Press Report

OSCE High Commissioner Max van der Stoel has arrived for a three day visit to Latvia. He has requested a meeting with the Prime Minister , Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Saeima Speaker as well as representatives of the Saeima commissions on Human Rights, Social Affairs, Education, Science and Culture.

OSCE High Commissioner Max van der Stoel has arrived for a three day visit to Latvia. He has requested a meeting with the Prime Minister , Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Saeima Speaker as well as representatives of the Saeima commissions on Human Rights, Social Affairs, Education, Science and Culture. Neatkariga, Jauna Avize

A MFA representative predicted that the High Commissioner would not make any recommendations on the Law on Citizenship.

A MFA representative predicted that the High Commissioner would not make any recommendations on the Law on Citizenship. Diena

Panorama Latvii

asked several MPs a question what they expected from this visit of Max van der Stoel to Latvia. A representative of left wing parties M.Lujanis said that there could be nothing unexpected. His colleague P.Maksimov thought that the High Commissioner could address the problem of national minorities rights in Latvia. The Chairman of the Saeima Commission on Human Rights A.Seiksts wished not to have any demonstrative recommendations, not because there were no problems in Latvia, because they such sharp recommendations could cause a sharp reaction from TB/LNNK and also some other forces. D.Lemesonoks in

D.Lemesonoks in Neatkariga writes about the current situation with naturalisation in Latvia. The voting on amendments to the Law on Citizenship was a release and at the same time the end of a dream about ethnically pure Latvia. But not everybody would become a Latvian. The Head of Naturalisation Board E.Aldermane thinks that only 280 - 300 000 people will naturalise. The major influence of the increase of the number of citizens will be in the voting districts - especially in Kurzeme and Riga. The Chairman of Central Election Commission A.Cimdars thinks that there will be no problems due to the increase of the number of voters. A.Kaktins, Director of Socially Correlative data system Research Centre thinks that the greatest impact of naturalisation will be on politics. with increasing number of non-Latvian citizens, parties will have to regard their opinion. They will have to change their programs, slogans to preserve the current proportion of the electorate.

Almost 200 unemployed people in Daugavpils completed a two month training course in the Latvian language. This course was organized by the city’s Employment office. The participants received also a grant - 21 LS. The money was given by the Ministry of Well-being and was taken from the social budget.

Almost 200 unemployed people in Daugavpils completed a two month training course in the Latvian language. This course was organized by the citys Employment office. The participants received also a grant - 21 LS. The money was given by the Ministry of Well-being and was taken from the social budget. Neatkariga

The Head of the Public Integration Board of the Cabinet of Ministers J.Gaigals told

The Head of the Public Integration Board of the Cabinet of Ministers J.Gaigals told Diena that the concept of the national Public Integration program would be submitted for public discussion at the end of January. The society would need 4 to 5 months to evaluate this concept.

Diena

journalist Anna Stroy writes about the situation of Russian speakers in Latvia starting with those children of non-citizens who received the right to receive Latvian citizenship after amending the Law on Citizenship. The amendments were adopted but the procedure how to register them was still missing although the registration should start on January 1. The Naturalisation Board came with an offer to prepare their lists of children of independence. Then she discusses the situation of those teachers in Russian speaking schools who did not pass the test on the Latvian language knowledge. journalist Anna Stroy writes about the situation of Russian speakers in Latvia starting with those children of non-citizens who received the right to receive Latvian citizenship after amending the Law on Citizenship. The amendments were adopted but the procedure how to register them was still missing although the registration should start on January 1. The Naturalisation Board came with an offer to prepare their lists of “children of independence”. Then she discusses the situation of those teachers in Russian speaking schools who did not pass the test on the Latvian language knowledge. DienaDiena (Russian version)(Russian version)

Press Review

Press Review

Prime Minister V.Kristopans met with the Head of OSCE Mission to Latvia D.Johnson. During this meeting he acknowledged co-operation of the Mission with Latvian institutions was good and that the information about Latvia circulated by the OSCE was correct. In his turn D.Johnson interested about the national integration program and discussed the language and education laws.

Prime Minister V.Kristopans met with the Head of OSCE Mission to Latvia D.Johnson. During this meeting he acknowledged co-operation of the Mission with Latvian institutions was good and that the information about Latvia circulated by the OSCE was correct. In his turn D.Johnson interested about the national integration program and discussed the language and education laws. Neatkariga

During inspections State Language Inspection has discovered 120 cases when teachers produced illegally acquired certificates on the knowledge of the state language. In Daugavpils there were about 100 such cases. The inspection has to ask for expert’s opinion to state whether these certificates are fake.

During inspections State Language Inspection has discovered 120 cases when teachers produced illegally acquired certificates on the knowledge of the state language. In Daugavpils there were about 100 such cases. The inspection has to ask for experts opinion to state whether these certificates are fake. Neatkariga

On Friday, the 25th Conference of Latvian Intelligence took place in Riga. Its topic was “Latvian language and a unique education system - the basis for public integration”. Writer V.Avotins, commenting on this event, writes that state authorities had to advertise still the draft version of public integration program therefore the floor was given mostly to the “right” people, and the real contradictions were not revealed.

On Friday, the 25th Conference of Latvian Intelligence took place in Riga. Its topic was Latvian language and a unique education system - the basis for public integration. Writer V.Avotins, commenting on this event, writes that state authorities had to advertise still the draft version of public integration program therefore the floor was given mostly to the right people, and the real contradictions were not revealed. Neatkariga

Diena informs that some speakers reproached the Ministry of Education and Science for a low professional level of teaching the state language in minority schools.

SM writes about a statement, made by J.Gaigals, that the situation with mastering the Latvian language in Latvia is very good. He said that the number of children trained in the Latvian language was increasing and added that those were not only Latvian but also non-Latvian children.

SM in its turn interviewed the speaker at this conference the Director of Philosophy Institute M.Kule who stated in her presentation that learning of the Latvian language should not be forced, but she admitted a possible situation when this language could be introduced by force and ousting of subjects taught in the Russian language from the curriculum.

The Chairman of

The Chairman of Latvijas Cels A.Pantelejevs still hopes that they could persuade LC member A.Gorbunovs to run for the presidency. Representatives of Peoples Party, TB/LNNK and Social Democrats informed that the decision taking institutions of these parties would decide about their candidates until spring. But all they agreed that there could be a situation that parties could not agree to support a candidate representing some political party and they would have to agree to support some bright person not connected to any political force. Diena

The Minister of Education and Science J.Gaigals told

The Minister of Education and Science J.Gaigals told Diena that in the draft budget for this year there were 500 000 - 700 000 Ls allocated to increase salaries for those minority schools teachers who teach their subjects in the Latvian language. This amount should be sufficient to raise these salaries for at least 1.5 times. There only 750 teachers of the Latvian language working in minority schools, but to introduce the bilingual education system this number should be at least 5 times more. Diena

Public organisation Union of Citizens and Non-citizens plans to submit to the Parliament with a help of some deputies the draft law on amending the law on municipal elections that would grant the right to elect municipalities also to non-citizen. As pointed out one of the organisers of this Union S.Dolgopolov, that this draft law did not anticipate the right for non-citizens to be elected, just the right to vote.

Public organisation Union of Citizens and Non-citizens plans to submit to the Parliament with a help of some deputies the draft law on amending the law on municipal elections that would grant the right to elect municipalities also to non-citizen. As pointed out one of the organisers of this Union S.Dolgopolov, that this draft law did not anticipate the right for non-citizens to be elected, just the right to vote. Diena

Several well-known persons have signed a letter of protest against publishing the anti-Semitic book, prepared by Nazis during WW II “Dreadful Year”. This letter states that the publisher of this book is L.Inkins - an active member of

Several well-known persons have signed a letter of protest against publishing the anti-Semitic book, prepared by Nazis during WW II Dreadful Year. This letter states that the publisher of this book is L.Inkins - an active member of Tevzemei un Brivibai/LNNK . Diena, Neatkariga

OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Max van der Stoel has announced that the main political task for Estonia is to integrate non-Estonians. He made this announcement to Estonian newspaper “Eesti Paevaleht”. One of the components of the integration process should be teaching the Estonian language to non-Estonians. The High Commissioner pointed out that his criticism about the amendments to strengthen the demands of knowing the Estonian language were not connected to the analogous criticism made by Russia.

OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Max van der Stoel has announced that the main political task for Estonia is to integrate non-Estonians. He made this announcement to Estonian newspaper Eesti Paevaleht. One of the components of the integration process should be teaching the Estonian language to non-Estonians. The High Commissioner pointed out that his criticism about the amendments to strengthen the demands of knowing the Estonian language were not connected to the analogous criticism made by Russia. Jauna Avize

 

Press Review

Press Review

The Ministry of Education and Science and Ministry of Finances are going to discuss a possibility to increase salaries for the teachers of the Latvian language in Russian speaking schools before adopting the state budget this week. To realise this project it would need at least half a million Lats from the budget. The Minister of Education and Science J.Gaigals pointed out that this amount of money had already been planned in the budget.

The Ministry of Education and Science and Ministry of Finances are going to discuss a possibility to increase salaries for the teachers of the Latvian language in Russian speaking schools before adopting the state budget this week. To realise this project it would need at least half a million Lats from the budget. The Minister of Education and Science J.Gaigals pointed out that this amount of money had already been planned in the budget. Neatkariga

J.Gaigals also informed about the priorities in the field of education, and they would be the adoption of the general education and professional education laws, establishing of education innovation fund, adoption of four year plan of education development at the Saeima, starting realisation of the World Bank project, crediting of studies and realisation of the Latvian language training program.

J.Gaigals also informed about the priorities in the field of education, and they would be the adoption of the general education and professional education laws, establishing of education innovation fund, adoption of four year plan of education development at the Saeima, starting realisation of the World Bank project, crediting of studies and realisation of the Latvian language training program. Neatkariga, Jauna Avize

The Ministry of Education and Science has issued a permit allowing 53 teachers with not adequate knowledge of the state language to continue their work at schools. The Ministry has not summed up the information how many teachers should be fired for not knowing the state language. According to the information about the situation on the end of 1998, there were 79 problematic teachers, firing of which could cause problems for teaching process at schools, and the Ministry of Education and Science has decided that 53 of them might continue working on a condition that they would improve their knowledge of the Latvian language.

The Ministry of Education and Science has issued a permit allowing 53 teachers with not adequate knowledge of the state language to continue their work at schools. The Ministry has not summed up the information how many teachers should be fired for not knowing the state language. According to the information about the situation on the end of 1998, there were 79 problematic teachers, firing of which could cause problems for teaching process at schools, and the Ministry of Education and Science has decided that 53 of them might continue working on a condition that they would improve their knowledge of the Latvian language. Diena, SM

Panorama Latvii

writes about the situation of Russian speaking teachers whose knowledge of the state language is inadequate. According to the recent information broadcasted by the radio Freedom there are 448 such people. And new laws, even stricter than the current ones, are under consideration. And the newspaper asks, What will Max van der Stoel say about all this?

Neatkariga

interviewed Russian Ambassador A.Udaltsov. The Ambassador, answering to the question about a possibility to sign a border agreement between those two countries, said that there were no necessary preconditions for such a step, and the primary problem was unwillingness of Latvia to grant Latvian citizenship to those non-citizens who would like to become Latvian citizens. He also expressed his opinion on the problem of double citizenship for Latvians residing in Russia and the future of Russian - Latvian relations. interviewed Russian Ambassador A.Udaltsov. The Ambassador, answering to the question about a possibility to sign a border agreement between those two countries, said that there were no necessary preconditions for such a step, and the primary problem was unwillingness of Latvia to grant Latvian citizenship to those non-citizens who would like to become Latvian citizens. He also expressed his opinion on the problem of double citizenship for Latvians residing in Russia and the future of Russian - Latvian relations. NeatkarigaNeatkariga A conference of the Latvian intelligence “Latvian language and a unique education system - the base of an integrated society” is taking place today.

A conference of the Latvian intelligence Latvian language and a unique education system - the base of an integrated society is taking place today. Jauna Avize

Prime Ministers of Latvia and Estonia met yesterday to discuss common problems. Among them there was a problem of border agreement with Russia, and both parties agreed that they were ready to sign such an agreement. Estonian part expressed a proposal to allow Estonian citizens to stay in Latvia 90 days in half a year instead of one year because Latvian citizens may stay in Estonia 90 days in half a year. V.Kristopans promised to correct this discrepancy.

Jauna Avize

During the meeting with Latvian MPs, Israeli Ambassador Oded ben Gur expressed his concern about the fact that an anti-Semitic book The dreadful year, prepared by Nazis during the WW II, was circulated in Latvia.

SM

Press Review

Press Review

Yesterday the Ministry of Education reviewed remaining 25 applications from teachers who by the end of the last year had not passed the Latvian language examination, and decided to allow these teachers to continue working. Director of the General Education Department at the Ministry of Education Guntis Vasilevskis told the press that these teachers come from distant rural schools where it would not be easy to find replacements. The Head of the Naturalisation Board Eizenija Aldermane informed RIGAS BALSS that the Cabinet of Ministers plans to start considering regulations on the citizenship of children born after 21 August 1991, on 11 January. According to information presented by the DCMA, there are 8 children applying for citizenship on the waiting list.

Yesterday the Ministry of Education reviewed remaining 25 applications from teachers who by the end of the last year had not passed the Latvian language examination, and decided to allow these teachers to continue working. Director of the General Education Department at the Ministry of Education Guntis Vasilevskis told the press that these teachers come from distant rural schools where it would not be easy to find replacements. The Head of the Naturalisation Board Eizenija Aldermane informed RIGAS BALSS that the Cabinet of Ministers plans to start considering regulations on the citizenship of children born after 21 August 1991, on 11 January. According to information presented by the DCMA, there are 8 children applying for citizenship on the waiting list.

Lauku Avize informs about the upcoming visit of the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Max van der Stoel. The Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs states that there are no grounds to think that new recommendations concerning citizenship migt be presented.

Newspapers inform about the visit of the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Max van der Stoel. During the visit the High Commissioner will meet with the State President, the Prime Minister, the Minister of Education, the Speaker of the Saeima, the Head of the Naturalisation Board. The main issues to be discussed concern implementation of the Education Law and the draft Language Law.

Newspapers inform about the visit of the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Max van der Stoel. During the visit the High Commissioner will meet with the State President, the Prime Minister, the Minister of Education, the Speaker of the Saeima, the Head of the Naturalisation Board. The main issues to be discussed concern implementation of the Education Law and the draft Language Law. B&B, Panorama Latvii

Yesterday the Saeima Human Rights Commission supported the ratification of the 6th Protocol of the European Human Rights Convention providing elimination of capital punishment.

Yesterday the Saeima Human Rights Commission supported the ratification of the 6th Protocol of the European Human Rights Convention providing elimination of capital punishment. Jauna, Neatkariga

Yesterday the Saeima Human Rights Commission rejected a proposal of the fraction “

Yesterday the Saeima Human Rights Commission rejected a proposal of the fraction For Human Rights to grant the status of politically repressed person to all residents of Latvia who have suffered the Nazi regime. At the moment, the status of politically repressed person is granted only to citizens of Latvia. As the chair of the Commission Antons Seiksts told SM, there is a lot of people who suffered the Nazi regime and the state simply has no money to cover all privileges that come along with the status of a politically repressed person. SM

Yesterday the Prime Minister Vilis Kristopans told the press that an implementation plan of the governmental declaration will be made public at the beginning of March.

Yesterday the Prime Minister Vilis Kristopans told the press that an implementation plan of the governmental declaration will be made public at the beginning of March. Neatkariga

Major branches of the

Major branches of the For Fatherland and Freedom have supported nomination of a representative of the Social Democrats Peteris Salkazanovs for the post of the Minister of Agriculture. Diena

Social Democrats under the leadership of Juris Bojars are determined to fulfil a pre-election promise to draft a new Constitution with a year, chair of the Social Democrats fractions Egils Baldzens informs.

Social Democrats under the leadership of Juris Bojars are determined to fulfil a pre-election promise to draft a new Constitution with a year, chair of the Social Democrats fractions Egils Baldzens informs. Diena

Press Review

Press Review

Yesterday the DCMA received an official information about military persons of the Skrunda Radar Station whose residence permits expired 31 December 1998. Forty military persons and their families left Latvia. A spouse and a daughter of a military person stayed in Latvia due to injuries got before the departure, but they will leave soon, the head of the DCMA Andris Janis Lejins informed the press.

Yesterday the DCMA received an official information about military persons of the Skrunda Radar Station whose residence permits expired 31 December 1998. Forty military persons and their families left Latvia. A spouse and a daughter of a military person stayed in Latvia due to injuries got before the departure, but they will leave soon, the head of the DCMA Andris Janis Lejins informed the press. Diena

The draft budget of 1999 provides for an increase in financing of education system for 9.4%. It will go for the crediting of students and investments. At the same time, no money for participation in the EU 5th framework program, transition to education in the state language as well as other priorities of education sphere mentioned in the governmental declaration has been allocated.

The draft budget of 1999 provides for an increase in financing of education system for 9.4%. It will go for the crediting of students and investments. At the same time, no money for participation in the EU 5th framework program, transition to education in the state language as well as other priorities of education sphere mentioned in the governmental declaration has been allocated. Diena

The Saeima Human Rights Commission considers a possibility to start work on a draft law on national minority languages, the chair of the commission Antons Seiksts told DIENA. It was a proposal of the fraction “

The Saeima Human Rights Commission considers a possibility to start work on a draft law on national minority languages, the chair of the commission Antons Seiksts told DIENA. It was a proposal of the fraction For Human Rights in the United Latvia to define a status of national minority languages, which the Commission supported on Monday. The Commission also supported a proposal stating that it is not necessary for export goods and services to contain markings in the state language which is an obligatory requirement for goods distributed within the country. Diena

Chasinforms that by 1 January 1999 twenty two teachers in Liepaja had not passed the state language examination. Sixteen of them will be dismissed, chair of the School Board of Liepaja told.

Panorama Latvii informs that at the end of the last year it was found that 20 teachers of Daugavpils possessed counterfeited certificates about the command of the Latvian language. According to Head of the School Board of Daugavpils J. Dukshinski, these teachers most likely will be dismissed. Panorama Latvii

The government has not adopted regulations according to which children born after 21 August 1991 will be granted citizenship as provided for by the Amendments to the Citizenship Law. Head of the Naturalisation Board Eizenija Aldermane does not think that it can cause serious problems, since the regulations are prepared and most likely will be adopted next week. At the same time, the NB staff has received draft regulations according to which they can inform persons interested in submitting applications about the necessary documents. At the moment, all applicants are put on a waiting list. Boris Tsilevich (

The government has not adopted regulations according to which children born after 21 August 1991 will be granted citizenship as provided for by the Amendments to the Citizenship Law. Head of the Naturalisation Board Eizenija Aldermane does not think that it can cause serious problems, since the regulations are prepared and most likely will be adopted next week. At the same time, the NB staff has received draft regulations according to which they can inform persons interested in submitting applications about the necessary documents. At the moment, all applicants are put on a waiting list. Boris Tsilevich ( For Human Rights in the United Latvia) expressed a concern about the staff of the Naturalisation Board which might not be prepared for flow of applicants. Rigas Balss

SM commentator A. Elkin predicts that in this year there might be positive tendencies in the Russian-Latvian relations such as resumption of the work of the intergovernmental working group and meetings of high ranking officials. At the same time, Mr. Elkin observes that the relations can be undermined in a case Latvia ignores the OSCE recommendations concerning the draft Language law.

SM commentator A. Elkin predicts that in this year there might be positive tendencies in the Russian-Latvian relations such as resumption of the work of the intergovernmental working group and meetings of high ranking officials. At the same time, Mr. Elkin observes that the relations can be undermined in a case Latvia ignores the OSCE recommendations concerning the draft Language law. SM

Panorama Latvii publishes excerpts from an interview with the State President Guntis Ulmanis published in the Russian newspaper NEZAVISIMAYA GAZETA at the end of the last year. Speaking about education system, Mr. Ulmanis reminded that at the moment education in Latvia is conducted in eight languages. Besides, the education in the Russian language is financed by the state.

Panorama Latvii publishes an interview with the Saeima deputy and a member of the Commission on Human Rights Miroslav Mitrofanov (For Human Rights) who expresses a regret that the Commission did not take into account arguments of the fraction For Human Rights for liberalising the draft Language Law. Mr. Mitrofanov expects that during his upcoming visit the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities will present the same recommendations as during his previous visits. In conclusion, a journalist who took an interview, comments that according to information received from Moscow, the High Commissioner had expressed a thought that it might be worth to make concessions to such an unimportant issue as the language. Besides, the journalist argues that a reason for such tiredness of the Commissioner might be his nomination for a Noble Peace Prize which requires recommendation letters from different countries, including Latvia. Rumours are that the Saeima Commission on Human Rights was ask to give such a recommendation and it refused to include this question in its agenda, most likely with a purpose to make the candidate yield.