Press Review

Press Review

Yesterday the Cabinet of Ministers decided that no Minister will participate in the public events of the Commemorations Day of the Latvian Soldiers on 16 March,. The decision is binding on the National Armed Forces military persons. The government calls the society, the mass media, the political and non-governmental organisations to be understanding and tolerant towards the events organised by the veterans, as well as not to succumb to a provocation to destabilise the situation in the country.

Yesterday the Cabinet of Ministers decided that no Minister will participate in the public events of the Commemorations Day of the Latvian Soldiers on 16 March,. The decision is binding on the National Armed Forces military persons. The government calls the society, the mass media, the political and non-governmental organisations to be understanding and tolerant towards the events organised by the veterans, as well as not to succumb to a provocation to destabilise the situation in the country. Diena

Panorama Latvii interviews the MP Janis Urbanovics (For the Human Rights) about the proposed amendments to the Law on Municipal Elections providing the non-citizens with the rights to participate in the elections of the local authorities. According to Mr. Urbanovics, the fraction will do everything to amend the law. He thinks that the European structures which for long time think that these elections should be democratised, will support the fraction. Panorama Latvii

Yesterday the Vice Speaker of the Russian Duma Sergey Baburin met with the representatives of the Russian public organisations in Latvia to discuss the situation of Russian speaking population. “We came to Riga with a hope for significant changes in the Latvian-Russian relations, and in relations of the Latvian authorities with the Russian speaking population. The time goes, but nothing practically changes,” Mr. Baburin said. He told that during the meetings with the Latvian officials the Russian delegation drew their attention to the human rights violations, issues of non-citizens, and the tendency towards elimination of the education in the Russian language. The representatives of the Russian public organisations in Latvia provided the Russian delegation with the specific examples of the human rights violations, including the closing of the Russian schools, the dismissing the teachers who have not passed the Latvian language examination, the restrictions on naturalisation. “The position of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs is clear and strict: the Latvian authorities should give up the naive assumption that without solving the problem of education in the Russian language, citizenship issues and others, it will be possible to have successful economic co-operation with Russia,” Mr. Baburin said. The Russian Duma delegates assured the participants of the meeting that the Russian Federation will actively protect its countrymen.

Yesterday the Vice Speaker of the Russian Duma Sergey Baburin met with the representatives of the Russian public organisations in Latvia to discuss the situation of Russian speaking population. We came to Riga with a hope for significant changes in the Latvian-Russian relations, and in relations of the Latvian authorities with the Russian speaking population. The time goes, but nothing practically changes, Mr. Baburin said. He told that during the meetings with the Latvian officials the Russian delegation drew their attention to the human rights violations, issues of non-citizens, and the tendency towards elimination of the education in the Russian language. The representatives of the Russian public organisations in Latvia provided the Russian delegation with the specific examples of the human rights violations, including the closing of the Russian schools, the dismissing the teachers who have not passed the Latvian language examination, the restrictions on naturalisation. The position of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs is clear and strict: the Latvian authorities should give up the naive assumption that without solving the problem of education in the Russian language, citizenship issues and others, it will be possible to have successful economic co-operation with Russia, Mr. Baburin said. The Russian Duma delegates assured the participants of the meeting that the Russian Federation will actively protect its countrymen. Panorama Latvii

A while ago the daft law on ratification of the 6th Protocol to the European Human Rights Convention providing the abolition of the death penalty, was adopted by the Latvian parliament in the 1st reading. Some MP’s think that after the tragedy in Gulbene the deputies will be reluctant to support the draft law in the second reading. MP Kristiana Libane thinks that in the context of this tragedy the majority of the parliament might support the position of the MP Dzintars Rasnacs stating that the Protocol should come into force no earlier than within two years.

A while ago the daft law on ratification of the 6th Protocol to the European Human Rights Convention providing the abolition of the death penalty, was adopted by the Latvian parliament in the 1st reading. Some MPs think that after the tragedy in Gulbene the deputies will be reluctant to support the draft law in the second reading. MP Kristiana Libane thinks that in the context of this tragedy the majority of the parliament might support the position of the MP Dzintars Rasnacs stating that the Protocol should come into force no earlier than within two years. SM

Yesterday the Saeima Commission on Education discussed the proposals for the second reading of the Draft Language Law. The majority did not support the proposal of the fraction

Yesterday the Saeima Commission on Education discussed the proposals for the second reading of the Draft Language Law. The majority did not support the proposal of the fraction For Human Rights defining the role of the state in providing the national minorities with the opportunities to learn the Latvian language. The commission also discussed the provisions concerning the use of the language in announcements, bills and posters. B&B

Press Review

Press Review

The Vice Speaker of the Russian Duma Sergey Baburin believes that after the elections and the referendum in Latvia there are grounds for positive developments in the Latvian-Russian relations, and in the future it might lead to elimination of the economic and political obstacles. The Chair of the Saeima Human Rights Commission Antons Seiksts, after the meeting with Mr. Baburin, said that this is the first time when such high ranking Russian official expresses readiness to develop the neighbourly relations with Latvia as an equal partner. Still, Mr. Baburin criticised the situation of the Russian speaking population in Latvia. According to him, the Citizenship Law contains “many bombs which can blast the Latvian-Russian relations.” He called the conclusion of the OSCE High Commissioner Max van der Stoel concerning the citizenship in Latvia, hasty.

The Vice Speaker of the Russian Duma Sergey Baburin believes that after the elections and the referendum in Latvia there are grounds for positive developments in the Latvian-Russian relations, and in the future it might lead to elimination of the economic and political obstacles. The Chair of the Saeima Human Rights Commission Antons Seiksts, after the meeting with Mr. Baburin, said that this is the first time when such high ranking Russian official expresses readiness to develop the neighbourly relations with Latvia as an equal partner. Still, Mr. Baburin criticised the situation of the Russian speaking population in Latvia. According to him, the Citizenship Law contains many bombs which can blast the Latvian-Russian relations. He called the conclusion of the OSCE High Commissioner Max van der Stoel concerning the citizenship in Latvia, hasty. SM quotes Mr. Baburin saying that in Latvia there are contradictions not only with the European conventions but also with the Universal Human Rights Declaration. The shortcomings in the language and education policy were also stressed. Diena, Neatkariga

Quotations from Mr. Baburin’s statements concerning the citizenship, language and education issues, the 16th of March, the Russian-Latvian relations, are published by

Quotations from Mr. Baburins statements concerning the citizenship, language and education issues, the 16th of March, the Russian-Latvian relations, are published by Chas.

Yesterday the Prime Minister Vilis Kristopans met with the Head of the Naturalisation Board Eizenija Aldermane to discuss the naturalisation process. Ms Aldermane informed that since the elimination of the naturalisation windows the number of the applications for naturalisation has increased considerably. For example, persons who come to the Riga NB divisions now, are put on the waiting list for submitting the necessary documents at the end of April or even in May. Ms. Aldermane warned that certain forces may interpret this situation as a deliberate hindering of the naturalisation. The NB has asked the Cabinet of Ministers to allocate additional 48.5 thousand Lats for creating additional staff units.

Yesterday the Prime Minister Vilis Kristopans met with the Head of the Naturalisation Board Eizenija Aldermane to discuss the naturalisation process. Ms Aldermane informed that since the elimination of the naturalisation windows the number of the applications for naturalisation has increased considerably. For example, persons who come to the Riga NB divisions now, are put on the waiting list for submitting the necessary documents at the end of April or even in May. Ms. Aldermane warned that certain forces may interpret this situation as a deliberate hindering of the naturalisation. The NB has asked the Cabinet of Ministers to allocate additional 48.5 thousand Lats for creating additional staff units. Diena, Neatkariga, Panorama Latvii, Chas

The State President Guntis Ulmanis will not call off the moratorium on the death penalty after the yesterday’s tragedy in a kindergarten in Gulbene where three children and the kindergarten teacher were killed by a 20-year old, the Press Secretary of the State President told the BNS.

The State President Guntis Ulmanis will not call off the moratorium on the death penalty after the yesterdays tragedy in a kindergarten in Gulbene where three children and the kindergarten teacher were killed by a 20-year old, the Press Secretary of the State President told the BNS. Neatkariga

Yesterday in an interview for the Latvian Radio, the State President Guntis Ulmanis said that the government and the Saeima will have to review the decision of the previous Saeima concerning the 16th of March Commemoration Day. According to Mr. Ulmanis, representatives of the Soldiers’ Associations with whom he had met to discuss the issue, have expressed incomprehension about the previous Saeima decision to declare the 16th of March as the Commemoration Day of the Latvian Soldiers, while there are 11 November - Lacplesa Day, 18 November - Independence Day, 8 May - Commemoration Day of Victims of the Second World War.

Yesterday in an interview for the Latvian Radio, the State President Guntis Ulmanis said that the government and the Saeima will have to review the decision of the previous Saeima concerning the 16th of March Commemoration Day. According to Mr. Ulmanis, representatives of the Soldiers Associations with whom he had met to discuss the issue, have expressed incomprehension about the previous Saeima decision to declare the 16th of March as the Commemoration Day of the Latvian Soldiers, while there are 11 November - Lacplesa Day, 18 November - Independence Day, 8 May - Commemoration Day of Victims of the Second World War. Neatkariga

Panorama Latvii publishes the answers to the readers question about the naturalisation provided by Mr. Vitaly Rutkovsky, the head of the Legal Division of the Naturalisation Board.

Panorama Latvii publishes a story of Mr. Balykovski who successfully passed the naturalisation exams. According to him, the exams were easy and the attitude of the NB officials welcoming.

Press Report

Due to the shortcomings in the legislation several illegal immigrants reside in the places for illegal immigrants for over two years. According to the law, they may neither be deported nor granted the status of refugee. Majority of them are former prisoners. In order to remedy the situation, the Saeima Human Rights Commission has decided to prepare amendments to particular laws.

Due to the shortcomings in the legislation several illegal immigrants reside in the places for illegal immigrants for over two years. According to the law, they may neither be deported nor granted the status of refugee. Majority of them are former prisoners. In order to remedy the situation, the Saeima Human Rights Commission has decided to prepare amendments to particular laws. Diena

The Russian Minister on National Policy Ramzan Abdulatipov might be approved to the post of the co-chairman of the Latvian-Russian intergovernmental commission.

The Russian Minister on National Policy Ramzan Abdulatipov might be approved to the post of the co-chairman of the Latvian-Russian intergovernmental commission. Diena, Neatkariga, B&B

Commenting the meeting of the Russian teachers from the CIS and the Baltic States with the Russian Minister on National Policy R. Abdulatipov, the head of the Russian Social Foundation of Estonia V. Lebedev said that in order to help the education in Russian as the language of instruction in the CIS and the Baltic States, Russia should prepare a framework conception of the Russian national schools in the near abroad.

Commenting the meeting of the Russian teachers from the CIS and the Baltic States with the Russian Minister on National Policy R. Abdulatipov, the head of the Russian Social Foundation of Estonia V. Lebedev said that in order to help the education in Russian as the language of instruction in the CIS and the Baltic States, Russia should prepare a framework conception of the Russian national schools in the near abroad. Panorama Latvii

According to the decree of the Latvian Prime Minister Vilis Kristopans, a governmental working group dealing with the preparation of the State Program on the Social Integration in Latvia will be formed. It will be headed by the head of the Naturalisation Board Eizenija Aldermane. The program should be prepared by 15 December 1999. By 26 February the working group will have to specify the plan for the public discussion of the program conception as well as budget for providing social integration events.

According to the decree of the Latvian Prime Minister Vilis Kristopans, a governmental working group dealing with the preparation of the State Program on the Social Integration in Latvia will be formed. It will be headed by the head of the Naturalisation Board Eizenija Aldermane. The program should be prepared by 15 December 1999. By 26 February the working group will have to specify the plan for the public discussion of the program conception as well as budget for providing social integration events. Neatkariga, Panorama Latvii

From 22 -24 February upon the invitation of the Latvian MP Gundars Bojars the Vice Speaker of the Russian Duma Sergey Baburin together with four deputies will visit Latvia. It is planned that Mr. Baburin will meet with the chair of the Saeima Human Rights Commission, representatives of the Latvian -Russian parliamentary co-operation group, and visit Ventspils, Liepaja, Rezekne and Daugavpils.

From 22 -24 February upon the invitation of the Latvian MP Gundars Bojars the Vice Speaker of the Russian Duma Sergey Baburin together with four deputies will visit Latvia. It is planned that Mr. Baburin will meet with the chair of the Saeima Human Rights Commission, representatives of the Latvian -Russian parliamentary co-operation group, and visit Ventspils, Liepaja, Rezekne and Daugavpils. Neatkariga, Chas, SM

Press Review

Press Review

The cancellation of the Soldiers’ Commemoration Day on the 16th March would create the tension, the majority of the officials interviewed by 

The cancellation of the Soldiers Commemoration Day on the 16th March would create the tension, the majority of the officials interviewed byDiena said. The State President Guntis Ulmanis has already expressed his opinion about this date, namely, that it should not be politicised. Mr. Ulmanis himself has planned to pay working visit to Greece and will not be in Latvia at this day. The Saeima Speaker Janis Straume who also will be outside Latvia that day considers the call to abolish the commemoration day provocative. The Prime Minister Vilis Kristopans will not participate in the commemorative events. The Riga City Council has received the application from the National Soldiers Society with the request to permit a march from the Doma Cathedral to the Freedom Monument without using the Republic of Latvia flags or any other symbols. Diena

Last Friday the Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies presented the report on Human Rights in Latvia in 1998 published in the Latvian, English and Russian languages. According to this report, the situation in prisons, the leadership crisis in the National Human Rights Office and the formation of new radical group propagandising the racial hatred were major human rights problems in Latvia in 1998. Among the achievements in this sphere, the authors of the report mention the liberalisation of the Citizenship Law, the amendments to the Law on the Status of Former USSR Citizens who are no Citizens of Latvia or Any Other Country, as well as the supplementing of the Constitution with the new chapter on human rights.

Last Friday the Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies presented the report on Human Rights in Latvia in 1998 published in the Latvian, English and Russian languages. According to this report, the situation in prisons, the leadership crisis in the National Human Rights Office and the formation of new radical group propagandising the racial hatred were major human rights problems in Latvia in 1998. Among the achievements in this sphere, the authors of the report mention the liberalisation of the Citizenship Law, the amendments to the Law on the Status of Former USSR Citizens who are no Citizens of Latvia or Any Other Country, as well as the supplementing of the Constitution with the new chapter on human rights. Diena

Press Review

Press Review

Public organisation

Public organisation Union of Citizens and Non-citizens has submitted to the Saeima amendments to the draft law On the elections of city councils and parish councils giving non-citizens the right of vote. But in accordance with the law they will not be able to candidate. Neatkariga

Russian newspaper

Russian newspaper Nevskoe Vremya, writing about the research of USA Georgetown Foundation, analysing the course of Latvian Foreign Policy, stated that it was not clear where Latvijas Cels was leading Latvia to, at the same time pointing out that Latvian Russian relations should be decided just by Riga and Moscow. As Nevskoe Vremya informs, V.Kristopans had made it understand that current Latvian government would continue its attempts to integrate into NATO and no promises of Russia would make them to swerve from this goal. Neatkariga

Representatives of security services assured that several extremist organisations in Latvia, also Barkashovecs, are under control and their activities did not exceed the limits of administrative norms. Security services are working now on finding out persons and illegal groups that could organise instigations on March 16. The Minister if the Interior R.Jurdzs assured that people did not have to worry because security institutions were working to prevent possible instigations.

Representatives of security services assured that several extremist organisations in Latvia, also Barkashovecs, are under control and their activities did not exceed the limits of administrative norms. Security services are working now on finding out persons and illegal groups that could organise instigations on March 16. The Minister if the Interior R.Jurdzs assured that people did not have to worry because security institutions were working to prevent possible instigations. Neatkariga

The Saeima has adopted in the final reading the draft law “On the status of a stateless person” regulating the status of those persons who have legally entered the territory of Latvia without having citizenship of any country. The law stipulates that such persons shall be issued a stateless person ID. The Deputies did not support the proposal of the faction

The Saeima has adopted in the final reading the draft law On the status of a stateless person regulating the status of those persons who have legally entered the territory of Latvia without having citizenship of any country. The law stipulates that such persons shall be issued a stateless person ID. The Deputies did not support the proposal of the faction For Human Rights in United Latvia to grant this status to those persons who had illegally entered Latvia and had received no refugee status. According to the member of this faction B.Cilevich, there are about 2000 such people. Neatkariga

Yesterday the leader of the Saeima faction

Yesterday the leader of the Saeima faction For Human Rights in United Latvia J.Jurkans sent an open letter to the State President, Prime Minister and Saeima Chairman asking to use their authority and cross out from the list of commemoration days March 16 because the faction considered that this day would increase tension within the society, thus endangering the integration process. Neatkariga

The leaders of the faction

The leaders of the faction For Human Rights in United Latvia met with the Prime Minister and informed him about their forecasts of the possible outcome of the March 16 event and got an impression that the Prime Minister took it very seriously. Next Tuesday V.Kristopans is planning to have a closed meeting of the government to consider the commemoration of March 16. SM, Chas, Panorama Latvii, Bizness & Baltiya

Tevzemei un Brivibai/LNNK

have adopted two announcements about the events on March 16 and the book The Dreadful Year. The Chairman M.Grinblats did not want to speak about the content of these announcements because they were still working on their wording. have adopted two announcements about the events on March 16 and the book “The Dreadful Year”. The Chairman M.Grinblats did not want to speak about the content of these announcements because they were still working on their wording. NeatkarigaNeatkariga Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Ambassador of France to Latvia exchanged the notes on introducing no visa regime between Latvia and France. It is planned that the agreement will take effect on March 1.

Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Ambassador of France to Latvia exchanged the notes on introducing no visa regime between Latvia and France. It is planned that the agreement will take effect on March 1. Neatkariga

The leader of

The leader of Social Democrats J.Bojars has elaborated a completely new Law on Citizenship that has been given to experts for evaluation and afterwards would be submitted to the Saeima for consideration. This new draft law makes it easier to receive citizenship for several groups of residents, at the same time fixing stricter norms of naturalisation. Diena

Deputy Chairman of the Russian National Council S.Baburin is going to visit Riga upon an invitation of the Saeima

Deputy Chairman of the Russian National Council S.Baburin is going to visit Riga upon an invitation of the Saeima Social Democrats faction leader G.Bojars. This visit will be economically orientated but there will be also meetings with the representatives of the Russian community, Saeima factions and the Presidium. Russian representatives will also visit several Latvian cities. Diena