Press Report

Prime-Minster Skele in his report on the situation in Latvia singled out the achievements of the Government and focused on the problems still to be resolved. The priorities of the Government policy include the development of agriculture and privatization. The final part of Skele's speech was dedicated to strengthening Latvia's Eastern border. The Prime-Minister even called upon the people of Latvia to participate in "erecting the border" that, according to Skele, is a symbolic boundary between the country's present and past.

Prime-Minster Skele in his report on the situation in Latvia singled out the achievements of the Government and focused on the problems still to be resolved. The priorities of the Government policy include the development of agriculture and privatization. The final part of Skele's speech was dedicated to strengthening Latvia's Eastern border. The Prime-Minister even called upon the people of Latvia to participate in "erecting the border" that, according to Skele, is a symbolic boundary between the country's present and past. Diena, B&B

Press Report

Last Tuesday the Cabinet of Ministers adopted the draft law on the European Human Rights Convention and its Additional Protocols. The Cabinet decreed to pass the draft law to the

Last Tuesday the Cabinet of Ministers adopted the draft law on the European Human Rights Convention and its Additional Protocols. The Cabinet decreed to pass the draft law to the Saeima for ratification. By ratifying the Convention Latvia will recognize the right of individuals and legal entities to submit complaints to the European Court on Human Rights and will fulfill its obligations taken in 1995, when Latvia joined he Council of Europe. Latvian legislation has been reviewed and amended to comply with Council of Europe standards. According to Council of Europe experts, the country's legislation does not contain any norms contradicting the Convention. Diena

Member of the Latvian parliamentary delegation to Russia Janis Jurkans ("People's Harmony") in an interview for

Member of the Latvian parliamentary delegation to Russia Janis Jurkans ("People's Harmony") in an interview for "PANORAMA LATVII" confirmed that all Russian politicians irrespective of their political views were concerned about the situation of Russian-speakers in Latvia. He believes that relations between the two countries could improve if Latvia "increased the speed of naturalization process and followed van der Stoel's recommendations". Mr. Jurkans said that Russia used the problem of Russian-speakers as a tool to press on Latvia and to reach "certain political goals". Still, he believes that the pressure could help Latvian politicians to become aware of the urgency of changing the Russian-speakers' situation. The change would be even more advantageous to Latvia than to Russia, believes Jurkans. PL

Press Report

"Tevzemei un Brivibai"

objects to appointing Olafs Bruveris ( objects to appointing Olafs Bruveris ("Saimnieks""Saimnieks") Director of the Human Rights Bureau. Aigars Jirgens () Director of the Human Rights Bureau. Aigars Jirgens ("Tevzemei un Brivibai""Tevzemei un Brivibai") told) told "DIENA" "DIENA" that Mr. Bruveris proved "to lobby the interests of non-citizens" while holding the post of State Minister for Human Rights and that that Mr. Bruveris proved "to lobby the interests of non-citizens" while holding the post of State Minister for Human Rights and that "TB""TB" "would not like him to head the Bureau". According to Mr. Jirgens, "would not like him to head the Bureau". According to Mr. Jirgens, "TB""TB" could agree to Elmars Vebers' ( could agree to Elmars Vebers' (LNNKLNNK) candidature for the post or will suggest nominating another candidate. ) candidature for the post or will suggest nominating another candidate. DienaDiena Chairman of the

Chairman of the Saeima Human Rights Committee Antons Seiksts sees a compilation of laws and legal acts on human rights as an important tool for limiting the possibility of unlawful bureaucratic decisions. The compilation will become available soon in Latvian, Russian and English. The Human Rights Committee believes that the next step toward guaranteeing observance of human rights in Latvia should be the introduction of a special chapter to the Satversme. The Saeima discussed the introduction of a special chapter on human rights to the Satversme already in the twenties. Still, the parties failed agree on particular articles. The discussion halted after Karlis Ulmanis' military coup in 1934. Mr. Seiksts believes the human rights chapter to be of vital importance to Latvia with respect to its plans of joining the EU and ratification of the European Human Rights Convention. The Human Rights Committee supported adopting the Law on Refugees drafted and by the Cabinet of Ministers. Today the draft Law will be submitted to the Saeima Committees for consideration. Mr. Seiksts told the press that only 5% of all illegal immigrants can be granted the refugee status. SM, Neatkariga

According to Boris Tsilevich, Latvian politicians are not aware of the real human rights situation in the country and do not pay sufficient interest to its development. Members of the Latvia delegation to Moscow could name the exact number of differences between the rights of citizens and non-citizens. Tsilevich notes that several differences were canceled. Among those are the rights to work as customs officers, to establish religious organizations (still, non-citizens cannot be elected heads of such organizations), the right to work as firemen and some other rights previously enjoyed by citizens only. Still, a restriction on non-citizens' access to confidential information was introduced recently. It will seriously complicate the work of the police. The Human Rights Bureau does not believe it to be necessary to include restrictions set by local self-governments into the general list explaining that decisions made by self-government bodies can be appealed in court. Tsilevich believes that the governing parties will support giving non-citizens the right to work as public servants and to carry fire-arms. Liberal politicians do not exclude the possibility of lifting the ban on non-citizens' participation in local elections, although corresponding changes in the legislation are not likely to be made in the nearest future.

According to Boris Tsilevich, Latvian politicians are not aware of the real human rights situation in the country and do not pay sufficient interest to its development. Members of the Latvia delegation to Moscow could name the exact number of differences between the rights of citizens and non-citizens. Tsilevich notes that several differences were canceled. Among those are the rights to work as customs officers, to establish religious organizations (still, non-citizens cannot be elected heads of such organizations), the right to work as firemen and some other rights previously enjoyed by citizens only. Still, a restriction on non-citizens' access to confidential information was introduced recently. It will seriously complicate the work of the police. The Human Rights Bureau does not believe it to be necessary to include restrictions set by local self-governments into the general list explaining that decisions made by self-government bodies can be appealed in court. Tsilevich believes that the governing parties will support giving non-citizens the right to work as public servants and to carry fire-arms. Liberal politicians do not exclude the possibility of lifting the ban on non-citizens' participation in local elections, although corresponding changes in the legislation are not likely to be made in the nearest future. SM

Press Report

During his yesterday's meeting with Dutch Prime-Minister Wim Kock (currently, EU Chairman) and Head of the European Committee Jean Saunter President Yeltsin called upon EU politicians to pay closer attention to protection of the rights of Russian-speakers in the Baltic states. According to

During his yesterday's meeting with Dutch Prime-Minister Wim Kock (currently, EU Chairman) and Head of the European Committee Jean Saunter President Yeltsin called upon EU politicians to pay closer attention to protection of the rights of Russian-speakers in the Baltic states. According to "NEATKARIGA", the two Western politicians did not agree to connect the consideration of human rights issues to other problems. The agenda of the meeting included stability in Europe and NATO enlargement. Neatkariga

Alexander Vidavsky (the Latvian Social-Democratic Workers' Party), currently Mayor of Daugavpils, will run for the post in the upcoming elections. Vidavsky was accused in taking part in the plenary meeting of the Latvian Communist Party in January 1991. The fact, if proved by the court, would make his participation in the elections impossible. The court session scheduled for March 3 was canceled due to the judge's sickness allowing Vidavsky to run for Mayor's office on March 9.

Alexander Vidavsky (the Latvian Social-Democratic Workers' Party), currently Mayor of Daugavpils, will run for the post in the upcoming elections. Vidavsky was accused in taking part in the plenary meeting of the Latvian Communist Party in January 1991. The fact, if proved by the court, would make his participation in the elections impossible. The court session scheduled for March 3 was canceled due to the judge's sickness allowing Vidavsky to run for Mayor's office on March 9. B&B

The three major parties competing for the post of Mayor of Riga are

The three major parties competing for the post of Mayor of Riga are "Tevzemei un Brivibai" (Andris Argalis, Head of the Vidzeme District Council), "Saimnieks" (Juris Ritins, Riga City Council deputy) and "Latvijas Cels" (Abdris Berzins). The elections will be held on March 9. SM

Press Report

Estonian diplomats told

Estonian diplomats told "DIENA", that the country would not accept Russia's attempts to connect Estonia's policy toward the joining of NATO with the forming of relations between the two countries. Officials at the Estonian Embassy stressed that OSCE principles allow Estonia to choose a security system suiting its needs. According to a statement by the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Estonia does not see any necessity in discussing its legislation with Russia. The country's legislation has been already accepted by the OSCE and the UN, says the statement. A spokesman for the Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs told "DIENA" that Lithuania would not accept any alternative to NATO membership. Western countries, according to "DIENA" journalists, are working on a security model that would allow the three Baltic states "to feel safe" if they were not admitted to NATO at the first stage of its enlargement. The US Department of State in its statement stressed that it saw no reasons for Russia to link border delimitation issues to the situation of ethnic Russians and Russian-speakers. The Department of State believes that Latvia and Estonia have achieved progress in integrating national minorities and will work on their legislation in co-operation with the OSCE. Diena