Press Report

Yesterday President Ulmanis officially opened the first meeting of the new government. He asked the ministers to “give up cheap populist claims” for rising of popularity of some parties and politicians, but to work as a team. Prime-Minister Krasts expressed a hope that this government would be the last one before the next Saeima elections.

Yesterday President Ulmanis officially opened the first meeting of the new government. He asked the ministers to give up cheap populist claims for rising of popularity of some parties and politicians, but to work as a team. Prime-Minister Krasts expressed a hope that this government would be the last one before the next Saeima elections. Diena

After his return from the USA President Ulmanis told journalists that a charter between the United States and Baltic countries could be signed at the end of this year. According to Ulmanis, the text of this document is almost ready, and the presidents of all Baltic countries should agree on the exact time when the charter could be signed. In August the Latvian delegation will meet with American representatives in Washington to discuss the charter.

After his return from the USA President Ulmanis told journalists that a charter between the United States and Baltic countries could be signed at the end of this year. According to Ulmanis, the text of this document is almost ready, and the presidents of all Baltic countries should agree on the exact time when the charter could be signed. In August the Latvian delegation will meet with American representatives in Washington to discuss the charter.

Janis Vaivads, Director of the European Integration Bureau, told DIENA that the Latvian memorandum to the European Commission that includes Latvia’s response to the EC report, will be discussed by the Cabinet next week.

Janis Vaivads, Director of the European Integration Bureau, told DIENA that the Latvian memorandum to the European Commission that includes Latvias response to the EC report, will be discussed by the Cabinet next week. B&B

Valerie Nesterushkin, Representative of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said that a delimitation map of the Russian-Latvian border would be ready at the end of September.

Valerie Nesterushkin, Representative of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said that a delimitation map of the Russian-Latvian border would be ready at the end of September. Neatkariga

BIZNES I BALTYA publishes an article in which its author tells about her personal experience with the naturalization examinations. According to the author, the exams are not as difficult as people used to think.

BIZNES I BALTYA publishes an article in which its author tells about her personal experience with the naturalization examinations. According to the author, the exams are not as difficult as people used to think.

DIENA asked several Latvian politicians to express their opinion about the Citizenship Law that was passed by the Saeima three years ago. Among the respondents are Minister of Justice Dzintars Rasnacs and Director of the National Human Rights Office Olafs Bruvers. The majority noted that the Law was a compromise. All respondents said that they did not expect changes in the Citizenship Law during the term of the present government.

DIENA asked several Latvian politicians to express their opinion about the Citizenship Law that was passed by the Saeima three years ago. Among the respondents are Minister of Justice Dzintars Rasnacs and Director of the National Human Rights Office Olafs Bruvers. The majority noted that the Law was a compromise. All respondents said that they did not expect changes in the Citizenship Law during the term of the present government. Diena

Dienapublishes a story of a daughter of a military pensioner who is waiting for her non-citizen passport. It appears that a relationship with a former USSR military person might be an obstacle to a faster processing of the documents.

Diena continues to publish information about the naturalization exams. This time there is an article on the Latvian history exam. Lilita Danga, Chair of the Methodical Department of the Naturalization Board, informs that 95% of persons who take the exam, pass it.

Press Report

Press Report

Nils Muiznieks, Director of the Latvian Human Rights and Ethnic Studies Center, comments that the new government declaration does not contain the European Commission recommendations on human rights and minority issues. Mr. Muiznieks notes that there are no proposals on the speeding up of the naturalization process, the granting of citizenship to children who were born in Latvia, and eliminating of the “naturalization window” system. Still, Mr. Muiznieks hopes that the government will be able to bring Latvia nearer to the standards of the European Union not only in the economic sphere, but also in the political.

Nils Muiznieks, Director of the Latvian Human Rights and Ethnic Studies Center, comments that the new government declaration does not contain the European Commission recommendations on human rights and minority issues. Mr. Muiznieks notes that there are no proposals on the speeding up of the naturalization process, the granting of citizenship to children who were born in Latvia, and eliminating of the naturalization window system. Still, Mr. Muiznieks hopes that the government will be able to bring Latvia nearer to the standards of the European Union not only in the economic sphere, but also in the political. Diena

Head of the Visa Department of the CID Andris Kalnins in an interview for SM SEGODNYA notes that there are problems with the CID staff that more and more resembles a “clan of some particular families”. According to Mr. Kalnins, the CID needs a serious reorganization, including changes in personnel.

Head of the Visa Department of the CID Andris Kalnins in an interview for SM SEGODNYA notes that there are problems with the CID staff that more and more resembles a clan of some particular families. According to Mr. Kalnins, the CID needs a serious reorganization, including changes in personnel. SM

Kristina Malere, Press-Secretary of the National Human Rights Bureau, informs that during the first half of this year the Bureau received some 175 oral and 30 written complaints about the CID.

Kristina Malere, Press-Secretary of the National Human Rights Bureau, informs that during the first half of this year the Bureau received some 175 oral and 30 written complaints about the CID. SM

Vladimir Buzayev, Co-Director of the Latvian Committee on Human Rights, comments on a case of a military pensioner who got an order to leave Latvia, although the 1994 Agreement between Latvia and Russia on the social protection of the military pensioners guaranteed him residence in Latvia. On August 13 the Senate of the Latvian Supreme Court will rule on this case. Mr. Buzayev expresses doubts that it will be solved in favour of the pensioner. Mr. Buzayev also notes that the wife of this military pensioner had met with representatives of the OSCE Mission.

Vladimir Buzayev, Co-Director of the Latvian Committee on Human Rights, comments on a case of a military pensioner who got an order to leave Latvia, although the 1994 Agreement between Latvia and Russia on the social protection of the military pensioners guaranteed him residence in Latvia. On August 13 the Senate of the Latvian Supreme Court will rule on this case. Mr. Buzayev expresses doubts that it will be solved in favour of the pensioner. Mr. Buzayev also notes that the wife of this military pensioner had met with representatives of the OSCE Mission. PL

Prime-Minister Guntars Krasts postponed an auction of the “Peter I House” that in 1995 was rented to the Russian Cultural Center. The State Real Estate Agency announced an auction after the Russian Cultural Center had not paid the rent for almost two years. Janis Mote, Director General of the Agency, said that the decision to put the house up for auction was to preserve the property, and it should not be considered to be an action against the Russian Cultural Center.

Prime-Minister Guntars Krasts postponed an auction of the Peter I House that in 1995 was rented to the Russian Cultural Center. The State Real Estate Agency announced an auction after the Russian Cultural Center had not paid the rent for almost two years. Janis Mote, Director General of the Agency, said that the decision to put the house up for auction was to preserve the property, and it should not be considered to be an action against the Russian Cultural Center. Diena

Lately some deputies of the Saeima have criticized the work of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, especially its policy toward Russia. Edgars Skuja, Director of the Second Political Department of the MFA, indicated that there had been intensive work on various draft agreements between Russia and Latvia on social, cultural, and economic issues. Still, the Press Secretary of the MFA Andrejs Pildegovics expressed a wish that there was more co-operation between Russian and Latvian Foreign Ministries. It is planned to have consultations between the ministries this fall.

Lately some deputies of the Saeima have criticized the work of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, especially its policy toward Russia. Edgars Skuja, Director of the Second Political Department of the MFA, indicated that there had been intensive work on various draft agreements between Russia and Latvia on social, cultural, and economic issues. Still, the Press Secretary of the MFA Andrejs Pildegovics expressed a wish that there was more co-operation between Russian and Latvian Foreign Ministries. It is planned to have consultations between the ministries this fall. Diena

Press Report

Press Report

The Press Center of the Ministry of the Interior informs that Ziedonis Cevers, Minister of the Interior, personally will supervise the solution of “three problems”, namely, the recruitment of the Mobile police staff, and the solution to continuing disagreements between the Ministry of the Interior and the Lattelekom. The third problem is the “unresolved status of 6,000 persons in whose destiny the OSCE has particularly become interested.”

The Press Center of the Ministry of the Interior informs that Ziedonis Cevers, Minister of the Interior, personally will supervise the solution of three problems, namely, the recruitment of the Mobile police staff, and the solution to continuing disagreements between the Ministry of the Interior and the Lattelekom. The third problem is the unresolved status of 6,000 persons in whose destiny the OSCE has particularly become interested. Diena

Roberts Zile, Minister of Finance, is convinced that the 1998 budget draft will be submitted to the Saeima on time, that is on September 16.

Roberts Zile, Minister of Finance, is convinced that the 1998 budget draft will be submitted to the Saeima on time, that is on September 16. Diena

A new corruption scandal might break out after revealing the list of the Saeima deputies who had violated the Anti-Corruption Law. Ilmars Bisers, Head of the Mandate Commission in the Saeima, indicated that cases of 46 deputies were submitted to the Prosecutor General. Andrejs Pantelejevs thinks that the authors of the Law and the members of the Prosecutor General’s office should agree on the interpretation of the Anti-Corruption Law. Otherwise, this scandal might spread to the municipal level and could “paralyze” the work of the prosecutor’s office for a long time. Ernests Jurkans, Deputy Head of the Democratic Party Saimnieks fraction, said that there would be no scandal if the politization of this issue was avoided.

A new corruption scandal might break out after revealing the list of the Saeima deputies who had violated the Anti-Corruption Law. Ilmars Bisers, Head of the Mandate Commission in the Saeima, indicated that cases of 46 deputies were submitted to the Prosecutor General. Andrejs Pantelejevs thinks that the authors of the Law and the members of the Prosecutor Generals office should agree on the interpretation of the Anti-Corruption Law. Otherwise, this scandal might spread to the municipal level and could paralyze the work of the prosecutors office for a long time. Ernests Jurkans, Deputy Head of the Democratic Party Saimnieks fraction, said that there would be no scandal if the politization of this issue was avoided. Diena

Forty-three officers of the Latvian National Armed Forces receive the pension from other countries, mainly from Russia. As was mentioned earlier, the Minister of Defense signed the writ according to which persons serving in the Latvian National Armed Forces and persons working in the Ministry of Defense will not be allowed to receive pensions from other countries. Talavs Jundzis, Minister of Defense, said that there was no reason to worry that the loss of former USSR military persons would be a disadvantage for the Latvian National Armed Forces, since at the moment there are approximately one thousand professional officers serving in the NAF. An officer who currently serves in the NAF and receives a pension from Russia told NEATKARIGA that a choice between the service and the pension was humiliating to those who were the first ones to transfer from the Russian to the Latvian Army.

Forty-three officers of the Latvian National Armed Forces receive the pension from other countries, mainly from Russia. As was mentioned earlier, the Minister of Defense signed the writ according to which persons serving in the Latvian National Armed Forces and persons working in the Ministry of Defense will not be allowed to receive pensions from other countries. Talavs Jundzis, Minister of Defense, said that there was no reason to worry that the loss of former USSR military persons would be a disadvantage for the Latvian National Armed Forces, since at the moment there are approximately one thousand professional officers serving in the NAF. An officer who currently serves in the NAF and receives a pension from Russia told NEATKARIGA that a choice between the service and the pension was humiliating to those who were the first ones to transfer from the Russian to the Latvian Army. Diena, Neatkariga

PANORAMA LATVII opened its own donation fund for the reconstruction of the Victory monument. During the campaign last Sunday, nine hundred fifty-six Lats were donated.

PANORAMA LATVII opened its own donation fund for the reconstruction of the Victory monument. During the campaign last Sunday, nine hundred fifty-six Lats were donated.

LAUKU AVIZE publishes an interview with Alexander Udaltsov, Russian Ambassador to Latvia, in which he notes that the political instability in Latvia does not assist to the creation of a stable and long-term basis for co-operation between Russia and Latvia. If the new government as pragmatic as the previous Cabinet was, then a normal relationship would be possible. Mr. Udaltsov also commented on security guarantees for Latvia. According to him, it is time to sign a comprehensive agreement between Russia and Latvia that would include security guarantees. Referring to the situation with non-citizens he stressed that Russia supports the OSCE and the EU recommendations, such as granting citizenship to children who were born in Latvia, lowering the cost for the naturalization process, and liquidation of the “naturalization windows.”

LAUKU AVIZE publishes an interview with Alexander Udaltsov, Russian Ambassador to Latvia, in which he notes that the political instability in Latvia does not assist to the creation of a stable and long-term basis for co-operation between Russia and Latvia. If the new government as pragmatic as the previous Cabinet was, then a normal relationship would be possible. Mr. Udaltsov also commented on security guarantees for Latvia. According to him, it is time to sign a comprehensive agreement between Russia and Latvia that would include security guarantees. Referring to the situation with non-citizens he stressed that Russia supports the OSCE and the EU recommendations, such as granting citizenship to children who were born in Latvia, lowering the cost for the naturalization process, and liquidation of the naturalization windows. Lauku Avize

Press Report

Press Report

The Press Center of the Ministry of the Interior informs that Ziedonis Cevers, Minister of the Interior, personally will supervise the solution of “three problems”, namely, the recruitment of the Mobile police staff, and the solution to continuing disagreements between the Ministry of the Interior and the Lattelekom. The third problem is the “unresolved status of 6,000 persons in whose destiny the OSCE has particularly become interested.”

The Press Center of the Ministry of the Interior informs that Ziedonis Cevers, Minister of the Interior, personally will supervise the solution of three problems, namely, the recruitment of the Mobile police staff, and the solution to continuing disagreements between the Ministry of the Interior and the Lattelekom. The third problem is the unresolved status of 6,000 persons in whose destiny the OSCE has particularly become interested. Diena

Roberts Zile, Minister of Finance, is convinced that the 1998 budget draft will be submitted to the Saeima on time, that is on September 16.

Roberts Zile, Minister of Finance, is convinced that the 1998 budget draft will be submitted to the Saeima on time, that is on September 16. Diena

A new corruption scandal might break out after revealing the list of the Saeima deputies who had violated the Anti-Corruption Law. Ilmars Bisers, Head of the Mandate Commission in the Saeima, indicated that cases of 46 deputies were submitted to the Prosecutor General. Andrejs Pantelejevs thinks that the authors of the Law and the members of the Prosecutor General’s office should agree on the interpretation of the Anti-Corruption Law. Otherwise, this scandal might spread to the municipal level and could “paralyze” the work of the prosecutor’s office for a long time. Ernests Jurkans, Deputy Head of the Democratic Party Saimnieks fraction, said that there would be no scandal if the politization of this issue was avoided.

A new corruption scandal might break out after revealing the list of the Saeima deputies who had violated the Anti-Corruption Law. Ilmars Bisers, Head of the Mandate Commission in the Saeima, indicated that cases of 46 deputies were submitted to the Prosecutor General. Andrejs Pantelejevs thinks that the authors of the Law and the members of the Prosecutor Generals office should agree on the interpretation of the Anti-Corruption Law. Otherwise, this scandal might spread to the municipal level and could paralyze the work of the prosecutors office for a long time. Ernests Jurkans, Deputy Head of the Democratic Party Saimnieks fraction, said that there would be no scandal if the politization of this issue was avoided. Diena

Forty-three officers of the Latvian National Armed Forces receive the pension from other countries, mainly from Russia. As was mentioned earlier, the Minister of Defense signed the writ according to which persons serving in the Latvian National Armed Forces and persons working in the Ministry of Defense will not be allowed to receive pensions from other countries. Talavs Jundzis, Minister of Defense, said that there was no reason to worry that the loss of former USSR military persons would be a disadvantage for the Latvian National Armed Forces, since at the moment there are approximately one thousand professional officers serving in the NAF. An officer who currently serves in the NAF and receives a pension from Russia told NEATKARIGA that a choice between the service and the pension was humiliating to those who were the first ones to transfer from the Russian to the Latvian Army.

Forty-three officers of the Latvian National Armed Forces receive the pension from other countries, mainly from Russia. As was mentioned earlier, the Minister of Defense signed the writ according to which persons serving in the Latvian National Armed Forces and persons working in the Ministry of Defense will not be allowed to receive pensions from other countries. Talavs Jundzis, Minister of Defense, said that there was no reason to worry that the loss of former USSR military persons would be a disadvantage for the Latvian National Armed Forces, since at the moment there are approximately one thousand professional officers serving in the NAF. An officer who currently serves in the NAF and receives a pension from Russia told NEATKARIGA that a choice between the service and the pension was humiliating to those who were the first ones to transfer from the Russian to the Latvian Army. Neatkariga, Diena

PL opened its own donation fund for the reconstruction of the Victory monument. During the campaign last Sunday, nine hundred fifty-six Lats were donated. Panorama Latvii

Lauku Avize publishes an interview with Alexander Udaltsov, Russian Ambassador to Latvia, in which he notes that the political instability in Latvia does not assist to the creation of a stable and long-term basis for co-operation between Russia and Latvia. If the new government as pragmatic as the previous Cabinet was, then a normal relationship would be possible. Mr. Udaltsov also commented on security guarantees for Latvia. According to him, it is time to sign a comprehensive agreement between Russia and Latvia that would include security guarantees. Referring to the situation with non-citizens he stressed that Russia supports the OSCE and the EU recommendations, such as granting citizenship to children who were born in Latvia, lowering the cost for the naturalization process, and liquidation of the naturalization windows.

Press Report

Press Report

Yesterday the new Cabinet list of Prime-Minister Guntars Krasts was supported by a majority in the Latvian parliament. Seventy-three of 100 deputies in the Saeima voted for the new government. Guntars Krasts in his speech to the parliament asked deputies for constructive co-operation, and assured everyone that in the nearest future a new crisis could not be expected.

Yesterday the new Cabinet list of Prime-Minister Guntars Krasts was supported by a majority in the Latvian parliament. Seventy-three of 100 deputies in the Saeima voted for the new government. Guntars Krasts in his speech to the parliament asked deputies for constructive co-operation, and assured everyone that in the nearest future a new crisis could not be expected. Diena

Yesterday the Latvian delegation led by Mr. Aivars Vovers, Deputy State Secretary of the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Russian delegation led by Mr. Ludvig Chizhov, Ambassador of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, completed work on the finalization of the border agreement between Russian and Latvia. During the talks both sides agreed that the text of the agreement was ready to be submitted to the Russian and Latvian governments. It is expected that there would be no problems with the signing of the agreement. Still, the ratification of the agreement in the Saeima might cause serious debates related to the Abrene issue. In February the Latvian side renounced the claim to include a reference on the 1920 Peace Treaty between Russia and Latvia. “

Yesterday the Latvian delegation led by Mr. Aivars Vovers, Deputy State Secretary of the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Russian delegation led by Mr. Ludvig Chizhov, Ambassador of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, completed work on the finalization of the border agreement between Russian and Latvia. During the talks both sides agreed that the text of the agreement was ready to be submitted to the Russian and Latvian governments. It is expected that there would be no problems with the signing of the agreement. Still, the ratification of the agreement in the Saeima might cause serious debates related to the Abrene issue. In February the Latvian side renounced the claim to include a reference on the 1920 Peace Treaty between Russia and Latvia. Tevzemei un Brivibai, on contrary, has never recognized the incorporation of the Abrene District into the Russian Federation. Diena

Talavs Jundzis, Latvian Minister of Defence, signed a writ, according to which the Ministry of Defence officials and military personnel of the National Armed Forces who are currently receiving pension from other countries will not be able to do so while serving in these Latvian institutions. Some 20 Russian military pensioners who currently work at the Ministry of Defence, and some 50 who serve in the National Armed Forces, will have to choose either to serve in Latvian institutions or to receive the pension from Russia.

Talavs Jundzis, Latvian Minister of Defence, signed a writ, according to which the Ministry of Defence officials and military personnel of the National Armed Forces who are currently receiving pension from other countries will not be able to do so while serving in these Latvian institutions. Some 20 Russian military pensioners who currently work at the Ministry of Defence, and some 50 who serve in the National Armed Forces, will have to choose either to serve in Latvian institutions or to receive the pension from Russia. Diena

“SM” publishes an interview with Alexander Rylov, Head of the Consular Department of the Russian Embassy. Mr. Rylov confirmed that holders of Latvian non-citizen passports would not have obstacles to entering the Russian Federation. He also expressed the hope that Latvia would take international recommendations related with the slow naturalization process into consideration.

SM publishes an interview with Alexander Rylov, Head of the Consular Department of the Russian Embassy. Mr. Rylov confirmed that holders of Latvian non-citizen passports would not have obstacles to entering the Russian Federation. He also expressed the hope that Latvia would take international recommendations related with the slow naturalization process into consideration. SM