Press Review

 

The meeting of the leaders of the CSCE member countries will be held on December 5-6 in Budapest. According to "DIENA" the agenda may include the discussion of possible admission of new members to NATO. A meeting of ministers for foreign affairs of the Stability Pact countries will take place on December 6. Latvia's delegation to the CSCE meeting will be headed by President Ulmanis and Minister for Foreign Affairs Birkavs. The CSCE conference currently taking place in Budapest is laying the basis for the CSCE summit. Latvia is represented by Mr.Ivars Pundurs and Mr.Ilgvars Klava. Diena

On November 18 a ceremony of the establishment of the "People's Movement for Latvia" took place in Jelgava. The movement is headed by Mr.Joachim Zigerist, Mr.Odisejs Kostanda, and Mr.G.Lasmanis. According to Mr.Kostanda the movement has been joined already by 2,000 new members. He expects another 5,000 to 10,000 to join the movement next week. The bulk of the members is over 50 or under 20 years old. The program lays a special emphasis on the improvement of living standards and the development of agriculture. It also supports the idea of peaceful coexistence of different ethnic and religious groups. Still, declaration of the movement warns about "the enemies of Latvia" taking control of trade, banking, and science. The declaration also severely criticizes the LNNK, "Latvijas Cels", and the Farmers' Union.

Press Review

On Friday the State

On Friday the State Duma adopted a statement on the resolution of the Baltic Assembly regarding the demilitarization of the Kaliningrad region. The statement calls the resolution an "insolence" and expresses hope that "the parliaments of the Baltic states will clarify their attitude toward the resolution and analyze its conformance with their obligations toward Russia." Diena

In his speech delivered on the occasion of the 76-th anniversary of Latvia's independence Chairman of the Saeima Mr.Gorbunovs mentioned 700,000 non-citizens as one of the major problems of the country. He hopes that the determination of their legal status could be a stabilizing factor. Another problem mentioned by Mr.Gorbunovs was certain drawbacks of legislation.

In his speech delivered on the occasion of the 76-th anniversary of Latvia's independence Chairman of the Saeima Mr.Gorbunovs mentioned 700,000 non-citizens as one of the major problems of the country. He hopes that the determination of their legal status could be a stabilizing factor. Another problem mentioned by Mr.Gorbunovs was certain drawbacks of legislation. Neatkariga

Press Review

Yesterday the upper chamber of the Russian Parliament ratified the agreements with Latvia on complete troop withdrawal and on social guarantees for military pensioners and the agreement on assistance for repatriates. President Yeltsin's representative Sergey Zotov criticized the resolution by the Baltic Parliamentary Assembly on the demilitarization of Kaliningrad region. He characterized the declaration as an interference into internal affairs of Russia. Russian Ambassador to Russia Mr.Rannih handed a letter by the Chairman of the State

Yesterday the upper chamber of the Russian Parliament ratified the agreements with Latvia on complete troop withdrawal and on social guarantees for military pensioners and the agreement on assistance for repatriates. President Yeltsin's representative Sergey Zotov criticized the resolution by the Baltic Parliamentary Assembly on the demilitarization of Kaliningrad region. He characterized the declaration as an interference into internal affairs of Russia. Russian Ambassador to Russia Mr.Rannih handed a letter by the Chairman of the State Duma Mr.Ribkin to the Chairman of the Saeima Mr.Gorbunovs. Mr.Ribkin accepted the invitation to visit Latvia. During his press-conference Ambassador Rannih refused to comment onthe statement by Mr.Zotov regarding the resolution by the Baltic Parliamentary Assembly. Still, he noted that a better understanding of the resolution could be shown by Moscow politicians. Diena, Labrit

During a meeting with Deputy Secretary General of the UN Mr.Mark Golding President Ulmanis spoke about problems still faced by Latvia after the withdrawal of Russian troops mentioning retired officers, the Skrunda radar, and ecological damage. The President also expressed hope that Russia would not raise the issue of violation of human rights in the Baltic states in the UN. He also said that there were new perspectives for improvement of relations between the three Baltic states and Russia and suggested that the fact of their occupation by the USSR should be recognized.

During a meeting with Deputy Secretary General of the UN Mr.Mark Golding President Ulmanis spoke about problems still faced by Latvia after the withdrawal of Russian troops mentioning retired officers, the Skrunda radar, and ecological damage. The President also expressed hope that Russia would not raise the issue of violation of human rights in the Baltic states in the UN. He also said that there were new perspectives for improvement of relations between the three Baltic states and Russia and suggested that the fact of their occupation by the USSR should be recognized. Diena

In her interview for "Panorama Latvii" Head of the Naturalization Agency Mrs.Eizenija Aldermane stressed that the law on state service demanded that civil servants should not represent the interest of any political organization. She also noted that the regulations for applying for naturalization recently adopted by the Cabinet of Ministers exclude the possibility of arbitrary decisions. She refused to comment on the CID activities saying that Latvia needed the naturalization Agency because of peculiarities of the situation in the country.

In her interview for "Panorama Latvii" Head of the Naturalization Agency Mrs.Eizenija Aldermane stressed that the law on state service demanded that civil servants should not represent the interest of any political organization. She also noted that the regulations for applying for naturalization recently adopted by the Cabinet of Ministers exclude the possibility of arbitrary decisions. She refused to comment on the CID activities saying that Latvia needed the naturalization Agency because of peculiarities of the situation in the country.

In his interview for

In his interview for "SM SEVODNYA" State minister for Human Rights Mr.Janis Tupesis said that the non-implementation of court decrees by the CID was not a general practice but just separate cases of incompetence. He insisted on a well-balanced approach to the problem of registration and naturalization. Mr.Tupesis stressed the uniqueness of the situation in Latvia which makes certain recommendations by international experts not applicable in this country. SM Segodnya

Press Review

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"DIENA" in its article on the CSCE activities in Latvia mentions that Head of the CSCE Mission Mr.Magee mentioned "improvements in the work of the CID". He said that a noticeable decrease of the number of not implemented court decrees had been observed. Head of the CID Mr.Zitars told "DIENA" that he was not going to sign Mr.Sulcs' application for resignation. According to Mr.Zitars there is a total of 2,000 court decrees regarding the CID decisions. The decrees have been either implemented or appealed. He also said that the CSCE Mission asked for explanations regarding 10 court decrees left not implemented due to contradictions in legislation. Diena

On November 15 a group of six Afghan refugees was detained by the Ziemelu District municipal police. Since the refugees do not have any IDs they cannot be expelled from the country. According to the law the refugees are handed over to the state police. The article in

On November 15 a group of six Afghan refugees was detained by the Ziemelu District municipal police. Since the refugees do not have any IDs they cannot be expelled from the country. According to the law the refugees are handed over to the state police. The article in "LABRIT" points at the problems caused by the absence of legal acts on refugees. Labrit

The Saeima has received a court decree pleading Mr.Inkens innocent. This means that his mandate will be renewed.

The Saeima has received a court decree pleading Mr.Inkens innocent. This means that his mandate will be renewed. Labrit

Minister for Foreign Affairs Birkavs received the program for cooperation between Latvia and NATO. The draft program was submitted to NATO by Latvia on July 18. It has been reviewed, supplemented, and returned to the Latvian Government.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Birkavs received the program for cooperation between Latvia and NATO. The draft program was submitted to NATO by Latvia on July 18. It has been reviewed, supplemented, and returned to the Latvian Government. Diena

Today President Ulmanis is having a meeting with Russia's Ambassador to the UN Mr.Sergey Lavrov.

Today President Ulmanis is having a meeting with Russia's Ambassador to the UN Mr.Sergey Lavrov. Labrit

Press Review

The Upper Chamber of the Russian Parliament will discuss the agreements with Latvia tomorrow. Advisor for the Committee for Foreign Affairs of the Council of Federation Mr.Ilya Volnov told

The Upper Chamber of the Russian Parliament will discuss the agreements with Latvia tomorrow. Advisor for the Committee for Foreign Affairs of the Council of Federation Mr.Ilya Volnov told "DIENA" that he was sure about the ratification of the agreements. Yesterday the Committee decided to recommend the Upper Chamber to ratify the agreements. Diena

Newly elected Chairman of the Baltic Assembly Mr.Maris Budovskis had a meeting with the Chairman of the Council for International Migration. He promised Mr.Budovskis assistance in creating a repatriation foundation.

Newly elected Chairman of the Baltic Assembly Mr.Maris Budovskis had a meeting with the Chairman of the Council for International Migration. He promised Mr.Budovskis assistance in creating a repatriation foundation. Diena, Labrit

"DIENA"

published a survey of the situation in KECH houses in the Latgale district. Most of the problems faced by the district authorities are connected with discrepancies in the legislation. CID Deputy-Director Sulcs stressed that the first reading of the law on the status of former USSR citizens did not help to resolve the problem. published a survey of the situation in KECH houses in the Latgale district. Most of the problems faced by the district authorities are connected with discrepancies in the legislation. CID Deputy-Director Sulcs stressed that the first reading of the law on the status of former USSR citizens did not help to resolve the problem. DienaDiena Yesterday the Forum of Centrist Forces ("Peoples' Harmony", Political Union of Economists, Social-Democratic Workers' Party, Democratic Party)yesterday adopted an appeal to all political parties and organizations proposing to join the Declaration of Social Accord. The Declaration calls upon all political forces to end confrontation and stresses the unacceptability of discrimination. It has been suggested that the document could be discussed by political organizations during next month.

Yesterday the Forum of Centrist Forces ("Peoples' Harmony", Political Union of Economists, Social-Democratic Workers' Party, Democratic Party)yesterday adopted an appeal to all political parties and organizations proposing to join the Declaration of Social Accord. The Declaration calls upon all political forces to end confrontation and stresses the unacceptability of discrimination. It has been suggested that the document could be discussed by political organizations during next month. SM Segodnya, Labrit

On Saturday President Ulmanis when addressing American Latvians in Washington stressed that Latvians should put an end to political confrontation and start looking for a suitable compromise for the benefit of Latvia. Yesterday the president delivered a speech at the UN Headquarters and handed over Latvia's gift, a tapestry by a Latvian artist.

On Saturday President Ulmanis when addressing American Latvians in Washington stressed that Latvians should put an end to political confrontation and start looking for a suitable compromise for the benefit of Latvia. Yesterday the president delivered a speech at the UN Headquarters and handed over Latvia's gift, a tapestry by a Latvian artist. Neatkariga