Press Review

Press Review

A.Gomolka, Head of the European Parliament Commission for relations with Latvia said that EU was waiting for a stable government to be established in Latvia as soon as possible. It was very important to do it until Vienna summit. A.Gomolka reminded that the report of the European Parliament on Latvia had been very positive. The Foreign Affairs Commission of the European Parliament has decided to sent a letter to EU Commissioner van der Broek with a request to start talks with Latvia on accepting it to EU. A.Gomolka thought that the whole European Parliament would support such a position.

A.Gomolka, Head of the European Parliament Commission for relations with Latvia said that EU was waiting for a stable government to be established in Latvia as soon as possible. It was very important to do it until Vienna summit. A.Gomolka reminded that the report of the European Parliament on Latvia had been very positive. The Foreign Affairs Commission of the European Parliament has decided to sent a letter to EU Commissioner van der Broek with a request to start talks with Latvia on accepting it to EU. A.Gomolka thought that the whole European Parliament would support such a position. Diena

Expressions of V.Kristopans after consultations with

Expressions of V.Kristopans after consultations with Peoples Party show that he would prefer the co-operation with Social Democrats to the one with Peoples Party, but the final decision will be made by the decision taking institutions of Latvijas Cels, TB/LNNK and New Party. He anticipated that it could take up to one week until the composition of the new government would be clear. Also the leader of New Party A.Slesers confirmed that NP would prefer Social Democrats. Both politicians pointed out that they had to learn more about the people Peoples Party offered for the minister positions. V.Kristopans was angry with journalists for pushing him to co-operate with Peoples Party because it was possible to form a stable, long-time government basing it on another model. The Chairman of Peoples Party A.Skele characterised the discussions with the candidate to the post of the Prime Minister as businesslike and was sure that PP had provided answers to all questions that could interest V.Kristopans. Diena, Jauna Avize, Rigas Balss, Jauna Avize

SM analyses the new law on education stating that there are no exact numbers what percentage of subjects should be taught in the mother tongue and what in the state language. But practically in every article is said that the Ministry of Education and Science will decide what subjects should be taught in the Latvian language. Schools may have their own curriculum but elaborated on the basis of the sample curriculum of the Ministry of Education and Science. Answering to the journalist’s question about teachers who could teach the Latvian language in Russian speaking schools, the Director of Department of Strategy of Education B.Petersone said that there could be “some problems” with bi-lingual tuition in national minority schools but the situation was improving because teachers had finally understood that they had to know the state language.

SM analyses the new law on education stating that there are no exact numbers what percentage of subjects should be taught in the mother tongue and what in the state language. But practically in every article is said that the Ministry of Education and Science will decide what subjects should be taught in the Latvian language. Schools may have their own curriculum but elaborated on the basis of the sample curriculum of the Ministry of Education and Science. Answering to the journalists question about teachers who could teach the Latvian language in Russian speaking schools, the Director of Department of Strategy of Education B.Petersone said that there could be some problems with bi-lingual tuition in national minority schools but the situation was improving because teachers had finally understood that they had to know the state language.

In her interview to

In her interview to Chas B.Petersone says that nobody has to think that there will no education in the Russian language. The state is introducing the program of bilingual education and it is not clear yet how many subjects in minority schools will be taught in the Latvian language. What concerns the expressions of international experts on the norms of the new law, the Director thinks that they have read only the first sentence of Article 9 where it was stated that in state financed schools the language of tuition must be the state language.

Press Review

Press Review

After talks with representatives of People’s Party and Union of Social Democrats, Vilis Kristopans told journalists that the People’s Party is ready to participate in the government lead by Vilis Kristopans if it is formed on a basis of a coalition agreement and if government forming principles proposed by the People’s Party are acceptable for other coalition partners. Social Democrats are also ready to nominate their candidates for the ministerial offices and will support government without signing a coalition agreement. The People’s Party has formulated proposals for structure of a coalition, constituent parts of its agreement, main tasks and principles concerning issues of national, financial, economic social, foreign affairs and security policy. The People’s Party advocates four year moratorium on any amendments to the Citizenship Law, and maintains position that only citizens can participate in municipal elections.

After talks with representatives of Peoples Party and Union of Social Democrats, Vilis Kristopans told journalists that the Peoples Party is ready to participate in the government lead by Vilis Kristopans if it is formed on a basis of a coalition agreement and if government forming principles proposed by the Peoples Party are acceptable for other coalition partners. Social Democrats are also ready to nominate their candidates for the ministerial offices and will support government without signing a coalition agreement. The Peoples Party has formulated proposals for structure of a coalition, constituent parts of its agreement, main tasks and principles concerning issues of national, financial, economic social, foreign affairs and security policy. The Peoples Party advocates four year moratorium on any amendments to the Citizenship Law, and maintains position that only citizens can participate in municipal elections. Diena

The Ministry of Education will request additional financing for the next year which is necessary for preparation of pre-school age children for schooling in the Latvian language, director of the Education Strategy Department of the Ministry of Education Ms. Baiba Petersone told DIENA. Money will go to further education of pre-school pedagogues (for courses of the Latvian language) and for opening new pre-school education institutions where children of other nationalities would be introduced to Latvian environment in schools. Still, it is possible that the Ministry of Finance will not satisfy this request, since the budget of Ministry of Education has already exceeded so called “budget ceiling.”

The Ministry of Education will request additional financing for the next year which is necessary for preparation of pre-school age children for schooling in the Latvian language, director of the Education Strategy Department of the Ministry of Education Ms. Baiba Petersone told DIENA. Money will go to further education of pre-school pedagogues (for courses of the Latvian language) and for opening new pre-school education institutions where children of other nationalities would be introduced to Latvian environment in schools. Still, it is possible that the Ministry of Finance will not satisfy this request, since the budget of Ministry of Education has already exceeded so called budget ceiling. Diena

An extraordinary examination of persons employed in the State Police revealed several important shortcoming in police work, including inadequate level of professional skills, unsatisfactory command of the state language, and disciplinary violations of some officials. Jauna Avize

Yesterday a DCMA Consilium reviewed cases of 6 military persons employed in dismanteling of the Skrunda Radar Station who have expressed a wish to stay in Latvia In one case it was decided to satisfy a request concerning residence permit in Latvia. Two applicants were asked to provide additional documents, two other applicants were recognized as subjects to Russian -Latvian agreements, meaning that they have no legal grounds for staying in Latvia. As Deputy Director of the DCMA Andris Lejins told 

Yesterday a DCMA Consilium reviewed cases of 6 military persons employed in dismanteling of the Skrunda Radar Station who have expressed a wish to stay in Latvia In one case it was decided to satisfy a request concerning residence permit in Latvia. Two applicants were asked to provide additional documents, two other applicants were recognized as subjects to Russian -Latvian agreements, meaning that they have no legal grounds for staying in Latvia. As Deputy Director of the DCMA Andris Lejins toldNeatkariga that there are already 32 families who have expressed a wish to stay in Latvia.

Panorama Latvii publishes full text of the Amendments to Citizenship Law which came into force after the positive outcome of the 3 October referendum.

Press Review

Press Review

The new Saeima held its first meeting yesterday with all 100 deputies present. According to the Roll of Procedures, they approved mandates of the new deputies and elected the Presidium of the Saeima.

The new Saeima held its first meeting yesterday with all 100 deputies present. According to the Roll of Procedures, they approved mandates of the new deputies and elected the Presidium of the Saeima. TB/LNNK representative J.Straume was elected to the post of the Speaker, I.Berzins from Latvijas Cels and G.Bojars from Union of Social Democrats became his deputies. S.Dreimane from New Party was elected to the post the Saeima Secretary and her deputy was A.Bartashevich from Peoples Harmony Party. The State President G.Ulmanis, addressing the deputies, foresaw that there would be stronger opposition in this Saeima. Neatkariga, Diena, Jauna Avize, SM, Chas, Bizness & Baltiya, Panorama Latvii

Yesterday the State President G.Ulmanis nominated

Yesterday the State President G.Ulmanis nominated Latvijas Cels representative V.Kristopans to the post of the Prime Minister. V.Kristopans said that the next step to form the government would be consultations with New Party and Tevzemei un Brivibai/LNNK . They would listen to the opinion of the rest of the deputies only after these consultations but not to the yes-man of Rubiks. V.Kristopans acknowledged that the draft composition of the new government would be ready in a fortnight and did not want to make any comments. The leader of Peoples Party A.Skele was rather sceptical about their possible co-operation. The fact that their party representative V.Muizniece was not elected to the post of the Deputy of the Saeima Speaker showed that there had been a secret agreement among other parties, thus ignoring the wish of Peoples Party. V.Kristopans and K.Libane pointed out that this fact could not be an obstacle to the formation of successful coalition. Neatkariga, Diena, SM

Jauna Avize cites the words of R.Piks from

Jauna Avize cites the words of R.Piks from PP that participation of this party in the government would depend on if they could agree on several basic conditions: also the question of the language and education laws. PP consider that it was not permissible to liberalise the Law on Citizenship any more during the 7th Saeima.

The new Head of the OSCE Mission to Latvia David Johnson is coming to Latvia this week. He will exchange the present Head Richard Samuel. MFA Press Secretary T.Baumanis informed that official introduction would be on November 6. D.Johnson would be the third head of the Mission. According to the Mission mandate it was involved in solving problems with citizenship, Russian military pensioners and human rights issues. Although the Mission mandate is practically fulfilled, it is regularly prolonged. The current mandate expires at the end of this year.

The new Head of the OSCE Mission to Latvia David Johnson is coming to Latvia this week. He will exchange the present Head Richard Samuel. MFA Press Secretary T.Baumanis informed that official introduction would be on November 6. D.Johnson would be the third head of the Mission. According to the Mission mandate it was involved in solving problems with citizenship, Russian military pensioners and human rights issues. Although the Mission mandate is practically fulfilled, it is regularly prolonged. The current mandate expires at the end of this year. Neatkariga

A recent opinion poll organises by Baltic Data House shows that the outcome of the Saeima election would be different if it were organised now. More citizens would vote for

A recent opinion poll organises by Baltic Data House shows that the outcome of the Saeima election would be different if it were organised now. More citizens would vote for Peoples Party - 27.4%, Latvijas Cels - 21.2%, TB/LNNK - 18.1%. Rating has fallen for New Party - 4.7% and Peoples Harmony Party - down to 10.1%. Diena

The Head of Naturalisation Board E.Aldermane acknowledged that after the referendum on amendments to the Law on Citizenship the interest of non-citizens about the possibility to receive citizenship through naturalization has increased. She anticipated that about a half of 646 thousand Latvian non-citizens would try to naturalise. During the last month the number of NB consultations has increased; people ask about the procedure of naturalization and necessary documents. Most interest was observed in Riga, Daugavpils, Liepaja, Jurmala, Jelgava and Venspils. E.Aldermane thinks that the most influx could be within two years after the amendments to the Law on Citizenship take effect.

The Head of Naturalisation Board E.Aldermane acknowledged that after the referendum on amendments to the Law on Citizenship the interest of non-citizens about the possibility to receive citizenship through naturalization has increased. She anticipated that about a half of 646 thousand Latvian non-citizens would try to naturalise. During the last month the number of NB consultations has increased; people ask about the procedure of naturalization and necessary documents. Most interest was observed in Riga, Daugavpils, Liepaja, Jurmala, Jelgava and Venspils. E.Aldermane thinks that the most influx could be within two years after the amendments to the Law on Citizenship take effect. Diena

By supporting the referendum on amendments to the Law on Citizenship Latvian nation has given a possibility to non-citizens, living here, to acquire Latvian citizenship upon a condition that they prove their knowledge of the Latvian language, Latvian history and the Satversme. The newspaper

By supporting the referendum on amendments to the Law on Citizenship Latvian nation has given a possibility to non-citizens, living here, to acquire Latvian citizenship upon a condition that they prove their knowledge of the Latvian language, Latvian history and the Satversme. The newspaper Diena interviewed several well known people in Latvia who, due professional interest, follow Latvian - Russian relations on different levels, and they expressed an opinion that the outcome of the referendum would not influence naturalization process essentially. Reasons for this are different - many of non-citizen have not been persuaded by the small majority for adoption of these amendments, part of them does not believe that receiving citizenship would change anything in their lives, and another still have problems with mastering the state language. The Head of the Union of Latvian Citizens and Non-citizens V.Sokolov considers that the positive outcome of the referendum evidences also about the raise of self-confidence of Latvians themselves. The Chairman of the Association for Supporting Russian Schools I.Pimenov acknowledged that the referendum had caused changes in the opinions of Latvians - they started to realised that Latvia was a country where also non-Latvians had to live. HRESC Director N.Muiznieks told Diena that more involvement of Russian speakers in public and political life should be considered as a positive feature, but the referendum was just the first step in the process of bringing these two parties together. Diena

Russian MFA has condemned the laws on education, on radio and TV as well as the declaration on Latvian legionnaires during WW II adopted by the Saeima. The official representative of Russian MFA V.Rahmanin announced on Tuesday that Latvian law on education had banished completely the Russian language from the system of education and it was contradictory to international norms.

Russian MFA has condemned the laws on education, on radio and TV as well as the declaration on Latvian legionnaires during WW II adopted by the Saeima. The official representative of Russian MFA V.Rahmanin announced on Tuesday that Latvian law on education had banished completely the Russian language from the system of education and it was contradictory to international norms. Diena, SM

Panorama Latvii interviewed V.Kristopans shortly before he was nominated to the post of the Prime Minister. Answering to the questions of the journalist V.Kristopans explained why

Panorama Latvii interviewed V.Kristopans shortly before he was nominated to the post of the Prime Minister. Answering to the questions of the journalist V.Kristopans explained why Latvijas Cels did not form a coalition with Peoples Party, spoke about their attitude towards Peoples Harmony Party, possible overcoming of economic crisis, etc.

Press Review

Press Review

Yesterday

Yesterday the Latvian Way, For Fatherland and Freedom, and the New Party signed an agreement about formation of a governmental coalition under leadership of Vilis Kristopans. Furthermore, parties agreed to support Janis Straume (Fatherland and Freedom) for the post of the Saeima Speaker, Indulis Berzins (Latvian Way) - Deputy Saeima Speaker, Silvija Dreimane (New Party) - Saeima Secretary. Today during the first plenary session of the 7th Saeima the State President Guntis Ulmanis will name a candidate for the post of the Prime Minister. Mr. Ulmanis told journalists that the agreement of three parties would not influence his choice. Still, politicians predict that the State President will ask Vilis Kristopans to form a new government. Diena

Yesterday was the last session of the 6th Saeima. The State President Guntis Ulmanis and the Saeima Speaker Alfreds Cepanis acknowledged accomplishments of the previous Saeima in promoting Latvia’s integration into the European Union. As most important documents both speakers named the amendments to the Citizenship Law, and the new chapter of the Constitution concerning the human rights. Commenting speeches of Mr. Ulmanis and Mr. Cepanis, SM states that the 6th Saeima has done a lot to undermine relations with Russia by, for example, adopting declarations about the occupation and Latvian legionnaires. This, however, was not mentioned by any of speakers.

Yesterday was the last session of the 6th Saeima. The State President Guntis Ulmanis and the Saeima Speaker Alfreds Cepanis acknowledged accomplishments of the previous Saeima in promoting Latvias integration into the European Union. As most important documents both speakers named the amendments to the Citizenship Law, and the new chapter of the Constitution concerning the human rights. Commenting speeches of Mr. Ulmanis and Mr. Cepanis, SM states that the 6th Saeima has done a lot to undermine relations with Russia by, for example, adopting declarations about the occupation and Latvian legionnaires. This, however, was not mentioned by any of speakers. Diena, SM

According to unofficial information at the disposal of CHAS, Russia and Israel prepare official statements concerning the declaration about the Latvian legionnaires recently adopted by the 6th Saeima.

According to unofficial information at the disposal of CHAS, Russia and Israel prepare official statements concerning the declaration about the Latvian legionnaires recently adopted by the 6th Saeima. Chas

Interest about possibilities to apply for naturalization has increased several times since the positive outcome of the 3rd October referendum, DCMA Press Secretary E. Smiltnieks told

Interest about possibilities to apply for naturalization has increased several times since the positive outcome of the 3rd October referendum, DCMA Press Secretary E. Smiltnieks told Panorama Latvii. People are more active in Riga and Daugavpils.

Rigas Balss analyzes the composition of the new Saeima. 36 of 100 deputies have been MP s of the 6th Saeima. There are 5 deputies - A. Gorbunovs, Indulis Berzins, A. Pantelejevs, Antons Seiksts, and Valdis Birkavs - who have worked in the Supreme Council, the 5th and 6th Saeimas. In comparison with the previous Saeima, there are more women, more younger people, and less foreign Latvians in the 7th Saeima. Rigas Balss

Press Review

Press Review

The Education Law adopted by the Saeima provides that the state language is the language of instruction in all state and municipal schools. However, the budget of the Ministry of Education and Science for 1999 does not provide any special financing for the Latvian language to become the language of instruction in all state and municipal schools, head of the Integration Department of the Ministry of Education Baiba Kinstlere told

The Education Law adopted by the Saeima provides that the state language is the language of instruction in all state and municipal schools. However, the budget of the Ministry of Education and Science for 1999 does not provide any special financing for the Latvian language to become the language of instruction in all state and municipal schools, head of the Integration Department of the Ministry of Education Baiba Kinstlere told Diena. Still, Ms. Kinstlere and Ms. Baiba Petersone, director of the Education Strategy Department of the Ministry of Education, thinks that teachers of other nationalities have enough possibilities to acquire state language. Besides, schools will be provided with necessary teaching aids. Ms. Kinstlere mentioned the opening of regional centre of the Latvian Language Training State Program in Daugavpils. Soon a similar centre will be opened in Liepaja. Igor Pimenov, head of the Association for Support of Schools with Russian as the language of instruction, thinks that within five years it will be impossible to implement the law and will have to be amended. The Ministry of Education has already worked out basic principles of bilingual education and presented several models for implementation of education program for national minorities. However, there are noteching aids prepared for implementation of this program.Diena

From all candidates of the second group for the EU accession talks Latvia is in the best position to be invited for talks along with the candidates of the first group. The European Commission will consider this issue on Monday and Tuesday. Head of the work group on EU enlargement issues Mr. van der Pass said that Latvia has good chances to be included into the first group of candidates for the EU accession talks.

From all candidates of the second group for the EU accession talks Latvia is in the best position to be invited for talks along with the candidates of the first group. The European Commission will consider this issue on Monday and Tuesday. Head of the work group on EU enlargement issues Mr. van der Pass said that Latvia has good chances to be included into the first group of candidates for the EU accession talks. Diena

After the referendum on the Citizenship Law amendments the number of applicants for naturalization in Daugavpils has tripled, a news agency LETA informs. Now more than 100 persons per day visits the regional Naturalization Board office. Majority of the applicants are persons who until now were not eligible for naturalization for at least 5 years.

After the referendum on the Citizenship Law amendments the number of applicants for naturalization in Daugavpils has tripled, a news agency LETA informs. Now more than 100 persons per day visits the regional Naturalization Board office. Majority of the applicants are persons who until now were not eligible for naturalization for at least 5 years. Neatkariga

Commenting this interview,

Commenting this interview, Jauna Avize states that the State President made it clear that he will not nominate Andris Skele ( Peoples Party ) as a candidate for the Prime Minister, since majority of politicians do not want to work under his leadership. Jauna Avize

On Saturday the Board of

On Saturday the Board of the Fatherland and Freedom decided to ask the President to nominate Vilis Kristopans (Latvian Way) as a candidate for the post of Prime Minister. At the same time, the party hopes that the Peoples Party will not refuse to participate in the coalition. The Fatherland and Freedom will not participate in the government where Peoples Harmony Party and Social Democratic Union will be represented, the resolution of the Board states. Still, the resolution of the Boad does not exclude a possibility that some social democrats will hold offices in the new government. Representatives of the Latvian Way, For Fatherland and Freedom, and the New Party agreed to sign a co-operation agreement on formation of a new government and to support Vilis Kristopans as a candidate for the Prime Ministers post. Parties also agreed to support other candidates for offices in the Saeima Presidium: Janis Straume (For Fatherland and Freedom) as a Speaker of the Saeima, representatives from Latvian Way and Social Democrats as Deputy Speakers of the Saeima, and a representative of New Party as a Secretary of the Saeima.Diena