Press Review

Press Review

Since the regaining of the independence some 4 thousand persons have repatriated to Latvia, Head of the Repatriation Centre Juris Dombrovskis told DIENA. According to the Law on Repatriation adopted in 1995, a repatriate is a person who is a citizen of Latvia or whose one parent or grandparent is a Latvian or a Liv, and who moves to Latvia for permanent residence. The Repatriation Centre helps to solve the housing and the work related problems, as well as assists with the state language training. Although the state does not have a special language training program for the repatriates, the Repatriation Centre co-operates with Latvian People’s School and covers the course fees. The repatriates are entitled to have the travel and resettlement expenses compensated, and in case the Employment Service has not been able to offer the job, to receive allowance in amount of 90% of the minimum wage for 6 months. These expenses are covered from the Repatriation Fund which receives 51 thousand Lats annually from the state budget. Mr. Dombrovskis believes that the repatriation rate will continue increase and, according to the Centre’s calculations, the Repatriation Fund would need some 113 thousand Lats annually.

Since the regaining of the independence some 4 thousand persons have repatriated to Latvia, Head of the Repatriation Centre Juris Dombrovskis told DIENA. According to the Law on Repatriation adopted in 1995, a repatriate is a person who is a citizen of Latvia or whose one parent or grandparent is a Latvian or a Liv, and who moves to Latvia for permanent residence. The Repatriation Centre helps to solve the housing and the work related problems, as well as assists with the state language training. Although the state does not have a special language training program for the repatriates, the Repatriation Centre co-operates with Latvian Peoples School and covers the course fees. The repatriates are entitled to have the travel and resettlement expenses compensated, and in case the Employment Service has not been able to offer the job, to receive allowance in amount of 90% of the minimum wage for 6 months. These expenses are covered from the Repatriation Fund which receives 51 thousand Lats annually from the state budget. Mr. Dombrovskis believes that the repatriation rate will continue increase and, according to the Centres calculations, the Repatriation Fund would need some 113 thousand Lats annually. Diena

It is planned that the Saeima will consider the draft budget for 1999in the second reading on 25 February.

It is planned that the Saeima will consider the draft budget for 1999in the second reading on 25 February. Diena

Germany as the EU presiding country, believes the EU should take a decision about the starting the accession talks with Latvia this year, in an interview for the DIENA the German State Minister Gunter Verheugen said. According to him, Latvia has achieved the progress that was acknowledged in the European Commission report, and the conclusions should be made accordingly.

Germany as the EU presiding country, believes the EU should take a decision about the starting the accession talks with Latvia this year, in an interview for the DIENA the German State Minister Gunter Verheugen said. According to him, Latvia has achieved the progress that was acknowledged in the European Commission report, and the conclusions should be made accordingly. Diena

Commenting the 16th of March Commemoration Day, the Director of the Foreign Affairs Institute Atis Lejins tries to answer the question why this date creates the sense of insecurity un political tension in Latvia and undermines the Latvia’s image in the world. Mr. Lejins believes that the present Parliament will have to abolish the decision of the previous Saeima to have the 16th March as the Second World War Soldiers Commemoration Day.

Commenting the 16th of March Commemoration Day, the Director of the Foreign Affairs Institute Atis Lejins tries to answer the question why this date creates the sense of insecurity un political tension in Latvia and undermines the Latvias image in the world. Mr. Lejins believes that the present Parliament will have to abolish the decision of the previous Saeima to have the 16th March as the Second World War Soldiers Commemoration Day. Diena

Yesterday the Saeima fraction

Yesterday the Saeima fraction For Human Rights decided to ask the government to take an initiative and abolish the Commemoration Day of the Latvian Soldiers before the 16 March of this year. The deputies think that there are certain forces on both sides that will try to use this day for increasing their popularity. B&B, Panorama Latvii

The Press Secretary of the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Toms Baumanis told journalists that the visa free regime with the countries of the Schengen treaty will apply only to the Latvian citizens.

The Press Secretary of the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Toms Baumanis told journalists that the visa free regime with the countries of the Schengen treaty will apply only to the Latvian citizens. SM, commenting this fact, argues that this is one more restriction of the Latvian non-citizens rights.

During last four years some 17, 355 person applied for the Latvian citizenship. In 1805 cases the application was denied. 11, 576 persons were granted the citizenship, of which 54% were Russians, 17,6 -Lithuanians and Estonians, 10, 4% - Belorussians, 8,1% - Poles, 5,6% - Ukrainians, and 0.6% - Latvians and Livs.

During last four years some 17, 355 person applied for the Latvian citizenship. In 1805 cases the application was denied. 11, 576 persons were granted the citizenship, of which 54% were Russians, 17,6 -Lithuanians and Estonians, 10, 4% - Belorussians, 8,1% - Poles, 5,6% - Ukrainians, and 0.6% - Latvians and Livs. SM

Some time ago the Saeima fractions received a draft law on amendments to the Law on Municipal Elections prepared by the public organisation “Union of Citizens and Non-Citizens,” allowing non-citizens to participate in the elections of the local authorities. Yesterday the 

Some time ago the Saeima fractions received a draft law on amendments to the Law on Municipal Elections prepared by the public organisation Union of Citizens and Non-Citizens, allowing non-citizens to participate in the elections of the local authorities. Yesterday theChas asked 27 deputies to assess such amendments. All, except for the deputies of the fraction For Human Rights, were against the amendments arguing that the non-citizens have the opportunity to naturalise. Chas

Irina Osadchaya, the CHAS journalist, discuss the world security issue in connection with the closing of the Skrunda Early Missile Warning Radar Station. According to the journalist, Russia and the United States still hold the Cold War nuclear doctrines, main of which is the conception of the guaranteed mutual destruction. The danger of continuing to apply this doctrine increases because of the collapse of the Russian early missile warning system, including the dismantling the Skrunda Radar Station.

Irina Osadchaya, the CHAS journalist, discuss the world security issue in connection with the closing of the Skrunda Early Missile Warning Radar Station. According to the journalist, Russia and the United States still hold the Cold War nuclear doctrines, main of which is the conception of the guaranteed mutual destruction. The danger of continuing to apply this doctrine increases because of the collapse of the Russian early missile warning system, including the dismantling the Skrunda Radar Station. Chas

Panorama Latvii journalist Sergey Zaletayev analyses the Cabinet of Minister Regulations on the Procedure of Receiving and Considering the Applications for the Naturalisation. He argues that some provisions of these Regulations contradict with the provisions of the Citizenship Law. For example, the Regulations enlist the documents that should be presented by the person when applying for the naturalisation, including the statement that the person does not hold the citizenship of another country, if the person is a citizen of the former USSR who on 4 May 1999 permanently resided in Latvia. It means that the persons who are citizens of the former USSR permanently residing in Latvia who already hold citizenship of another country, in fact are ineligible to apply for the Latvian citizenship. This, however, is not restricted by the Citizenship Law. The Article 12 paragraph 1 subparagraph 7 states that citizenship of Latvia shall be granted through naturalisation to those persons who are registered in the Residents Register and have submitted a statement of renunciation of their former citizenship and have received an expatriation permit from the state of their former citizenship, if such permit is provided for by the laws of that state, or have received a document certifying the loss of citizenship, but citizens of the former USSR who on May 4, 1990 permanently resided in Latvia - a statement that they have not received citizenship of other country. These documents, according to the Citizenship Law, should be submitted after the person has been officially notified that there are no obstacles to grant him/her the citizenship. In conclusion Mr. Zaletayev states that in the state power institutions there are certain political forces that actively make obstacles to obtaining of the Latvian citizenship by permanent residents of Latvia who have received the Russian citizenship.

Dienainforms that the Estonian parliament adopted the law about the person identification documents according to which starting 1 January 2001 each Estonian citizen permanently residing in Estonia and foreign citizen whose residence permit is issued for at least one year, will have to have a person identification card for the domestic transactions.

Press Review

Press Review

Finishing his visit to Latvia, German government representative G.Verheugen said that Germany government wished Latvia to be invited for talks on joining EU this year. During this visit he signed an agreement of no visa regime between Germany and Latvia.

Finishing his visit to Latvia, German government representative G.Verheugen said that Germany government wished Latvia to be invited for talks on joining EU this year. During this visit he signed an agreement of no visa regime between Germany and Latvia. Diena

Russian speaking newspapers note that the Germany official had also promised to start considering the question of annulling visas for non-citizens of Latvia.

Russian speaking newspapers note that the Germany official had also promised to start considering the question of annulling visas for non-citizens of Latvia. Chas, Bizness & Baltiya

Prime Minister V.Kristopans announced to the press on Monday that the Director of the NHRO O.Bruveris should be exchanged. The Chairman the Saeima Commission on Human Rights A.Seiksts had no comments on this statement because the Commission was not supporting any exact person, it just wished the NHRO to be come the most prestigious human rights institution in Latvia.

Prime Minister V.Kristopans announced to the press on Monday that the Director of the NHRO O.Bruveris should be exchanged. The Chairman the Saeima Commission on Human Rights A.Seiksts had no comments on this statement because the Commission was not supporting any exact person, it just wished the NHRO to be come the most prestigious human rights institution in Latvia. Union of Latvian Social Democrats propose the Director of Latvian University Human Rights Institute I.Ziemele to this post, and she has agreed to this proposal. Diena

When the newspaper

When the newspaper Chas journalist asked Prime Minister V.Kristopans what decision had been taken about March 16, the answer was that the discussion had been very lively but without any decision. He also did not explain what would be the reaction if any of ministers would attend the demonstration of legionnaires. Speaking about his possible visit to Russia, V.Kristopans said that before the intergovernmental commission started its activities, he even did not think about such a thing.

Yesterday the sitting of the Saeima Commission on Education, Culture and Science, where they considered the second reading of the draft language law was not a very successful one for the Saeima faction

Yesterday the sitting of the Saeima Commission on Education, Culture and Science, where they considered the second reading of the draft language law was not a very successful one for the Saeima faction For Human Rights in United Latvia. All their proposals were rejected. Representatives of this faction Ya.Pliner and A.Bartashevich tried to persuade other Commission members to follow the recommendations of the High Commissioner Max van der Stoel. These two deputies have made 36 proposals and 99% of them are rejected. SM

Panorama Latvii, writing about the problem of spelling the names of non-citizens in the violet non-citizen passports, describes the case of the Shishkins family. In Latvian spelling their family name acquires quite a different meaning, and these people have even appealed to court, but the decision was not in their favour. These people still continue to address different state institutions to change the spelling of their family.

Panorama Latvii, writing about the problem of spelling the names of non-citizens in the violet non-citizen passports, describes the case of the Shishkins family. In Latvian spelling their family name acquires quite a different meaning, and these people have even appealed to court, but the decision was not in their favour. These people still continue to address different state institutions to change the spelling of their family.

Press Review

Press Review

Prime Minister V.Kristopans thinks that the Director of the NHRO O.Bruveris should be exchanged. He expressed this opinion during a discussion with journalists, answering to a question why the faction

Prime Minister V.Kristopans thinks that the Director of the NHRO O.Bruveris should be exchanged. He expressed this opinion during a discussion with journalists, answering to a question why the faction Latvijas Cels had not supported a proposal to grant additional 24 000 Ls from the budget to the NHRO . Neatkariga

V.Kristopans considers the idea to turn March 16 into the commemoration day of Latvian soldiers not a very successful one because this date is a day of “strange uniforms” and it is difficult to combine it with the fight for Latvia’s independence. The government will decide about its position in this respect during the next few days after having listened to the opinions of security officers on the situation in the state. V.Kristopans refused to make any comments on the decision of the Interior Minister G.Kristovskis not to impose any restrictions for participation of military personnel in the commemoration events.

V.Kristopans considers the idea to turn March 16 into the commemoration day of Latvian soldiers not a very successful one because this date is a day of strange uniforms and it is difficult to combine it with the fight for Latvias independence. The government will decide about its position in this respect during the next few days after having listened to the opinions of security officers on the situation in the state. V.Kristopans refused to make any comments on the decision of the Interior Minister G.Kristovskis not to impose any restrictions for participation of military personnel in the commemoration events. Neatkariga, Diena, Jauna Avize, Chas

Officials of the Interior Ministry and security services consider that situation in the state is under control and no extraordinary events take place. But the journalists of the Russian speaking newspaper

Officials of the Interior Ministry and security services consider that situation in the state is under control and no extraordinary events take place. But the journalists of the Russian speaking newspaper Chas have a different opinion. They compare the current situation, when almost every day there is a bomb explosion in Riga, with the one a year ago and find common features, thus hinting the future development of the situation. Chas

Liepaja City Council has granted a credit of 30 000 Ls to the enterprise Liepajas siltums (Liepaja Heat), which is the fourth credit during last two years, to provide heat to the low income people living in Karaosta (former Soviet military naval base) and Tosmare.

Liepaja City Council has granted a credit of 30 000 Ls to the enterprise Liepajas siltums (Liepaja Heat), which is the fourth credit during last two years, to provide heat to the low income people living in Karaosta (former Soviet military naval base) and Tosmare. Neatkariga

Yesterday the Riga Regional Court passed a decision that the Riga City Council deputy T.Zdanok was the subject of the law prohibiting former

Yesterday the Riga Regional Court passed a decision that the Riga City Council deputy T.Zdanok was the subject of the law prohibiting former Communist Party members (after January 13,1991) to be elected to the Saeima and municipalities. With this decree taking effect, the City Council will have to annul Zdanoks deputy mandate. There were pickets in Riga and Liepaja supporting T.Zdanok and demanding to stop witch hunts. Neatkariga, Diena, Chas, SM, Panorama Latvii, Bizness & Baltiya

Russian government considers a project to introduce a sticker in Russian citizen passport, stating persons belonging to some of the republics - subjects of the Russian Federation. This was announced by the first Deputy Chairman of Russian government V.Gustov. He explained that this sticker would be filled in the national language of the corresponding republic and would have the coat of arms of this republic on it.

SM

Panorama Latvii

published an interview with Marina Shabalina who recently had passed the naturalisation exams. Marina tells the journalist about her impressions during the process of naturalisation and finds the exams to be very easy. The newspaper asks other claimants for naturalisation to write about their experiences. published an interview with Marina Shabalina who recently had passed the naturalisation exams. Marina tells the journalist about her impressions during the process of naturalisation and finds the exams to be very easy. The newspaper asks other claimants for naturalisation to write about their experiences.

Bizness & Baltiya

writes about the 15 Estonian MPs accusing the OSCE High Commissioner Max van der Stoel in escalating tension in Estonia. writes about the 15 Estonian MPs accusing the OSCE High Commissioner Max van der Stoel in escalating tension in Estonia.

Press Report

German Minister of Foreign Affairs G.Ferheigen is coming to Latvia on February 15 and 16. During this visit, he will sign an agreement on no visa regime between Germany and Latvia that will take effect on march 1.

German Minister of Foreign Affairs G.Ferheigen is coming to Latvia on February 15 and 16. During this visit, he will sign an agreement on no visa regime between Germany and Latvia that will take effect on march 1. Neatkariga

Linguist V.Skujina writes in Diena about a tendency to mix grammar with politics, i.e. about the problem of spelling personal names of non-Latvians in the Latvian language, treating it as a human rights violation and gives her point of view that spelling of personal names is just a Latvian grammar problem.

Linguist V.Skujina writes in Diena about a tendency to mix grammar with politics, i.e. about the problem of spelling personal names of non-Latvians in the Latvian language, treating it as a human rights violation and gives her point of view that spelling of personal names is just a Latvian grammar problem. Diena

Diena

informs that National Human Rights Office is facing financial problems, therefore Director O.Bruveris has decided not only to dismiss several employees but also work more economically. informs that National Human Rights Office is facing financial problems, therefore Director O.Bruveris has decided not only to dismiss several employees but also work more economically. The Head of Immigration Police A.Kurpnieks has passed his attestation test because he had eliminated the discovered drawbacks.

The Head of Immigration Police A.Kurpnieks has passed his attestation test because he had eliminated the discovered drawbacks. Diena

Press Review

Press Review

On Friday the official opening ceremony of asylum seekers centre Mucenieki took place. There is room enough for 250 people. Now 10 asylum seekers and one refugee live in the centre. UN representative K.Kalumy thinks that opening of this centre for Latvia is one more step towards joining EU.

On Friday the official opening ceremony of asylum seekers centre Mucenieki took place. There is room enough for 250 people. Now 10 asylum seekers and one refugee live in the centre. UN representative K.Kalumy thinks that opening of this centre for Latvia is one more step towards joining EU. Diena

The Latvian government will consider the commemoration day of Latvian soldiers during one of its next meetings, but Prime Minister V.Kristopans does not foresee any “sensation that the government could adopt” because it does not intend to discuss about using any special means. The Prime Minister made this announcement to the Latvian Radio. He himself is worried that peaceful Latvian soldiers could be involved in some kind of instigation, therefore the government will oppose all activities of unregistered extremist groups such as Barkashovists. Ministers as government representatives will not take part in any activities of March 16, but if any minister would like to lay flowers, it is his/her private business.

The Latvian government will consider the commemoration day of Latvian soldiers during one of its next meetings, but Prime Minister V.Kristopans does not foresee any sensation that the government could adopt because it does not intend to discuss about using any special means. The Prime Minister made this announcement to the Latvian Radio. He himself is worried that peaceful Latvian soldiers could be involved in some kind of instigation, therefore the government will oppose all activities of unregistered extremist groups such as Barkashovists. Ministers as government representatives will not take part in any activities of March 16, but if any minister would like to lay flowers, it is his/her private business. Neatkariga

The Saeima faction

The Saeima faction For Human Rights in United Latvia consider that the ban for former KGB personnel and persons, who were members of Communist party after January 13, 1991, to candidate in municipal elections to be anti-constitutional. If a court deprives Riga City Council Deputy T.Zdanok of her deputy mandate, then the politicians of the Union will show the whole world that political discrimination takes place in Latvia. Diena

the leaders of the Saeima faction

the leaders of the Saeima faction For Human Rights in United Latvii J.Jurkans, movement Equality S.Dimanis and the co-ordinator of this movement T.Zdanok informed the mass media that a court hearing concerning T.Zdanok was planned for February 15. Panorama Latvii

On Friday, with the State President G.Ulmanis present, a regional office of the Latvian Language Training Program was opened in Liepaja. So far such a regional office existed only in Daugavpils. Currently about 500 Liepaja residents use the services of the LLTP: they are railroad workers, policemen, medical personnel, workers of largest factories.

On Friday, with the State President G.Ulmanis present, a regional office of the Latvian Language Training Program was opened in Liepaja. So far such a regional office existed only in Daugavpils. Currently about 500 Liepaja residents use the services of the LLTP: they are railroad workers, policemen, medical personnel, workers of largest factories. Diena

The Saeima Deputy from the faction

The Saeima Deputy from the faction For Human Rights in United Latvia B.Cilevich considers that Latvia will not get away only with the adoption of the Law on Citizenship. If anybody hopes that the EU Council and the OSCE would close their eyes to other our violations, he makes a major mistake. The same statement Mr. Cilevich repeated at the meeting of the Council of Nationalities with the State President. SM, Panorama Latvii (February 15)

A high ranking Russian official told SM journalist that the announcement of German Chancellor G.Schreder that the Baltic countries would not be invited to the NATO as new members, meant that NATO member countries had listened to Russian opinion on this issue, and it gave Russia new stimuli to increase her activities on creating a European security system within the OSCE. Russia is ready to continue working on preparation of European Chart on Security with all OSCE member states.

A high ranking Russian official told SM journalist that the announcement of German Chancellor G.Schreder that the Baltic countries would not be invited to the NATO as new members, meant that NATO member countries had listened to Russian opinion on this issue, and it gave Russia new stimuli to increase her activities on creating a European security system within the OSCE. Russia is ready to continue working on preparation of European Chart on Security with all OSCE member states. SM