Press Review

Press Review

The Saeima Presidium has decided to summon an extraordinary meeting on Thursday to adopt the amendments to the state budget and supplementary laws. The only proposal of the factions and deputies, Prime Minister A.Skele agreed to was that the one of TB/LNNK that cuttings in the defense budget should be 8.2% less than planned.

The Saeima Presidium has decided to summon an extraordinary meeting on Thursday to adopt the amendments to the state budget and supplementary laws. The only proposal of the factions and deputies, Prime Minister A.Skele agreed to was that the one of TB/LNNK that cuttings in the defense budget should be 8.2% less than planned. Neatkariga

Although the total number of people of major nationalities residing in Latvia decreased in 1998, the percentage of Latvians among them increased up to 55.7%, compared to 55.2% at the beginning of 1998. The percentage of Latvians varies in different regions of Latvia. The highest is in Venspils - 95.6%, Talsi - 91,2%, Kuldiga - 89.4%; the lowest - in Daugavpils City - only 14.3%, Daugavpils Region - 37.2%, Riga - 38.8%. The number of Russians, Byelorussians, Ukrainians and Poles has decreased during the last decade, but the Jewish population had decreased even three times. The numbers of Russians is still high - 788 000 people or 32.3% from the whole population.

Although the total number of people of major nationalities residing in Latvia decreased in 1998, the percentage of Latvians among them increased up to 55.7%, compared to 55.2% at the beginning of 1998. The percentage of Latvians varies in different regions of Latvia. The highest is in Venspils - 95.6%, Talsi - 91,2%, Kuldiga - 89.4%; the lowest - in Daugavpils City - only 14.3%, Daugavpils Region - 37.2%, Riga - 38.8%. The number of Russians, Byelorussians, Ukrainians and Poles has decreased during the last decade, but the Jewish population had decreased even three times. The numbers of Russians is still high - 788 000 people or 32.3% from the whole population. Neatkariga

It is anticipated that the OSCE High Commissioner Max van der Stoel could pay his regular visit to Latvia. This would be his third visit here this year. The agenda is still to be discussed.

It is anticipated that the OSCE High Commissioner Max van der Stoel could pay his regular visit to Latvia. This would be his third visit here this year. The agenda is still to be discussed. Neatkariga

Political scientists of Russia in their report to the government on the political situation abroad have pointed out that solidarity of the Baltic states is getting weaker due to several factors. They think that the most important issue is territorial disputes.

Political scientists of Russia in their report to the government on the political situation abroad have pointed out that solidarity of the Baltic states is getting weaker due to several factors. They think that the most important issue is territorial disputes. Neatkariga

Latvian political scientist A.Runcis characterises this report as a well thought over and moderate.

Latvian political scientist A.Runcis characterises this report as a well thought over and moderate. Lauku Avize

G.Yevdokimov states that nationalism will remain the main food for politicians if 45.8% of electorate would keep supporting it. Therefore it is no wonder that Prime Minister A.Skele sticks to the most radical version of the Language Law. G.Yevdokimov thinks that one of the reasons of so active fight for preservation of the Latvian language is the struggle for power among different groups in the ruling elite.

G.Yevdokimov states that nationalism will remain the main food for politicians if 45.8% of electorate would keep supporting it. Therefore it is no wonder that Prime Minister A.Skele sticks to the most radical version of the Language Law. G.Yevdokimov thinks that one of the reasons of so active fight for preservation of the Latvian language is the struggle for power among different groups in the ruling elite. SM

The Mayor of Venspils A.Lembergs thinks that losses from the unannounced sanctions of Russia against Latvia have reached 120 million LVL. He feels sorry that Latvian politicians are not informed about the already imposed sanctions, and considers that Latvia with her policy had done a lot to provoke these sanctions.

The Mayor of Venspils A.Lembergs thinks that losses from the unannounced sanctions of Russia against Latvia have reached 120 million LVL. He feels sorry that Latvian politicians are not informed about the already imposed sanctions, and considers that Latvia with her policy had done a lot to provoke these sanctions. Bizness & Baltiya

Press Report

Neatkariga

has obtained a copy of Russias federal draft law On Activities of the Russian Federation to Prevent Violation of the Basic Rights of the Russian Citizens and Ethnic Russians in the Republic of Latvia and introduces the readers with the main points mentioned in the document. has obtained a copy of Russia’s federal draft law On Activities of the Russian Federation to Prevent Violation of the Basic Rights of the Russian Citizens and Ethnic Russians in the Republic of Latvia and introduces the readers with the main points mentioned in the document. The official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry Vladimir Rahmanin informed BNS that visit of the Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov to Latvia was still on the agenda. He noted that “Moscow is inclined to develop good neighbour relations with Latvia”. Specific time of the visit will be agreed through diplomatic channels.

The official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry Vladimir Rahmanin informed BNS that visit of the Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov to Latvia was still on the agenda. He noted that Moscow is inclined to develop good neighbour relations with Latvia. Specific time of the visit will be agreed through diplomatic channels. Neatkariga

In response to an event in Talsi where a young gypsy man Mareks Ignats was not allowed in a cafe because of being gypsy and the following claim Mareks submitted to Latvia’s Human Rights Office,

In response to an event in Talsi where a young gypsy man Mareks Ignats was not allowed in a cafe because of being gypsy and the following claim Mareks submitted to Latvias Human Rights Office, Chas devotes a full page to the issues of ethnic discrimination, also telling about the situation in the US and revealing the history of Jew-baiting in Europe. In response to the claim from Mareks the Human Rights Office has initiated a service investigation in the National Guards battalion as one of their officers guarded the cafe. Head of the Human Rights Office Olafs Bruvers invites the readers to inform the office about any cases of ethnic discrimination.

Press Review

Diena

runs an opinion by Paul Goble reproaching OSCE of applying double standards regarding minority and human rights issues in small and big countries. runs an opinion by Paul Goble reproaching OSCE of applying double standards regarding minority and human rights issues in small and big countries. NATO European forces commander Wesley Clark after his visit in Latvia July 29 pointed out that NATO expansion was a political and not a military decision and admitted that Russia had applied pressure against Latvia’s joining NATO.

NATO European forces commander Wesley Clark after his visit in Latvia July 29 pointed out that NATO expansion was a political and not a military decision and admitted that Russia had applied pressure against Latvias joining NATO. Diena, BB

The report on Russian-Baltic relations presented by Russia’s Non-Government Foreign and Defence Policy Council July 29 will be released to the press only in ten days.

The report on Russian-Baltic relations presented by Russias Non-Government Foreign and Defence Policy Council July 29 will be released to the press only in ten days. Diena, Chas

Administration of Riga’s Institute of the Arts is in negotiations with the Board of Naturalisation to get the permission for the Latvian language test passed at the institute to be considered valid as a test for naturalisation. After director of the institute Natalija Lice, the Ministry of Justice has agreed to the initiative.

Administration of Rigas Institute of the Arts is in negotiations with the Board of Naturalisation to get the permission for the Latvian language test passed at the institute to be considered valid as a test for naturalisation. After director of the institute Natalija Lice, the Ministry of Justice has agreed to the initiative. Chas

Press Review

Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga has chosen the former head of prime minister’s office Martins Bondars to head her office, the journalist and poet Rimants Ziedonis to become her press secretary, the former Environment State Minister Inese Vaidere to advise her on political and economic issues.

Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga has chosen the former head of prime ministers office Martins Bondars to head her office, the journalist and poet Rimants Ziedonis to become her press secretary, the former Environment State Minister Inese Vaidere to advise her on political and economic issues.

After draft amendments developed by the Welfare Ministry and submitted to the government July 26, pension age for both men and women possibly will be gradually raised to 62 years increasing it by 6 months every January 1.

After draft amendments developed by the Welfare Ministry and submitted to the government July 26, pension age for both men and women possibly will be gradually raised to 62 years increasing it by 6 months every January 1.

Diena runs an article about the plans of the new Justice Minster Valdis Birkavs in his office. Naturalisation Board is one of the institutions under supervision of the Justice Ministry. The minister wants to strengthen the institution and change its structure by putting in one hands all issues related to ethnic minorities. By this September the concept of the state program Society Integration In Latvia should be finished and submitted to the government so that by the end of the year specific draft programs can be developed and the concept turns into real activity. Also, Justice Ministry will be responsible for developing the necessary regulations after the State Language Law is passed this autumn.

Central Election Committee in co-operation with the regional newspapers has started a survey by asking people to fill in questionnaires in order to find out the public opinion about several issues related to elections. The first questionnaire will be published in the regional newspapers in the last week of July. The questions will be about accessibility of information during election time. The next questionnaires will be published to find out the opinion about the election system and referendum. The Committee plans to keep the dialogue with the constituents till the local government elections scheduled for March of 2001.

Central Election Committee in co-operation with the regional newspapers has started a survey by asking people to fill in questionnaires in order to find out the public opinion about several issues related to elections. The first questionnaire will be published in the regional newspapers in the last week of July. The questions will be about accessibility of information during election time. The next questionnaires will be published to find out the opinion about the election system and referendum. The Committee plans to keep the dialogue with the constituents till the local government elections scheduled for March of 2001. Diena

An article in

An article in Vesti Segodna (the former CM) doubts that there is a chance for the current government to sign the border agreement with Russia as it was earlier optimistically predicted by the Latv. Prime Minister Andris Skele and Foreign Minister Indulis Berzins. Referring to a source in Russian Foreign Ministry the paper notes that before signing the agreement there has to be an improvement of the political climate between the two countries which is said to become possible only in the case if Latvian authorities change their attitude towards ethnic Russians and Russian citizens residing in Latvia.

Ventspils mayor Aivars Lembergs in a press conference on July 26 said he had information about major economic sanctions against Latvia being discussed and prepared in Russia to become effective this autumn. After Lembergs, the move was caused by the Language Law passed in Latvia.

Ventspils mayor Aivars Lembergs in a press conference on July 26 said he had information about major economic sanctions against Latvia being discussed and prepared in Russia to become effective this autumn. After Lembergs, the move was caused by the Language Law passed in Latvia. Neatkariga did not get confirmation of the above information neither in Latvian Foreign Ministry nor Economic Ministry. Neatkariga, Chas, BB, Panorama Latvii

The official paper

The official paper Latvijas Vestnesis gives a short report about Latvian Foreign Minister Indulis Berzins meeting head of the OSCE Mission to Latvia David Johnson on July 23.