Press Review

To start a wide, open discussion on integration issues, the draft concept of the Public Integration Program was put for public discussion yesterday. The discussion on these issues was appreciated by the Russian MFA. Prime Minister V.Kristopans acknowledged that the concept was formed so it could be referred to the integration of the whole society. V.Kristopans invited everybody to take part in this discussion.

To start a wide, open discussion on integration issues, the draft concept of the Public Integration Program was put for public discussion yesterday. The discussion on these issues was appreciated by the Russian MFA. Prime Minister V.Kristopans acknowledged that the concept was formed so it could be referred to the integration of the whole society. V.Kristopans invited everybody to take part in this discussion. Neatkariga, Diena, Panorama Latvii

Latvia is ready to start discussions in the working group on human and social issues should Russia agree in principle to renew the activities of the whole intergovernmental commission. This was announced yesterday by Latvian MFA Press Secretary T.Baumanis. It is planned to send the answer letter to Russia today.

Latvia is ready to start discussions in the working group on human and social issues should Russia agree in principle to renew the activities of the whole intergovernmental commission. This was announced yesterday by Latvian MFA Press Secretary T.Baumanis. It is planned to send the answer letter to Russia today. Neatkariga

Latvian State President finds inappropriate the wish of Russia to discuss only social and human aspects during intergovernmental discussions, but the Minister of Foreign Affairs doubts the reality of this wish.

Latvian State President finds inappropriate the wish of Russia to discuss only social and human aspects during intergovernmental discussions, but the Minister of Foreign Affairs doubts the reality of this wish. Diena

Several Latvian citizens have faced problems to receive a visa for going to the Benelux countries. Now Latvian diplomats are trying to solve this problem with foreign affairs institutions of these countries.

Several Latvian citizens have faced problems to receive a visa for going to the Benelux countries. Now Latvian diplomats are trying to solve this problem with foreign affairs institutions of these countries. Neatkariga, SM

Latvian MFA considers that the Saeima faction

Latvian MFA considers that the Saeima faction For Human Rights in United Latvia has not answered in its announcement to four questions important for implementing a unique foreign policy. And these questions are whether Russia should or should not sign the prepared border agreement and other documents, does she prevents or not prevent the development of a high level inter-governmental dialogue and renewing the activities of the intergovernmental commission. There is no answer also to the question if Russia should cancell economic sanctions against Latvia and pay her debts to Latvian entrepreneurs and if she has or does not have the right to demand from some countries more than it is stipulated by international standards. By answering to these questions the faction could support establishing of good neighbour relations with Russia. Neatkariga

Liepaja City Council will not permit any pickets and rallies on March 16. Such events could increase splitting of the society and kindle hatred between Russians and Latvians. In his turn the Riga City Mayor A.Berzins asked people not to participate in the events of March 16 but just commemorate soldiers by laying flowers on their graveyards.

Liepaja City Council will not permit any pickets and rallies on March 16. Such events could increase splitting of the society and kindle hatred between Russians and Latvians. In his turn the Riga City Mayor A.Berzins asked people not to participate in the events of March 16 but just commemorate soldiers by laying flowers on their graveyards. Diena

Majority in the Saeima could support the proposal of

Majority in the Saeima could support the proposal of Peoples Party that no less than 1000 Latvian citizens could form a party. The Saeima administration and Self-government Commission voted against this proposal, but on Thursday when the Saeima was going to vote on the amendments to the law on public organisations and their unions, TB/LNNK, Peoples Party and Social Democrats had decided to support it. Diena, Jauna Avize

None of the Saeima factions has expressed its readiness to propose the dismissal of O.Bruveris from the post of the Director of the NHRO, but within the factions they discuss possible candidates to this post.

Social Democrats propose I.Vebers but only on the condition if all the government forming factions would support their proposal. Also the New Party is planning to put forward their candidate, but it does not intend to propose dismissal of O.Bruveris . Jauna Avize Yesterday Russian MFA warned that Estonians should not expect a fast ratification of the border agreement in the new Estonian government did not behave. At the yesterday briefing the official representative of the Russian MFA refused to comment the election results in Estonia but said that the ratification would depend on the future development of Estonian - Russian relations.

Yesterday Russian MFA warned that Estonians should not expect a fast ratification of the border agreement in the new Estonian government did not behave. At the yesterday briefing the official representative of the Russian MFA refused to comment the election results in Estonia but said that the ratification would depend on the future development of Estonian - Russian relations. Bizness & Baltiya

M.Mitrofanov from the Saeima faction

For Human Rights in United Latvia informs the readers of the newspaper Panorama Latvii about their request on discrepancy of the Regulations of the Cabinet of Ministers on the procedure of Naturalisation to the citizenship law. According to the law, a claimant of citizenship is to receive an answer within one year from the day of handing in the necessary documents. In the Regulations it is stated that an answer shall be given within one year after passing the naturalisation exams. The Commission of Requests considered this request and refused it. Panorama Latvii

Panorama Latvii

dedicates a whole page to its telephone opinion poll about March 16 commemoration day, and all the respondents were very negative about this decision of the Saeima. dedicates a whole page to its telephone opinion poll about March 16 commemoration day, and all the respondents were very negative about this decision of the Saeima.

Press Review

Press Review

Although the State President G. Ulmanis officially admitted that the declaration of the 16th of March as the Latvian Soldiers’ Commemoration Day was his and the parliament’s mistake, he will not call the parliament to annul the decree.

Although the State President G. Ulmanis officially admitted that the declaration of the 16th of March as the Latvian Soldiers Commemoration Day was his and the parliaments mistake, he will not call the parliament to annul the decree. Diena, Neatkariga

Deputy Director of the Satversme (Constitution) Defence Bureau Uldis Dzenitis and the Deputy Chief of the Security Police Janis Reiniks believe that on the 16th of March the members of the extreme organisations which are not registered in Latvia, will attempt to provoke conflict situations. Both officials assured that the security services have enough time to be sufficiently prepared to prevent illegal activities or the provocation.

Deputy Director of the Satversme (Constitution) Defence Bureau Uldis Dzenitis and the Deputy Chief of the Security Police Janis Reiniks believe that on the 16th of March the members of the extreme organisations which are not registered in Latvia, will attempt to provoke conflict situations. Both officials assured that the security services have enough time to be sufficiently prepared to prevent illegal activities or the provocation. Rigas Balss

The State President believes that Russia, inviting Latvia to discuss only social and humanitarian issues, continues “improper diplomatic practice” in relation with Latvia. According to Mr. Ulmanis, Russia over--emphasises some issues and does not want to discuss others. The Foreign Affairs Minister Valdis Birkavs questions Russia’s readiness to resume the dialogue, since it wants to discuss only the humanitarian issues.

The State President believes that Russia, inviting Latvia to discuss only social and humanitarian issues, continues improper diplomatic practice in relation with Latvia. According to Mr. Ulmanis, Russia over--emphasises some issues and does not want to discuss others. The Foreign Affairs Minister Valdis Birkavs questions Russias readiness to resume the dialogue, since it wants to discuss only the humanitarian issues. Neatkariga

In order to inform the public about the draft social integration program, promote the discussion and summarise the opinions, the Prime Minister Vilis Kristopans is presenting the prepared draft framework document for the social integration program today. Yesterday the Cabinet of Ministers decided to allocate financing for the organising the public discussion of the program. The estimated expenses are 69, 391 Lats.

In order to inform the public about the draft social integration program, promote the discussion and summarise the opinions, the Prime Minister Vilis Kristopans is presenting the prepared draft framework document for the social integration program today. Yesterday the Cabinet of Ministers decided to allocate financing for the organising the public discussion of the program. The estimated expenses are 69, 391 Lats. Neatkariga

Dienapublishes the summarised version of this framework document. The document states that the basis for the social integration is the loyalty to the Latvian state, the command of the Latvian language, common values, the consciousness that each individuals future and the personal well-being are closely tied to the future, stability and security of Latvia. The framework document acknowledges that the bilingual education and the civic education play the important role in the promotion of the successful integration process. Acnowledging the importance of the unified national information policy, the framework document calls for creating series of the broadcasts on the social integration, paying special attention to the language instruction programs, promoting advertising of the cultural, art and sports events as the society unifying element. Regarding the citizenship and naturalisation issues, the document emphasises the raising the prestige of the Latvian citizenship and informing the public about the naturalisation. Diena

As the Latvian Attaché of Education and Science Ministry in Brussels Nils Saks told

As the Latvian Attaché of Education and Science Ministry in Brussels Nils Saks told Diena, in the education sphere there is only one directive of the EU that Latvia should observe, namely, about the education of the migrants children, providing every EU citizen and (or) his/her children with the right to education in any other EU country. Such a provision has already been included in the adopted Education Law. At the legislation screening meeting on Monday the EC representatives have expressed the content with the Latvias achievements.

Press Review

Press Review

The State President Guntis Ulmanis admits that it was his and the Saeima’s mistake to declare the 16th of March as an official commemoration day and believes that next year it will not be observed. During the interview for the Latvian Radio on Monday the State President said that at the meetings with different soldiers’ organization registered in Latvia, almost a half of them expressed unwillingness to observe this date. Mr. Ulmanis calls people not to organise mass meetings at this day this year.

The State President Guntis Ulmanis admits that it was his and the Saeimas mistake to declare the 16th of March as an official commemoration day and believes that next year it will not be observed. During the interview for the Latvian Radio on Monday the State President said that at the meetings with different soldiers organization registered in Latvia, almost a half of them expressed unwillingness to observe this date. Mr. Ulmanis calls people not to organise mass meetings at this day this year. Diena, Neatkariga, B&B

The deputies from the social democrats fraction submitted the amendments to the Article 109 of the Satversme (Constitution) The social democrats suggest to state the Article as follows: “Everyone shall have the right to sufficient food, clothing, and housing, as well as to social security in the case of old age, inability to work, unemployment, and in other cases provided by other laws.”

The deputies from the social democrats fraction submitted the amendments to the Article 109 of the Satversme (Constitution) The social democrats suggest to state the Article as follows: Everyone shall have the right to sufficient food, clothing, and housing, as well as to social security in the case of old age, inability to work, unemployment, and in other cases provided by other laws. Diena, Neatkariga

Even after four murders in the Gulbene kindergarten the State President Guntis Ulmanis supports the abolishment of the death penalty.

Even after four murders in the Gulbene kindergarten the State President Guntis Ulmanis supports the abolishment of the death penalty. Diena

Regardless of the Riga City Council’s refusal to issue a permit to have a picket on the 16th of March, the Russian Society in Latvia will organise one to protest against this date and the marching of the legionnaires, the President of the Russian Society G.Astahov told

Regardless of the Riga City Councils refusal to issue a permit to have a picket on the 16th of March, the Russian Society in Latvia will organise one to protest against this date and the marching of the legionnaires, the President of the Russian Society G.Astahov told Panorama Latvii.

Panorama Latvii begins to publish the questions with the correct answers to the naturalisation examination about the Latvian history.

The deputy of the fraction For Human Rights Y. Sokolovsky comments the amendments to the Law on Entry and Residence of the Foreign Citizens and the Stateless Persons in Latvia reviewed by the Saeima Legal Commission last week. The faction had submitted the amendments providing the possibility for elderly parents to reunite with their children who are residents of Latvia, as well as the opportunity for the children who were born and resided in Latvia for more than 10 years to come to live here. These amendments, however, were rejected by the commission.

The deputy of the fraction For Human Rights Y. Sokolovsky comments the amendments to the Law on Entry and Residence of the Foreign Citizens and the Stateless Persons in Latvia reviewed by the Saeima Legal Commission last week. The faction had submitted the amendments providing the possibility for elderly parents to reunite with their children who are residents of Latvia, as well as the opportunity for the children who were born and resided in Latvia for more than 10 years to come to live here. These amendments, however, were rejected by the commission. Panorama Latvii

Commenting the Draft Emigration Law adopted by the Saeima in the first reading, 

Commenting the Draft Emigration Law adopted by the Saeima in the first reading,Chas states that the law contradicts with, at least, two international human rights documents ratified by Latvia - the UN Universal Human Rights Declaration and International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights providing that everyone is free to leave any country, including his/her own. The Draft Emigration Law provides that in order to leave Latvia, a person should receive a permission to leave. Boris Tsilevich (For Human Rights) one of the opponents of the law thinks that the drfat law in the present version is an input into the building of the police state. Chas

Yesterday the Latvian side of the Latvian-Russian intergovernmental commission met to discuss the letter of the Russian Ambassador in Latvia A. Udalcov calling the experts of both countries from the social and humanitarian affairs committee to meet next week. Latvia thinks that the whole commission should resume the work, particularly activating the work of those expert groups which have prepared agreements to be signed.

Yesterday the Latvian side of the Latvian-Russian intergovernmental commission met to discuss the letter of the Russian Ambassador in Latvia A. Udalcov calling the experts of both countries from the social and humanitarian affairs committee to meet next week. Latvia thinks that the whole commission should resume the work, particularly activating the work of those expert groups which have prepared agreements to be signed. Neatkariga

The Riga City Council Education, Youth Affairs and Sports Committee reviewed the information provided by the State Language Inspectorate about 124 cases when the false state language proficiency certificates were stated in the Riga City in 1998. Last year the observance of the Language Law was checked in 1785 institutions, organisations, enterprises and companies in Riga. The state language proficiency of 4765 persons who are the subjects to the state language examination, was checked, but in 653 cases the state language proficiency certificates and legality of their obtaining, were investigated.

The Riga City Council Education, Youth Affairs and Sports Committee reviewed the information provided by the State Language Inspectorate about 124 cases when the false state language proficiency certificates were stated in the Riga City in 1998. Last year the observance of the Language Law was checked in 1785 institutions, organisations, enterprises and companies in Riga. The state language proficiency of 4765 persons who are the subjects to the state language examination, was checked, but in 653 cases the state language proficiency certificates and legality of their obtaining, were investigated. Neatkariga

G. Evdakimov, the SM journalist, analyses Latvia’s chance to join the NATO, and concludes that since Russia has the strong position against the Baltic States joining the alliance (for rational and irrational reasons), and since the NATO will not try to test the Russia’s patience, Latvia will not be accepted to the organisation.

G. Evdakimov, the SM journalist, analyses Latvias chance to join the NATO, and concludes that since Russia has the strong position against the Baltic States joining the alliance (for rational and irrational reasons), and since the NATO will not try to test the Russias patience, Latvia will not be accepted to the organisation. SM

The Baltic Data House survey on the factors promoting the political participation in Latvia shows that only every sixth resident of Latvia believes that he/she can influence the decisions taken by the government and is ready to protest against the unsatisfactory work of the government. The reasons are the low standard of life and the low individual’s self-appraisal.

The Baltic Data House survey on the factors promoting the political participation in Latvia shows that only every sixth resident of Latvia believes that he/she can influence the decisions taken by the government and is ready to protest against the unsatisfactory work of the government. The reasons are the low standard of life and the low individuals self-appraisal. Diena

Press Report

Peoples Party

conference with 235 votes for affirmed the Saeima deputy V.Paegle as their candidate to the post of the State President. Journalist, present at this conference, had an impression that the Chairman of the party, by energetic manipulations, tried to force the people present to nominate nobody else but V.Paegle. conference with 235 votes for affirmed the Saeima deputy V.Paegle as their candidate to the post of the State President. Journalist, present at this conference, had an impression that the Chairman of the party, by energetic manipulations, tried to force the people present to nominate nobody else but V.Paegle. Neatkariga, Jauna Avize, Diena, Chas, Bizness & Baltiya Neatkariga, Jauna Avize, Diena, Chas, Bizness & Baltiya

Vice Speaker of the Saeima G.Bojars, speaking on a Russian TV channel asked Russia to renew the activities of the intergovernmental commission to solve the problems of Russian speakers in Latvia. He pointed out that many of those problems were connected with the fact that Russia was not interested to work in this commission to discuss many social welfare issues of Russian speakers in Latvia. Vice Speaker of the Saeima G.Bojars, speaking on a Russian TV channel asked Russia to renew the activities of the intergovernmental commission to solve the problems of Russian speakers in Latvia. He pointed out that many of those problems were connected with the fact that Russia was not interested to work in this commission to discuss many social welfare issues of Russian speakers in Latvia. Jauna Avize Jauna Avize

Historian K.Kangeris from Stockholm University writes about the problem of March 16 and analyses the reasons of it. Historian K.Kangeris from Stockholm University writes about the problem of March 16 and analyses the reasons of it. DienaDiena

No decision was made whether to send the amendments to the law “On national holidays and commemoration days”. The whole discussion lasted just for four minutes.

No decision was made whether to send the amendments to the law On national holidays and commemoration days. The whole discussion lasted just for four minutes. Panorama Latvii

Press Review

Press Review

Yesterday the Saeima did not support the proposal of the faction

Yesterday the Saeima did not support the proposal of the faction For Human Rights in United Latvia to cross out from the law On holidays and Commemoration days March 16. It is possible that the proposal will be submitted repeatedly. While debating, LC representative K.Libane told that, by supporting this initiative, the deputies would avoid showing contempt to the historians who had evaluated the events of WW II and stated that the name of the commemoration day given in the law did not correspond to the historical essence. This suggestion did not find fertile soil, and the only ones voting for this proposal were the deputies of Latvijas Cels and For Human Rights in United Latvia. Neatkariga, Diena

After this sitting the representative of the faction

After this sitting the representative of the faction For Human Rights in United Latvia O.Denisov sent an letter to the European Parliament with a request to pay attention to the things taking place in Latvia. Panorama Latvii

CBSS Commissioner O.Espersen thinks that after adopting the amendments to the Law on Citizenship, as well as a successful development of the naturalisation process, the issue of granting the right of vote to non-citizens in municipal elections could loose its importance. He expressed this opinion in a discussion with the Deputy MFA State Secretary A.Ronis and Director of International Organizations I.Pundurs.

Neatkariga Of Friday, it will be 100 days term for V.Kristopans government, therefore on Thursday the Prime Minister reported on the activities of the government. But even the representatives of the position factions, having listened to this report, had problems to name any good deeds of the government.

Of Friday, it will be 100 days term for V.Kristopans government, therefore on Thursday the Prime Minister reported on the activities of the government. But even the representatives of the position factions, having listened to this report, had problems to name any good deeds of the government. Diena, SM, Panorama Latvii

Panorama Latvii published the text of the Regulations on the naturalisation tests.

Panorama Latvii published the text of the Regulations on the naturalisation tests.