Press Review

According to Deputy-Chairman of

According to Deputy-Chairman of "Tevzemei un Brivibai"/LNNK Juris Dobelis, the party does not object the President's right to express his opinion on political issues. Still, he criticized President Ulmanis for doubting the necessity of the coalition agreement on the Citizenship Law not long before the adoption of the state budget. Reviewing the coalition agreement would damage the stability of the Cabinet, believes Dobelis. "TB"/LNNK Chairman Grinblats and President Ulmanis have already agreed to hold a meeting. Mr. Aigars Jirgens of "TB" does not believe that the meeting will bring any results. President Ulmanis during a press-conference on his departure to Sweden said that he would continue to persuade politicians not to impede naturalization. Diena

Russian Ambassador to Estonia Aleksey Glukhov in an interview for an Estonian magazine said that Russia would recognize the fact of the Soviet occupation of Estonia at some point in the future. According to the Ambassador, such a step requires "a suitable moment". The signing of the border agreement between the two countries could be such a moment.

Russian Ambassador to Estonia Aleksey Glukhov in an interview for an Estonian magazine said that Russia would recognize the fact of the Soviet occupation of Estonia at some point in the future. According to the Ambassador, such a step requires "a suitable moment". The signing of the border agreement between the two countries could be such a moment. SM

Press Review

President Ulmanis at his press-conference last Monday said that he had not received any documents from

President Ulmanis at his press-conference last Monday said that he had not received any documents from "Tevzemei un Brivibai"/LNNK debating his opinion on naturalization issues. "I haven't heard about any objections expressed by "TB" and the only information that I have is obtained from radio and TV broadcasts," said the President. Mr. Ulmanis stressed that he would continue expressing his opinion on important issues and noted that the freedom of speech was "one of the advantages of our democratic state". The president may have a meeting with "TB"/LNNK representatives this weeks after his return from Sweden. Diena, Chas

The European Parliament has launched a project aimed at supporting the observance of human rights and encouraging the abolishment of the death penalty. The project involves special conference on the issue for Government members, legislators and representatives of international organizations. The first conference has already been held in Estonia. According to Estonian representatives, the country could not abolish the capital punishment and complained about a high crime rate. They also expressed concern about a possible inflow of criminals from Russia in case Estonia abolished the death penalty. The author of the article in

The European Parliament has launched a project aimed at supporting the observance of human rights and encouraging the abolishment of the death penalty. The project involves special conference on the issue for Government members, legislators and representatives of international organizations. The first conference has already been held in Estonia. According to Estonian representatives, the country could not abolish the capital punishment and complained about a high crime rate. They also expressed concern about a possible inflow of criminals from Russia in case Estonia abolished the death penalty. The author of the article in "DIENA" points to an importance of an open nation-wide discussion of the issue. Diena

Only 55 thousand non-citizens have received new alien passports valid for travel outside Latvia. Old Soviet passports become invalid for travel abroad on January 1, 1998. Around 600 thousand non-citizens still hold old passports. The CID will receive additional resources to facilitate the issuance of new passports. Still, its Director Ints Zitars does not believe that the CID will be able to handle all requests for new passports if all holders of Soviet passports apply before the New Year.

Only 55 thousand non-citizens have received new alien passports valid for travel outside Latvia. Old Soviet passports become invalid for travel abroad on January 1, 1998. Around 600 thousand non-citizens still hold old passports. The CID will receive additional resources to facilitate the issuance of new passports. Still, its Director Ints Zitars does not believe that the CID will be able to handle all requests for new passports if all holders of Soviet passports apply before the New Year. Chas

Press Review

Minister of Education and Science Juris Celmins (

Minister of Education and Science Juris Celmins ("Saimnieks") in an interview for "PANORAMA LATVII" pointed to the importance of improving the quality of teaching of the Latvian language in Russian-language schools. He believes that the Language Law should meet EU requirements. He stressed that the Law should not create the basis for the forming of two isolated communities in the country. Panorama Latvii

Estonian Parliament adopted amendments to the Language Law. The amendments include new regulations for tests in the Estonian language and require a mandatory use of Estonian by employees involved in providing services, by individual entrepreneurs and by juridical entities. The requirement for the mandatory use of Estonian by businessmen was actively opposed by Russian-speaking Parliament members. Minister of Education Klaassen stressed that the requirements were applied only to those whose work and business involved public communication.

Estonian Parliament adopted amendments to the Language Law. The amendments include new regulations for tests in the Estonian language and require a mandatory use of Estonian by employees involved in providing services, by individual entrepreneurs and by juridical entities. The requirement for the mandatory use of Estonian by businessmen was actively opposed by Russian-speaking Parliament members. Minister of Education Klaassen stressed that the requirements were applied only to those whose work and business involved public communication. Diena

Press Review

According to the President's Press-Secretary Liga Krapane, President Ulmanis will not comment on the recent statement by

According to the President's Press-Secretary Liga Krapane, President Ulmanis will not comment on the recent statement by "Tevzemei un Brivibai"/LNNK threatening to start a discussion of recalling the President if he proceeded with expressing opinions "that do not meet national interests". Diena

"TB"/LNNK

leader Maris Grinblats told the press that President Ulmanis would meet representatives of the party this week. Prime-Minister Krasts said that the exchange of opinions between leader Maris Grinblats told the press that President Ulmanis would meet representatives of the party this week. Prime-Minister Krasts said that the exchange of opinions between "TB"/LNNK "TB"/LNNK and Mr. Ulmanis would not influence "constructive co-operation between the Prime-Minister and the President." and Mr. Ulmanis would not influence "constructive co-operation between the Prime-Minister and the President." Neatkariga Neatkariga

"SM"

interviewed its readers on naturalization. The question was: "What does not allow you to undergo naturalization?" All the readers said that they would like to take Latvian citizenship. Among most frequently mentioned problems they mentioned closed "naturalization windows" and expected difficulties in passing naturalization tests. Some of the readers insisted on a "zero option" or were offended by being denied Latvian citizenship despite their support of Latvia's independence in 1990/91. interviewed its readers on naturalization. The question was: "What does not allow you to undergo naturalization?" All the readers said that they would like to take Latvian citizenship. Among most frequently mentioned problems they mentioned closed "naturalization windows" and expected difficulties in passing naturalization tests. Some of the readers insisted on a "zero option" or were offended by being denied Latvian citizenship despite their support of Latvia's independence in 1990/91. SMSM

Press Review

The

The "Tevzemei un Brivibai"/LNNK party council at its yesterday's meeting decided to start a discussion on recalling President Ulmanis from his post in case the President "proceeded with the statements that contradicted national interests and undermined the stability of the Cabinet." The party would not share the responsibility for the consequences of the President's statements, said a "TB"/LNNK representative. President Ulmanis has not reacted to the statements made by Saeima Deputy-Speaker Jirgens and the "TB"/LNNK council. Diena

"DIENA"

Journalist Aivars Ozolins believes that Journalist Aivars Ozolins believes that "Latvijas Cels" "Latvijas Cels" and and "Saimnieks""Saimnieks" may openly oppose may openly oppose "TB"/LNNK"TB"/LNNK after the after the SaeimaSaeima adopts the budget for the coming fiscal year. The ultimate decision would be most probably to be made by adopts the budget for the coming fiscal year. The ultimate decision would be most probably to be made by "Latvijas Cels""Latvijas Cels", thinks Ozolins. , thinks Ozolins. DienaDiena

"TB"/LNNK

Secretary General Aigars Kimenis in an article for Secretary General Aigars Kimenis in an article for"DIENA""DIENA" connects recent release of former Communist leader Rubiks from prison with "the campaign against the new language Law". He warns against pressing connects recent release of former Communist leader Rubiks from prison with "the campaign against the new language Law". He warns against pressing "TB"/LNNK"TB"/LNNK from the Cabinet claiming that the move would detain Latvia's integration in the EU and would lead to massive naturalization of non-citizens currently opposed only by from the Cabinet claiming that the move would detain Latvia's integration in the EU and would lead to massive naturalization of non-citizens currently opposed only by "TB"/LNNK "TB"/LNNK. . DienaDiena Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Press-Secretary Andrejs Pildegovics told

Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Press-Secretary Andrejs Pildegovics told "NEATKARIGA" that "the OSCE Mission was fulfilling an important task" and confirmed that its mandate was extended until 31 December 1997. The OSCE Mission refused to comment on its future activities. Mr. Pildegovics does not exclude the possibility of certain changes in the mandate of the Mission. Head of the State Human Rights Office Olafs Bruvers stressed that the Office had a productive co-operation with the OSCE Mission. Similar opinion was expressed by Deputy-Director of the Naturalization Board Janis Kohanovics. He noted that the Mission helped the Board in establishing contacts with foreign embassies. Chairman of the Saeima Committee on Foreign Affairs Andris Rubins said that the Committee had not considered the issue on the Mission's presence in Latvia. The final decision is to be made by the OSCE Permanent Committee in Vienna. Neatkariga

Yesterday the

Yesterday the Saeima Declined the amendments to the Law on Pensions that would allow non-citizens to receive pensions for the years of employment outside Latvia. Saeima Speaker Cepanis was among those voting against the amendments while Chairman of the Saeima Human Rights Committee Seiksts chose not to take part in the voting. Panorama Latvii

Chairman of the

Chairman of the "Saimnieks" faction Ernests Jurkans told "SM" that "Saimnieks" was planning to draft amendments to the Citizenship Law that would abolish "the naturalization windows" and grant citizenship to children born in Latvia after 1991. He also does not exclude the possibility of granting Latvian citizenship to children one of whose parents was born in Latvia. SM

Only 120 thousand non-citizens have received new alien passports. The total number of passports to be issued is around 600 thousand. Head of the Russian Embassy Consular Department Rylov expressed concern about the situation and told

Only 120 thousand non-citizens have received new alien passports. The total number of passports to be issued is around 600 thousand. Head of the Russian Embassy Consular Department Rylov expressed concern about the situation and told "SM" that the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the two countries will discuss possible solutions that would allow non-citizens to travel to Russia after January 1, 1998, which is the date after which old USSR passports will not be valid for travel outside Latvia. SM

Yesterday the

Yesterday the Saeima voted for granting Latvian citizenship to Parex Bank President Kargin and Chairman of the Board of the same bank Krasovitsky for their outstanding service to Latvia. Diena