Press Review

Press Review

The Naturalisation Board has received 36 preliminary applications from parents who are non-citizens and who would like their children to become the Latvian citizens in accordance with the Amendments to the Citizenship Law. Thirty one application were registered in Riga.

The Naturalisation Board has received 36 preliminary applications from parents who are non-citizens and who would like their children to become the Latvian citizens in accordance with the Amendments to the Citizenship Law. Thirty one application were registered in Riga. Diena, B&B

During a visit to Lithuania the Latvian Prime Minister Vilis Kristopans and the Lithuanian State President Valdas Adamkus agreed to speed up the process of the solving the border problems between Latvia and Lithuania.

During a visit to Lithuania the Latvian Prime Minister Vilis Kristopans and the Lithuanian State President Valdas Adamkus agreed to speed up the process of the solving the border problems between Latvia and Lithuania. Diena

The State President Guntis Ulmanis does not want the Commemoration Day of the Latvian Soldiers - 16 March - to become ideologized. He will meet with soldiers of former Soviet Army as well as with the legionnaires to find out how they want to commemorate this day. “Nobody can be above the law and prohibit anybody to commemorate the 16th of March according to his/her beliefs [...]” the State President told journalists.

The State President Guntis Ulmanis does not want the Commemoration Day of the Latvian Soldiers - 16 March - to become ideologized. He will meet with soldiers of former Soviet Army as well as with the legionnaires to find out how they want to commemorate this day. Nobody can be above the law and prohibit anybody to commemorate the 16th of March according to his/her beliefs [...] the State President told journalists. Neatkariga

The State President has planned to organise several conferences on the issues which are important for the state and public. The first conference will take place on 17 January and its topic will be Latvia as a state of the Rule of Law.

The State President has planned to organise several conferences on the issues which are important for the state and public. The first conference will take place on 17 January and its topic will be Latvia as a state of the Rule of Law. Neatkariga

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will ask the Office of the Procurator General to assess the ideas of anti-Semitism and nazism declared in the book “The Year of Horror” which was published in 1942 and re-published in 1997. The State President told journalists that he consolidates with the MFA position to assess the content of the book.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will ask the Office of the Procurator General to assess the ideas of anti-Semitism and nazism declared in the book The Year of Horror which was published in 1942 and re-published in 1997. The State President told journalists that he consolidates with the MFA position to assess the content of the book. Diena, SM

The reviews by the mass media about the OSCE High Commissioner’s visit to Latvia last week were of a different character than those about the previous visits of Mr. Max van der Stoel. It was noted that this time the High Commissioner did not present any recommendations and had “favourable tone” . Still, the right wing politicians as well as the left wing politicians argue that the fact that there are no new recommendations now does not mean that such recommendations will not come later. Secretary General of

The reviews by the mass media about the OSCE High Commissioners visit to Latvia last week were of a different character than those about the previous visits of Mr. Max van der Stoel. It was noted that this time the High Commissioner did not present any recommendations and had favourable tone . Still, the right wing politicians as well as the left wing politicians argue that the fact that there are no new recommendations now does not mean that such recommendations will not come later. Secretary General of the Fatherland and Freedom Aigars Kimelis believes that new recommendations are possible. He is concerned about the High Commissioners statements with regard to the language requirement in the Estonian legislation providing that all deputies should know the state language. In Latvia such a provision exists for a couple of years. Mr. Kimelis thinks that the High Commissioner might want to have similar liberalisation of legislation also in Latvia. Mr. Tsilevich thinks that the High Commissioners position has not changed. The fact that he has not presented new recommendations does not mean that everything is all right. According to Mr. Tsilevich, the High Commissioner has decided to observe the situation with the Education Law and draft Language Law which is unclear at the moment. Commenting the reaction of both radical forces - For Fatherland and Freedom and For Human Rights, the chair of the Saeima Human Rights Commission Antons Seiksts toldDiena that for both political forces any peaceable solution is not optimum. The Chair of the Saeima Commission on Education and Science Dzintars Abikis toldDiena that the statements by the High Commissioner concerning the compliance of the Education Law with the international standards are serious. He believes that in talks with the OSCE experts Latvia managed to achieve much, and for example, with regard to the draft Language Law, they [OSCE experts] have, in fact, yielded. Diena

Press Review

Press Review

Latvian Minister of Justice I.Labucka met yesterday with Russian Ambassador to Latvia A.Udaltsov. They discussed several topics, but the Ambassador was specially interested in the fate of those Russian teachers who were dismisses due to lack of adequate Latvian language knowledge. The Ambassador wanted to find out whether their dismissal was not illegal. The Minister of Justice explained that, if teachers considered their dismissal to be illegal, they might appeal to a court with a request to be returned to their posts. According to the Ministry of Education and Science data, there are 89 teachers who could be dismissed due to this reason.

Latvian Minister of Justice I.Labucka met yesterday with Russian Ambassador to Latvia A.Udaltsov. They discussed several topics, but the Ambassador was specially interested in the fate of those Russian teachers who were dismisses due to lack of adequate Latvian language knowledge. The Ambassador wanted to find out whether their dismissal was not illegal. The Minister of Justice explained that, if teachers considered their dismissal to be illegal, they might appeal to a court with a request to be returned to their posts. According to the Ministry of Education and Science data, there are 89 teachers who could be dismissed due to this reason. Neatkariga

Diena writes about 88 such teachers, according to the information provided by the Director of Ministry of Education and Science General Education Department G.Valujevs. As he explained these teachers should be dismissed only at those places where there were enough teachers to replace the dismissed ones. And these 88 teachers (as other unemployed persons) might attend free of charge Latvian language training courses and pass this language knowledge test.

Chas speaks about 147 Russian teachers who have not passed the test, and states that 89 have already been dismissed, 9 are sick and their future is obscure, and 53 have their employment contracts only till 31 May 1999.

Panorama Latvii

informs that a special working group of the Ministry of Education and Science supported the proposal of local governments not to dismiss for some time 53 teachers who had not passed the language test because they were irreplaceable or it was their last working year before reaching the age of retirement. The rest 52 teachers do not plan to pass this test, and 12 more will be replaced by teachers who had registered themselves as unemployed persons. informs that a special working group of the Ministry of Education and Science supported the proposal of local governments not to dismiss for some time 53 teachers who had not passed the language test because they were irreplaceable or it was their last working year before reaching the age of retirement. The rest 52 teachers do not plan to pass this test, and 12 more will be replaced by teachers who had registered themselves as unemployed persons. Russian newspaper

Russian newspaper Obschaya Gazeta published an interview with Latvian Prime Minister V.Kristopans where he stated that Latvia should maintain as active dialogue with Russia as it had with England, Germany and the USA. V.Kristopans told that Russian Ambassador A.Udaltsov had recently persuaded him that Russia was ready for this. According to the Prime Ministers opinion , the sign of a new era in Latvian - Russian relation might be the renewal of activities of the bilateral intergovernmental commission. Diena

The Speaker of Russian Parliament S.Baburin speaks about many facts showing that the basis of contemporary foreign policy of the Baltic states is explicit anti-Russian position, and he considers that Russian policy towards the Baltic states should be built from this. It does not mean endless confrontations. The refusal of these states to recognise any Russian initiatives is a means of demonstrating their loyalty to the West. Therefore the first thing for Russia to do is to come to an agreement with their new masters at first. If the West says “yes”, Russian initiatives will be received, but neither the USA nor Germany are interested in Russia and Byelorussia establishing closer ties with these three countries.

The Speaker of Russian Parliament S.Baburin speaks about many facts showing that the basis of contemporary foreign policy of the Baltic states is explicit anti-Russian position, and he considers that Russian policy towards the Baltic states should be built from this. It does not mean endless confrontations. The refusal of these states to recognise any Russian initiatives is a means of demonstrating their loyalty to the West. Therefore the first thing for Russia to do is to come to an agreement with their new masters at first. If the West says yes, Russian initiatives will be received, but neither the USA nor Germany are interested in Russia and Byelorussia establishing closer ties with these three countries. SM

Panorama Latvii

analyses the law on education and finds contradictions in the very basic principles of the law. E.g. Article 1 states that the only language of tuition in state and municipal schools must be in the state language. (Period) Article 2 names some exemptions. But there are no exemptions in Article 1. And, as the practice of decades shows, it is done not by a mistake but on purpose because any ambiguity leaves a greater space of manoeuvring for implementing institutions. Other such thing is exchanging the term national minority school for national minority program. And the author of the article cites the answer of the High Commissioner Max van der Stoel, given to the question whether the new education law violated human rights (statement made by the Saeima faction analyses the law on education and finds contradictions in the very basic principles of the law. E.g. Article 1 states that the only language of tuition in state and municipal schools must be in the state language. (Period) Article 2 names some exemptions. But there are no exemptions in Article 1. And, as the practice of decades shows, it is done not by a mistake but on purpose because any ambiguity leaves a greater space of manoeuvring for implementing institutions. Other such thing is exchanging the term “national minority school” for “national minority program”. And the author of the article cites the answer of the High Commissioner Max van der Stoel, given to the question whether the new education law violated human rights (statement made by the Saeima faction For Human Rights in United LatviaFor Human Rights in United Latvia), that one of the most typical features of this law was that it gave a lot of authority to the executive institution for decision making. Theoretically it could lead to a situation that authorities established norms contradictory to international conventions, but after a meeting with the Minister of Education and Science the High Commissioner had come to an opinion that regulations adopted by the Ministry of Education and Science would correspond to international norms and interests of national minorities. This answer was very diplomatic, but it could be noticed easily that that Max van der Stoel does not reject the FHRIUL statement. The main task of a law is to provide guarantees which do not depend on political situation and ruling parties. And the High Commissioner thinks that this law does not provide such guarantees. ), that one of the most typical features of this law was that it gave a lot of authority to the executive institution for decision making. Theoretically it could lead to a situation that authorities established norms contradictory to international conventions, but after a meeting with the Minister of Education and Science the High Commissioner had come to an opinion that regulations adopted by the Ministry of Education and Science would correspond to international norms and interests of national minorities. This answer was very diplomatic, but it could be noticed easily that that Max van der Stoel does not reject the FHRIUL statement. The main task of a law is to provide guarantees which do not depend on political situation and ruling parties. And the High Commissioner thinks that this law does not provide such guarantees.

Press Review

Press Review

Finishing his three day visit to Latvia, the OSCE High Commissioner Max van der Stoel announced that the status of the Latvian language had been endangered, and he supported any steps taken to strengthen the Latvian language. A very important tool to achieve this goal is a language law that corresponds to international norms. The High Commissioner pointed out that a state had rights to regulate the use of the language only in some private business spheres dealing with security, public health and customers rights. The Commissioner acknowledged that the education law as well should be used for strengthening the status of the Latvian language. He supported increase of the number of Latvian language lessons in national minority schools because it AS in their own interests to know this language, but the amount of lessons in the Latvian language and their mother tongue should be balanced. Max van der Stoel also repeated that Latvia had fulfilled all recommendations on the Law on Citizenship. He had received information that even the last not fulfilled recommendation on simplifying the history knowledge test was fulfilled by reducing the number of questions. He has no intention to put forward any new recommendations.

Finishing his three day visit to Latvia, the OSCE High Commissioner Max van der Stoel announced that the status of the Latvian language had been endangered, and he supported any steps taken to strengthen the Latvian language. A very important tool to achieve this goal is a language law that corresponds to international norms. The High Commissioner pointed out that a state had rights to regulate the use of the language only in some private business spheres dealing with security, public health and customers rights. The Commissioner acknowledged that the education law as well should be used for strengthening the status of the Latvian language. He supported increase of the number of Latvian language lessons in national minority schools because it AS in their own interests to know this language, but the amount of lessons in the Latvian language and their mother tongue should be balanced. Max van der Stoel also repeated that Latvia had fulfilled all recommendations on the Law on Citizenship. He had received information that even the last not fulfilled recommendation on simplifying the history knowledge test was fulfilled by reducing the number of questions. He has no intention to put forward any new recommendations. Neatkariga, Jauna Avize

TheHigh Commissioner acknowledged that education law was in no contradiction to Hague recommendations on national minority language policy formation and refused the reproaches of the Saeima faction

TheHigh Commissioner acknowledged that education law was in no contradiction to Hague recommendations on national minority language policy formation and refused the reproaches of the Saeima faction For Human Rights in United Latvia (FHRIUL) that the Hague recommendations had been neglected during the implementation of the education law. He did not see any contradictions in this process and had agreed to the intention of the Minister of Education and Science J.Gaigals to increase the number of subjects taught in the Latvian language in national minority schools. (FHRIUL) member J.Pliner considers that Max van der Stoel, when speaking about the conformity of Latvian legislation to the Hague recommendations had been very diplomatic.

The Chairman of Russian National Council G.Seleznyov, during a meeting with Latvian Ambassador in Russia I.Daudiss, expressed his satisfaction about the recent changes in Latvia and was positive about the future development of bilateral relations. They discussed a possibility to continue a political dialogue between parliaments of those two countries, formation of Russian delegation for Latvian - Russian intergovernmental Commission.

The Chairman of Russian National Council G.Seleznyov, during a meeting with Latvian Ambassador in Russia I.Daudiss, expressed his satisfaction about the recent changes in Latvia and was positive about the future development of bilateral relations. They discussed a possibility to continue a political dialogue between parliaments of those two countries, formation of Russian delegation for Latvian - Russian intergovernmental Commission. Neatkariga

The Asylum Seekers Centre in Mucenieki, Olaine received the first refugees. They are nine people from Afghanistan, Iraq and Zaire. The Head of the Centre Z.Brikovska told

The Asylum Seekers Centre in Mucenieki, Olaine received the first refugees. They are nine people from Afghanistan, Iraq and Zaire. The Head of the Centre Z.Brikovska told Diena that for these people had been provided not by the state but NGOs.

The last year crisis in Latvian - Russian relations has led to establishing a working group with an aim to prepare a program “Public Integration in Latvia”. The draft project was completed already in September, but it had not been submitted for public discussion so far. The Chairman of the Public Integration Council J.Gaigals promises that it will be done at the end of January. But there is little hope for it because there is no financing for this in the state budget. The program aims at establishing a democratic, united and civic society in Latvia, based on common values. The program is against establishing a two community state, confrontation of different parts of the society, segregation and forced assimilation, and as one of the major forces in this process, the authors of the program see education, but the obstacle - lack of financing. Some of the authors consider that there is a necessity to establish the post of State Minister of Public Integration Affairs.

The last year crisis in Latvian - Russian relations has led to establishing a working group with an aim to prepare a program Public Integration in Latvia. The draft project was completed already in September, but it had not been submitted for public discussion so far. The Chairman of the Public Integration Council J.Gaigals promises that it will be done at the end of January. But there is little hope for it because there is no financing for this in the state budget. The program aims at establishing a democratic, united and civic society in Latvia, based on common values. The program is against establishing a two community state, confrontation of different parts of the society, segregation and forced assimilation, and as one of the major forces in this process, the authors of the program see education, but the obstacle - lack of financing. Some of the authors consider that there is a necessity to establish the post of State Minister of Public Integration Affairs. Rigas Balss (13.01.99)

The editor of Russian version of

The editor of Russian version of Diena A.Stroy interviews the Chairman of the public organisation Union of Citizens and Non-citizens V.Sorokin about their initiative to submit for Saeima consideration a draft law on amending the law on Municipal elections giving the right of vote also to non-citizens.

The translations of Russian speaking newspapers will come additionally.

The translations of Russian speaking newspapers will come additionally.

Press Review

Press Review

The OSCE High Commissioner Max van der Stoel, meeting with the Prime Minister V.Kristopans, acknowledged that Latvia had fulfilled the recommendation on citizenship issues and there were no human rights violations and that he had expressed this opinion to Russian officials. During this visit the High Commissioner also supported the language program, stood for strengthening the position of the Latvian language and was positive about granting additional resources for teaching the Latvian language in Russian speaking schools. The representatives of

The OSCE High Commissioner Max van der Stoel, meeting with the Prime Minister V.Kristopans, acknowledged that Latvia had fulfilled the recommendation on citizenship issues and there were no human rights violations and that he had expressed this opinion to Russian officials. During this visit the High Commissioner also supported the language program, stood for strengthening the position of the Latvian language and was positive about granting additional resources for teaching the Latvian language in Russian speaking schools. The representatives of Peoples Party A.Skele and V.Vike, after a meeting with Max van der Stoel, said that he had showed understanding and agreed that extremes should not be allowed while liberalising the language use in private businesses. The leader of Social Democrats J.Bojars discussed with the High Commissioner issues concerning Latvian international obligations concerning human and minority rights, as well as the draft language law. J.Bojars insisted that Latvia might not realise too liberal language policy taking into consideration the fact that in all major cities of Latvia the basic nation is in minority. The members of the faction For Human Rights in United Latvia expressed their concern about Latvian education policy that could cause national minority schools to disappear within several years. The Minister of Foreign Affairs V.Birkavs acquainted the guest with the Latvian Society Integration Program and asked him to support the attempts of the Latvian government to implement this program and asked for a financial support. Neatkariga, Diena (Russian version), Bizness & Baltiya

The DCMA informed the Saeima Commission that their previous position considering Latvian citizens residing in Russia as illegal double-citizens was a misunderstanding. As

The DCMA informed the Saeima Commission that their previous position considering Latvian citizens residing in Russia as illegal double-citizens was a misunderstanding. As Diena has informed before, the DCMA considered about 250 Latvian citizens, permanently residing in Russia, to be illegal double citizens. A DCMA official explained that there was only one more problem hindering these people to travel to Latvia - present normative acts did not provide a possibility to issue entry visas to the citizens of the Republic of Latvia. Diena

An illegal immigrant from Algeria tried to escape from the illegal immigrants’ camp in Olaine, but this attempt was unsuccessful because he had fallen out of the window and broken his leg.

An illegal immigrant from Algeria tried to escape from the illegal immigrants camp in Olaine, but this attempt was unsuccessful because he had fallen out of the window and broken his leg. Diena

All the terms have expired for those Russian speaking teachers working in Liepaja, to pass the test of the Latvian language knowledge on the highest level. The decree was issued in 1996, and at that time there were 413 such people and only 96 of them had the highest level of knowledge. Next year 144 teachers out of 409 passed this test, but in 1998 - 369 out of 400. From the remaining 31 teachers, labour contract have been concluded only with 6 because they have been recognised as irreplaceable. The rest have been fired or their contracts expire this month, and new teachers have been found to replace them.

All the terms have expired for those Russian speaking teachers working in Liepaja, to pass the test of the Latvian language knowledge on the highest level. The decree was issued in 1996, and at that time there were 413 such people and only 96 of them had the highest level of knowledge. Next year 144 teachers out of 409 passed this test, but in 1998 - 369 out of 400. From the remaining 31 teachers, labour contract have been concluded only with 6 because they have been recognised as irreplaceable. The rest have been fired or their contracts expire this month, and new teachers have been found to replace them. Jauna Avize

Cultural Society of Russians Living in Latvia (CSRLL) has decided to discontinue its membership in the Latvian Association of National Cultural Societies (LANCS). Leaders of this society motivate their decision with the fact that the position of the leadership of LANCS on national minority education is radically opposite to theirs. CSRLL do not support the transition to the tuition in the state language, planned in the national public integration program. They stand for bilingual system in schools as the only means to preserve existence of Russian intelligence.

Cultural Society of Russians Living in Latvia (CSRLL) has decided to discontinue its membership in the Latvian Association of National Cultural Societies (LANCS). Leaders of this society motivate their decision with the fact that the position of the leadership of LANCS on national minority education is radically opposite to theirs. CSRLL do not support the transition to the tuition in the state language, planned in the national public integration program. They stand for bilingual system in schools as the only means to preserve existence of Russian intelligence. Diena

SM

publishes a comment on the decision of Tevzemei un Brivibai/LNNK to stop granting citizenship to children of non-citizens who are eligible to become citizens after adopting the amendments to the Law on Citizenship.

Press Review

Press Review

The Coalition Council of the government forming factions supported the objections of

The Coalition Council of the government forming factions supported the objections of TB/LNNK to the draft regulations of the Cabinet of Ministers establishing the procedure how applications for recognising a child to be a Latvian citizen should be submitted and considered. TB/LNNK Deputy Chairman J.Dobelis told Neatkariga that these government draft regulations listed to many documents valid for submitting a request for granting citizenship for a child. This would create an artificial chaos, and where there is a chaos, there it is possible to make mistakes. And we know that in this country they fake many different documents. Neatkariga, Jauna Avize

The Head of the Naturalisation Board E.Aldermane acknowledged that these

The Head of the Naturalisation Board E.Aldermane acknowledged that these TB/LNNK recommendations limited the rights of children to Latvian citizenship, established by the Law on Citizenship. Diena

The OSCE High Commissioner Max van der Stoel considers that Latvian education policy should correspond to European norms, but during this visit he has not given any new recommendations. During the meeting at the Saeima Commission on Education, Culture and Science, he mostly spoke about the state language and education laws and said that the use of state language in private businesses should be regulated as little as possible, although he admitted that such a regulation might be permissible if it concerned interests, security and health care of employees and consumers. Max van der Stoel thinks that Latvia has fulfilled his recommendation on the Law on Citizenship, therefore no questions about amendments to the Law on Citizenship were discussed. While meeting with the Commission, the High Commissioner expressed a wish let the state language law should not contradict to international norms. When speaking about the education law, Max van der Stoel did not express any objections only pointed out that the Ministry of Education and Science, when implementing this law, should also observe international recommendations.

The OSCE High Commissioner Max van der Stoel considers that Latvian education policy should correspond to European norms, but during this visit he has not given any new recommendations. During the meeting at the Saeima Commission on Education, Culture and Science, he mostly spoke about the state language and education laws and said that the use of state language in private businesses should be regulated as little as possible, although he admitted that such a regulation might be permissible if it concerned interests, security and health care of employees and consumers. Max van der Stoel thinks that Latvia has fulfilled his recommendation on the Law on Citizenship, therefore no questions about amendments to the Law on Citizenship were discussed. While meeting with the Commission, the High Commissioner expressed a wish let the state language law should not contradict to international norms. When speaking about the education law, Max van der Stoel did not express any objections only pointed out that the Ministry of Education and Science, when implementing this law, should also observe international recommendations. Neatkariga, Diena, Jauna Avize

The newspapers for the Russian speaking public

The newspapers for the Russian speaking public SM and Panorama Latvii see this visit in a slightly different light and states that the High Commissioner has not changed his position of strictness and principality. During the meeting with A.Seiksts the Chairman of the Saeima Commission on Education, Culture and Science, he continued insisting on Latvia observing all international and European conventions, binding for Latvia. What concerns the draft language law, he thinks that the articles, admitting state regulation of the language use in private businesses, should be amended. A.Seiksts, commenting this meeting, said that, in spite this strict position of the High Commissioner, a compromise was still possible.

The government, by adopting the new budget, decided to allocate 350 000 Ls to additional salary payments for teachers of the Latvian language in minorities schools. The Minister of Education and Science J.Gaigals stressed that these teachers needed the most support.

The government, by adopting the new budget, decided to allocate 350 000 Ls to additional salary payments for teachers of the Latvian language in minorities schools. The Minister of Education and Science J.Gaigals stressed that these teachers needed the most support. Neatkariga

The State Language Centre informed that about 120 teachers had acquired their state language knowledge certificates illegally. There are 96 such cases in Daugavpils and 24 in Riga.

The State Language Centre informed that about 120 teachers had acquired their state language knowledge certificates illegally. There are 96 such cases in Daugavpils and 24 in Riga. Diena

SM tries to explain the situation in Daugavpils when teachers purchased the state language knowledge certificates by a psychological stress and fear they felt of this test.