Press Reports

Press Reports

134 non-citizens' passports were issued between April 10 and 18. CID officials explain the low demand for the new passports by Russia's refusal to recognize the documents. President Ulmanis believes that Russia would "recognize non-citizens' passports in the course of time."

134 non-citizens' passports were issued between April 10 and 18. CID officials explain the low demand for the new passports by Russia's refusal to recognize the documents. President Ulmanis believes that Russia would "recognize non-citizens' passports in the course of time." PL

An article in

An article in "SM" points at tangible changes in the Government's attitude to the issues of naturalization and non-citizens. The main reason for the tendency is the attention paid to the problem by the West. High-ranking Western officials made it clear that Latvia's integration into Western Europe would not be possible without resolving the non-citizens' issue. The author of the article forecasts the growth of interest toward receiving Russian citizenship among non-citizens. The new non-citizens' passports are still not valid for travel to Russia while many non-citizens have vital interests there. The article claims that 60 thousand Russian citizens are permanently residing in Latvia and forecasts a possible five-fold increase in their number. The Government is aware of this threat to Latvia's plans for joining NATO. Among the problems faced by a more liberal part of the Latvian state officials and politicians are a negative attitude of ethnic Latvians to the very idea of a large number of non-Latvians receiving citizenship. A very large portion of Latvians believes them to be disloyal to the country and its independence. Such an attitude is a result of several years of "brainwashing" in the media. Non-citizens, on the other hand, have accumulated negative experience form their contacts with authorities and feel suspicious toward Government institutions. The author of the article does not believe there would be a rush for Latvian citizenship even if it was granted merely through registration.

A poll by the Naturalization Board showed that the majority of applicants for naturalization did not have any difficulties in passing language tests. 32% of applicants admitted that they had certain problems in passing history tests. Most of the applicants are individuals having the right for extraordinary naturalization. Head of the Naturalization Board Eizenija Aldermane told the

A poll by the Naturalization Board showed that the majority of applicants for naturalization did not have any difficulties in passing language tests. 32% of applicants admitted that they had certain problems in passing history tests. Most of the applicants are individuals having the right for extraordinary naturalization. Head of the Naturalization Board Eizenija Aldermane told the Saeima Committee for the Implementation of the Citizenship Law about her recent meeting with young non-citizens. It showed that many potential young applicants were not willing to undergo naturalization due to the fact that their parents could not obtain citizenship although many of them stood for Latvia's independence in 1991. Mrs. Aldermane believes that a written rendering of a Latvian text during the language exam should be replaced with an essay written in Latvian. Diena

Press Report

Press Report

Saeima

deputies Andris Saulitis and Janis Strods left thedeputies Andris Saulitis and Janis Strods left the "Saimnieks" "Saimnieks" faction. The two deputies object to faction. The two deputies object to "Saimnieks""Saimnieks" policy directed at changing the election system. Amendments to the Law on the Election of the policy directed at changing the election system. Amendments to the Law on the Election of the SaeimaSaeima suggested by suggested by "Saimnieks""Saimnieks", , "Tevzemei un Brivibai""Tevzemei un Brivibai" and and "Latvijas Cels" "Latvijas Cels" restrict the right of deputies to change their faction membership. restrict the right of deputies to change their faction membership. DienaDiena

"Tevzemei un Brivibai"

warned warned "Latviajs Cels" "Latviajs Cels", , "Saimnieks""Saimnieks" and Prime-Minister Skele against supporting Olaphs Bruveris' candidature for Director of the Human Rights Office. and Prime-Minister Skele against supporting Olaphs Bruveris' candidature for Director of the Human Rights Office. "TB" "TB" believes that Bruveris' appointment would jeopardize the stability of the Cabinet. The agreement between the governing factions allows believes that Bruveris' appointment would jeopardize the stability of the Cabinet. The agreement between the governing factions allows "TB" "TB" to insist on not appointing Mr. Bruveris. It requires the support of Bruveris by not less than four factions constituting not less than three fifths of the governing coalition deputies. to insist on not appointing Mr. Bruveris. It requires the support of Bruveris by not less than four factions constituting not less than three fifths of the governing coalition deputies. "DIENA""DIENA" journalist Sandris Tocs believes that provisions of the agreement on citizenship, naturalization and related issues threaten the stability of the current Government. journalist Sandris Tocs believes that provisions of the agreement on citizenship, naturalization and related issues threaten the stability of the current Government. "TB""TB" expects the Director of the Office to be engaged in counter-propaganda countering Russia's accusations of violating the rights of non-citizens. The party criticized Mr. Bruveris for paying too much attention to the problem of non-citizens and criticizing "nationally minded" politicians. Antons Seiksts, currently Head of the expects the Director of the Office to be engaged in counter-propaganda countering Russia's accusations of violating the rights of non-citizens. The party criticized Mr. Bruveris for paying too much attention to the problem of non-citizens and criticizing "nationally minded" politicians. Antons Seiksts, currently Head of the SaeimaSaeima Human Rights Committee, would be welcomed by Human Rights Committee, would be welcomed by "TB" "TB" as a candidate for Director of the Office. According to Sandris Tocs, he has "a vague idea of human rights" and has proved able to find common grounds with nationalists. as a candidate for Director of the Office. According to Sandris Tocs, he has "a vague idea of human rights" and has proved able to find common grounds with nationalists. Chairman of the

Chairman of the Saeima Education, Culture and Science Committee Dzintars Abikis says that Russian schools are being closed due to a decreasing number of Russian-speakers. In an interview for "SM SEVODNYA" Mr. Abikis says that the number of Russian-speakers in the country has decreased by more than one hundred thousand. Another reason for closing Russian schools is a growing demand for education in Latvian among Russian-speaking and mixed families. Mr. Abikis says that he does not agree with the draft Education Law that provides for closing all state-financed Russian schools by 2005. He believes it to be wiser to teach 50% of subjects in the Latvian language. Still, the Head of the Saeima education Committee opposes the idea of establishing a branch of the Moscow State University in Riga.

Minister of Education and Science Juris Celmins (

Minister of Education and Science Juris Celmins ("Saimnieks") in an interview for "SM" said that he would adhere to the Hague Recommendations in his activities. He supports state-financed secondary education for national minorities. Mr. Celmins believes that national minorities should have an opportunity to study and develop their culture and that special programs should be developed for each minority.

Press Report

Press Report

Latvian scholar Artis Pabriks in an article for

Latvian scholar Artis Pabriks in an article for "DIENA" analyzes the social and political situation in Latvia. He criticizes Latvian politicians for being near-sighted and not able to make serious decisions. The long delay in adopting the Citizenship Law is an example of these traits. The author of the article sees the agreement between the governing factions on not amending the Citizenship Law as an attempt to escape from resolving a problem vital for Latvia. Mr. Pabriks criticizes "the window mechanism" for being absurd allowing a sixteen year-old school-boy with no political convictions to obtain citizenship instead of "a thirty-five year old Ukrainian who speaks Latvian" and defended independence in 1991. Mr. Pabriks believes that the Citizenship Law and naturalization procedures do not serve the interests of Latvia. He points at a decreasing emigration rate leaving no hopes for those who expect non-Latvians to leave the country. One of the solutions to the problem could be opening naturalization windows. The Latvian society should be more attractive to stimulate naturalization of non-citizens. Diena

President Yeltsin addressed Mr. Ulmanis with a letter marking a general improvement in relation between the two countries. The letter expresses hope for further development of co-operation between Latvia and Russia. The letter was handed over to Minister of Foreign Affairs Birkavs by Russian Ambassador Udaltsov who noted that "accomplishing the naturalization process" would be an essential contribution to further improvement of relations between the two countries.

President Yeltsin addressed Mr. Ulmanis with a letter marking a general improvement in relation between the two countries. The letter expresses hope for further development of co-operation between Latvia and Russia. The letter was handed over to Minister of Foreign Affairs Birkavs by Russian Ambassador Udaltsov who noted that "accomplishing the naturalization process" would be an essential contribution to further improvement of relations between the two countries. Diena, B&B

Press Report

Spokesman for the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Valery Nesterushkin told the press yesterday that the introduction of new non-citizens' passports in Latvia contradicted the UN Convention on Reduction of Statelessness. According to Mr. Nesterushkin, the Russian side was considering the new passport in the context of "mass statelessness in Latvia". Russia is concerned about the status of more than 700 thousand of Latvia's permanent residents most of whom are ethnic Russians. Mr. Nesterushkin also stressed that Latvia was not taking any noticeable steps toward reducing the number of non-citizens. He noted that the existing situation "should not disturb former USSR citizens since their documents are still valid for entering Russia at least until the end of 1997.” Russian Ambassador to Latvia Udaltsov told the press that the Embassy was aware of the problems that might be faced by Latvia's residents as a result of Russia refusing to recognize the new passport. He assured the press that Moscow would "take into consideration" those problems "when making its final decision". Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Press-Secretary Andrejs Pildegovics told

Spokesman for the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Valery Nesterushkin told the press yesterday that the introduction of new non-citizens' passports in Latvia contradicted the UN Convention on Reduction of Statelessness. According to Mr. Nesterushkin, the Russian side was considering the new passport in the context of "mass statelessness in Latvia". Russia is concerned about the status of more than 700 thousand of Latvia's permanent residents most of whom are ethnic Russians. Mr. Nesterushkin also stressed that Latvia was not taking any noticeable steps toward reducing the number of non-citizens. He noted that the existing situation "should not disturb former USSR citizens since their documents are still valid for entering Russia at least until the end of 1997. Russian Ambassador to Latvia Udaltsov told the press that the Embassy was aware of the problems that might be faced by Latvia's residents as a result of Russia refusing to recognize the new passport. He assured the press that Moscow would "take into consideration" those problems "when making its final decision". Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Press-Secretary Andrejs Pildegovics told "DIENA" that the statement by Mr. Nesterushkin was an attempt to politicize the introduction of the new passports. He expressed regret about Russia ignoring OSCE High Commissioner van der Stoel's suggestion to recognize the new non-citizen's passport. Diena

Head of the OSCE Mission to Latvia Charles Magee in an interview for

Head of the OSCE Mission to Latvia Charles Magee in an interview for "DIENA" positively evaluated the work of the Naturalization Board. The Board was not responsible for the slow pace of naturalization, said Mr. Magee. He confirmed that in the beginning of the naturalization process the Board as well as the OSCE Mission expected a considerably larger number of applicants (40-50 thousand per year). The Head of the OSCE Mission believes that an information campaign on naturalization is required. He admitted that a large portion of non-citizens was indifferent toward naturalization but did not show any signs of disloyalty to Latvia. Mr. Magee said that the OSCE Mission would welcome the abolishment of several employment restrictions. He confirmed that the OSCE supported the canceling of the "window mechanism" and noted that several Latvian politicians and Government officials, including President Ulmanis and CID Director Zitars shared that point of view. Diena

Yesterday the

Yesterday the Saeima banned independent deputy Gundars Valdmanis' from participating in the next six plenary sessions as a penalty for offending the Saeima. Mr. Valdmanis called the Governing Coalition Council "a gang of criminals" during a debate. Opposition factions voted against Saeima Speaker Cepanis' suggestion on Mr. Valdmanis and protested by blocking the voting on amendments to the Satversme. Diena