Press Report

President Ulmanis might have formally violated the

President Ulmanis might have formally violated the Satversme by retaining posts in two companies. Article 38 of the Satversme does not allow the President to hold any other positions. According to the Register of Enterprises, Mr. Ulmanis still heads two companies, thus violating the Anti-Corruption Law and the Satversme. The President says that he resigned from the posts in 1993 while the companies have not informed the Register of Enterprises in due time. One of the companies ceased to exist in 1994. Diena

The Saeima supported Talavs Jundzis' candidature for the post of Minister of Defense. The post was held by

The Saeima supported Talavs Jundzis' candidature for the post of Minister of Defense. The post was held by LNNK member Krastins who was accused of "ignoring the state interests" and dismissed by the Prime-Minister. Mr. Jundzis held the post of Minister of Defense in 1991-93. Later he founded the Baltic Strategic Center and studied military and strategic issues abroad. Talavs Jundzis is a member the Christian People's party. Neatkariga

Yesterday the

Yesterday the Saeima adopted the concept of the new Language Law. The draft Law is more strict as compared to the Language Law currently in force. According to the new Law, state and self-government institutions will accept applications and document only in the Latvian language. Should a document be in a language other than Latvian, it should be accompanied by a notarized translation. Names of companies founded in Latvia should be spelt according to Latvian language rules. State-financed non-Latvian schools are to use Latvian as the language of instruction for at least half of the subjects while the Latvian language is to become the only language of instruction after 2005. The new Law, if adopted, is to come into force this autumn. SM Head of the Latvian Delegation to the Council of the Baltic States Janis Ritenis at a press-conference said that the Council focused a large part of its attention on human rights issues. The working group on human rights headed by Mr. Ole Espersen provides recommendations to the countries of the Council. Russia raised the issue of human rights in Estonia and Latvia during last meeting of the Council. SM

A report on a recent visit of OSCE Mission members to Liepaja published by

A report on a recent visit of OSCE Mission members to Liepaja published by "SM" points at a frequent arbitrary interpretation of the Law by local CID officers. According to Russian Council to Liepaja Ruslan Bakalo, serious problems are often faced by former Russian citizens who have renounce their citizenship. Several complaints are connected with delays in the issuing of new alien passports. Director of the local CID office explained that the data on applicants often needed additional checking due to a large number of individuals illegally residing in Liepaja. Thirty-seven non-citizens applied to the local office of the Naturalization Board for naturalization. SM

Press Report

Yesterday President Ulmanis suggested amending regulations on naturalization to encourage potential applicants for naturalization. A letter by the President to the Prime-Minister says that "the time has come to change the attitude of the State to its inhabitants willing to prove their loyalty to the State and to become its citizens." The President suggests reducing the naturalization fee to three Lats (currently Ls 30) and to exempt day department students from paying the tax. The suggestions include canceling the provision that allows applicants who failed during a naturalization test to take the test only six months after the failure. The Prime-Minister's Advisor Jurgis Liepnieks told

Yesterday President Ulmanis suggested amending regulations on naturalization to encourage potential applicants for naturalization. A letter by the President to the Prime-Minister says that "the time has come to change the attitude of the State to its inhabitants willing to prove their loyalty to the State and to become its citizens." The President suggests reducing the naturalization fee to three Lats (currently Ls 30) and to exempt day department students from paying the tax. The suggestions include canceling the provision that allows applicants who failed during a naturalization test to take the test only six months after the failure. The Prime-Minister's Advisor Jurgis Liepnieks told "BIZNES I BALTIYA" that the Office of the Prime-Minister is studying the President's proposals. According to Mr. Liepnieks, Prime-Minister Skele supports amending the regulations on naturalization. Diena, SM

Yesterday the

Yesterday the Saeima ratified the European Human Rights Convention. All inhabitants of Latvia now can apply to the European Human Rights Committee and to the Human Rights Court in Strasbourg. SM

Press Report

Yesterday President Ulmanis demanded recalling a heading in a

Yesterday President Ulmanis demanded recalling a heading in a "DIENA" article on violations of the Anti-Corruption Law. The article entitled "Ulmanis Has Also Violated the Anti-Corruption Law" was published by the Latvian version of "DIENA" on June 2 claims the President to be on the boards of two limited liability companies and the Karlis Ulmanis Memorial Foundation after the Law came into force. According to the President's representatives, Mr. Ulmanis has not been working as a member of the boards since his election. Mr. Ulmanis says that he may sue "DIENA" should the newspaper refuse to recall the heading. The comment in today's (June 4) "DIENA" says that the heading will not be recalled and suggests that a court examination would help in finding a proper interpretation of the Anti-Corruption Law.

Press Report

Yesterday President Ulmanis in an interview for the National Radio objected to amending the Law on the

Yesterday President Ulmanis in an interview for the National Radio objected to amending the Law on the Saeima Elections. The President criticized the amendments for "banning new parties from the Parliament." The first reading of the draft amendments has been adopted by the Saeima and bans political parties formed later than three years before the election day from participating in the Saeima elections. Diena

Yesterday State Human Rights Office Director Olafs Bruvers and his Deputy Kaija Gertnere held a meeting with President Ulmanis. The President said that he expected the Office to work out recommendations on naturalization and general integration of Latvia's society. Mr. Bruvers noted that the Human Rights Office had not received any complaints related to naturalization. The agenda of the meeting included a discussion of the immediate tasks of the Office. Those are protection of the rights of the most vulnerable social groups (children, the disabled, the poor). Mr. Bruvers told the President that he did not see any human rights problems in Latvia that would not allow the country to enter the European Union. Still, he pointed at the necessity of abolishing employment restrictions for non-citizens that contradict the freedom of a free choice of vocation supported by international human rights instruments. Mr. Bruvers also stressed the importance of abolishing death penalty for bringing the Latvian legislation into compliance with the European Human Rights Convention Protocol.

Yesterday State Human Rights Office Director Olafs Bruvers and his Deputy Kaija Gertnere held a meeting with President Ulmanis. The President said that he expected the Office to work out recommendations on naturalization and general integration of Latvia's society. Mr. Bruvers noted that the Human Rights Office had not received any complaints related to naturalization. The agenda of the meeting included a discussion of the immediate tasks of the Office. Those are protection of the rights of the most vulnerable social groups (children, the disabled, the poor). Mr. Bruvers told the President that he did not see any human rights problems in Latvia that would not allow the country to enter the European Union. Still, he pointed at the necessity of abolishing employment restrictions for non-citizens that contradict the freedom of a free choice of vocation supported by international human rights instruments. Mr. Bruvers also stressed the importance of abolishing death penalty for bringing the Latvian legislation into compliance with the European Human Rights Convention Protocol. Diena, Neatkariga

Andrejs Krastins, former Minister of Defense and a co-founder of National Party for Reforms, told

Andrejs Krastins, former Minister of Defense and a co-founder of National Party for Reforms, told "SM" that the new party would support market economy reforms and would occupy a niche between "Latvijas Cels" and "Tevzemei un Brivibai" in Latvia's political spectrum. The party recognizes the right of non-citizens for naturalization and participation in the country's economic life.

Press Report

Yesterday the

Yesterday the Saeima voted in support of amending the Law on Saeima Elections. The amendments require that parties running for seats in the Saeima should have existed for at least three years while coalitions should win at least 7% of votes. The amendments were supported by "Tevzemei un Brivibai", "Latvijas Cels" and "Saimnieks". 32 deputies voted against the amendments and three deputies abstained. Diena

President Ulmanis circulated an open letter in response to such a letter by Daugavpils Mayor Vidavsky. The President's letter points at special attention lately paid to Latgale and Daugavpils by the President and the Government. Mr. Ulmanis hopes that he will visits Daugavpils in the nearest future to discuss the development of Latgale, and the issues of non-citizens, education and the teaching of the state language. The letter also mentions the low pace of the naturalization process.

President Ulmanis circulated an open letter in response to such a letter by Daugavpils Mayor Vidavsky. The President's letter points at special attention lately paid to Latgale and Daugavpils by the President and the Government. Mr. Ulmanis hopes that he will visits Daugavpils in the nearest future to discuss the development of Latgale, and the issues of non-citizens, education and the teaching of the state language. The letter also mentions the low pace of the naturalization process. Diena, SM