Press Review

The Chairman of the

The Chairman of the Union of Latvian Social Democrats faction E.Baldzens, Prime Minister V.Kristopans, as well as representatives of New Party and TB/LNNK came to an agreement that Social Democrats had the right to conclude separate co-operation agreements with any of government forming parties. In the draft agreement between the ULSD and the government there is an article that in the case the ULSD demands a resignation of a Minister, it would be agreed with the Prime Minister. Neatkariga

Minister of Foreign Affairs V.Birkavs did not make any comments on the statements made by an anonymous MFA official that the government should reconsider its welcoming policy towards Russia if it did not change its pressure policy towards Latvia. The Minister of Foreign Affairs said that he would not react to anonymous announcements. V.Birkavs also said that Latvia was ready for a dialogue with Russia.

Minister of Foreign Affairs V.Birkavs did not make any comments on the statements made by an anonymous MFA official that the government should reconsider its welcoming policy towards Russia if it did not change its pressure policy towards Latvia. The Minister of Foreign Affairs said that he would not react to anonymous announcements. V.Birkavs also said that Latvia was ready for a dialogue with Russia. Neatkariga

To define a unique position on internal aspects, the State President, Saeima Speaker, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs have decided to prepare several working documents not for publishing. V.Birkavs acknowledged that although Latvia was realising a unique foreign policy, it was still necessary to give more clear signals for foreign countries. These four officials met on Friday on an invitation of the State President and discussed their positions an the four Saeima approved foreign policy priorities - integration in EU, NATO, establishing of good neighbour relations with Russia and regional co-operation. They came to a conclusion that their opinions agree on integration issues in general but differ on the speed and tactics, in its turn what concerns regional co-operation - most attention should be paid to elaborate a unique Baltic position. The longest discussions were on Russia.

To define a unique position on internal aspects, the State President, Saeima Speaker, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs have decided to prepare several working documents not for publishing. V.Birkavs acknowledged that although Latvia was realising a unique foreign policy, it was still necessary to give more clear signals for foreign countries. These four officials met on Friday on an invitation of the State President and discussed their positions an the four Saeima approved foreign policy priorities - integration in EU, NATO, establishing of good neighbour relations with Russia and regional co-operation. They came to a conclusion that their opinions agree on integration issues in general but differ on the speed and tactics, in its turn what concerns regional co-operation - most attention should be paid to elaborate a unique Baltic position. The longest discussions were on Russia. Diena, Bizness & Baltiya

Marshal of Polish Seim M.Plazynsky, while meeting with the representatives of Polish Community in Latvia, made a conclusion that it was important for Polish people, living here, to try to get Latvian citizenship and to be involved in political processes.

Marshal of Polish Seim M.Plazynsky, while meeting with the representatives of Polish Community in Latvia, made a conclusion that it was important for Polish people, living here, to try to get Latvian citizenship and to be involved in political processes. Diena

Several deputies of the Saeima faction

Several deputies of the Saeima faction For Human Rights in United Latvia have signed a support letter for nominating the OSCE High Commissioner Max van der Stoel for the Nobel Peace Prise, but official state authorities do not express their opinion on it. Majority of politicians think that official Latvian institutions should remain neutral because there are contradictory opinions on the activities of the High Commissioner in Latvia and he has made more input for decreasing ethnic conflicts in hot spots but not for Latvia.

Press Review

Press Review

The

The Union of Latvian Social Democrats, representatives of Latvijas Cels faction and Prime Minister V.Kristopans have come to an agreement that ULSD would not submit for the Saeima consideration draft laws concerning the state budget without former agreeing on them in the Coalition Council. Nevertheless the ULSD faction Chairman E.Baldzens said that it did not mean Social Democrats stepping back from their positions. Neatkariga, Jauna Avize, Rigas Balss

As there is no fixed time for Presidential election, the Saeima sent to commissions for consideration the draft law “On the time of Presidential election and the procedure of resigning” proposed by the State President.

As there is no fixed time for Presidential election, the Saeima sent to commissions for consideration the draft law On the time of Presidential election and the procedure of resigning proposed by the State President. Neatkariga

Joined EU and Latvian Committee has come to a conclusion that the attempts to improve Latvian -Russian relations should be supported. In its turn, Russia together with Latvian should renew the activities of bilateral intergovernmental Commission and immediately sign the prepared agreements, also the border agreement.

Joined EU and Latvian Committee has come to a conclusion that the attempts to improve Latvian -Russian relations should be supported. In its turn, Russia together with Latvian should renew the activities of bilateral intergovernmental Commission and immediately sign the prepared agreements, also the border agreement. Neatkariga

On Thursday the Saeima adopted in the first reading the State Budget law and six amendments to different law. The Saeima repeatedly rejected the daft law on amendments to the education law.

On Thursday the Saeima adopted in the first reading the State Budget law and six amendments to different law. The Saeima repeatedly rejected the daft law on amendments to the education law. Diena

The

The Union of Citizens and Non-citizens has suggested an idea to allow non-citizen to participate in municipal elections. Although the majority of population in all Latvian regions and biggest cities are citizens, the ruling parties do not want to take any risks and change one of the basic foundations of Latvian political system. The only faction ready to support it is For Human Rights in United Latvia. The discussion on this topic has been raise in every Saeima, but so far it is always with no doubt rejected. Diena

At a conference on human rights, organised upon an initiative of the President G.Ulmanis, different aspects of human rights were discussed. Among presenters were the President himself and different state officials.

At a conference on human rights, organised upon an initiative of the President G.Ulmanis, different aspects of human rights were discussed. Among presenters were the President himself and different state officials. SM

Press Review

Press Review

The

The Union of Social Democrats will object to several articles of the draft agreement between Prime Minister V.Kristopans and the Saeima faction of Social Democrats, prepared by the Chairwoman of LC faction K.Libane. The Chairman Social Democrats faction E.Baldzens said that they had no objections to 4/5 of this agreement. Rigas Balss (27.01.99)

During the first round of discussions the Prime Minister explained

During the first round of discussions the Prime Minister explained Social Democrats the principles of their future co-operation, and Social Democrats presented their draft agreement. For the time being both parties try to leave for them more rights and less obligations. Bizness & Baltiya, Panorama Latvii

Answering to the question if the invitation of one

Answering to the question if the invitation of one Social Democrat would solve all the problems of the minority government, Social Democrat J.Adamsons said that Social Democrats would never give up the basic principles of their program but would try to reach compromises. It would be naive to hope that, just for being in the government, they would automatically sign all draft laws. G.Berzins from Peoples Party thinks that presence of Social Democrats would just prolong the term of being in the government for TB/LNNK and Latvijas Cels but would not solve problems in general. O.Denisov (For Human Rights in United Latvia) does not see any possibility that this could solve the government problems. J.Dobelis (TB/LNNK ) explains that they trust the Prime Minister, but every government has problems. And their faction support any attempt to strengthen the government. K.Leiskalns (LC) thinks that presence of one Social Democrat would not solve all problems. The fact of holding one minister post turns Social Democrats into a coalition partner. This could solve external problems but cause internal ones. Rigas Balss (27.01.99)

Press Review

Press Review

Tomorrow that Saeima will start considering the draft state budget for 1999 in the first reading. It is planned to adopt the budget at the end of February.

Tomorrow that Saeima will start considering the draft state budget for 1999 in the first reading. It is planned to adopt the budget at the end of February. Diena

During the meeting of the EU - Latvia inter-parliamentary committee in Brussels, the EU Commissioner of Foreign Affairs Hans van den Broek said that he would be surprised if in December in Helsinki the EU did not invite Latvia to the accession talks. According to the Commissioner, Latvia does not have political obstacles to that. Still, the Commissioner advised the Latvian politicians to be careful and adopt the Education and State Language Law consulting with the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities.

During the meeting of the EU - Latvia inter-parliamentary committee in Brussels, the EU Commissioner of Foreign Affairs Hans van den Broek said that he would be surprised if in December in Helsinki the EU did not invite Latvia to the accession talks. According to the Commissioner, Latvia does not have political obstacles to that. Still, the Commissioner advised the Latvian politicians to be careful and adopt the Education and State Language Law consulting with the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities. Diena

Yesterday Latvia celebrated the 78th anniversary of the Latvia’s recognition

Yesterday Latvia celebrated the 78th anniversary of the Latvias recognition de iure. In an interview for the Latvian Radio the Latvian Foreign Affairs Minister Valdis Birkavs said that Latvia is in a similar situation as 78 years ago when the issue of the European security and Russia was important for Latvia. Although the relations with Russia are not rose-colored, Mr. Birkavs acknowledged the fact that the political dialog has been resumed. Diena, Neatkariga

The Cabinet of Ministers approved the draft Law on Emigration which provides for rights of citizens and residents who leave Latvia for the permanent residence in another country.

The Cabinet of Ministers approved the draft Law on Emigration which provides for rights of citizens and residents who leave Latvia for the permanent residence in another country. B&B

The government does not plan to have any special events organized on 16 March, the Commemoration Day of the Latvian soldiers, the Prime Minister Vilis Kristopans told at the press conference on Monday

The government does not plan to have any special events organized on 16 March, the Commemoration Day of the Latvian soldiers, the Prime Minister Vilis Kristopans told at the press conference on Monday. Panorama Latvii

In a letter to the Prime Minister the Latvian Ambassador in Russia Imants Daudiss suggests to prepare a state program on Diaspora and decide which state institution will be responsible for its implementation. There are 200, 000 Latvians living outside Latvia, and it is about the time for Latvia to think about them.

In a letter to the Prime Minister the Latvian Ambassador in Russia Imants Daudiss suggests to prepare a state program on Diaspora and decide which state institution will be responsible for its implementation. There are 200, 000 Latvians living outside Latvia, and it is about the time for Latvia to think about them. Diena

Press Review

Press Review

Prime Minister V.Kristopans will ask for the vote of confidence for the new Minister of Agriculture no sooner than February 4. At a press conference on Monday, V.Kristopans said that before this vote, he needed to co-ordinate an agreement with

Prime Minister V.Kristopans will ask for the vote of confidence for the new Minister of Agriculture no sooner than February 4. At a press conference on Monday, V.Kristopans said that before this vote, he needed to co-ordinate an agreement with Social Democrats. The draft is ready, and it will be discussed on Wednesday. The draft would oblige Social not to vote in commissions and the Saeima against the drafts, proposed by the government. and agreed upon in the commissions, as well as not to submit to the Saeima any draft laws as well as not to support any opposition proposed draft laws on budget and taxes. The Chairman of Social Democrats E.Baldzens said that Social Democrats were not ready to accept all government proposed drafts just for one minister post. Diena, Jauna Avize, SM

Since the beginning of this year, 67 parents have decided to register their children as citizens of the Republic of Latvia. State President G.Ulmanis is glad that people have started to look for their belonging. The Committee of the Cabinet of Ministers accepted regulations establishing the procedure how these parents should submit applications to the Naturalisation Board for granting Latvian citizenship to their children.

Since the beginning of this year, 67 parents have decided to register their children as citizens of the Republic of Latvia. State President G.Ulmanis is glad that people have started to look for their belonging. The Committee of the Cabinet of Ministers accepted regulations establishing the procedure how these parents should submit applications to the Naturalisation Board for granting Latvian citizenship to their children. Diena

Today at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will be exchanged the notes on annulling visa regime between Austria and Latvia. The no visa regime will take effect from February 1.

Today at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will be exchanged the notes on annulling visa regime between Austria and Latvia. The no visa regime will take effect from February 1. Jauna Avize

German Embassy to Latvia H.Waisel met with Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs V.Birkavs and during this meeting he said that the most important event during his staying in Latvia was the planed introduction of no visa regime with Schengen Agreement countries. Answering to the question of Russian speaking newspaper

German Embassy to Latvia H.Waisel met with Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs V.Birkavs and during this meeting he said that the most important event during his staying in Latvia was the planed introduction of no visa regime with Schengen Agreement countries. Answering to the question of Russian speaking newspaper Chas how this agreement would affect Latvian non-citizens, he said that this question was still open. Chas

Panorama Latvii

writes about things that happened to one of the activists of Russian Society V.Ployansky. He tried to invite a friend of his, Russian opposition activist, newspaper Zavtra Editor-in-Chief A.Pozarnov. Mr. Ployansky addressed the local office and got a refusal with an explanation that A.Pozarnov was a persona non grata in Latvia. Strange things happened after this visit. V.Polansky started to receive threats on the phone concerning this meeting, even a threat to put his apartment on fire. Due to all this he suffered a stroke and was taken to a hospital, but while at hospital, he learned that the door of the flat was put on fire in reality.