Press Review

Press Review

The Latvian Security Police has detained two young men who, according to Head of the Bureau for Protection of the

The Latvian Security Police has detained two young men who, according to Head of the Bureau for Protection of the Satversme Lainis Kamaldins, participated in organizing the act of terrorism against the Monument to the Liberators of Riga. The Police will not reveal any further details until the investigation is completed. The Monument was seriously damaged on July 6 when a bomb planted by unidentified terrorists exploded killing two men (who presumably planted it). Diena

Prime-Minister Krasts in his interview for the German business newspaper

Prime-Minister Krasts in his interview for the German business newspaper "Handelsblatt" stressed the role that could be played by Germany in persuading the EU to start talks with all three Baltic states simultaneously. The Latvian Premier believes that the admission of Estonia would create "dramatic inequality" and would increase Moscow's pressure on Latvia and Lithuania. Mr. Krasts, while touching upon the problem of the large number of non-citizens, said that many of them had no intention to take Latvian citizenship. For many of them Latvia is only a convenient place of residence and they would rather take citizenship of a Western country. According to Mr. Krasts, many Russian-speakers still did not consider Latvia to be an independent state. Diena

Yesterday President Ulmanis had a meeting with leaders of the governing coalition parties. The agenda of the meeting included possible compromise with Russia on the border issue and on the problem of the large number of non-citizens. Mr. Cevers (

Yesterday President Ulmanis had a meeting with leaders of the governing coalition parties. The agenda of the meeting included possible compromise with Russia on the border issue and on the problem of the large number of non-citizens. Mr. Cevers ("Saimnieks") told "SM" that the parties agreed to authorize the President to inform the Russian side about its plans for reducing the number of employment restrictions for non-citizens. The President will also speak about the possibility of simplifying the process of naturalization. President Ulmanis is expected to meet Russian Premier Chernomyrdin in Vilnius this week during the summit that will be attended by leaders of twelve countries. SM

Director of the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Solvita Mellupe told 

Director of the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Solvita Mellupe toldDiena that Latvia should improve "the safety of its Eastern border" to establish a non-visa regime with European countries. Finland is among the European countries ready to establish such a regime for Latvian citizens. Still, the Finnish side is expecting Latvia to apply the Refugee Convention to all asylum seekers and not only to residents of European countries. Finland also expects Latvia to improve the quality of citizens' passports to make them suitable for computer processing. Germany has suspended its talks with Latvia on the subject explaining that Latvian passports are easily forged. The German authorities also point at the lack of a uniform information network in Latvia. Diena

Press Review

Press Review

Minister of Foreign Affairs Birkavs while assessing the points of the Government Declaration said that the Latvian foreign policy remained unchanged. The new Declaration gives a more precise definition of some aspects of the foreign policy. Mr. Birkavs believes that there are signs showing that the European Commission puts special requirements to Latvia. He noted that Sweden and Finland would not agree to establish a non-visa regime until Latvia adopts the reading of the Refugee Law that would provide a refugee status not only to inhabitants of European countries. Last week the "Tevzemei un Brivibai"/LNNK faction blocked the corresponding amendments to the Law on the Refugee Convention. Mr. Birkavs also stressed the importance of the Border Agreement with Russia. Director of the Latvian Institute of Foreign Policy Atis Leins criticized the Declaration for paying little attention to Latvia's relations with Russia. Former Minister of Foreign Affairs Janis Jurkans believes that relations with Russia cannot be improved under the current Cabinet. No improvement is possible without amending the Citizenship Law, believes Mr. Jurkans.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Birkavs while assessing the points of the Government Declaration said that the Latvian foreign policy remained unchanged. The new Declaration gives a more precise definition of some aspects of the foreign policy. Mr. Birkavs believes that there are signs showing that the European Commission puts special requirements to Latvia. He noted that Sweden and Finland would not agree to establish a non-visa regime until Latvia adopts the reading of the Refugee Law that would provide a refugee status not only to inhabitants of European countries. Last week the "Tevzemei un Brivibai"/LNNK faction blocked the corresponding amendments to the Law on the Refugee Convention. Mr. Birkavs also stressed the importance of the Border Agreement with Russia. Director of the Latvian Institute of Foreign Policy Atis Leins criticized the Declaration for paying little attention to Latvia's relations with Russia. Former Minister of Foreign Affairs Janis Jurkans believes that relations with Russia cannot be improved under the current Cabinet. No improvement is possible without amending the Citizenship Law, believes Mr. Jurkans. Diena

Chairman of the Board of the Foundation for Consolidation of the Latvian Society Peteris Lakis believes that ethnic Russians in Latvia find it difficult to identify themselves as an ethnic minority. He suggests that the state is starting to play a consolidating role by giving political power to ethnic Latvians in the situation when the economics are controlled to a large extent by ethnic Russians. The two sides are trying to co-operate and to find common grounds. Mr. Lakis believes that naturalization tests should be simplified and sees the acceleration of naturalization among the objectives of his foundation.

Chairman of the Board of the Foundation for Consolidation of the Latvian Society Peteris Lakis believes that ethnic Russians in Latvia find it difficult to identify themselves as an ethnic minority. He suggests that the state is starting to play a consolidating role by giving political power to ethnic Latvians in the situation when the economics are controlled to a large extent by ethnic Russians. The two sides are trying to co-operate and to find common grounds. Mr. Lakis believes that naturalization tests should be simplified and sees the acceleration of naturalization among the objectives of his foundation. Diena

An international youth conference on human rights was held in Kemeri in August. It was organized by the "Culture, Tolerance, Friendship" youth organization. Participants of the conference had meetings with representatives of the State Human Rights Office, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the OSCE (Mr. F.Lange

An international youth conference on human rights was held in Kemeri in August. It was organized by the "Culture, Tolerance, Friendship" youth organization. Participants of the conference had meetings with representatives of the State Human Rights Office, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the OSCE (Mr. F.Lange).Diena

"Tevzemei un Brivibai"/LNNK Secretary General Aigars Kimenis in an article for "DIENA" stresses that his party supports Latvia's integration in the EU. Still, he does not see slow naturalization and a large number of non-citizens as a main problem faced by Latvia. Mr. Kimenis believes that Latvia should concentrate on resolving its economic problems and on improving its general image on the international scale. In this connection, he refers to Estonian experience. Economic reforms and international information campaigns helped the country to become a candidate to the EU without amending its Citizenship Law. Mr. Kimenis explains that the ratification of the European Charter on Local or Minority Languages and of the Framework Convention on Minority Rights would automatically give Russian a status of the second state language and would help individuals disloyal to Latvia's independence to penetrate state and self-government institutions.

"Tevzemei un Brivibai"/LNNK Secretary General Aigars Kimenis in an article for "DIENA" stresses that his party supports Latvia's integration in the EU. Still, he does not see slow naturalization and a large number of non-citizens as a main problem faced by Latvia. Mr. Kimenis believes that Latvia should concentrate on resolving its economic problems and on improving its general image on the international scale. In this connection, he refers to Estonian experience. Economic reforms and international information campaigns helped the country to become a candidate to the EU without amending its Citizenship Law. Mr. Kimenis explains that the ratification of the European Charter on Local or Minority Languages and of the Framework Convention on Minority Rights would automatically give Russian a status of the second state language and would help individuals disloyal to Latvia's independence to penetrate state and self-government institutions. Diena

Press Review

Press Review

Prime-Minister Guntars Krasts appointed Mr. Ritums Rozenbergs his Press-Secretary. Mr. Rozenbergs is a professional journalist and has worked for several Latvian newspapers and for the National Radio and TV. Former Minister of Public Health Juris Vinkelis was appointed Head of the Prime Minister's Bureau. The Premier's team will be completed by the middle of September.

Prime-Minister Guntars Krasts appointed Mr. Ritums Rozenbergs his Press-Secretary. Mr. Rozenbergs is a professional journalist and has worked for several Latvian newspapers and for the National Radio and TV. Former Minister of Public Health Juris Vinkelis was appointed Head of the Prime Minister's Bureau. The Premier's team will be completed by the middle of September. Diena

Minister of Education and Science Juris Celmins in an interview for

Minister of Education and Science Juris Celmins in an interview for Diena stressed that the reform of the country's education system should be implemented on a step-by-step basis. He pointed at the importance of a legislative basis for the reform. The Ministry of Education has drafted the new General Law on Education, the Law on the Elementary Education and the Law on Vocational Education. The Minister did not mention the issue of minority schools and the status of the Russian language in schools under the new Law.

An Australian Latvian (J.A.Ziedars) in an article for

An Australian Latvian (J.A.Ziedars) in an article for Diena argues with Nils Muiznieks who suggested to pay closer attention to the process of naturalization. The author believes the Citizenship Law to be democratic and compares naturalization rate in Latvia to that in Australia. He points at the fact that the Latvian Citizenship Law allows a much higher naturalization rate than the Australian legislation. The author suggests that imposing citizenship on ethnic Russians would be a violation of their human rights since many Russians in Latvia feel a strong affinity with Russia and are still to decide whether they will take the side of Latvia in case of a conflict. The author of the article believes that the citizenship issue is exaggerated by EU politicians. He suggests that the OSCE, the EU and Russia should contribute to naturalizing non-citizens in Latvia. Russia should declare that it has no objections to naturalization. It should ratify the border agreement with Latvia and officially confirm Latvia's sovereignty. Among other measures to be taken by Russia the author also mentions the establishment of a non-visa regime for Latvian citizens. Russia and the international community should provide financial support to Latvian language study programs for non-citizens. Diena

Press Report

Press Report

European Parliament Deputy Ernesto Cacavale is currently visiting Latvia. The aim of the visit is collecting information for a report to the European Parliament. The EP is to adopt its recommendation on Latvia's compliance with the EU requirements during its Plenary Session in December. An EP delegation is expected to visit Latvia in November. Mr. Cacavale is studying the political situation in the country, political and human rights situation, economic problems, etc. During his yesterday's meeting with

European Parliament Deputy Ernesto Cacavale is currently visiting Latvia. The aim of the visit is collecting information for a report to the European Parliament. The EP is to adopt its recommendation on Latvia's compliance with the EU requirements during its Plenary Session in December. An EP delegation is expected to visit Latvia in November. Mr. Cacavale is studying the political situation in the country, political and human rights situation, economic problems, etc. During his yesterday's meeting with Saeima deputies, the European Parliament Deputy discussed naturalization, implementation of laws and criminal situation in the country. Prime-Minister Krasts said that he would actively monitor the process of Latvia's integration to Europe. Diena

Boris Tsilevich in an article published by

Boris Tsilevich in an article published by "SM" suggests that the governing parties are tending to act as a single party in their policy with a primary goal to retain the control over the country. "Latvijas Cels" and "Saimnieks" would like "Tevzemei un Brivibai"/LNNK to bear responsibility for naturalization and citizenship issues. "TB" will have to agree to a certain compromise, thus losing votes in the next elections. B.Tsilevich points at the awkwardness of the final version of the Memorandum for the European Commission. The document names the analysis of naturalization processes and the assessment of employment restrictions for non-citizens among the country's priority tasks. Still, both issues have been already studied and analyzed by governmental organizations and NGOs (naturalization) and by the State Human Rights Office (employment restrictions).

The

The Saeima re-elected Mr. Einars Repse President of the Bank of Latvia for another five-year term. He was supported by sixty-two Saeima deputies with twenty voting against him. Diena, Neatkariga

Press Report

Last Tuesday the Latvian Government accepted the activity plan for integration in the European Union. The Bureau for Integration in Europe will work out the final version of the document and submit it to the State Chancellery. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in its turn, will submit the document to the European Commission. The plan provides for strengthening Latvia's Eastern borders, the country's involvement in EU programs, the reform of the institution of bailiffs, the establishment of a refugee center, etc. The document also lists several steps to be taken in the economic domain. Still, a paragraph on ratifying the Universal Convention on Protection of National Minorities by December 1997 and a paragraph providing for applying the Law on Amnesty to non-citizens were removed from the plan.

Last Tuesday the Latvian Government accepted the activity plan for integration in the European Union. The Bureau for Integration in Europe will work out the final version of the document and submit it to the State Chancellery. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in its turn, will submit the document to the European Commission. The plan provides for strengthening Latvia's Eastern borders, the country's involvement in EU programs, the reform of the institution of bailiffs, the establishment of a refugee center, etc. The document also lists several steps to be taken in the economic domain. Still, a paragraph on ratifying the Universal Convention on Protection of National Minorities by December 1997 and a paragraph providing for applying the Law on Amnesty to non-citizens were removed from the plan. Diena

The

The Saeima Juridical Committee supports lifting a ban on running in the elections currently applied to individuals who were members (after January 13, 1993) of the Communist Party and other political organizations acting against Latvia's independence. The ban will remain in force for former KGB (and other foreign secret service) officers. B&B

A spokesman for the Russian Embassy to Latvia at a meeting at the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stressed that the Jelgava city authorities dismantled the Monument to the Liberators of Jelgava without informing the Russian side thus violating the agreement between the two countries. The Monument was in a very bad condition and threatened the safety of Jelgava's inhabitants. The city authorities plan to erect a stone with an inscription in memory of the liberators or a much smaller copy of the dismantled monument.

A spokesman for the Russian Embassy to Latvia at a meeting at the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stressed that the Jelgava city authorities dismantled the Monument to the Liberators of Jelgava without informing the Russian side thus violating the agreement between the two countries. The Monument was in a very bad condition and threatened the safety of Jelgava's inhabitants. The city authorities plan to erect a stone with an inscription in memory of the liberators or a much smaller copy of the dismantled monument. Chas, SM