Press Review

Press Review

On Tuesday at meeting with the OSCE High Commissioner M. van der Stoel the Head of the Naturalisation Board E. Aldermane said that the naturalisation process might be completed within 5-7 years if the applicants’ activity does not diminish and the Latvian government continues supporting the naturalisation.

On Tuesday at meeting with the OSCE High Commissioner M. van der Stoel the Head of the Naturalisation Board E. Aldermane said that the naturalisation process might be completed within 5-7 years if the applicants activity does not diminish and the Latvian government continues supporting the naturalisation. B&B

Completing the visit to Latvia, the OSCE High Commissioner M. Van der Stoel said that the Language Law should not be adopted in hurry and all its provisions should be formulated more precisely.

Completing the visit to Latvia, the OSCE High Commissioner M. Van der Stoel said that the Language Law should not be adopted in hurry and all its provisions should be formulated more precisely.
The High Commissioner acknowledged that the dialogue with deputies was constructive. However, further discussions are necessary to achieve the unified and precise understanding about the terminology of the law.
The most important task for years to come will be the implementation of the Social Integration Program. Although the draft program is not perfect, the High Commissioner was pleased with the public discussion of the program.
Furthermore, the High Commissioner considers it important to continue the Latvian language training program and promised to help with finding additional financing for the program. Diena, Neatkariga

After the meeting with the High Commissioner M. van der Stoel Mr. Dzintars Abikis, chair of the Saeima Standing Committee on Education told journalists that nothing bad would happen if the Language law was adopted after the summer recession of the Saeima. According to unofficial information at the disposal of

After the meeting with the High Commissioner M. van der Stoel Mr. Dzintars Abikis, chair of the Saeima Standing Committee on Education told journalists that nothing bad would happen if the Language law was adopted after the summer recession of the Saeima. According to unofficial information at the disposal of SM, many fractions support the postponing of the consideration of the language law till the fall. SM

During the press conference of the High Commissioner SM journalist N. Lebedeva handed over more than 300 cards filled by

During the press conference of the High Commissioner SM journalist N. Lebedeva handed over more than 300 cards filled by SM readers supporting the OSCE recommendations in the sphere of language. SM

PANORAMA LATVII publishes an alternative draft concept document of the Social Integration Program elaborated by the Co-ordination Council of the Public Organisations, including the Russian Community in Latvia, the Union of the Ukrainians in Latvia, the Latvian Committee of Human Rights.

PANORAMA LATVII publishes an alternative draft concept document of the Social Integration Program elaborated by the Co-ordination Council of the Public Organisations, including the Russian Community in Latvia, the Union of the Ukrainians in Latvia, the Latvian Committee of Human Rights. Panorama Latvii

To support the cultural integration of the Latvian society the Swedish Institute will allocate 14000 Lats for the translation of the modern Latvian literature into the Russian language. It is possible that the Soros Fund Latvia will also support this initiative.

To support the cultural integration of the Latvian society the Swedish Institute will allocate 14000 Lats for the translation of the modern Latvian literature into the Russian language. It is possible that the Soros Fund Latvia will also support this initiative. Diena

Yesterday at the interview for the Latvian Radio the Minister of the Foreign Affairs Valdis Birkavs informed about the visit of the Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs to Riga on 14 and 15 June.

Yesterday at the interview for the Latvian Radio the Minister of the Foreign Affairs Valdis Birkavs informed about the visit of the Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs to Riga on 14 and 15 June. Neatkariga

Press Review

Press Review

Poet M.Caklais interviews three Saeima deputies about the current situation of the state language in Latvia. P.Tabuns thinks that the situation has got worse because the Russian speakers have realised that they can live without any Latvian language knowledge. A.Predele speaks about two groups of people - the ones who want to learn and others who just try to get a language knowledge certificate by any means. Dz.Abikis thinks that the language position has strengthened in some fields. The policy on the level of legislation and adopted decrees is correct; the number of children studying in Latvian speaking schools increase, but the practical activities of the government do not stand any critics. The deputies consider that they should protect Latvian position and not to yield to any further recommendation.

Poet M.Caklais interviews three Saeima deputies about the current situation of the state language in Latvia. P.Tabuns thinks that the situation has got worse because the Russian speakers have realised that they can live without any Latvian language knowledge. A.Predele speaks about two groups of people - the ones who want to learn and others who just try to get a language knowledge certificate by any means. Dz.Abikis thinks that the language position has strengthened in some fields. The policy on the level of legislation and adopted decrees is correct; the number of children studying in Latvian speaking schools increase, but the practical activities of the government do not stand any critics. The deputies consider that they should protect Latvian position and not to yield to any further recommendation. Neatkariga

The OSCE High Commissioner Max van der Stoel suggests not to rush with adoption of the new language law, and there is still a need to justify the adoption of this law. The new law should correspond to the international norms, at the same time protect the Latvian language.

The OSCE High Commissioner Max van der Stoel suggests not to rush with adoption of the new language law, and there is still a need to justify the adoption of this law. The new law should correspond to the international norms, at the same time protect the Latvian language. Neatkariga

Panorama Latvii interviewed the Chairman of the Saeima Commission on Education, Culture and Science Dz.Abikis about the results of their meeting with the High Commissioner. He stated that for politicians it was important to meet politicians from Europe and persuade them about the necessity of one or another legal norm, and it had given some result. For example, the last High Commissioners recommendations were not so comprehensive and categorical.

EU Minister of Foreign Affairs van den Broek has expressed his concern about the conformity of some norms of the draft language law to the European Treaty in a letter to Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs V.Birkavs. Also the High Commissioner Max van der Stoel stated that the final wording of the law should satisfy the Latvian nation and correspond to the international standards. At the same time an idea is being discussed at the Saeima that there is no need for this new draft law at all, it would be enough to amend the existing law, if necessary.

EU Minister of Foreign Affairs van den Broek has expressed his concern about the conformity of some norms of the draft language law to the European Treaty in a letter to Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs V.Birkavs. Also the High Commissioner Max van der Stoel stated that the final wording of the law should satisfy the Latvian nation and correspond to the international standards. At the same time an idea is being discussed at the Saeima that there is no need for this new draft law at all, it would be enough to amend the existing law, if necessary. Diena

Lauku Avize

published an interview with the Head of the OSCE Mission to Latvia D.Johnson where he speaks about the draft language law and OSCE recommendations.

SM

has organised an action to support the High Commissioners recommendations. They published cards with a text expressing support to the OSCE recommendations and asked readers to full them out and mail to the editors office. The cards will be forwarded to the High Commissioner. has organised an action to support the High Commissioner’s recommendations. They published cards with a text expressing support to the OSCE recommendations and asked readers to full them out and mail to the editor’s office. The cards will be forwarded to the High Commissioner.

SM

published also the text of the draft national integration program. Along with the text they published an announcement of a number of public organisations where they stated that they could not support this program because it leads to assimilation of national minorities. They propose the authorities to consider an alternative version of the program and to postpone adoption of the draft language law and stop the implementation of Articles 9, 41, 56.2, 59.2 and Article 9 of Transitional Provisions of the Law on education. published also the text of the draft national integration program. Along with the text they published an announcement of a number of public organisations where they stated that they could not support this program because it leads to assimilation of national minorities. They propose the authorities to consider an alternative version of the program and to postpone adoption of the draft language law and stop the implementation of Articles 9, 41, 56.2, 59.2 and Article 9 of Transitional Provisions of the Law on education.

Press Report

Minister of Foreign Affairs V.Birkavs said yesterday that MFA was not surprised about the plans of the Russian National Council to impose economic sanctions on Latvia. It already had information about preparing such a document. The Minister expressed a hope that the document would be adopted.

Minister of Foreign Affairs V.Birkavs said yesterday that MFA was not surprised about the plans of the Russian National Council to impose economic sanctions on Latvia. It already had information about preparing such a document. The Minister expressed a hope that the document would be adopted. Neatkariga, Jauna Avize, Diena, Chas

At the

At the New Party congress the party leader R.Pauls was nominated to run for the Presidency. Neatkariga, Jauna Avize, Diena, Chas,

It is foreseen that at the congress of

It is foreseen that at the congress of Social Democrat parties on May 29 a part of the Farmers Union will join them. Neatkariga

Neatkariga

interviews the National Language Training Centre Head Dz.Hirsa about the language situation in Latvia. She explained that the use of the state language has been ensured in record keeping, and there are almost no complains. Also the level of teaching the Latvian language in schools is improving, although very slowly. But the impression is that the state is keeping an eye on simple people it can make to observe the law but is not able to arrange the situation in public spheres. Also the new draft language law is not precise enough concerning the language of record keeping. interviews the National Language Training Centre Head Dz.Hirsa about the language situation in Latvia. She explained that the use of the state language has been ensured in record keeping, and there are almost no complains. Also the level of teaching the Latvian language in schools is improving, although very slowly. But the impression is that the state is keeping an eye on simple people it can make to observe the law but is not able to arrange the situation in public spheres. Also the new draft language law is not precise enough concerning the language of record keeping. NeatkarigaNeatkariga OSCE High Commissioner Max van der Stoel is coming to Latvia to discuss the procedure of preparing the new draft language law and implementation of the education law.

OSCE High Commissioner Max van der Stoel is coming to Latvia to discuss the procedure of preparing the new draft language law and implementation of the education law. Neatkariga, Jauna Avize

SM informs about one more seminar, organised by the OSCE Mission to Latvia on integration and the two most crucial aspects of it - language and education.

SM informs about one more seminar, organised by the OSCE Mission to Latvia on integration and the two most crucial aspects of it - language and education.

Vl.Chepurov gives some advice to people who are being naturalised, trying to encourage them not to be afraid of the tests.

Vl.Chepurov gives some advice to people who are being naturalised, trying to encourage them not to be afraid of the tests. SM

Press Review

Press Review

Russian President B.Yeltsin vetoed the draft law on the state policy towards Russian compatriots residing abroad on May 31 due to unclear juridical imperfection. This could cause problems not only with former USSR republics but Poland, Finland and some other former parts of Russian Empire. The law was corrected at a parliamentary commission meeting, but several articles, preserved in it, contradicted other Russian legal norms. On Thursday the National Council adopted in the first reading a draft law on imposing economic sanctions on Latvia. At the same time the deputies adopted a draft law on humanitarian aid to Russian citizens and compatriots residing in Latvia. The government representatives think that the law will never be adopted or will be adopted with radical amendments.

Russian President B.Yeltsin vetoed the draft law on the state policy towards Russian compatriots residing abroad on May 31 due to unclear juridical imperfection. This could cause problems not only with former USSR republics but Poland, Finland and some other former parts of Russian Empire. The law was corrected at a parliamentary commission meeting, but several articles, preserved in it, contradicted other Russian legal norms. On Thursday the National Council adopted in the first reading a draft law on imposing economic sanctions on Latvia. At the same time the deputies adopted a draft law on humanitarian aid to Russian citizens and compatriots residing in Latvia. The government representatives think that the law will never be adopted or will be adopted with radical amendments. Neatkariga, Diena, Panorama Latvii

To stimulate more public involvement in discussing the national integration program concept the Naturalisation Board circulated leaflets (300 000 copies in the Latvian language and 175 000 in the Russian language) on Monday with a call to give their opinion on the concept. The first responses were received already on Friday.

Diena

In Russian version of Diena the President of Latvian National Commission Western Russians D.Nikolayev contemplates about integration on a theoretical level. He thinks that there is no defined position of the states attitude towards a person. And it leaves impact on the integration process. When integrating two completely opposite tendencies - centripetal and centrifugal, you can not keep old ties (meaning the Satversme of the Republic of Latvia). Diena

Press Review

Press Review

The yesterday’s vote of non-confidence proved that the government of V.Kristopans is strong enough to continue working. 60 MP voted against the proposal of

The yesterdays vote of non-confidence proved that the government of V.Kristopans is strong enough to continue working. 60 MP voted against the proposal of Peoples Party, and the same support the government got for the new ministers: I.Udre - Minister of Economics, T.Koke - State Minister of Higher Education and Science, V.Jaksons - State Minister of Health Care, J.Bunkss - State Minister of Special Portfolio in the State Administration and Local Government Territorial Reform and G.Kaktins State Minister of Forestry. Neatkariga, Diena, Jauna Avize, Chas, SM

Russian National Council adopted yesterday in the first reading the draft law on imposing sanctions against Latvia. Latvian politicians do not think that they would be adopted in the final version.

Russian National Council adopted yesterday in the first reading the draft law on imposing sanctions against Latvia. Latvian politicians do not think that they would be adopted in the final version. Neatkariga, Jauna Avize, Chas, Panorama Latvii

There is a possibility that Estonia will not be allowed to maintain its free trade agreement with Latvia. It has been planned that EU ambassadors will announce to the negotiation commission heads of the candidate states that EU countries have decided to refuse the requests of these candidate states to allow them in the beginning of the process not to harmonise their legislation with the one of EU on a full amount. It mean that Estonia will not be able to maintain its free trade agreements with Latvia, Lithuania and Ukraine.

There is a possibility that Estonia will not be allowed to maintain its free trade agreement with Latvia. It has been planned that EU ambassadors will announce to the negotiation commission heads of the candidate states that EU countries have decided to refuse the requests of these candidate states to allow them in the beginning of the process not to harmonise their legislation with the one of EU on a full amount. It mean that Estonia will not be able to maintain its free trade agreements with Latvia, Lithuania and Ukraine. Neatkariga

The Saeima has adopted in the second reading the draft law on emigration. The draft law provides the right of emigration for permanent residence abroad for every Latvian citizen and non-citizen.

Diena

The public organisation Union of Citizens and Non-citizens have proposed amendments to the draft law on city council and local government elections establishing the right for non-citizens in these elections, but the Saeima factions and the State President did not support this initiative. V.Sorokin comments this decision in the Russian version of Diena.

A seminar on the role of education and language in promoting public integration. The seminar was organised by the OSCE Mission to Latvia, Latvian Human Rights and Ethnic Studies Centre upon a proposal of Latvian government. High ranking foreign and local guests participated in the discussions. Diena (Russian version)