Press Review

Press Review

On 15 July the Subcommittee on European Affairs of the United States Senate will consider the reports on the US political relations with the Baltic States. Among the issues to be discusses are the US-Baltic States Partnership Charter, the joining of NATO by the Baltic States, and the US assistance to Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia.

On 15 July the Subcommittee on European Affairs of the United States Senate will consider the reports on the US political relations with the Baltic States. Among the issues to be discusses are the US-Baltic States Partnership Charter, the joining of NATO by the Baltic States, and the US assistance to Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia. Diena

On Monday the Central Electoral Committee will decide on a possibility to organize the campaign of collecting signatures in the Latvian representations in abroad, since the Committee has received a letter signed by 70 Latvian citizens living abroad, in which they ask to ensure their constitutional rights to participate in the referendum.

On Monday the Central Electoral Committee will decide on a possibility to organize the campaign of collecting signatures in the Latvian representations in abroad, since the Committee has received a letter signed by 70 Latvian citizens living abroad, in which they ask to ensure their constitutional rights to participate in the referendum. Diena

Panorama Latvii publishes a letter signed by the Russian Public Council in which it asks Russia, the United States, and the European countries to pay attention to the situation of human rights in Latvia. The Russian Public Council demands the "zero version for the granting of citizenship, the status of the second official language for the Russian language, the education in the Russian language funded by the state budget. Panorama Latvii

On Friday the State President Guntis Ulmanis met with the Latvian Resident Representative to the Council of Europe Georgs Andrejevs. Mr. Andrejevs informed the State President about the EC activities. According to Mr. Andrejevs, the EC will try to put the issue of Russian economic sanctions against Latvia, on agenda of the EU commissions. Mr. Andrejevs also predicted that in the near future the Russian will come up with more demands for Latvia, like granting the status of the official language to the Russian language and the citizenship to all Russians in Latvia.

On Friday the State President Guntis Ulmanis met with the Latvian Resident Representative to the Council of Europe Georgs Andrejevs. Mr. Andrejevs informed the State President about the EC activities. According to Mr. Andrejevs, the EC will try to put the issue of Russian economic sanctions against Latvia, on agenda of the EU commissions. Mr. Andrejevs also predicted that in the near future the Russian will come up with more demands for Latvia, like granting the status of the official language to the Russian language and the citizenship to all Russians in Latvia. Neatkariga

Press Review

Press Review

The Central Election Committee has decided to hold the collection of signatures in support of the referendum on the citizenship law amendments from 20 July till 18 August.According to the Law on Public Referendums and Legislative initiatives, the full name, the identification number of each signatory who supports the petition for the referendum, and the date of signing shall be entered in the petition list. After the petition is signed, the authorized person makes a relevant entry in the citizen's passport or any other document used instead of the passport. The former Director of the NHRO Kaija Gertnere told 

The Central Election Committee has decided to hold the collection of signatures in support of the referendum on the citizenship law amendments from 20 July till 18 August.According to the Law on Public Referendums and Legislative initiatives, the full name, the identification number of each signatory who supports the petition for the referendum, and the date of signing shall be entered in the petition list. After the petition is signed, the authorized person makes a relevant entry in the citizen's passport or any other document used instead of the passport. The former Director of the NHRO Kaija Gertnere toldDiena that during the similar collection of the signatures in support of the draft Citizenship Law prepared by the Tevzemei un Brivibai/LNNK in 1996, some people expressed a concern about the possible problems with employers in case their passports contained the stamp witnessing their participation in the process of the collection. At that time the NHRO office submitted to the Saeima Human Rights Committee a proposal to abolish this requirement for the entry in the passports. It, however, has not been considered in the Saeima. Diena

The EU Commissioner Hans van der Brook thinks that Latvia has considerably improved its indicators, and done economic and political progress, the EU deputy Ernest Kavale told 

The EU Commissioner Hans van der Brook thinks that Latvia has considerably improved its indicators, and done economic and political progress, the EU deputy Ernest Kavale toldDiena.

The Latvian Foreign Affairs Minister Valdis Birkavs intends to visit St. Petersburg on 6 and 7 July to meet with the Governor of St. Petersburg Vladimir Jakovlev. The visit is a part of the dialogue between Latvia and Russian regions. Yesterday at the press conference, Mr.. Valdis Birkavs also said that the Latvian ambassadors are prepared to inform the international organizations, including the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, the ERDB, and the WTO about the Russian economic sanctions against Latvia.

The Latvian Foreign Affairs Minister Valdis Birkavs intends to visit St. Petersburg on 6 and 7 July to meet with the Governor of St. Petersburg Vladimir Jakovlev. The visit is a part of the dialogue between Latvia and Russian regions. Yesterday at the press conference, Mr.. Valdis Birkavs also said that the Latvian ambassadors are prepared to inform the international organizations, including the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, the ERDB, and the WTO about the Russian economic sanctions against Latvia. Diena

Yesterday at the press conference representatives of the

Yesterday at the press conference representatives of the TB/LNNK explained the activities of the party concerning the suspension of the Citizenship law amendments. The leader of the party Maris Grinblats said that the call for the referendum corresponds with the party program. According to Mr.Grinblats, there are significant disagreements among politicians concerning the Citizenship Law, therefore the Latvian society has to express its opinion and in such a way end the discussion. Chas, B&B

The Chair of the Latvian Parliamentary delegation to the EU Inese Birzniece thinks that the impeding of the implementation of the Citizenship Law amendments might put Latvia in an ambiguous situation, since the European Union and the United States have already welcomed the amendments, and the US have even allocated half of the million dollars for the implementation of the amendments. Ms. Birzniece is against the referendum and considers it as a pre-election trick by the

The Chair of the Latvian Parliamentary delegation to the EU Inese Birzniece thinks that the impeding of the implementation of the Citizenship Law amendments might put Latvia in an ambiguous situation, since the European Union and the United States have already welcomed the amendments, and the US have even allocated half of the million dollars for the implementation of the amendments. Ms. Birzniece is against the referendum and considers it as a pre-election trick by the Tevzemei un Brivibai/LNNK. SM

SM publishes an article about the long queues of people wanting to exchange their passports at the Kurzemes District DCMA. According to SM, some 500,000 non-citizens still do not have got their Aliens Passports.

According to the information presented by the Operative Division of the Boarder Guards, yesterday five persons who possessed the former USSR internal passports were not allowed to cross the Russian-Latvian border in Zilupe.

According to the information presented by the Operative Division of the Boarder Guards, yesterday five persons who possessed the former USSR internal passports were not allowed to cross the Russian-Latvian border in Zilupe. Jauna Avize

B&B publishes an interview with the State President Guntis Ulmanis in which he argues that Latvia still lives in age when the national or territorial issues were the basis of politics although during the last years the human rights have become the key-issue of the world politics. According to Mr. Ulmanis, here in Latvia the concept of the human rights is perceived from the viewpoint of the "Latvian-Russian" and the "citizen-alien."

Press Review

Yesterday the State President Guntis Ulmanis announced the suspension of the promulgation of the Citizenship Law amendments. At the same time, he said that the necessity to have referendum is not well substantiated. According to the State President, the Tevzemei un Brivibai/ LNNK exploits the pre-election situation by using the populism. The Prime Minister Guntars Krasts has a different opinion concerning the referendum. According to Mr. Krasts, the referendum is needed, since Latvia experiments on the European level, and it is necessary to know the popular opinion,” "We have to think how far we can go. The international institutions, first of all the OSCE, have not told that these amendments will be the last requirement," Mr. Krasts told the press.

Yesterday the State President Guntis Ulmanis announced the suspension of the promulgation of the Citizenship Law amendments. At the same time, he said that the necessity to have referendum is not well substantiated. According to the State President, the Tevzemei un Brivibai/ LNNK exploits the pre-election situation by using the populism. The Prime Minister Guntars Krasts has a different opinion concerning the referendum. According to Mr. Krasts, the referendum is needed, since Latvia experiments on the European level, and it is necessary to know the popular opinion, "We have to think how far we can go. The international institutions, first of all the OSCE, have not told that these amendments will be the last requirement," Mr. Krasts told the press. Diena, Neatkariga, Chas

Yesterday after considering the reports of the Director of the National Human Rights Office and the Ministry of the Foreign Affairs, the Cabinet of Ministers decided to consider the performance of Mr. Olafs Bruvers, Director of the NHRO, as poor. By 7 July the State Chancellery should prepare the draft resolution concerning the Mr. Bruvers’ incompatibility with the post of the NHRO Director.

Yesterday after considering the reports of the Director of the National Human Rights Office and the Ministry of the Foreign Affairs, the Cabinet of Ministers decided to consider the performance of Mr. Olafs Bruvers, Director of the NHRO, as poor. By 7 July the State Chancellery should prepare the draft resolution concerning the Mr. Bruvers incompatibility with the post of the NHRO Director. Diena, Neatkariga

The official representative of the Russian Foreign Affairs Ministry Vladimir Rahmanin expressed the deep concern about the situation with the implementation of the recommendations in human rights sphere in Latvia. The Russian Foreign Affairs Ministry hopes that the wisdom of the Latvian nation will not let national populists to draw the country into a dangerous game.

The official representative of the Russian Foreign Affairs Ministry Vladimir Rahmanin expressed the deep concern about the situation with the implementation of the recommendations in human rights sphere in Latvia. The Russian Foreign Affairs Ministry hopes that the wisdom of the Latvian nation will not let national populists to draw the country into a dangerous game. Diena, Jauna Avize

Starting July 1 non-citizens who have left Latvia for the CIS countries, will not be able to return to Latvia with the interior passports of the former USSR. They will need to receive either the non-citizen passports or the return certificates from the Latvian representations in abroad. The Consular Department of the Foreign Affairs Ministry does not have information that somebody has already applied for the non-citizen passport or the return certificate at any of the Latvian representations in abroad.

Starting July 1 non-citizens who have left Latvia for the CIS countries, will not be able to return to Latvia with the interior passports of the former USSR. They will need to receive either the non-citizen passports or the return certificates from the Latvian representations in abroad. The Consular Department of the Foreign Affairs Ministry does not have information that somebody has already applied for the non-citizen passport or the return certificate at any of the Latvian representations in abroad. Diena

Deputy Chair of the

Deputy Chair of the Tevzemei un Brivibai/ LNNK Janis Straume told DIENA that the TB/LNNK will submit its proposals for the amendments to the Satversme (Constitution) which would require the Latvian citizens know the Latvian language. The Legal Commission will start considering the proposals for the amendments to the Satversme in the second reading at the beginning of August. Diena

Starting 1 July the Russian Ministry of Transportation terminates the reduced tariffs for the freight transportation to and from Latvia. Andrejs Pildegovics, the Press Secretary of the Latvian Foreign Affairs Ministry, told the press that this decision of the Russian government can be considered as the continuation of the Russian economical pressure. According to Mr. Pildegovics, the Latvian MFA is ready to inform the World Trade Organization and the EU about these " unilateral discriminatory undertakings" by Russia.

Starting 1 July the Russian Ministry of Transportation terminates the reduced tariffs for the freight transportation to and from Latvia. Andrejs Pildegovics, the Press Secretary of the Latvian Foreign Affairs Ministry, told the press that this decision of the Russian government can be considered as the continuation of the Russian economical pressure. According to Mr. Pildegovics, the Latvian MFA is ready to inform the World Trade Organization and the EU about these " unilateral discriminatory undertakings" by Russia. Diena, Jauna Avize, B&B

Approaching the 31st of August when the term for the operation of the Skrunda Radar Station expires, Russian military representatives express more and more concerns that Russia might be left without a radar westwards. There have been some talks in the Russian Ministry of Defence that the aggravation of the Latvian-Russian relations negatively influence the situation. Otherwise,according to some of the military representatives, it would have been possible to extend the Skrunda agreement for at least four to five years. The Ministry has not officially addressed the government with proposals concerning Skrunda.

Approaching the 31st of August when the term for the operation of the Skrunda Radar Station expires, Russian military representatives express more and more concerns that Russia might be left without a radar westwards. There have been some talks in the Russian Ministry of Defence that the aggravation of the Latvian-Russian relations negatively influence the situation. Otherwise,according to some of the military representatives, it would have been possible to extend the Skrunda agreement for at least four to five years. The Ministry has not officially addressed the government with proposals concerning Skrunda. Diena

Yesterday the Riga District Court had to consider 13 cases concerning the deprivation of the Latvian citizenship. 

Yesterday the Riga District Court had to consider 13 cases concerning the deprivation of the Latvian citizenship.Neatkariga publishes background of several cases, some of which were postponed due to various reasons.

Today the expert group which was formed in April 1998 for the preparation of the draft social integration program, will submit its project to the Cabinet of Ministers. As the head of the expert group Olgerts Tipans told the press, this project is only beginning of the extensive integration program.

Today the expert group which was formed in April 1998 for the preparation of the draft social integration program, will submit its project to the Cabinet of Ministers. As the head of the expert group Olgerts Tipans told the press, this project is only beginning of the extensive integration program. Neatkariga

Yesterday the government formed a special work group which will deal with the organizational issues of the formation of the united Latvian -Estonian border check point in Valka. The Deputy Head of the State Border Guards is appointed to head the work group.

Yesterday the government formed a special work group which will deal with the organizational issues of the formation of the united Latvian -Estonian border check point in Valka. The Deputy Head of the State Border Guards is appointed to head the work group. Neatkariga

Neatkarigapublishes a letter of the Saeima deputies Mr. Janis Lagzdins and Mr. Dzintars Abikisin which they criticize the amendments to the Citizenship law for their lack of the requirement for the language knowledge when granting citizenship to children. They express the hope that "regardless of all advice from commissars, Latvia will adopt good language law.

By presenting facts and arguments concerning some of the widespread opinions used for the substantiation of the need for the referendum, the

By presenting facts and arguments concerning some of the widespread opinions used for the substantiation of the need for the referendum, the Diena in Russian invites the readers to the discussion on the citizenship issues.

Press Review

On Monday the Board of the Latvijas Cels distributed the appeal to public to support the Citizenship Law amendments and not to participate in canvassing the popular votes for the referendum. The Board of the Latvijas Cels described the petition to suspend the promulgation of the Citizenship Law amendments as a short-sighted, irresponsible step which can seriously undermine the state security. Representatives of several other parties (the People’s Party, the New Party, the Social Democratic Party) asked by the 

On Monday the Board of the Latvijas Cels distributed the appeal to public to support the Citizenship Law amendments and not to participate in canvassing the popular votes for the referendum. The Board of the Latvijas Cels described the petition to suspend the promulgation of the Citizenship Law amendments as a short-sighted, irresponsible step which can seriously undermine the state security. Representatives of several other parties (the Peoples Party, the New Party, the Social Democratic Party) asked by theDiena to evaluate the call for the referendum, are against the referendum, since it will be a part of the political campaign of one party - the Tevzemei un Brivibai/LNNK.

According to the

According to the Neatkariga, the majority of the political parties, including those which are not represented in the parliament, are against the referendum.

Lauku Avize publishes an article about the visit of the Prime Minister to Kuldiga last Friday. Commenting the Citizenship Law amendments, Mr. Krasts said that they were made under the economic pressure of Russia and in great hurry implementing the recommendations of the High Commissioner Max van der Stoel. As a result, 49 deputies who voted for the granting of citizenship to the children born after the independence, tried to attach the force of law to things which have not been discussed in the society and the Saeima. According to the Prime Minister, the adopted amendments opened the door for the automatic granting of the citizenship which will be encouraged by the further supplementary recommendations of the OSCE. The Prime Minister supported the using of rights provided by the Constitution to suspend the promulgation of the law. Lauku Avize

Starting 1 July the internal passports of the former USSR will not be valid for the return to Latvia.

Starting 1 July the internal passports of the former USSR will not be valid for the return to Latvia. Panorama Latvii

SM puts the blame for the failure to implement the Citizenship Law amendments not only on the Tevzemei un Brivibai/ LNNK, but also on the Latvijas Cels which due to the lack of will, allowed the TB/LNNK to remain in the government and to deceive the world community.

In an interview for the

In an interview for the SM Jury Kuznecov, the Deputy Chair of the Committees on the Relations with the CIS and Countrymen at the Russian Duma (Parliament) said that before coming to Latvia he knew about the serious human rights violations here, but his visit showed that the situation is more serious, since there are obvious signs of the Fascism in Latvia. He referred to the decision of the Saeima to proclaim the 16 of March a Commemoration Day of the Latvian Soldiers.

The State President has decided to promulgate the Criminal Law with a special clause stating that the law comes into the force along with the new Criminal Procedure Code and the Code on the Implementation of Punishment which might be considered by the Saeima before the elections.

The State President has decided to promulgate the Criminal Law with a special clause stating that the law comes into the force along with the new Criminal Procedure Code and the Code on the Implementation of Punishment which might be considered by the Saeima before the elections. Neatkariga

Press Report

Today 

TodayDiena publishes the speech of the State President Guntis Ulmanis at the extraordinary session of the Saeima on 22 June when the Citizenship Law amendments were considered in the third reading.

Panorama Latvii publishes an interview with the representatives of the Committee on the Relations with CIS and the Countrymen at the Russian Duma ( Parliament) who recently visited Latvia. The Deputy Chair of the Committee Juriy Kuznecov assured the readers that the "present day democratic Russia fights and will fight against any discrimination of its countrymen residing in Latvia and will insist on the equal rights to all residents of Latvia."

In an interview for 

In an interview forJauna Avize Maris Grinblats (Tevzemei un Brivibai/LNNK) argues that some partners of the governmental coalition seems to have forgotten the Article 3 of the coalition agreement which provided for the taking into consideration the language and history knowledge when granting citizenship to children of non-citizens. Therefore, the Tevzemei un Brivibai/LNNK insists on co-ordinating the final version of the Citizenship Law amendments not only with the OSCE recommendations but also with the document signed by all government forming factions.

Jan Sorensen, the UNDP Resident Representative in Latvia, told press that in 1998 the UNDP focuses on the issues related with the social integration in Latvia. According to Mr. Sorensen, at the moment in Latvia there is no two-community society, although members of the different ethnic groups residing in Latvia differently interpret essential historical issues and differently envision the future of the country. 

Jan Sorensen, the UNDP Resident Representative in Latvia, told press that in 1998 the UNDP focuses on the issues related with the social integration in Latvia. According to Mr. Sorensen, at the moment in Latvia there is no two-community society, although members of the different ethnic groups residing in Latvia differently interpret essential historical issues and differently envision the future of the country.

Chasinterviews the advisor of the State President Reinis Aboltins who also is a member of the work group on the preparation of the integration program in Latvia. According to Mr. Aboltins, the integration is a peaceful co-existence in the society, therefore the most important prerequisite of the integration should be the equal rights for all ethnic groups residing in Latvia. The task of the state is to provide grounds for the voluntary integration by amending the legislation and liberalizing the laws on citizenship and language.