Press Review

Press Review

Yesterday the draft budget for 1999 was submitted to the Saeima commissions for consideration. The only fraction which was against the submission of the draft budget, was the fraction

Yesterday the draft budget for 1999 was submitted to the Saeima commissions for consideration. The only fraction which was against the submission of the draft budget, was the fraction For Human Rights. Diena

The State President submitted a draft law providing that the new State President should be elected no later that a month before the expiration of the mandate of the present President which in this case is the 7th of July. In a letter sent to the Saeima Speaker, Mr. Ulmanis says that it is important to ensure the continuity and succession of the President’s institution. There are no laws or a unified custom from the pre-war period regulating the term of election of the new president

The State President submitted a draft law providing that the new State President should be elected no later that a month before the expiration of the mandate of the present President which in this case is the 7th of July. In a letter sent to the Saeima Speaker, Mr. Ulmanis says that it is important to ensure the continuity and succession of the Presidents institution. There are no laws or a unified custom from the pre-war period regulating the term of election of the new president. Diena, B&B

Yesterday the Saeima rejected two draft laws submitted by the Cabinet of Ministers. The Prime Minister admitted that he was indignant, but “it would make the government to work in a more qualitative way.” The Prime Minister is ready to look for the support outside the coalition. The social democrats believe that now the ruling coalition and the Prime Minister will have to speed up the inclusion of the social democrats into the coalition. One of the rejected draft laws provided for the amendments to the Education Law stating that the salaries for pre-school teachers will be paid from the municipal budgets and not from the state budget.

Yesterday the Saeima rejected two draft laws submitted by the Cabinet of Ministers. The Prime Minister admitted that he was indignant, but it would make the government to work in a more qualitative way. The Prime Minister is ready to look for the support outside the coalition. The social democrats believe that now the ruling coalition and the Prime Minister will have to speed up the inclusion of the social democrats into the coalition. One of the rejected draft laws provided for the amendments to the Education Law stating that the salaries for pre-school teachers will be paid from the municipal budgets and not from the state budget. Diena

Board of the

Board of the Fatherland and Freedom recommends the party to support the invitation of the social democrat Peteris Salkazanovs to the post of the Minister of Agriculture. The final decision will be taken by the Council of the Party on Saturday, 23 January. B&B

On Wednesday the Saeima Legal Commission decided to form a sub-commission which would deal with the drafting a law on parties. One of the main issues would be the state financing of parties.

On Wednesday the Saeima Legal Commission decided to form a sub-commission which would deal with the drafting a law on parties. One of the main issues would be the state financing of parties. Diena

The Social Maintenance Section of the Russian Embassy in Latvia organized a meeting of the military pensioners to celebrate the promulgation of the year of 1999 by the UN the Year of Elderly People. The Head of the OSCE Mission to Latvia Mr. David Johnson participated in the meeting. At the meeting the participants exchanged the opinions about the situation of veterans in Latvia and denounced the expression of nationalism and Russophobia.

The Social Maintenance Section of the Russian Embassy in Latvia organized a meeting of the military pensioners to celebrate the promulgation of the year of 1999 by the UN the Year of Elderly People. The Head of the OSCE Mission to Latvia Mr. David Johnson participated in the meeting. At the meeting the participants exchanged the opinions about the situation of veterans in Latvia and denounced the expression of nationalism and Russophobia. Panorama Latvii

Seventeen thousand Latvian citizens have still not exchanged their internal USSR passports to the citizens’ passports, even though the validity term of the former USSR passports for the Latvian citizens expired on 31 December 1997. Majority of persons who have not received their citizens’ passports are born in 1960’s and 1970’. Only 6.7 % of those citizens who still possess the former USSR passports, are financially challenged persons - pensioners.

Seventeen thousand Latvian citizens have still not exchanged their internal USSR passports to the citizens passports, even though the validity term of the former USSR passports for the Latvian citizens expired on 31 December 1997. Majority of persons who have not received their citizens passports are born in 1960s and 1970. Only 6.7 % of those citizens who still possess the former USSR passports, are financially challenged persons - pensioners. Neatkariga

In the near future the Law on Status of the Politically Repressed Persons will be amended. DIENA interviews the Chair of the Commission for Assessment of Totalitarian Regime Crimes Dainis Vanags, the Chair of the Union of the Politically Repressed Persons Visvaldis Aivars, the Chair of the Public Organisation ‘Memorial” Galina Matisa, and the Chair of the Prisoners of Ghetto and Concentration Camps Alexander Bergman to assess the present situation of politically repressed persons and the draft amendments. It was stressed that the Latvian citizenship is not the obligatory requirement for granting the status of a politically repressed person.

In the near future the Law on Status of the Politically Repressed Persons will be amended. DIENA interviews the Chair of the Commission for Assessment of Totalitarian Regime Crimes Dainis Vanags, the Chair of the Union of the Politically Repressed Persons Visvaldis Aivars, the Chair of the Public Organisation ‘Memorial Galina Matisa, and the Chair of the Prisoners of Ghetto and Concentration Camps Alexander Bergman to assess the present situation of politically repressed persons and the draft amendments. It was stressed that the Latvian citizenship is not the obligatory requirement for granting the status of a politically repressed person. Diena

Press Review

Press Review

Most likely today the Saeima will submit the draft budget for 1999 to the standing commissions for consideration, since it is supported by 5 out of 6 Saeima fractions. The only fraction which is against the submitting of the draft budget to the Saeima commission, is the fraction

Most likely today the Saeima will submit the draft budget for 1999 to the standing commissions for consideration, since it is supported by 5 out of 6 Saeima fractions. The only fraction which is against the submitting of the draft budget to the Saeima commission, is the fraction For Human Rights. The Deputy Chair of the fraction For Human Rights Janis Urbanovich told SM that the fraction has decided not to support the Prime Minister any further, since he has not fulfilled his promises and has stepped aside from the discussion about the state language and the situation in the National Human Rights Office. Neatkariga, SM

The State President Guntis Ulmanis does not agree with the conclusions about the changes in the course of the Latvian foreign policy, stated by the Jamestown Foundation. Instead of evaluating the Foundation, Latvia should prove by deeds that it consistently carries out the integration into the NATO, Mr. Ulmanis says in the distributed press statement.

The State President Guntis Ulmanis does not agree with the conclusions about the changes in the course of the Latvian foreign policy, stated by the Jamestown Foundation. Instead of evaluating the Foundation, Latvia should prove by deeds that it consistently carries out the integration into the NATO, Mr. Ulmanis says in the distributed press statement. Neatkariga

There is the lack of information about processes happening in Latvia, and the recent study by the United States Jamestown Foundation shows it, the United States Ambassador James Holmes said at the meeting with members of the US-Latvia parliamentary co-operation group. Yesterday the US Ambassador met with the chair of the Saeima Foreign Affairs Commission Guntars Krasts to discuss the draft language law. The US Ambassador remarked that the regulation of the language use in the private sphere may undermine the enterpreneurship and hinder the attracting of investments. Mr. Krasts believes that the law should balance the interests of the enterpreneurship with interests of the Latvian language.

There is the lack of information about processes happening in Latvia, and the recent study by the United States Jamestown Foundation shows it, the United States Ambassador James Holmes said at the meeting with members of the US-Latvia parliamentary co-operation group. Yesterday the US Ambassador met with the chair of the Saeima Foreign Affairs Commission Guntars Krasts to discuss the draft language law. The US Ambassador remarked that the regulation of the language use in the private sphere may undermine the enterpreneurship and hinder the attracting of investments. Mr. Krasts believes that the law should balance the interests of the enterpreneurship with interests of the Latvian language. Neatkariga, SM

Majority of the MP interviewed by the

Majority of the MP interviewed by the SM believe that on the eve of the NATO summit in Washington one might expect various provocation against Latvia. SM

Although the Latvian - Estonian agreement on facilitated border crossing for Valka - Valga residents was initialled on 27 November 1998, it is still not in force in Latvia. The Latvian Border Guards still use the old regulations providing that non-citizens may stay in the neighbouring country only for 90 days per year whereas the new regulations allow to stay for 180 days. According to the Chief of the Border Guard Valmiera Division Guntars Kamenskis, the implementation of the agreement is delayed because the Saeima has not considered the agreement, yet.

Although the Latvian - Estonian agreement on facilitated border crossing for Valka - Valga residents was initialled on 27 November 1998, it is still not in force in Latvia. The Latvian Border Guards still use the old regulations providing that non-citizens may stay in the neighbouring country only for 90 days per year whereas the new regulations allow to stay for 180 days. According to the Chief of the Border Guard Valmiera Division Guntars Kamenskis, the implementation of the agreement is delayed because the Saeima has not considered the agreement, yet. Neatkariga

Neatkarigainterviews the Prime Minister Vilis Kristopans. The main issues are the draft budget for 1999, the privatisation and the research by US Jamestown Foundation about the Latvias course to the NATO. Neatkariga

The news agency LETA informs that the Russian government has completely paid off the debt for 1998 pensions to military pensioners residing in the Baltic States.

The news agency LETA informs that the Russian government has completely paid off the debt for 1998 pensions to military pensioners residing in the Baltic States. Neatkariga

Yesterday the faction

Yesterday the faction For Fatherland and Freedom, the Naturalisation Board and the Ministry of Justice reached a compromise about the amendments to the draft regulations on the procedure of the submitting and consideration of applications for recognising a child as the Latvian citizen. According to the Minister of Justice I. Labucka, the Cabinet of Ministers might adopt the regulations already next week. Initially the Fatherland and Freedom objected to the wide range of documents which might be submitted to certify the period of residence in Latvia. Now the parties have agreed the regulations will state that the USSR passports are valid till 1 January 2000. Besides, if an applicant submits this passport, he/she will have to write a statement witnessing that he/she is not a citizen of another country. Furthermore, all parents who will apply for citizenship for their children, will be asked to present an official document certifying that during the last five years they have permanently resided in Latvia. Diena, Neatkariga

The Saeima Foreign Affairs Commission supported the ratification of the Protocol 6 of the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights, concerning the abolition of the death penalty.

The Saeima Foreign Affairs Commission supported the ratification of the Protocol 6 of the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights, concerning the abolition of the death penalty. Diena

In order to ensure qualitative naturalisation process and prevent the violation of the Citizenship Law, the Naturalisation Board needs 15 additional staff units and additional 48,9 thousand Lats in the 1999 budget, the Head of the Naturalisation Board Eizenija Aldermane informed the members of the Saeima Commission on Human Rights. The number of applications for naturalisation has increased four times since the adoption of the Amendments to the Citizenship Law. In Riga, for example, at the moment people sign up for submitting documents in March. Ms. Aldermane noted that the Latvian Ambassador in Russia had already been asked to explain the artificial hampering of naturalisation process in Latvia.

In order to ensure qualitative naturalisation process and prevent the violation of the Citizenship Law, the Naturalisation Board needs 15 additional staff units and additional 48,9 thousand Lats in the 1999 budget, the Head of the Naturalisation Board Eizenija Aldermane informed the members of the Saeima Commission on Human Rights. The number of applications for naturalisation has increased four times since the adoption of the Amendments to the Citizenship Law. In Riga, for example, at the moment people sign up for submitting documents in March. Ms. Aldermane noted that the Latvian Ambassador in Russia had already been asked to explain the artificial hampering of naturalisation process in Latvia. Diena

Press Review

Press Review

Yesterday the Minister of Foreign Affairs Valdis Birkavs publicly censured the repeated publishing of the book “The Year of Horror.” According to Mr. Birkavs, this book can harm the Latvian state.

Yesterday the Minister of Foreign Affairs Valdis Birkavs publicly censured the repeated publishing of the book The Year of Horror. According to Mr. Birkavs, this book can harm the Latvian state. B&B, Diena

The State Secretary of the Latvian Foreign Affairs Ministry Maris Riekstins plans to meet with the representative of the Russian MFA Alexander Avdeev on 5 February to discuss the resumption of the work of intergovernmental commission and the further development of the bilateral agreements. Yesterday in an interview for the Latvian radio the Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs Valdis Birkavs said that Russia might present new objections to the Latvian legislation, therefore it is important that at the meeting on 5 February the diplomats of both countries assess the real relations between Latvia and Russia.

The State Secretary of the Latvian Foreign Affairs Ministry Maris Riekstins plans to meet with the representative of the Russian MFA Alexander Avdeev on 5 February to discuss the resumption of the work of intergovernmental commission and the further development of the bilateral agreements. Yesterday in an interview for the Latvian radio the Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs Valdis Birkavs said that Russia might present new objections to the Latvian legislation, therefore it is important that at the meeting on 5 February the diplomats of both countries assess the real relations between Latvia and Russia. Diena, Neatkariga

Tatjana Zdanok, Harold Astachov and Alexander Rzhavin represented the Russians residing in Latvia at the forum The Europe of Culture in the Europe of Regions which took place in Brussels and was organised by the Assembly of Cultures in Europe. As Mr. Astachov told SM, Europe is informed about the problems of the Russians in Latvia, and it was suggested that Russian of Latvia should be directly represented in the European Parliament.

Tatjana Zdanok, Harold Astachov and Alexander Rzhavin represented the Russians residing in Latvia at the forum The Europe of Culture in the Europe of Regions which took place in Brussels and was organised by the Assembly of Cultures in Europe. As Mr. Astachov told SM, Europe is informed about the problems of the Russians in Latvia, and it was suggested that Russian of Latvia should be directly represented in the European Parliament. SM

If the provision to raise salaries for the teachers of the Latvian language in the Russian schools is implemented, the best teachers from the Latvian schools will transfer to work in the Russian schools. The Chair of the Saeima Commission on Education Dzintars Abikis believes that the proposal of the Ministry of Education shows the simplified approach to the problem. According to Dzintars Abikis, it is unconsidered policy, since there is already a tendency that Russian parents send their children to the Latvian schools.

If the provision to raise salaries for the teachers of the Latvian language in the Russian schools is implemented, the best teachers from the Latvian schools will transfer to work in the Russian schools. The Chair of the Saeima Commission on Education Dzintars Abikis believes that the proposal of the Ministry of Education shows the simplified approach to the problem. According to Dzintars Abikis, it is unconsidered policy, since there is already a tendency that Russian parents send their children to the Latvian schools. Jauna Avize

The Latvian Embassy in the United States has sent a letter to the Jamestown Foundation in which it has explained the official position of Latvia concerning the defence policy. Before the NATO summit in April in Washington DC the Latvian Embassy in the USA plans to actively the work in explaining the Latvia’s course to the NATO.

The Latvian Embassy in the United States has sent a letter to the Jamestown Foundation in which it has explained the official position of Latvia concerning the defence policy. Before the NATO summit in April in Washington DC the Latvian Embassy in the USA plans to actively the work in explaining the Latvias course to the NATO. Jauna Avize

The Saeima Commission of Defence and internal affairs rejected a proposal of the fraction

The Saeima Commission of Defence and internal affairs rejected a proposal of the fraction For Human Rights to the draft law on fire-arms and other special means for self defence providing non-citizens with the right to obtain, keep and carry arms. Neatkariga

It is planned to facilitate the visa requirements for persons whose one of the parents is the Latvian citizen residing in Russia, the Deputy Director of the DCMA A. Lejins informed DIENA. The new draft regulations provide which might be adopted in a month, provide that these persons will not be asked to present the invitation letter when applying for the Latvian visa.

It is planned to facilitate the visa requirements for persons whose one of the parents is the Latvian citizen residing in Russia, the Deputy Director of the DCMA A. Lejins informed DIENA. The new draft regulations provide which might be adopted in a month, provide that these persons will not be asked to present the invitation letter when applying for the Latvian visa. Diena

The Deputy Director of the DCMA A. Lejins informed about the examination of documents submitted to received the Alien’s passport. Since the Russian Embassy in Latvia is not co-operative in providing the information the status of the applicant in the Russian Federation, the examination of some applications take two to three months. A special attention is paid to the cases when the applicant has lost his/her USSR passport after 1992. According to Mr. Lejins, people lost their passports on purpose to receive double status - the citizenship of the Russian Federation and a status of non-citizens of Latvia. Mr. Lejins also said that the persons who will fail to receive the Alien’s passports by 31 December 1999, will become either foreign citizens or stateless persons.

The Deputy Director of the DCMA A. Lejins informed about the examination of documents submitted to received the Aliens passport. Since the Russian Embassy in Latvia is not co-operative in providing the information the status of the applicant in the Russian Federation, the examination of some applications take two to three months. A special attention is paid to the cases when the applicant has lost his/her USSR passport after 1992. According to Mr. Lejins, people lost their passports on purpose to receive double status - the citizenship of the Russian Federation and a status of non-citizens of Latvia. Mr. Lejins also said that the persons who will fail to receive the Aliens passports by 31 December 1999, will become either foreign citizens or stateless persons. Chas

Yesterday at the meeting with members of the Saeima Commission on Human Rights, the Head of the Naturalisation Board Eizenija Aldermane said that in the near future Latvia might be accused of artificial impeding of the naturalisation process. Since the elimination of the naturalisation “windows”, the number of applications has increased. Besides the naturalisation Board is dealing with issues of granting citizenship through registration and depriving citizenship, as well as with integration problems. Therefore, Ms. Aldermane asked the deputies to support her request to allocate means for 15 more staff units. According to Ms. Aldermane, 200-300 thousand non-citizens will use the rights provided by the Amendments to the citizenship Law. Some 310 thousand non-citizens are elderly people who most likely will not learn the Latvian language and will not apply for the citizenship. Speaking about the young people, Ms. Aldermane said that the Cabinet of Ministers is working on amendments to regulations which would provide that the Latvian language examination when graduating the school, will simultaneously count as the naturalisation examination. The same will be with the examination of the Latvian history. Ms. Aldermane informed the deputies about new tests on the history and constitution, as well as oral examination of the Latvian language. Speaking about the delay with the adoption of the regulations on granting citizenship to children of non-citizens, Ms. Aldermane thinks that since the former USSR passports and certificates of non-citizens are considered valid in Latvia, there are no grounds not to use them as documents certifying the period of parent’s residence in Latvia.

Yesterday at the meeting with members of the Saeima Commission on Human Rights, the Head of the Naturalisation Board Eizenija Aldermane said that in the near future Latvia might be accused of artificial impeding of the naturalisation process. Since the elimination of the naturalisation windows, the number of applications has increased. Besides the naturalisation Board is dealing with issues of granting citizenship through registration and depriving citizenship, as well as with integration problems. Therefore, Ms. Aldermane asked the deputies to support her request to allocate means for 15 more staff units. According to Ms. Aldermane, 200-300 thousand non-citizens will use the rights provided by the Amendments to the citizenship Law. Some 310 thousand non-citizens are elderly people who most likely will not learn the Latvian language and will not apply for the citizenship. Speaking about the young people, Ms. Aldermane said that the Cabinet of Ministers is working on amendments to regulations which would provide that the Latvian language examination when graduating the school, will simultaneously count as the naturalisation examination. The same will be with the examination of the Latvian history. Ms. Aldermane informed the deputies about new tests on the history and constitution, as well as oral examination of the Latvian language. Speaking about the delay with the adoption of the regulations on granting citizenship to children of non-citizens, Ms. Aldermane thinks that since the former USSR passports and certificates of non-citizens are considered valid in Latvia, there are no grounds not to use them as documents certifying the period of parents residence in Latvia. SM

At the end of the last year the Daugavpils State Language Inspector M. Akmenkalne questioned the validity of 40 language certificates issued to the Russian teachers. The investigation proved that majority of them are false.

At the end of the last year the Daugavpils State Language Inspector M. Akmenkalne questioned the validity of 40 language certificates issued to the Russian teachers. The investigation proved that majority of them are false. Diena interviews three teachers of Daugavpils whose language certificates turned out to be void. According to the Head of the School Board of Daugavpils J. Duksinskis, teachers were informed about the prolongation of deadline for the language examination till 1 June 1999, therefore there were no grounds for hysterics. No teacher has been dismissed. Persons holding void certificates will be warned after the directors of respective schools receive official statements that the documents are forged. Aija Priedite, director of the State Language Training Program, thinks that 42 750 000 Lats and 35, 000 teachers of the Latvian language would be enough. At the moment there are 1200 teachers and the last year the state allocated 125, 000 Lats for the teaching materials.

Press Review

Press Review

Dienapublishes a translation of the analysis by the Jamestown Foundation, USA, What is the course of the Latvian Way?

Diena'scommentator Aivars Ozolins argues that the US analysts state an obvious fact - Russias goal is to isolate Latvia from the West and to block the accession of Lithuania and Estonia into the NATO.

Dienaalso publishes excerpts from interviews of several Russian newspapers such as Izvestiya, Nezavisimaya Gazeta, with the Latvian Prime Minister Vilis Kristopans in which he had stated that the Latvias goal is to join the NATO. Diena

The Prime Minister Vilis Kristopans denies the arguments by the Jamestown Foundation stating that there are certain groups within

The Prime Minister Vilis Kristopans denies the arguments by the Jamestown Foundation stating that there are certain groups within the Latvian Way which want to change the course of the Latvian foreign policy towards the NATO. He described these statements as inaccurate and false. The Peoples Party is the only party represented in the parliament which considers the statements by the Jamestown Foundation valid. Diena, B&B

The news agency LETA informs that the Latvian State President Guntis Ulmanis in an interview for the Russian newspaper Nezavisimaya Gazeta said that within five to seven years Latvia will solve the issue of citizenship. According to Guntis Ulmanis, the citizenship issue is closely related with the language and education. Mr. Ulmanis told that no assimilation of persons of other nationalities is permissible.

The news agency LETA informs that the Latvian State President Guntis Ulmanis in an interview for the Russian newspaper Nezavisimaya Gazeta said that within five to seven years Latvia will solve the issue of citizenship. According to Guntis Ulmanis, the citizenship issue is closely related with the language and education. Mr. Ulmanis told that no assimilation of persons of other nationalities is permissible. Neatkariga

The State Secretary of the Foreign Affairs Ministry Maris Riekstins leaves for the United State where he will have meetings with the Deputy State Secretary Mr.Talbout and other officials responsible for the Baltic region, the Press Centre of the Latvian MFA informs.

The State Secretary of the Foreign Affairs Ministry Maris Riekstins leaves for the United State where he will have meetings with the Deputy State Secretary Mr.Talbout and other officials responsible for the Baltic region, the Press Centre of the Latvian MFA informs. Neatkariga

Next week a public organisation “ Union of Citizens and Non-Citizens” will submit to all fraction of the Saeima a draft of Amendments to the Law on Municipal Elections prepared by the organisation. According to these amendments, all residents of Latvia would be able to vote in the municipal elections. Mr. Dolgopolov, a member of the

Next week a public organisation Union of Citizens and Non-Citizens will submit to all fraction of the Saeima a draft of Amendments to the Law on Municipal Elections prepared by the organisation. According to these amendments, all residents of Latvia would be able to vote in the municipal elections. Mr. Dolgopolov, a member of the Peoples Harmony Party and initiator of the amendments, believes that the draft law will be supported not only by the fraction For Human Rights, but also by the New party, the Latvian Way and Social Democrats. B&B, Chas

SM publishes excerpts from a presentation by the Latvian Foreign Affairs Minister Valdis Birkavs in a press briefing, published by the Russian newspaper Nezavisimaya Gazeta. Speaking about the Latvian-Russian relations, the Foreign Affairs Minister said that Latvia wants the currently existing pause in the Latvian -Russian relations to be turned into the active co-operation. With regard to the Citizenship Law, Mr. Birkavs argued that Latvia, in fact, has the most liberal law on Citizenship in Europe, and there is no need to make any new amendments.

SM publishes excerpts from a presentation by the Latvian Foreign Affairs Minister Valdis Birkavs in a press briefing, published by the Russian newspaper Nezavisimaya Gazeta. Speaking about the Latvian-Russian relations, the Foreign Affairs Minister said that Latvia wants the currently existing pause in the Latvian -Russian relations to be turned into the active co-operation. With regard to the Citizenship Law, Mr. Birkavs argued that Latvia, in fact, has the most liberal law on Citizenship in Europe, and there is no need to make any new amendments. SM

A

A SM journalist Y.Akishina thinks that after four years of studying in a higher educational institutions in Latvia where the language of instruction is Latvian, it is difficult for a Russian student to feel himself/herself Russian. The will to survive is needed, the journalist concludes.

Panorama Latvii publishes a story of Mrs. Gapeeva who encountered difficulties related with the Latvian spelling of her last name when exchanging her former USSR passport to the Aliens passport. Panorama Latvii

Winners of a competition “ Traffic ABC” for pupils in Daugavpils received diploma in the Russian language. The diploma were signed by officials of the Daugavpils Traffic Security Department. The MP Juris Dobelis (

Winners of a competition Traffic ABC for pupils in Daugavpils received diploma in the Russian language. The diploma were signed by officials of the Daugavpils Traffic Security Department. The MP Juris Dobelis (For Fatherland and Freedom) submitted a request to assess this incident which qualifies as violation of the State Language law providing that all official documents signed by the state officials should be in the state language. Diena

Rigas Balss' journalist Anita Daukste blames For Fatherland and Freedom for the delay of the adoption of the Regulations on the procedure for granting citizenship to children of non-citizens. The party wants to limit the number of document which would be valid to certify the period of a persons residence in Latvia. According to the journalist, it will increase the influence of the DCMA on the naturalisation process. In the recent past the DCMA was known for its exaggerated care for the cleanness of the race and it still has problems with issuing of non-citizens passports, the journalist argues. In conclusion, Ms. Daukste states that this delay gives a bad signal to people who hoped that the outcome of the referendum indicated the readiness of the Latvian society for the co-operation and integration.

Press Report

Chas publishes a story of a Palestinian refugee who was the first person in the history of Latvia receiving the official status of the refugee.

SM publishes opinion of readers about the private education which is suggested by the Ministry of Education as one of possibilities for the Russian children to acquire education in the native language. Majority of respondents were negative about the quality of education offered by private schools.

SM publishes opinion of readers about the private education which is suggested by the Ministry of Education as one of possibilities for the Russian children to acquire education in the native language. Majority of respondents were negative about the quality of education offered by private schools. SM

An analysis by the Jamestown Foundation, USA, concludes that certain groups in Latvian political elite wants to change the direction of the Latvian foreign policy towards the NATO. Such conclusion was based on publications in the Latvian and Russian press during the last couple of weeks. In response to that the Minister of Foreign Affairs Valdis Birkavs assured that there are no changes in the course of the Latvian governmental policy. He described the study of the Jamestown Foundation as a signal to the Latvian politicians that they should be consistent and precise in their actions. 

An analysis by the Jamestown Foundation, USA, concludes that certain groups in Latvian political elite wants to change the direction of the Latvian foreign policy towards the NATO. Such conclusion was based on publications in the Latvian and Russian press during the last couple of weeks. In response to that the Minister of Foreign Affairs Valdis Birkavs assured that there are no changes in the course of the Latvian governmental policy. He described the study of the Jamestown Foundation as a signal to the Latvian politicians that they should be consistent and precise in their actions.Diena