Press Review

Saeima

First Deputy-Speaker Andris Ameriks ("Saimnieks") says he is ashamed with the new draft Language Law. In his interview he told "CHAS" that "Saimnieks" was planning to discuss possible measures aimed at facilitating the naturalization process and preventing the adoption of the existing draft Language Law. Mr. Ameriks believes that the current situation inhibits Latvia's progress toward the European Union. Chas Journalist Sergey Zaletayev examined complaints received by the State Language Center. Most of them are cases of denunciation. This allows the author of the article to come to conclusion that the Center misinformed President Ulmanis on the language situation in the country; Mr. Ulmanis during his meeting with OSCE High Commissioner van der Stoel pointed to the "open discrimination" of the Latvian language.

Journalist Sergey Zaletayev examined complaints received by the State Language Center. Most of them are cases of denunciation. This allows the author of the article to come to conclusion that the Center misinformed President Ulmanis on the language situation in the country; Mr. Ulmanis during his meeting with OSCE High Commissioner van der Stoel pointed to the "open discrimination" of the Latvian language. Diena

The

The Saeima Chancellery banned former Communist leader Alfreds Rubiks, now a Socialist Party member, from the Saeima premises. Mr. Rubiks is on the list of persons not to be allowed to enter the Saeima. He was planning to hold a press-conference in the Saeima today.

Press Review

Teachers of Russian-language schools interviewed by

Teachers of Russian-language schools interviewed by "DIENA" complained about the lack of text-books for teaching their subjects in the Latvian language. Head of the State m for the Teaching of the Latvian Language Ms. Aija Priedite stresses the importance of creating a theoretical and material basis for the teaching of Latvian in minority schools. The most serious problem faced by the Russian-language schools is the lack of teachers able to teach their subjects in the Latvian language.

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The Fifth and the Sixth

The Fifth and the Sixth Saeima have granted Latvian citizenship for an outstanding service to Latvia to more than 70 persons. The Saeima Committee on the Implementation of the Citizenship Law has proposed to grant citizenship to President of the Parex Bank Kargin recently. His candidature is supported by several prominent persons including composer Raimonds Pauls and former Latvian Ambassador to Russia Janis Peters. Neatkariga

Saeima member A.Bartashevich ("The Equal Rights") points to a contradiction between Regulations 407 "On the Status of the Unemployed" and the Labor Law. The Regulations allow to give the status and to grant unemployment benefits only to holders of "language certificates" confirming the command of the Latvian language. The Law does not contain such requirements. Mr. Bartashevich and his faction addressed Minister of Welfare Makarovs and the Prosecutor General's Office protesting against the provision. Still, the response was negative. A.Batashevich hopes that amendments to the Law on the

Saeima member A.Bartashevich ("The Equal Rights") points to a contradiction between Regulations 407 "On the Status of the Unemployed" and the Labor Law. The Regulations allow to give the status and to grant unemployment benefits only to holders of "language certificates" confirming the command of the Latvian language. The Law does not contain such requirements. Mr. Bartashevich and his faction addressed Minister of Welfare Makarovs and the Prosecutor General's Office protesting against the provision. Still, the response was negative. A.Batashevich hopes that amendments to the Law on the Satversme (Constitutional) Court currently under discussion will allow to apply to the Constitutional Court on the issue. Currently, the support of 34 Parliament members is required to appeal the Regulations in the Constitutional Court. SM

Press Review

According to Ministry of the Interior spokesman Normunds Belskis, the Ministry was forced to submit its proposals on amending the Law on the Status of Former USSR Citizens to the Cabinet of Ministers for the second time. The purpose of the amendments is to establish the legal status of 6,000 persons illegally residing in Latvia. Draft amendments to the Law were submitted to the Cabinet last summer. Still, the Cabinet declined the amendments. The CID addressed the Saeima Committee for the Implementation of the Citizenship Law with a letter on the issue. Still, the Saeima Committee refused to hear a report on the problem to be delivered by CID Director Zitars and Ministry of the Interior Parliamentary Secretary Allere on October 28. The CID believes it to be possible to place residence permit stickers in former USSR passports. The current legislation does not provide for the option. Persons illegally residing in Latvia could be given the status of the stateless or some other special status confirmed by a document that would allow them to receive residence permits.

According to Ministry of the Interior spokesman Normunds Belskis, the Ministry was forced to submit its proposals on amending the Law on the Status of Former USSR Citizens to the Cabinet of Ministers for the second time. The purpose of the amendments is to establish the legal status of 6,000 persons illegally residing in Latvia. Draft amendments to the Law were submitted to the Cabinet last summer. Still, the Cabinet declined the amendments. The CID addressed the Saeima Committee for the Implementation of the Citizenship Law with a letter on the issue. Still, the Saeima Committee refused to hear a report on the problem to be delivered by CID Director Zitars and Ministry of the Interior Parliamentary Secretary Allere on October 28. The CID believes it to be possible to place residence permit stickers in former USSR passports. The current legislation does not provide for the option. Persons illegally residing in Latvia could be given the status of the stateless or some other special status confirmed by a document that would allow them to receive residence permits. Diena

"DIENA"

journalist Sandris Tocs in his article points to a passive attitude of the Latvian Government to the problem of a large number of non-citizens in the country. Small steps toward simplifying the terms of naturalization cannot change the situation. The journalist admits that the Cabinet could function without the participation of journalist Sandris Tocs in his article points to a passive attitude of the Latvian Government to the problem of a large number of non-citizens in the country. Small steps toward simplifying the terms of naturalization cannot change the situation. The journalist admits that the Cabinet could function without the participation of "Tevzemei un Brivibai"/LNNK"Tevzemei un Brivibai"/LNNK that blocks all attempts to amend the Citizenship Law. Still, he does not believe that other governing factions would agree to risk their seats in the Cabinet in order to improve the citizenship situation. that blocks all attempts to amend the Citizenship Law. Still, he does not believe that other governing factions would agree to risk their seats in the Cabinet in order to improve the citizenship situation. DienaDiena

"DIENA"

asked several prominent persons for their comments on the draft Language Law. Chairman of the asked several prominent persons for their comments on the draft Language Law. Chairman of the SaeimaSaeima Committee on Education and Science Dzintars Abikis objects to the provision requiring the mandatory use of Latvian in private companies and suggests to replace it with a requirement for translation into Latvia upon a request of Latvian-speakers. He believes that private vocational schools and universities could use languages other than Latvian as languages of instruction with graduation exams being passed in Latvian. Mr. Abikis does not support the mandatory use of Latvian in public information and advertising. He does not think that the article of the draft Law on the use of the state language in courts would cause any changes since it refers to existing applicable acts.Chairman of the Committee on Education and Science Dzintars Abikis objects to the provision requiring the mandatory use of Latvian in private companies and suggests to replace it with a requirement for translation into Latvia upon a request of Latvian-speakers. He believes that private vocational schools and universities could use languages other than Latvian as languages of instruction with graduation exams being passed in Latvian. Mr. Abikis does not support the mandatory use of Latvian in public information and advertising. He does not think that the article of the draft Law on the use of the state language in courts would cause any changes since it refers to existing applicable acts.Chairman of the Saeima Saeima Human Rights Committee Antons Seiksts also does not support the demand for the mandatory use of Latvian in private companies. He believes the article on the use of Latvian in public gatherings and religious organizations to be a violation of freedom of speech. Director of the State Language Center Dzintra Hirsa says that Latvian is being ousted from private business. She fully supports the draft Language Law and does not believe it to restrict the rights of non-Latvians or to be an attempt of their assimilation. Human Rights Committee Antons Seiksts also does not support the demand for the mandatory use of Latvian in private companies. He believes the article on the use of Latvian in public gatherings and religious organizations to be a violation of freedom of speech. Director of the State Language Center Dzintra Hirsa says that Latvian is being ousted from private business. She fully supports the draft Language Law and does not believe it to restrict the rights of non-Latvians or to be an attempt of their assimilation. DienaDiena The Russian State

The Russian State Duma held a closed session on the country's relations with the Baltic states. Chairman of the Committee on Contacts with Compatriots Abroad Mikhail Vakulenko in an interview stressed that Latvia was the only Baltic country to take even a stricter stand than earlier by planning to introduce a new Language Law. Mr. Vakulenko points to similar opinions of the situation in Latvia shared by Russian MPs, the OSCE, The Baltic Council and other international organizations. SM

Russian Ambassador Udaltsov is to visit the jail were illegal immigrants are being kept before their expulsion from Latvia. According to several sources, the conditions in the jail (

Russian Ambassador Udaltsov is to visit the jail were illegal immigrants are being kept before their expulsion from Latvia. According to several sources, the conditions in the jail ("izolators") are strikingly inhuman. SM

Yesterday former Latvian Communist leader Alfreds Rubiks was released from prison two years before the expiration of his term upon a verdict by the Riga Zemgale District Court. Mr. Rubiks told the press that he was planning to join Latvia's political life after a brief rest and visits to several parts of the country. He was sentenced to eight years in prison for attempting a coup in 1991.

Yesterday former Latvian Communist leader Alfreds Rubiks was released from prison two years before the expiration of his term upon a verdict by the Riga Zemgale District Court. Mr. Rubiks told the press that he was planning to join Latvia's political life after a brief rest and visits to several parts of the country. He was sentenced to eight years in prison for attempting a coup in 1991. Neatkariga

Several prominent figures applied to the

Several prominent figures applied to the Saeima Committee on the Implementation of the Citizenship Law with a request to grant Latvian citizenship for outstanding service to the country to President of the Parex Bank Valery Kargin. Mr. Kargin's citizenship was annulled in 1993 after the Vidzeme CID Office claimed the documents submitted to prove his right for Latvian citizenship to be forged. Diena

Press Review

Yesterday the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs officially declined unilateral security guarantees offered by Russia. A statement handed to Russian Ambassador Mr. Udaltsov says that unilateral guarantees do not comply with the "spirit of new Europe". The document stresses the importance of enlarged and reformed European and trans-Atlantic bodies along with broad co-operation as the main elements of European security. The Latvian side calls upon Russia to participate more actively in regional co-operation and to strengthen its relations with European and trans-Atlantic organizations. The statement expresses hope for a further dialogue with Russia and for developing neighborly relations between Latvia and Russia.

Yesterday the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs officially declined unilateral security guarantees offered by Russia. A statement handed to Russian Ambassador Mr. Udaltsov says that unilateral guarantees do not comply with the "spirit of new Europe". The document stresses the importance of enlarged and reformed European and trans-Atlantic bodies along with broad co-operation as the main elements of European security. The Latvian side calls upon Russia to participate more actively in regional co-operation and to strengthen its relations with European and trans-Atlantic organizations. The statement expresses hope for a further dialogue with Russia and for developing neighborly relations between Latvia and Russia. Diena

The governing factions invited the Party for National Reforms/the Green Party faction to join the coalition. Faction Chairman Andrejs Krastins told

The governing factions invited the Party for National Reforms/the Green Party faction to join the coalition. Faction Chairman Andrejs Krastins told "DIENA" that he expected his faction to accept the proposal. The faction has six members. Green Party member Indulis Emsis holds the posts of a State minister. Currently, the governing coalition has 66 seats in the Saeima. Diena

Yesterday the Ministry of the Interior held a press-conference on the problem of illegal residents. According to the CID, six thousand Latvia's inhabitants do not have any legal status in the country. CID Deputy-Director Andris Leins suggests to define the status of such persons and to legalize their stay in the country. He stressed that their documents should be thoroughly examined as for their citizenship status. Mr. Leins noted that the CID had registered 7,995 Russian citizens residing in Latvia while the Russian Embassy gave a figure of 50 to 60 thousand. Draft amendments to the Law on the Status of Former USSR Citizens submitted by the Ministry of the Interior to the Cabinet of Ministers on July 30, 1997, to resolve the problem were declined by the Cabinet. The Ministry hopes that the Government will pay adequate attention to the issue of illegal residents.

Yesterday the Ministry of the Interior held a press-conference on the problem of illegal residents. According to the CID, six thousand Latvia's inhabitants do not have any legal status in the country. CID Deputy-Director Andris Leins suggests to define the status of such persons and to legalize their stay in the country. He stressed that their documents should be thoroughly examined as for their citizenship status. Mr. Leins noted that the CID had registered 7,995 Russian citizens residing in Latvia while the Russian Embassy gave a figure of 50 to 60 thousand. Draft amendments to the Law on the Status of Former USSR Citizens submitted by the Ministry of the Interior to the Cabinet of Ministers on July 30, 1997, to resolve the problem were declined by the Cabinet. The Ministry hopes that the Government will pay adequate attention to the issue of illegal residents.

The

The Saeima Human Rights Committee suggested amendments to the Latvia legislation that would allow non-citizens to work as lawyers, private detectives and certified pharmaceutists. The Committee is currently drafting the amendments allowing non-citizens to work as veterinary surgeons. The State Human Rights Office believes that Latvia must still go further and should abolish all the restrictions related to the private sector that contradict Latvia's obligations in the human rights domain. SM