a request of the Prime Minister, will prepare a conclusion on the conformity of the state language law to international legal norms. MFA Press Secretary T.Baumanis explained that the Ministry, when preparing this conclusion, would consult experts from international organisations, e.g. OSCE .

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, upon a request of the Prime Minister, will prepare a conclusion on the conformity of the state language law to international legal norms. MFA Press Secretary T.Baumanis explained that the Ministry, when preparing this conclusion, would consult experts from international organisations, e.g. OSCE . Neatkariga

The Department of Culture of the Riga City Council plan to organise several mass events on March 25 to commemorate the victims of the mass deportation of March 25, 1949.

The Department of Culture of the Riga City Council plan to organise several mass events on March 25 to commemorate the victims of the mass deportation of March 25, 1949. Diena

Every resident of Latvia may apply now to the Resident Register with a request for information about him or herself. This service costs 5 Ls.

Every resident of Latvia may apply now to the Resident Register with a request for information about him or herself. This service costs 5 Ls. Chas

The National Council of Russia is planning to adopt new law prohibiting any economic contacts with Latvia. The initiators of this law prepared it already a year ago but started a discussion about adopting it after marching of former SS legionnaires in Riga.

The National Council of Russia is planning to adopt new law prohibiting any economic contacts with Latvia. The initiators of this law prepared it already a year ago but started a discussion about adopting it after marching of former SS legionnaires in Riga. SM

The Head of Riga Office of the International Organisation on Migration Ilmars Mezs tells the newspaper

The Head of Riga Office of the International Organisation on Migration Ilmars Mezs tells the newspaper SM about the activities of this organisation and its Riga office. SM

Panorama Latvii

published the answers of the Deputy Secretary of the Saeima A.Bartashevich, faction published the answers of the Deputy Secretary of the Saeima A.Bartashevich, faction For Human Rights in United Latvia,For Human Rights in United Latvia, to the letters and phone calls of the readers of this newspaper after in the the language law was adopted in the second reading disregarding the discussions with the OSCE High Commissioner Max van der Stoel to Latvia during his last visit to Latvia. Answering to the question about a law on national minorities, A.Bartashevich said that in the whole world problems of national minority languages were regulated by the European Charter on the Languages of National Minorities, and the faction considered the second reading of the language law as not complying to those norms. The MP pointed out that Latvia had not joined this Charter, yet. OSCE representatives had promised A.Bartashevich that after adoption of this reading a group of international experts would come and analyse the conformity of this law to in the international norms. to the letters and phone calls of the readers of this newspaper after in the the language law was adopted in the second reading disregarding the discussions with the OSCE High Commissioner Max van der Stoel to Latvia during his last visit to Latvia. Answering to the question about a law on national minorities, A.Bartashevich said that in the whole world problems of national minority languages were regulated by the European Charter on the Languages of National Minorities, and the faction considered the second reading of the language law as not complying to those norms. The MP pointed out that Latvia had not joined this Charter, yet. OSCE representatives had promised A.Bartashevich that after adoption of this reading a group of international experts would come and analyse the conformity of this law to in the international norms.

Panorama Latvii

organised a telephone opinion poll about the right for non-citizens to participate in municipal elections, and the common opinion was that non-citizen should have to have some influence on the life in their neighbourhood because they paid taxes and obeyed laws. organised a telephone opinion poll about the right for non-citizens to participate in municipal elections, and the common opinion was that non-citizen should have to have some influence on the life in their neighbourhood because they paid taxes and obeyed laws.

Press Review

Press Review

Rigas Balss interviews the Head of the Naturalisation Board Eizenija Aldermane about the current situation in the NB offices. According to Ms. Aldermane the wish to naturalise is big, but the possibilities of the Naturalisation Board are limited, therefore, there are already long queues of persons waiting to submit the documents for naturalisation. In Riga City the situation is the most critical. For example, in the Vidzeme and the Latgale districts of Riga, persons who wish to naturalise is put on the waiting list for submitting the documents only in September. After the opening of the naturalisation windows, these NB offices have received 3960 applications. Ms. Aldermane hopes that the government will allocate additional means, so, that the NB will be able to hire new staff and to fasten the application consideration process. Rigas Balss

The Latvian Ambassador in the UN in Geneva Romans Baumanis is elected to UN Human Rights Commission’s Bureau. The Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs acknowledges that it will help to strengthen the Latvia’s reputation in the human rights sphere.

The Latvian Ambassador in the UN in Geneva Romans Baumanis is elected to UN Human Rights Commissions Bureau. The Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs acknowledges that it will help to strengthen the Latvias reputation in the human rights sphere. Diena, Neatkariga

The sample of primary education program for national minorities including four models of the bilingual education were distributed by the Ministry of Education to the teachers for the consideration. As the Director of the Education Strategy Department Baiba Petersone told

The sample of primary education program for national minorities including four models of the bilingual education were distributed by the Ministry of Education to the teachers for the consideration. As the Director of the Education Strategy Department Baiba Petersone told Diena, all models of the bilingual education are drafted to give a pupil an opportunity to acquire the Latvian language to the point when he/she would not experience difficulties in obtaining the secondary education in the state language.

Dienapublishes the summarised version of all four models. The first model provides for the gradual transition from the education in the native language to the education in the Latvian language. In the first grade 25-50% of subjects are taught in the Latvian language, in the 2nd and 3rd grades - 50 to 80%, in the 4th grade all subjects, except for the native language and literature, are taught in the Latvian language, and in the 5th and the 6th grades - 50 - 80%, in the remaining grades of the primary education level - almost all subjects are taught in the state language. This model is suggested to the pupils from the mixed families who have good knowledge of the Latvian language. This bilingual education model has been successfully implemented in the Riga Secondary School No 33 for already 5 years. The second model is meant for children whose family does not speak Latvian, but whose parents support the integration of their children into the Latvian society. This model provides for 5 to 50% of subjects taught in Latvian in the elementary school, while in the primary school the percentage of subjects taught in the state language would be from 40 to 40%. It is planned that in the last grades of the elementary school the geography, history and the civic studies would be taught in the Latvian language while the music and the exact sciences would be presented in the native language. The third model provides for one subject being taught in the Latvian language in the first grade. The number of the subjects in Latvian is gradually increased until in the 9th grade almost all subjects would be taught in the Latvian language. The fourth model which has not gained the popularity among the teachers of the minority schools, provide for approximately 50% subjects being taught in the Latvian language. According to the Director of the Riga Secondary School No 33 M. Kovalcuka the only thing that might create problems in the implementation of these models is the lack of professionally trained teachers. The state budget for this year provides 600, 000 Lats for the implementation of the education program for the national minorities. Diena

New Consul General of the Russian Federation Nikolay Bondarenko arrived to Daugavpils to replace the previous Consul General Gennady Kaznacheev.

New Consul General of the Russian Federation Nikolay Bondarenko arrived to Daugavpils to replace the previous Consul General Gennady Kaznacheev. Diena

The Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs will give the assessment of the compliance of the draft state language law with international law standards within a couple of weeks, the Press Secretary of the Latvian MFA Toms Baumanis informs. In preparing of the assessment, the Ministry will consult with international experts, including the OSCE experts.

The Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs will give the assessment of the compliance of the draft state language law with international law standards within a couple of weeks, the Press Secretary of the Latvian MFA Toms Baumanis informs. In preparing of the assessment, the Ministry will consult with international experts, including the OSCE experts. Jauna Avize

Panorama Latvii publishes the questions and the correct answers for the naturalisation exam on the Latvian history and constitution.

According to the SM journalist A. Elkin, the Russian Federation draft law on measures undertaken by the Russia to prevent the violation of the human rights of the RF countrymen in the Republic of Latvia which was prepared a year ago and whose consideration was suspended, will be soon reviewed by the Russian Duma in the first reading. The reason for “reanimation of this law” is marching of the legionnaires and rejecting by the Saeima of the draft law on the status of veterans of anti-Hitler coalition prepared by the fraction

According to the SM journalist A. Elkin, the Russian Federation draft law on measures undertaken by the Russia to prevent the violation of the human rights of the RF countrymen in the Republic of Latvia which was prepared a year ago and whose consideration was suspended, will be soon reviewed by the Russian Duma in the first reading. The reason for reanimation of this law is marching of the legionnaires and rejecting by the Saeima of the draft law on the status of veterans of anti-Hitler coalition prepared by the fraction For Human Rights. SM

SM publishes the opinions of several MP about the report of the European Commission arguing that there are cases of aggressive nationalism and anti-Semitism being observed in Latvia.

SM publishes an article by G. Evdakimov who expresses his opinion about the draft framework document on the state integration program. According to him, the integration á la Latvian means that everybody should know his/her place and be satisfied and not lay claim to somebody elses place. Latvians, according to Mr. Evdakimov, knows that this country belongs to them, and that they do not need to get integrated into anything, but for Russians it is different. If the Russians do not become satisfied with their place, there are laws that regulate the Russian life, including the Citizenship Law, Education Law, and Language Law. Mr. Evdakimov does not believe in integration, since the society is ill with the nationalism.

Press Review

Press Review

Starting September 1, the Russian schools and schools of national minorities should offer the national minority primary education program. The Ministry of Education has prepared four bilingual education models. The school directors who met at the conference organised by the Ministry of Education, think that it is unrealistic to find teachers who would be ready to teach their subjects in two languages by 1 September. The Director of the Secondary school No 40 (with Russian as the language of instruction) Galina Jefremova said that now when there is the lack of teachers, it is rather the labor market that dictates the optimum teaching method than the director of the school. In her school several subjects are taught in the Latvian language, but she could not tell what type of model the school is implementing.Answering the question which of the models presented by the Ministry of Education, the school will start implementing on 1 September, Ms. Jefremova said that the school will name one, but in reality will d o what is the best for the pupils. The Director of the Education Strategy Department Baiba Petersone believes that the allocated financing means for the Latvian language teachers and the teachers who will teach their subjects in the Latvian language can improve the situation with the pedagogical staff in the minority schools.

Starting September 1, the Russian schools and schools of national minorities should offer the national minority primary education program. The Ministry of Education has prepared four bilingual education models. The school directors who met at the conference organised by the Ministry of Education, think that it is unrealistic to find teachers who would be ready to teach their subjects in two languages by 1 September. The Director of the Secondary school No 40 (with Russian as the language of instruction) Galina Jefremova said that now when there is the lack of teachers, it is rather the labor market that dictates the optimum teaching method than the director of the school. In her school several subjects are taught in the Latvian language, but she could not tell what type of model the school is implementing.Answering the question which of the models presented by the Ministry of Education, the school will start implementing on 1 September, Ms. Jefremova said that the school will name one, but in reality will d o what is the best for the pupils. The Director of the Education Strategy Department Baiba Petersone believes that the allocated financing means for the Latvian language teachers and the teachers who will teach their subjects in the Latvian language can improve the situation with the pedagogical staff in the minority schools. Neatkariga

Neatkariga writes about the student exchange program between the Daugavpils secondary school No 6 with Russian as the language of instruction and the Vandzenes secondary school in the Talsu region with Latvian as the language of instruction. This project received the Soros Fund - Latvia award for the promotion of the ethnic harmony.

The Latvian Television Broadcasting director Arvids Babris informed the LETA agency that the leadership of the Latvian Television has not planned to liquidate the news in the Russian language distributed on the 2nd channel. Mr. Babris believes that the statement that the simultaneous translation of the news broadcast “Panorama” into the Russian language would promote the discord between the Latvian audience and the audience of other nationality people, lacks the grounds.

The Latvian Television Broadcasting director Arvids Babris informed the LETA agency that the leadership of the Latvian Television has not planned to liquidate the news in the Russian language distributed on the 2nd channel. Mr. Babris believes that the statement that the simultaneous translation of the news broadcast Panorama into the Russian language would promote the discord between the Latvian audience and the audience of other nationality people, lacks the grounds.

Panorama Latvii publishes the full text of the statement by the leader of the fraction For Human Rights Janis Jurkans on the draft state language law adopted in the second reading. According to Mr. Jurkans, the draft law ignores the recommendations of the OSCE High Commissioner Max van der Stoel concerning the use of the language in the private sphere. If adopted in such a version, the state language law would promote the forced assimilation rather than the integration. Panorama Latvii

Speaking about the Latvian-Russian relations in the interview for the SM, the Prime Minister Vilis Kristopans said that Latvia is ready for the dialogue - it has adopted the amendments to the Citizenship Law, implemented almost all recommendations by the OSCE, has appointed the co-chairman of the Latvia-Russian intergovernmental commission. Answering the question about the joining the EU with such large number of non-citizens, Mr. Kristopans reminded that everybody can take the naturalisation exams and become the citizen of Latvia. There are only technical problems - the Naturalisation Board cannot review big amount of applications, but the government will try to solve that by increasing the financing for the NB.

Speaking about the Latvian-Russian relations in the interview for the SM, the Prime Minister Vilis Kristopans said that Latvia is ready for the dialogue - it has adopted the amendments to the Citizenship Law, implemented almost all recommendations by the OSCE, has appointed the co-chairman of the Latvia-Russian intergovernmental commission. Answering the question about the joining the EU with such large number of non-citizens, Mr. Kristopans reminded that everybody can take the naturalisation exams and become the citizen of Latvia. There are only technical problems - the Naturalisation Board cannot review big amount of applications, but the government will try to solve that by increasing the financing for the NB. SM

In the interview for 

In the interview forDiena the US Ambassador in Latvia J. Holmes said that good and stable relations between Latvia and its neighbours, including Russia, are important for the United States. The last months have been disappointing, since there were good chances to improve the relations between Latvia and Russia, but Moscow was not obliging. Mr. Holmes believes that during last 4-5 months Latvia has done a lot concerning the social integration and it is about the time that Russia recognises that. Diena

After the elections of the chair of the Saeima Commission on Budget and Finance during which the member of the

After the elections of the chair of the Saeima Commission on Budget and Finance during which the member of the For Fatherland and Freedom I. Kalnins was elected, the leader of the New Party Raimonds Pauls announced that the party will consider whether to remain in the ruling coalition. The reason of this disagreement is that the coalition had agreed to give this post to the I. Udre (the New Party) but that was disregarded by the For Fatherland and Freedom. Diena, Jauna Avize

The Saeima Commission on the Implementation of the Citizenship Law expressed incomprehension about the outdated information included into the draft framework document on the state integration program. For example, the chapter on the naturalisation does not mention the amendments to the Citizenship Law approved in the referendum in October of the last year. In response to that the authors of the framework document argued that amending of the text after it has been approved by the government, would have delayed its publication. The Head of the Naturalisation Board Eizenija Aldermane told DIENA, that only the information about the Citizenship Law text is outdated, but the presented objectives are still up-to-date.

The Saeima Commission on the Implementation of the Citizenship Law expressed incomprehension about the outdated information included into the draft framework document on the state integration program. For example, the chapter on the naturalisation does not mention the amendments to the Citizenship Law approved in the referendum in October of the last year. In response to that the authors of the framework document argued that amending of the text after it has been approved by the government, would have delayed its publication. The Head of the Naturalisation Board Eizenija Aldermane told DIENA, that only the information about the Citizenship Law text is outdated, but the presented objectives are still up-to-date. Diena

Juris Bojars, the leader of the

Juris Bojars, the leader of the Latvian Social Democratic Party, has drafted a new Citizenship Law which would be in conformity with the principles of the nation state. According to Mr. Bojars, the major shortcoming of the present law is that it does not promote the repatriation of the Latvians. There is a little chance that the Saeima might adopt a new Citizenship Law. Diena, Chas

Panorama Latvii interviews the Deputy State Secretary of the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Aivars Ronis about the Latvian - Russian relations. According to Mr. Ronis Russia is busy with getting financial support from the Western countries, therefore there is nothing new in its relations with Latvia.

Press Review

Press Review

All newspapers write about the expression of the Director of the Latvian Constitution Defence Bureau Lainis Kamaldins concerning the investigation versions of the explosion at the Riga Synagogue last April. According to Lainis Kamaldins, one version is that the members of the Jewish community might have been involved into the organising of the explosion. The Rabbi of Riga and Latvia Natans Barkans strongly denied these allegations, saying that Mr. Kamaldins should officially apologise. Today Mr. Kamaldins will meet with the President of the Riga Jewish Community Grigorijs Krupnikovs.

All newspapers write about the expression of the Director of the Latvian Constitution Defence Bureau Lainis Kamaldins concerning the investigation versions of the explosion at the Riga Synagogue last April. According to Lainis Kamaldins, one version is that the members of the Jewish community might have been involved into the organising of the explosion. The Rabbi of Riga and Latvia Natans Barkans strongly denied these allegations, saying that Mr. Kamaldins should officially apologise. Today Mr. Kamaldins will meet with the President of the Riga Jewish Community Grigorijs Krupnikovs. Neatkariga, Chas, Panorama Latvii

Yesterday the deputies of the Russian Duma sent a letter to the Latvian Saeima with the request to change the date of the Latvian Soldiers Commemoration Day from the 16th of March to the 17th of March. In response, the Speaker of the Latvian Saeima J. Straume said that the issue of the 16th of March is under the Latvian parliament’s competence, and the Russian Duma should care more about the situation within Russia.

Yesterday the deputies of the Russian Duma sent a letter to the Latvian Saeima with the request to change the date of the Latvian Soldiers Commemoration Day from the 16th of March to the 17th of March. In response, the Speaker of the Latvian Saeima J. Straume said that the issue of the 16th of March is under the Latvian parliaments competence, and the Russian Duma should care more about the situation within Russia. Chas, Neatkariga

Yesterday the Saeima adopted the draft state language law in the 2nd reading. None of 36 proposals by the fraction

Yesterday the Saeima adopted the draft state language law in the 2nd reading. None of 36 proposals by the fraction For Human Rights was supported by the majority. Later the fraction For Human Rights distributed the statement in which it argues that the adopted draft law promotes the assimilation rather than integration of the society. The fraction is concerned that adopted provisions exclude the Russian language from many spheres and that it contradicts with the OSCE recommendations concerning the use of the language in the private sphere. The Chair of the Saeima Education Commission Dzintars Abikis informed that the OSCE representatives closely follow the consideration of the State Language Law and that they will provide their assessment of the draft law before the final reading.

B&B; publishes the opinion of the deputies from the ruling coalition about the draft law. According to MP Kristiana Libane at this stage the draft law does not contain anything scandalous. MP Andris Skele believes that after the assessment done by the experts there will be no changes in the draft law.

B&B publishes the opinion of the deputies from the ruling coalition about the draft law. According to MP Kristiana Libane at this stage the draft law does not contain anything scandalous. MP Andris Skele believes that after the assessment done by the experts there will be no changes in the draft law.

SM journalist A. Elkin summarises the proposals to the draft language law which were submitted by the fraction For Human Rights and rejected by the majority of the deputies. He concludes that the main objective of the drafted law is to humiliate the representatives of the national minorities, using repressive administrative methods. Diena, Neatkariga, B&B

SM publishes the article by MP J. Pliner and Dr. V. Buhalov analysing the chapter on education in the draft framework document on the State Social Integration Program. According to the authors, this program is directed towards the assimilation of the non-Latvians. “The exclusion of the Russian language from the education system will lead to the denial of the Russian culture and consequently to the formation of people who do not possess any cultural values (...)“ The authors believe that the integration in the education system can succeed only if the state schools with the Russian as the language of instruction will be preserved They suggest to revise the programs of the bilingual education, so, that the subjects taught in the Latvian language would not exceed the 30% of the total of the subjects.

SM publishes the article by MP J. Pliner and Dr. V. Buhalov analysing the chapter on education in the draft framework document on the State Social Integration Program. According to the authors, this program is directed towards the assimilation of the non-Latvians. The exclusion of the Russian language from the education system will lead to the denial of the Russian culture and consequently to the formation of people who do not possess any cultural values (...) The authors believe that the integration in the education system can succeed only if the state schools with the Russian as the language of instruction will be preserved They suggest to revise the programs of the bilingual education, so, that the subjects taught in the Latvian language would not exceed the 30% of the total of the subjects. SM

The journalist of the Latvian TV Irina Vinnika believes that the simultaneous translation of the news broadcast “Panorama” from Latvian to Russian will enlarge the gap between the Latvian and the Russian information spheres, since people of other nationalities prefer to watch the news read by non-Latvians. As a result, many people of other nationalities would refuse to watch the news prepared by the Latvian Television. She expressed the worries about the idea of the leadership of the Latvian TV to liquidate the TV news broadcast in the Russian language.

The journalist of the Latvian TV Irina Vinnika believes that the simultaneous translation of the news broadcast Panorama from Latvian to Russian will enlarge the gap between the Latvian and the Russian information spheres, since people of other nationalities prefer to watch the news read by non-Latvians. As a result, many people of other nationalities would refuse to watch the news prepared by the Latvian Television. She expressed the worries about the idea of the leadership of the Latvian TV to liquidate the TV news broadcast in the Russian language. Diena

Press Review

Press Review

Diena reviews the world press and concludes that the 16th of March events in Riga did not receive considerable attention by the world mass media. The reaction of the Russian media also was much more moderate this year than last year.

B&B writes that the Russian TV company RTR was the only one which presented the marching of the legionnaires in Riga as the main news of the day. The channel NTV named the past of the legionnaires as the tragedy, but the ORT did not mention the 16th of March events at all. Diena, B&B

In the letter to the Latvian Prime Minister the US Ambassador in Latvia J. Holmes praises the action of the Latvian government, and especially of the Prime Minister, in connection with the 16th of March commemoration day.

In the letter to the Latvian Prime Minister the US Ambassador in Latvia J. Holmes praises the action of the Latvian government, and especially of the Prime Minister, in connection with the 16th of March commemoration day. Diena, Panorama Latvii

The World Zionist Organisation and the Jewish Association in Israel expressed gratitude to Latvia over its contribution to the Holocaust Fund in the amount of 25, 000 US dollars.

The World Zionist Organisation and the Jewish Association in Israel expressed gratitude to Latvia over its contribution to the Holocaust Fund in the amount of 25, 000 US dollars. Diena

The European Commission urges Latvia to prepare the next progress report by 1 July which will serve as a basis for the EC report and , consequently, the resolution of the EU leaders about the inviting Latvia to the EU accession talk.

The European Commission urges Latvia to prepare the next progress report by 1 July which will serve as a basis for the EC report and , consequently, the resolution of the EU leaders about the inviting Latvia to the EU accession talk. Diena

The Prime Minister Vilis Kristopans requested the Foreign Affairs Minister Valdis Birkavs to assess the compliance of the draft language law with the international law standards. The opinion should be given before the draft law is prepared for the 3rd reading in the parliament.

The Prime Minister Vilis Kristopans requested the Foreign Affairs Minister Valdis Birkavs to assess the compliance of the draft language law with the international law standards. The opinion should be given before the draft law is prepared for the 3rd reading in the parliament. Chasinforms that the head of the Saeima Commission on Education Dzintars Abikis has said that in preparation of the draft langauage law the committee has consulted the experts of the OSCE Mission and they have approved the draft.

The draft law contradicts with the provisions of the Framework Convention on the National Minorities which has been signed by Latvia.

The draft law contradicts with the provisions of the Framework Convention on the National Minorities which has been signed by Latvia. Chas

B&B; and 

B&B andChas inform about the rally of the supporters of the USSR restoration at the Latvian Embassy in Moscow. The participants handed the Latvian Embassy officials a document in which they call for the creation of the voluntary Soviet type federative union of the equal former USSR countries. The Council of the government forming parties postponed the consideration of the issue of dismissal of the National Human Rights Offices director Olafs Bruvers due to the fact that two social democratic parties constituting the Union of the Social Democrats could not agree on the new candidate for the post. At the moment there are two candidates - Elmars Vebers and Antons Petrovskis nominated by the social democrats. Neatkariga

Deputy Chair of the Saeima fraction

Deputy Chair of the Saeima fraction For Human Rights Janis Urbanovich believes that in Latvia the features of the fascism are being observed. He argues that the proof for this statement is the fact that 36 proposals for the draft language law submitted by the fraction For Human Rights were rejected. Today the draft language law which is supported by all fraction except for the fraction For Human Rights, is considered by the parliament in the 2nd reading. SM journalist A. Arkadev reviews the two day meeting of the Committee on the Affairs with the Council of Europe during which the issues of human rights, mass media and the relations between the state and public organisations were discussed. He pays the special attention to the report of the Chair of the Daugavpils Multinational Culture Centre Arturs Prieditis on the Mentality of the European periphery distributed in writing and in the Latvian language only. This report contains the critics against the Latvian government concerning the language policy.

Chaswrites about the court case of the Shishkin family vs. the DCMA in which the Shishkins claimed the right to have their family name written in the English transcription as Shishkins and not as Siskins as the DCMA had done.