Press Review

Press Review

Andris Skele rejected Ziedonis Cevers' candidature for Minister of Finance yesterday proposed by

Andris Skele rejected Ziedonis Cevers' candidature for Minister of Finance yesterday proposed by "Saimnieks". "Saimnieks" members left the meeting of the governing factions after Skele introduced his list of Government members. Cevers, while talking to journalists, accused Skele of trying to press "Saimnieks" out of the government. The Prime-Minister offered the post of Minister of Finance to Atis Sausnitis (Head of the Saeima Committee on National Economics), also a "Saimnieks" member. Today "Saimnieks" is expected to decide on its further steps. Skele is invited to the meeting of the "Saimnieks" faction leaders today. Ziedonis Cevers told the press that Skele insisted on Sausnitis taking the post while the latter declined the offer. Currently, the Cabinet suggested by Skele is as follows:

Andrejs Krastins (

Andrejs Krastins (LNNK) - Minister of Defense

Valdis Birkavs

Valdis Birkavs ("Latvijas Cels") - Minister of Foreign Affairs

Guntars Krasts (

Guntars Krasts ("Tevzemei un Brivibai") - Minister of Economics

Dainis Turlais (

Dainis Turlais ("Saimnieks") - Minister of the Interior

Juris Celmins

Juris Celmins ("Saimnieks") - Minister of Education and Science

Roberts Dilba (the Farmers' Union) - Minister of Agriculture

Roberts Dilba (the Farmers' Union) - Minister of Agriculture

Vilis Kristopans (

Vilis Kristopans ("Latvijas Cels") - Minister of Communications

Vladimirs Makarovs

Vladimirs Makarovs ("Tevzemei un Brivibai") - Minister of Welfare

Dzintars Rasnacs

Dzintars Rasnacs ("Tevzemei un Brivibai") - Minister of Justice

Anatolijs Gorbunovs

Anatolijs Gorbunovs ("Latvijas Cels") - Minister of Regional Development

Rihards Piks (the Farmers' Union) - Minister of Culture

Rihards Piks (the Farmers' Union) - Minister of Culture

Aleksandrs Kirsteins (

Aleksandrs Kirsteins (LNNK) - Minister for EU Affairs. The "Tautai un Taisnibai" faction has chosen not to participate in the forming of the Government but declared its support of Skele's Cabinet. Today the Saeima will vote on the list of candidates. Still, Andris Skele suggested the Saeima to vote on an incomplete list that would not include candidates for Minister of Finance, Minister of Justice and Minister of the Interior. According to Skele, the decision has been supported by all the factions including "Saimnieks". Even if "Saimnieks" votes against the Cabinet suggested by Skele, it will still have 55 votes in its favor. The Farmers' Union currently has 11 seats after it was joined by Raitis Apalups, formerly of the "Unity" faction. The Cabinet will be also supported by independent deputy Guntis Enins and several Unity Party members.Diena, Neatkariga, B&B

President Yeltsin's Press-Service has distributed the basic points of the long-term doctrine for Russia's relations with the Baltic states. Russia believes that the joining of NATO by Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania would be a serious obstacle to the forming of "constructive cooperation in the region". According to the document, protecting the interests of Russian-speakers in the three counties should be an important long-term task of Russian foreign politics. "Creating conditions for granting of citizenship to all inhabitants of Latvia and Estonia who had a permanent "propiska" on the territory of these countries , simplifying the naturalization procedure, providing the right for citizenship to all born on the territories of these countries and the right for family reunion to all their inhabitants" are named among Russia's priorities. The document stresses the unacceptability of any territorial claims toward Russia and links the signing of the border agreement with Estonia to the improvement of Russian-speakers' situation in the country. Russia's goals also include maintaining "a secure basis for economic cooperation between Russia and the three Baltic states". Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs Birkavs told the press that he expected Russia to take a firmer stand toward the Baltic states as the date of the NATO summit was approaching. Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Press-Secretary Pildegovics says that all humanitarian problems existing between Russia and Latvia should be resolved on the basis of European standards. According to Pildegovics, Latvia cannot be accused of putting territorial claims and has the right to choose its partners.

President Yeltsin's Press-Service has distributed the basic points of the long-term doctrine for Russia's relations with the Baltic states. Russia believes that the joining of NATO by Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania would be a serious obstacle to the forming of "constructive cooperation in the region". According to the document, protecting the interests of Russian-speakers in the three counties should be an important long-term task of Russian foreign politics. "Creating conditions for granting of citizenship to all inhabitants of Latvia and Estonia who had a permanent "propiska" on the territory of these countries , simplifying the naturalization procedure, providing the right for citizenship to all born on the territories of these countries and the right for family reunion to all their inhabitants" are named among Russia's priorities. The document stresses the unacceptability of any territorial claims toward Russia and links the signing of the border agreement with Estonia to the improvement of Russian-speakers' situation in the country. Russia's goals also include maintaining "a secure basis for economic cooperation between Russia and the three Baltic states". Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs Birkavs told the press that he expected Russia to take a firmer stand toward the Baltic states as the date of the NATO summit was approaching. Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Press-Secretary Pildegovics says that all humanitarian problems existing between Russia and Latvia should be resolved on the basis of European standards. According to Pildegovics, Latvia cannot be accused of putting territorial claims and has the right to choose its partners. Diena, SM

Boris Tsilevich in his analysis of the current political situation in Latvia suggests that

Boris Tsilevich in his analysis of the current political situation in Latvia suggests that "Saimnieks" could win more votes in previous local elections if it was "pragmatic enough" to support the granting of the right of vote in local elections to non-citizens. Tsilevich does not believe that any considerable changes may occur on the Latvian political scene. The newly formed parties (as the Union for Reforms) are found by former National Block member willing to boost their political careers. These parties, according to Tsilevich, are trying to conceal their nationalism, and may even attract non-Latvian voters. Still, the essence of their policy toward non-Latvians will remain clearly nationalistic. Same holds true for the Social Democrats, writes Tsilevich. SM

Press Review

Press Review

Last night Prime-Minister Skele suggested yet another model for forming the Cabinet. It gives the post of Minister of Justice to

Last night Prime-Minister Skele suggested yet another model for forming the Cabinet. It gives the post of Minister of Justice to "Tevzemei un Brivibai" as well as two other posts. The rest two large factions ("Latvijas Cels" and "Saimnieks") are to hold tree posts each. The smaller factions ("The Farmers Union"/the Christian Democrats, "Tautai un Taisnibai" and the LNNK) are to nominate their candidates for four posts. Today (12 February) Andris Skele expects the faction to comment on his proposals. The most serious problem may be caused by "TB" and "Saimnieks" suggesting their candidates for the post of Minister of Justice. "TB" has nominated current Minister of Justice for the post while "Saimnieks" has nominated Head of the Saeima Juridical Committee Juris Kaksitis candidate for the same post. "TB" leaders Maris Grinblats and Janis Straume told "DIENA" yesterday that the faction could leave the governing coalition in case it did not receive the posts of Minister of Justice and Minister of Economics. "Saimnieks" representatives told the press that the faction was not going to leave the coalition should it not be given the post of Minister of Justice. The three smaller factions demand five posts in the Cabinet instead of four offered by Skele (Minister of Agriculture - Dilba, Minister of Culture - Piks (both of "The Farmers' Union"), Minister for EU Affairs - Kirsteins (the LNNK), Minister of Defense - Krastins (the LNNK), Minister of Welfare - Saulitis ("Tautai un Taisnibai"). "TB" does not insist on retaining the post of Minister of Welfare. Andris Skele has not named his candidate for Minister of Finance yet. Diena, SM A group of Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs experts had consultations with their Latvian colleagues in Riga. The aim of the visit was to review the existing agreements between the two countries and to discuss the drafting of agreements yet to be concluded. Head of the Russian expert group Sergey Prihodko told "SM" that the Latvian side was focusing mainly on economic agreements while Russia was concerned about resolving "humanitarian problems". Those problems, according to Prihodko, were inhibiting the progress in relations between the two countries. SM

Boris Tsilevich believes that the Social-Democrats will win a considerable number of votes in the upcoming local elections. He explains the expected tendency by disillusionment of poorer voters in centrist and nationalist parties. Most of the voters being ethnic Latvians, the Social-Democrats are to promote the concept of "the priority of ethnic Latvians' interests". Their election campaign will be based on populist slogans. A similar tactic was used by Zigerist's and Kauls' parties in last elections. Both parties lost a considerable part of their popularity proving to be unable to influence important decision both on the local and national level.

Boris Tsilevich believes that the Social-Democrats will win a considerable number of votes in the upcoming local elections. He explains the expected tendency by disillusionment of poorer voters in centrist and nationalist parties. Most of the voters being ethnic Latvians, the Social-Democrats are to promote the concept of "the priority of ethnic Latvians' interests". Their election campaign will be based on populist slogans. A similar tactic was used by Zigerist's and Kauls' parties in last elections. Both parties lost a considerable part of their popularity proving to be unable to influence important decision both on the local and national level. SM

Press Report

Yesterday Andris Skele,

Yesterday Andris Skele, "Saimnieks", "Latvijas Cels", "Tevzemei un Brivibai", the Farmers' Union, the Christian Democrats, the LNNK/the Greens, and "Tautai un Taisnibai" signed the Government Declaration. Still, the factions and the Prime-Minister failed to agree on the basic cooperation principles. "Tevzemei un Brivibai" was the only faction objecting to the agreement. "TB" refused to accept reorganization of the Citizenship and Immigration Department and the Naturalization Board. The Government Declaration includes supplements on foreign politics suggested by "Latvijas Cels". According to Ziedonis Cevers, the document contains "the complete set" of amendments suggested by "Saimnieks". Although the agreement was not adopted yesterday, the coalition factions and Andris Skele accepted an amendment suggested by "LC" and "TB". The amendment cancels a paragraph of the agreement depriving a faction of the right to impose mandatory voting on its members if the faction votes against decisions supported by a majority in the Cooperation Council. The agreement also gives a faction the right to nominate its candidate in case of its member's resignation "if not decided otherwise" by the factions. The factions did not agree on the distribution of posts. Andris Skele suggested that "Saimnieks" could take four posts, "LC" and "TB" -- three posts each, the Farmers' Union and "Tautai un Taisnibai" -- one post each, and the LNNK -- one post. "TB" and "LC" suggest distributing the post equally among the first three groups (three for each one) with one post being left to the LNNK. Neatkariga, B&B

Socialists Modris Lujans and Alexandr Bartashevich during their yesterday's meeting with Skele offered their faction’s support of the Cabinet. Conditions put by the Socialists include eliminating the differences between the rights of citizens and non-citizens and establishing the post of State Minister for Eastern Affairs.

Socialists Modris Lujans and Alexandr Bartashevich during their yesterday's meeting with Skele offered their factions support of the Cabinet. Conditions put by the Socialists include eliminating the differences between the rights of citizens and non-citizens and establishing the post of State Minister for Eastern Affairs. Diena

Saeima Speaker Alfreds Cepanis, Chairman of the

Saeima Speaker Alfreds Cepanis, Chairman of the Saeima Committee on Foreign Affairs Indulis Berzins, Head of the Latvian-Russian Parliamentary Group Janis Jurkans, "Saimnieks" Chairman Ziedonis Cevers, Juris Sinka of "Tevzemei un Brivibai" and a group of Latvian bankers and businessmen will visit Moscow on February 17. The agenda of the visit will include meetings with Duma Speaker Gennady Seleznev and Head of the President's Administration Anatoly Chubais. The group will probably meet Mayor of Moscow Luzhkov. Mr. Cepanis told the press that he was expecting the "Russian treatment" of the human rights situation in Latvia, and had studied international human rights instruments thoroughly. Mr. Cepanis also plans to meet Head of the Naturalization Board Aldermane. Diena

Press Review

Press Review

Today Prime-Minister Skele and the

Today Prime-Minister Skele and the Saeima factions are expected to sign a coalition agreement and a declaration. The factions have suggested numerous supplements to the Government Declaration. President Ulmanis in an interview for "DIENA" (10 Feb.) admitted that the Declaration could focus more on the country's foreign policz. "Latvijas Cels" suggested working out a program for integration into the EU and NATO. "LC" also stressed the importance of signing the border agreement with Russia and developing relations with the CIS states. "Tevzemei un Brivibai" suggested to adopt the Law on Education before 1 January 1998. "TB" insists that all teachers in non-Latvian schools should take Latvian language tests for the highest official category by September 1, 1998. Suggestions by the Farmers' Union and "Tautai un Taisnibai" deal mainly with agriculture and education.

"Saimnieks"

proposed candidates for all posts in the Cabinet. Ziedonis Cevers issued a statement ( proposed candidates for all posts in the Cabinet. Ziedonis Cevers issued a statement ("NEATKARIGA""NEATKARIGA", 10 February) calling upon all factions participating in the forming of the Cabinet to follow, 10 February) calling upon all factions participating in the forming of the Cabinet to follow "Saimnieks'" "Saimnieks'" example and to name their candidates for all posts. Cevers believes that the Prime-Minister should have a larger choice of candidates and that retaining certain posts by certain factions should not develop into a "tradition". The most important conflict of political interests may be caused by both example and to name their candidates for all posts. Cevers believes that the Prime-Minister should have a larger choice of candidates and that retaining certain posts by certain factions should not develop into a "tradition". The most important conflict of political interests may be caused by both "Saimnieks""Saimnieks" and and "TB" "TB" expecting to take the posts of Minister of Justice and Minister of Economics. expecting to take the posts of Minister of Justice and Minister of Economics. "Saimnieks""Saimnieks" still suggests Turlais for Minister of the Interior. Observers believe that Cevers' candidature for the post was withdrawn by still suggests Turlais for Minister of the Interior. Observers believe that Cevers' candidature for the post was withdrawn by "Saimnieks""Saimnieks" to give the to give the LNNKLNNK a chance to retain the post of Minister of Defense currently held by Krastins. Earlier, a chance to retain the post of Minister of Defense currently held by Krastins. Earlier, "Saimnieks" "Saimnieks" suggested Turlais as a candidate for Minister of Defense while nominating Cevers Minister of the Interior. President Ulmanis made it clear that he would support Birkavs' ( suggested Turlais as a candidate for Minister of Defense while nominating Cevers Minister of the Interior. President Ulmanis made it clear that he would support Birkavs' ("Latvijas Cels""Latvijas Cels") candidature for Minister of Foreign Affairs. Still, there is a rumor that Birkavs could be replaced by Indulis Berzins (also ) candidature for Minister of Foreign Affairs. Still, there is a rumor that Birkavs could be replaced by Indulis Berzins (also "LC""LC") due to his strained relations with Skele. ) due to his strained relations with Skele. "LC""LC" expects to take the posts of Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Communications, and Minister of Environmental Protection and Regional Development. expects to take the posts of Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Communications, and Minister of Environmental Protection and Regional Development. B&B;, Diena, NeatkarigaB&B, Diena, Neatkariga

Press Review

Press Review

Andris Skele in an interview for

Andris Skele in an interview for "DIENA" said that the canceling of "propiska" was not opposed by any of the factions expected to form the Cabinet. The new type of registration, according to Skele, will be based on an individuals place of registration as a taxpayer. When asked about the possibility of Melnik ("Saimnieks") taking the post of Minister of Finance, Skele said that he would not object against his candidature unless there was conclusive evidence against Melnik. The very fact of Melnik being nominated by his party as a candidate for Minister of Finance proves that "Saimnieks" has no doubts about his morals, said Skele. Skele confirmed that "Tevzemei un Brivibai" candidate Roberts Zile had declined his proposal to take the post. Diena

Recent statements by Western politicians show that Latvia will not be among the countries admitted to NATO at the first stage of its enlargement. US Ambassador to Sweden Thomas Siebert said that the Baltic states would not be invited to NATO summit in Madrid this summer. Still, he confirmed that US were supporting the admission of the three Baltic countries to NATO. The US Ambassador said that W.Perry's assessment of the three countries as potential NATO members had not been changed. Last year Perry said that the Baltic states were not prepared to join NATO at the first stage of its enlargement. Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Press-Secretary Pildegovics commented on Siebert's statement saying that Latvia would adhere to its policy aimed at joining NATO irrespective of the outcome of this year's summit.

Recent statements by Western politicians show that Latvia will not be among the countries admitted to NATO at the first stage of its enlargement. US Ambassador to Sweden Thomas Siebert said that the Baltic states would not be invited to NATO summit in Madrid this summer. Still, he confirmed that US were supporting the admission of the three Baltic countries to NATO. The US Ambassador said that W.Perry's assessment of the three countries as potential NATO members had not been changed. Last year Perry said that the Baltic states were not prepared to join NATO at the first stage of its enlargement. Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Press-Secretary Pildegovics commented on Siebert's statement saying that Latvia would adhere to its policy aimed at joining NATO irrespective of the outcome of this year's summit. Diena