Press Review

Saeima

Deputy-Speaker Aigars Jirgens told Deputy-Speaker Aigars Jirgens told "DIENA"DIENA" that "Guntis Ulmanis could not be entrusted with the duties of the President and " that "Guntis Ulmanis could not be entrusted with the duties of the President and "Tevzemei un Brivibai"/LNNK"Tevzemei un Brivibai"/LNNK would discuss recalling Mr. Ulmanis." Mr. Jirgens' statement followed the President's suggestion on reconsidering the agreement between the governing factions that currently does not allow to amend the Citizenship Law. Mr. Jirgens stressed that during his 1996 election campaign President Ulmanis told would discuss recalling Mr. Ulmanis." Mr. Jirgens' statement followed the President's suggestion on reconsidering the agreement between the governing factions that currently does not allow to amend the Citizenship Law. Mr. Jirgens stressed that during his 1996 election campaign President Ulmanis told "TB""TB" representatives that the existing version of the Citizenship Law was the only possible compromise allowing the survival of the Latvian nation. Aigars Jirgens believes that representatives that the existing version of the Citizenship Law was the only possible compromise allowing the survival of the Latvian nation. Aigars Jirgens believes that "TB"/LNNK"TB"/LNNK may launch a campaign aimed at gaining the support of at least 50 may launch a campaign aimed at gaining the support of at least 50 SaeimaSaeima members. According to the members. According to the SatversmeSatversme, 50 votes of , 50 votes of Saeima Saeima members are required to hold a closed members are required to hold a closed Saeima Saeima session while recalling the President is to be supported by at least 67 session while recalling the President is to be supported by at least 67 SaeimaSaeima members. Acting Chairman of the members. Acting Chairman of the "TB"/LNNK"TB"/LNNK faction Karlis Leiskalns admitted that the President had the rights to express his own opinion. Head of the faction Karlis Leiskalns admitted that the President had the rights to express his own opinion. Head of the "Saimnieks""Saimnieks" faction Ernests Jurkans expressed a similar view and added that faction Ernests Jurkans expressed a similar view and added that "Saimnieks""Saimnieks" would draft its amendments to the Citizenship Law in December. According to would draft its amendments to the Citizenship Law in December. According to "CHAS""CHAS", the, the "TB"/LNNK "TB"/LNNK faction has already discussed Mr. Jirgens' statement. faction has already discussed Mr. Jirgens' statement. "TB"/LNNK"TB"/LNNK will hold a conference on November 29 to define a compromise that it could agree to. will hold a conference on November 29 to define a compromise that it could agree to. Diena, Chas, Neatkariga, panorama Latvii Diena, Chas, Neatkariga, panorama Latvii The

The "International Herald Tribune" in its yesterday's issue published a clarification on the article by "TB" member Aivars Slucis that appeared in the paper on November 13. The statement by the newspaper explains that the article being "a paid advertisement" should have been labeled so. The article by Aivars Slucis calls last twenty generations of Russians "the most aggressive, barbarian, treacherous and uncivilized in the world." The author also addressed OSCE High Commissioner van der Stoel saying that his "meanness was indescribable" and accusing him in assisting "the Russian genocide against Latvians and Estonians." Saeima member Juris Sinka ("TB") openly supported the article noting that Mr. Slucis' opinion "mostly coincided with the opinion of the party". Chas

The Russian State

The Russian State Duma Committee on CIS Affairs and Contacts with Compatriots Abroad has drafted a Federal Act on Relations with Compatriots Abroad. The draft Act applies to citizens of the Russian Federation residing outside Russia, persons having dual citizenship, former USSR citizens who do not have Russian citizenship, emigrants from the Russian Empire, the Russian Socialist Republic, the Russian Federation and to their descendants. The draft Act is prepared for the first reading by the State Duma. Panorama Latvii

Press Review

In his speech on the Independence Day President Ulmanis called upon the governing factions to review the coalition agreement. "If the agreement between the governing factions blocks naturalization I would like it to be reviewed," said the President. President Ulmanis also pointed to the forming of two isolated communities in Latvia and stressed that the tendency was undermining the country's stability. Mr. Ulmanis stressed the importance of facilitating the naturalization process.

In his speech on the Independence Day President Ulmanis called upon the governing factions to review the coalition agreement. "If the agreement between the governing factions blocks naturalization I would like it to be reviewed," said the President. President Ulmanis also pointed to the forming of two isolated communities in Latvia and stressed that the tendency was undermining the country's stability. Mr. Ulmanis stressed the importance of facilitating the naturalization process. Saeima Speaker Alfreds Cepanis in his speech supported the President's opinion and called the existing situation "unhealthy". Last Monday Mr. Ulmanis had a meeting with "Tevzemei un Brivibai"/LNNK Chairman Maris Grinblats. Mr. Grinblats told "DIENA" that he and the President agreed that Guntars Krasts' cabinet "should work until the elections to the Seventh Saeima." "TB"/LNNK will hold a party conference on November 29. Its agenda will include the discussion of possible compromise and the drawing of an approach to co-operation with coalition partners. Diena, Chas

President Ulmanis in an interview for

President Ulmanis in an interview for "SM" said that "the window mechanism" should be canceled. He noted that he could feel a change in the approach of political parties to the Citizenship Law. Mr. Ulmanis expects the governing parties to abandon declarations on the immunity of the Citizenship Law during their election campaigns. The President believes that the country needs a new language Law. He expects the new Law to consolidate the society and to contribute to the forming of an integrated society. Mr. Ulmanis said that he would not support a Law that would isolate Latvian and non-Latvian communities. SM

Press Review

In an interview for

In an interview for "DIENA" President Ulmanis touched upon several aspects of Latvian domestic and foreign policies. The President believes security guarantees recently proposed by Russia to mark the beginning of "a long process" that may result in more profound proposals. Mr. Ulmanis said that he was analyzing possible ways of integrating Latvia's society. He does not agree that integration of non-Latvians means their assimilation. Integration requires a long-term program, believes the President. He agrees that two isolated communities are forming in Latvia. The President believes that the political parties should discuss the problems of naturalization, citizenship, employment restrictions and the possibility of granting citizenship to children born in Latvia. President Ulmanis is planning to address the governing parties on the issue in early December. "If I face stubborn aversion toward discussing these problems I will speak about them myself," said the President. He agrees that "the window" mechanism proved to be outdated and believes that abolishing the mechanism would not lead to an increase in the number of applicants for citizenship. President Ulmanis in his interview criticized the new draft Language Law and said that "a half of its provisions did not meet the interests of both Latvians and non-Latvians" and that the new Law, if adopted, "would not contribute to non-citizens' loyalty". Still, Mr. Ulmanis believes that the country needs a new Language Law to replace the one adopted before it regained its independence. Diena

Press Review

Unlike the majority of Latvian politicians, Russian Ambassador Aleksandr Udaltsov believes that any security guarantee is a contribution to any security system. In his interview for

Unlike the majority of Latvian politicians, Russian Ambassador Aleksandr Udaltsov believes that any security guarantee is a contribution to any security system. In his interview for "NEATKARIGA" he said that Russia would reject the idea of establishing a system of bilateral or multilateral security guarantees for the Baltic states. The Ambassador singled out the three main components of relations between Russia and Latvia, namely, economics, security and humanitarian issues. Mr. Udaltsov pointed to the lack of positive changes in non-citizens' situation adding that his opinion was shared by OSCE High Commissioner van der Stoel. The Russian Ambassador stressed that Russia was not putting an ultimatum but was only insisting on fulfillment of international recommendations by Latvia. The Ambassador said that he had an impression that Latvia was not ready to resolve the problem of Russian-speakers. He stressed that the issue would remain the main stumbling block for developing relations between the two countries. Neatkariga

The Latvian Government is planning to consider the possibility of issuing non-citizens' passports to persons currently not having any legal status in Latvia. According to Minister of the Interior Ziedonis Cevers, the Council on Co-operation between the Governing Factions has already received draft amendments to the Law on the Status of Former USSR Citizens. The amendments provide for issuing non-citizens' passports to individuals not having

The Latvian Government is planning to consider the possibility of issuing non-citizens' passports to persons currently not having any legal status in Latvia. According to Minister of the Interior Ziedonis Cevers, the Council on Co-operation between the Governing Factions has already received draft amendments to the Law on the Status of Former USSR Citizens. The amendments provide for issuing non-citizens' passports to individuals not having "propiska" in their former USSR passports. Another group of Latvia's inhabitants does not have any identification documents. These are persons who have renounced citizenship of countries other than Latvia. The Government has not decided whether such persons can receive non-citizens' passports or should special identification documents be introduced for them. Currently, 6,000 inhabitants of Latvia do not have any official status. B&B

Yesterday the

Yesterday the Saeima Human Rights Committee suggested to amend several acts restricting the rights of non-citizens for employment. The Saeima supported two of the amendments allowing non-citizens to run pharmaceutical businesses and to work as lawyers. The draft amendments are to be reviewed by the Saeima Committee. Still, the Saeima voted against the amendment allowing non-citizens to work as private detectives. SM

Press Review

Yesterday Russian Ambassador Udaltsov and Dutch Ambassador van Ulden visited the office of the State Program for the Study of the Latvian Language. The Ambassadors highly praised the program developed for the teaching of Latvian to non-Latvian residents of the country. The Russian Ambassador expressed regret about Russia not being able to afford the financing of the program. He offered moral support of the program and pointed to several problems currently faced by Russian-language schools. Many teachers fear the upcoming Latvian language tests. Next spring they are to pass the third category tests. The Russian Ambassador stressed that repressive measures would not serve as a proper motivation for the learning of Latvian by Russian-speakers.

Yesterday Russian Ambassador Udaltsov and Dutch Ambassador van Ulden visited the office of the State Program for the Study of the Latvian Language. The Ambassadors highly praised the program developed for the teaching of Latvian to non-Latvian residents of the country. The Russian Ambassador expressed regret about Russia not being able to afford the financing of the program. He offered moral support of the program and pointed to several problems currently faced by Russian-language schools. Many teachers fear the upcoming Latvian language tests. Next spring they are to pass the third category tests. The Russian Ambassador stressed that repressive measures would not serve as a proper motivation for the learning of Latvian by Russian-speakers. Neatkariga