Press Review

In an interview for

In an interview for "DIENA" President Ulmanis touched upon several aspects of Latvian domestic and foreign policies. The President believes security guarantees recently proposed by Russia to mark the beginning of "a long process" that may result in more profound proposals. Mr. Ulmanis said that he was analyzing possible ways of integrating Latvia's society. He does not agree that integration of non-Latvians means their assimilation. Integration requires a long-term program, believes the President. He agrees that two isolated communities are forming in Latvia. The President believes that the political parties should discuss the problems of naturalization, citizenship, employment restrictions and the possibility of granting citizenship to children born in Latvia. President Ulmanis is planning to address the governing parties on the issue in early December. "If I face stubborn aversion toward discussing these problems I will speak about them myself," said the President. He agrees that "the window" mechanism proved to be outdated and believes that abolishing the mechanism would not lead to an increase in the number of applicants for citizenship. President Ulmanis in his interview criticized the new draft Language Law and said that "a half of its provisions did not meet the interests of both Latvians and non-Latvians" and that the new Law, if adopted, "would not contribute to non-citizens' loyalty". Still, Mr. Ulmanis believes that the country needs a new Language Law to replace the one adopted before it regained its independence. Diena

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Unlike the majority of Latvian politicians, Russian Ambassador Aleksandr Udaltsov believes that any security guarantee is a contribution to any security system. In his interview for

Unlike the majority of Latvian politicians, Russian Ambassador Aleksandr Udaltsov believes that any security guarantee is a contribution to any security system. In his interview for "NEATKARIGA" he said that Russia would reject the idea of establishing a system of bilateral or multilateral security guarantees for the Baltic states. The Ambassador singled out the three main components of relations between Russia and Latvia, namely, economics, security and humanitarian issues. Mr. Udaltsov pointed to the lack of positive changes in non-citizens' situation adding that his opinion was shared by OSCE High Commissioner van der Stoel. The Russian Ambassador stressed that Russia was not putting an ultimatum but was only insisting on fulfillment of international recommendations by Latvia. The Ambassador said that he had an impression that Latvia was not ready to resolve the problem of Russian-speakers. He stressed that the issue would remain the main stumbling block for developing relations between the two countries. Neatkariga

The Latvian Government is planning to consider the possibility of issuing non-citizens' passports to persons currently not having any legal status in Latvia. According to Minister of the Interior Ziedonis Cevers, the Council on Co-operation between the Governing Factions has already received draft amendments to the Law on the Status of Former USSR Citizens. The amendments provide for issuing non-citizens' passports to individuals not having

The Latvian Government is planning to consider the possibility of issuing non-citizens' passports to persons currently not having any legal status in Latvia. According to Minister of the Interior Ziedonis Cevers, the Council on Co-operation between the Governing Factions has already received draft amendments to the Law on the Status of Former USSR Citizens. The amendments provide for issuing non-citizens' passports to individuals not having "propiska" in their former USSR passports. Another group of Latvia's inhabitants does not have any identification documents. These are persons who have renounced citizenship of countries other than Latvia. The Government has not decided whether such persons can receive non-citizens' passports or should special identification documents be introduced for them. Currently, 6,000 inhabitants of Latvia do not have any official status. B&B

Yesterday the

Yesterday the Saeima Human Rights Committee suggested to amend several acts restricting the rights of non-citizens for employment. The Saeima supported two of the amendments allowing non-citizens to run pharmaceutical businesses and to work as lawyers. The draft amendments are to be reviewed by the Saeima Committee. Still, the Saeima voted against the amendment allowing non-citizens to work as private detectives. SM

Press Review

Yesterday Russian Ambassador Udaltsov and Dutch Ambassador van Ulden visited the office of the State Program for the Study of the Latvian Language. The Ambassadors highly praised the program developed for the teaching of Latvian to non-Latvian residents of the country. The Russian Ambassador expressed regret about Russia not being able to afford the financing of the program. He offered moral support of the program and pointed to several problems currently faced by Russian-language schools. Many teachers fear the upcoming Latvian language tests. Next spring they are to pass the third category tests. The Russian Ambassador stressed that repressive measures would not serve as a proper motivation for the learning of Latvian by Russian-speakers.

Yesterday Russian Ambassador Udaltsov and Dutch Ambassador van Ulden visited the office of the State Program for the Study of the Latvian Language. The Ambassadors highly praised the program developed for the teaching of Latvian to non-Latvian residents of the country. The Russian Ambassador expressed regret about Russia not being able to afford the financing of the program. He offered moral support of the program and pointed to several problems currently faced by Russian-language schools. Many teachers fear the upcoming Latvian language tests. Next spring they are to pass the third category tests. The Russian Ambassador stressed that repressive measures would not serve as a proper motivation for the learning of Latvian by Russian-speakers. Neatkariga

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Russian non-governmental organizations of Latvia issued a statement on the draft Language law and the general situation of the Russian minority in Latvia. The document notes that the term "minority" cannot be applied to Russians in Latvia in its full sense, ethnic Russians constituting over 30% of the country's population. Latvia is doing next to nothing to amend "the discriminating Citizenship Law" and has adopted the first reading of the Language Law that contradicts internationally accepted norms, says the statement. The statement claims the Law to violate fundamental human rights and to be aimed at assimilating ethnic Russians. Russian NGOs call upon the international community to pay more attention to the situation of Russians in Latvia.

Russian non-governmental organizations of Latvia issued a statement on the draft Language law and the general situation of the Russian minority in Latvia. The document notes that the term "minority" cannot be applied to Russians in Latvia in its full sense, ethnic Russians constituting over 30% of the country's population. Latvia is doing next to nothing to amend "the discriminating Citizenship Law" and has adopted the first reading of the Language Law that contradicts internationally accepted norms, says the statement. The statement claims the Law to violate fundamental human rights and to be aimed at assimilating ethnic Russians. Russian NGOs call upon the international community to pay more attention to the situation of Russians in Latvia. SM

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The Presidents of Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania at their yesterday's (10 November) meeting in Palanga, Lithuania adopted a statement rejecting security guarantees offered by Russia. The statement stresses the adherence of the three countries to integration in the EU and NATO and points to unilateral guarantees as not complying with "the spirit of new Europe". The document welcomes President Yeltsin's initiative aimed at developing neighborly relations with the three Baltic states. Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Maris Riekstins told

The Presidents of Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania at their yesterday's (10 November) meeting in Palanga, Lithuania adopted a statement rejecting security guarantees offered by Russia. The statement stresses the adherence of the three countries to integration in the EU and NATO and points to unilateral guarantees as not complying with "the spirit of new Europe". The document welcomes President Yeltsin's initiative aimed at developing neighborly relations with the three Baltic states. Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Maris Riekstins told "DIENA" that Latvia was ready to sign the border agreement with Russia and that the signing of the document fully depended on the Russian side. Diena

Yesterday former Communist leader Alfreds Rubiks held a press-conference. He said that he would not join any of the existing political forces and would work on a plan for his future political activities and would focus on uniting left-wing parties. Mr. Rubiks does not believe the existing Social-Democratic parties to be real socialist movements. He criticized Latvian politicians for lack of consequent opinions and experience noting that "a person who has no experience in leadership except having been a laundry manager cannot be a politician."

Yesterday former Communist leader Alfreds Rubiks held a press-conference. He said that he would not join any of the existing political forces and would work on a plan for his future political activities and would focus on uniting left-wing parties. Mr. Rubiks does not believe the existing Social-Democratic parties to be real socialist movements. He criticized Latvian politicians for lack of consequent opinions and experience noting that "a person who has no experience in leadership except having been a laundry manager cannot be a politician." Diena, SM

The Latvian National Reform Party/ the Green Party Faction decided to join the governing coalition. An agreement with the coalition parties will be signed this Wednesday. The faction holds on sear in the Cabinet (State Minister of Environmental Protection Emsis).

The Latvian National Reform Party/ the Green Party Faction decided to join the governing coalition. An agreement with the coalition parties will be signed this Wednesday. The faction holds on sear in the Cabinet (State Minister of Environmental Protection Emsis). Neatkariga

Chairman of the Saeima Committee on Education and Science Dzintars Abikis in an interview for

Chairman of the Saeima Committee on Education and Science Dzintars Abikis in an interview for "SM SEVODNYA" stressed that he did not participate in the drafting of the new Language Law. Mr. Abikis supported amending the existing Law. Still, according to the Latvian legislation, all laws adopted before 1990 will become invalid after January 1, 1999. Mr. Abikis believes that some of the provisions of the new draft Law contradict European standards. Among these is mandatory use of Latvian in private companies, mandatory use of Latvia at all public gatherings and for public information and advertizing. Mr. Abikis also criticize the provision of the draft allowing Government official to communicate with Latvia's inhabitants only in Latvian. Still, he believes that Latvian politicians will adopt "a correct version of the law." SM

Boris Tsilevich refers to the analysis of the draft language law performed by the Office of the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities. The analysis shows that the draft Law to a large extend restricts fundamental human rights including freedom of speech and liberty of conscience. The draft Law also contradicts the European Framework Convention on National Minorities that provides for the use of minority languages on the territories with a large percentage of minority population for communicating with local authorities. According to B.Tsilevich, the draft Language law is the first Latvian legal act to be criticized by European organizations for contradicting European norms.

Boris Tsilevich refers to the analysis of the draft language law performed by the Office of the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities. The analysis shows that the draft Law to a large extend restricts fundamental human rights including freedom of speech and liberty of conscience. The draft Law also contradicts the European Framework Convention on National Minorities that provides for the use of minority languages on the territories with a large percentage of minority population for communicating with local authorities. According to B.Tsilevich, the draft Language law is the first Latvian legal act to be criticized by European organizations for contradicting European norms.