Press Review

A telephone talk between the President of Russia and the President of Latvia is scheduled for April 21. The new terms of Mr.Ulmanis' visit to Moscow are expected to be agreed upon during a telephone talk between the presidents. On April 20 President Yeltsin issued a statement saying that Russia had no intention to create military bases in Latvia. The Russian party did not express any official objection against the signing of three agreements instead of a complete package. Still, Mr.Zotov said that such option could be "not acceptable" and that the meeting of the presidents could take place only for the signing of the complete package.

A telephone talk between the President of Russia and the President of Latvia is scheduled for April 21. The new terms of Mr.Ulmanis' visit to Moscow are expected to be agreed upon during a telephone talk between the presidents. On April 20 President Yeltsin issued a statement saying that Russia had no intention to create military bases in Latvia. The Russian party did not express any official objection against the signing of three agreements instead of a complete package. Still, Mr.Zotov said that such option could be "not acceptable" and that the meeting of the presidents could take place only for the signing of the complete package. Diena, SM Segodnya

There were two attitudes to the signing of the agreements with Russia expressed at the Extraordinary Plenary Meeting of Saeima. The ruling coalition insists on the signing of the three agreements and the introduction of amendments to the agreement on social guarantees for pensioned servicemen. Mr.Kirsteins of LNNK said that his fraction did not support the signing of the agreements and the visit of President Ulmanis to Moscow. He also expressed his personal opinion saying that the President should go to Moscow and sign the agreement on troop withdrawal before August 31, 1994.

There were two attitudes to the signing of the agreements with Russia expressed at the Extraordinary Plenary Meeting of Saeima. The ruling coalition insists on the signing of the three agreements and the introduction of amendments to the agreement on social guarantees for pensioned servicemen. Mr.Kirsteins of LNNK said that his fraction did not support the signing of the agreements and the visit of President Ulmanis to Moscow. He also expressed his personal opinion saying that the President should go to Moscow and sign the agreement on troop withdrawal before August 31, 1994. Diena

Press Review

On April 19 Russian Ambassador Rannih informed President Ulmanis about President Yeltsin's invitation to visit Russia on April 21. Mr.Ulmanis evaluated the visit as useful and noted that the final decision on the signing of the agreements should be made by Saeima. After receiving the Russian Ambassador Mr. Ulmanis had a meeting with the representatives of the Government and the Saeima fractions. According to "Tevzemei un Brivibai" leader Mr.Grinbalts the majority of the deputies spoke in favor of the visit and supported the signing of the agreements. Still, the signing of the agreement on social guarantees for pensioned officers remained disputable. The Government have decided to establish the Foundation for the Environmental Rehabilitation of Skrunda and Repatriation of Servicemen. President Ulmanis addressed the people of Latvia on TV on April 19. He pointed out the necessity of the signing of the three agreements, i.e. the agreement on troop withdrawal, the agreement on Skrunda, and the agreement on social guarantees for Russian Army servicemen during their temporary stay in Latvia. The agreement of pensioned servicemen should be revised by experts, said the President.

On April 19 Russian Ambassador Rannih informed President Ulmanis about President Yeltsin's invitation to visit Russia on April 21. Mr.Ulmanis evaluated the visit as useful and noted that the final decision on the signing of the agreements should be made by Saeima. After receiving the Russian Ambassador Mr. Ulmanis had a meeting with the representatives of the Government and the Saeima fractions. According to "Tevzemei un Brivibai" leader Mr.Grinbalts the majority of the deputies spoke in favor of the visit and supported the signing of the agreements. Still, the signing of the agreement on social guarantees for pensioned officers remained disputable. The Government have decided to establish the Foundation for the Environmental Rehabilitation of Skrunda and Repatriation of Servicemen. President Ulmanis addressed the people of Latvia on TV on April 19. He pointed out the necessity of the signing of the three agreements, i.e. the agreement on troop withdrawal, the agreement on Skrunda, and the agreement on social guarantees for Russian Army servicemen during their temporary stay in Latvia. The agreement of pensioned servicemen should be revised by experts, said the President. Diena, Labrit

Press Review

The Head of the Russian Delegation to the talks with Latvia Mr.Sergey Zotov said in his interview for "DIENA" that Decree # 174 by President Yeltsin did not exists and that there was a completely different document registered by the President's Office under the same number. He also said that was an official explanation given to the Russian delegation. He also suggested that President Yeltsin did not know about the error. According to Zotov Mr.Yeltsin is ready to meet with President Ulmanis. He also stressed the necessity of a meeting between the delegations in order to discuss further steps to be taken. 

The Head of the Russian Delegation to the talks with Latvia Mr.Sergey Zotov said in his interview for "DIENA" that Decree # 174 by President Yeltsin did not exists and that there was a completely different document registered by the President's Office under the same number. He also said that was an official explanation given to the Russian delegation. He also suggested that President Yeltsin did not know about the error. According to Zotov Mr.Yeltsin is ready to meet with President Ulmanis. He also stressed the necessity of a meeting between the delegations in order to discuss further steps to be taken.Diena

On April 18 the Presidium of the Saeima decreed to hold an Extraordinary Plenary Meeting of the Saeima on April 20. The agenda will include the adoption of a draft decree on the initialled agreements and on the new delegation to the talks on troop withdrawal. The request for the Extraordinary Meeting to be held was signed LNNK, "Tevzemei un Brivibai", Christian Democrats (except for Olafs Bruvers), Democratic Party, independent deputies Zigerist and Saulitis, Oskars Grigs of the Farmers' Union, Janis Jurkans and Andris Ameriks of the National Consent, and Romans Apsitis of "Latvijas Cels". The draft decree is directed against the signing of the agreement and recommends to nominate a new delegation to the troop withdrawal talks. The draft also stresses the lack of security guarantees on the part of the West. Indulis Berzins of "Latvijas Cels" evaluated the situation as "dangerous" stressing that Russia is not interested in the signing of the agreements. He also noted that the draft decree was the "last attempt of the opposition to rock the boat" in order to win the election.

On April 18 the Presidium of the Saeima decreed to hold an Extraordinary Plenary Meeting of the Saeima on April 20. The agenda will include the adoption of a draft decree on the initialled agreements and on the new delegation to the talks on troop withdrawal. The request for the Extraordinary Meeting to be held was signed LNNK, "Tevzemei un Brivibai", Christian Democrats (except for Olafs Bruvers), Democratic Party, independent deputies Zigerist and Saulitis, Oskars Grigs of the Farmers' Union, Janis Jurkans and Andris Ameriks of the National Consent, and Romans Apsitis of "Latvijas Cels". The draft decree is directed against the signing of the agreement and recommends to nominate a new delegation to the troop withdrawal talks. The draft also stresses the lack of security guarantees on the part of the West. Indulis Berzins of "Latvijas Cels" evaluated the situation as "dangerous" stressing that Russia is not interested in the signing of the agreements. He also noted that the draft decree was the "last attempt of the opposition to rock the boat" in order to win the election. Diena

President Ulmanis referred to the idea of the Extraordinary Meeting as useless. at the same time he stressed that the signing of the agreements was not possible unless the decree on the creation of a military base in Latvia was revoked by President Yeltsin.

President Ulmanis referred to the idea of the Extraordinary Meeting as useless. at the same time he stressed that the signing of the agreements was not possible unless the decree on the creation of a military base in Latvia was revoked by President Yeltsin. Labrit

On April 18 the US Department of State expert group met with the Vice-Chairman of the Saeima Mr.Andreis Krastins. They expressed their support for the comprehensive agreement on troop withdrawal. Mr.Krastins pointed at serious drawbacks of the initialled agreements. He also stressed the unacceptability of the stay of pensioned officers in Latvia. He pointed out that Russia was disbanding its units on the territory of Latvia. While discussing the citizenship law Mr.Krastins said that the law should precisely define the status of non-citizens and would be preceded by an alien law.

On April 18 the US Department of State expert group met with the Vice-Chairman of the Saeima Mr.Andreis Krastins. They expressed their support for the comprehensive agreement on troop withdrawal. Mr.Krastins pointed at serious drawbacks of the initialled agreements. He also stressed the unacceptability of the stay of pensioned officers in Latvia. He pointed out that Russia was disbanding its units on the territory of Latvia. While discussing the citizenship law Mr.Krastins said that the law should precisely define the status of non-citizens and would be preceded by an alien law. Diena

Press Report

The Prime-Ministers of Latvia and Estonia have agreed on a common stand in relations with Russia. Estonia supported Latvia's demand for the revocation of the decree by Boris Yeltsin of April 5. Both sides agreed that the Russian troops should be withdrawn from Latvia and Estonia before August 31. The idea of the repatriation foundation was also supported. Mr.Birkavs during a press conference suggested that the agreement on social guarantees for pensioned officers should be excluded from the package and discussed separately. He also noted that those pensioned officers who were willing to stay in Latvia should declare their loyalty to the country.

The Prime-Ministers of Latvia and Estonia have agreed on a common stand in relations with Russia. Estonia supported Latvia's demand for the revocation of the decree by Boris Yeltsin of April 5. Both sides agreed that the Russian troops should be withdrawn from Latvia and Estonia before August 31. The idea of the repatriation foundation was also supported. Mr.Birkavs during a press conference suggested that the agreement on social guarantees for pensioned officers should be excluded from the package and discussed separately. He also noted that those pensioned officers who were willing to stay in Latvia should declare their loyalty to the country. Diena, Labrit

A rally of protest against the ratification of agreements between Latvia and Russia was held in front of the Monument of Liberty on April 16. Demands for the repatriation of all pensioned officers and their family members were expressed by the speakers.

A rally of protest against the ratification of agreements between Latvia and Russia was held in front of the Monument of Liberty on April 16. Demands for the repatriation of all pensioned officers and their family members were expressed by the speakers. Labrit

Press Report

On April 15 the CSCE participating countries expressed their opinion on the issue of troop withdrawal from the Baltic states. Ivars Pundurs, the Head of the Latvian Delegation to the CSCE called upon the CSCE countries to assist Latvia in achieving the withdrawal in accordance with the initialled agreements. The representatives of the participating countries approved of the initialled agreements and expressed hope for their ratification. The necessity of the signing of the agreements was stressed by several countries.

On April 15 the CSCE participating countries expressed their opinion on the issue of troop withdrawal from the Baltic states. Ivars Pundurs, the Head of the Latvian Delegation to the CSCE called upon the CSCE countries to assist Latvia in achieving the withdrawal in accordance with the initialled agreements. The representatives of the participating countries approved of the initialled agreements and expressed hope for their ratification. The necessity of the signing of the agreements was stressed by several countries. Diena

The Head of the Bureau for the Monitoring of the Russian Troop Withdrawal Mr.Ilgonis Upmalis stressed that there was a lack of precise information on the number of servicemen residing in Latvia. He also pointed out the way the parties at the negotiations had interpreted the article of the agreement on the reimbursement of the value of the property of the Russian Army. Latvia considers only the immovable property constructed after February 28, 1992, to be the property of the Russian Army and is ready to reimburse its value while General Mayorov insists that it should be any immovable property left by the Russian Army on the Latvian soil.

The Head of the Bureau for the Monitoring of the Russian Troop Withdrawal Mr.Ilgonis Upmalis stressed that there was a lack of precise information on the number of servicemen residing in Latvia. He also pointed out the way the parties at the negotiations had interpreted the article of the agreement on the reimbursement of the value of the property of the Russian Army. Latvia considers only the immovable property constructed after February 28, 1992, to be the property of the Russian Army and is ready to reimburse its value while General Mayorov insists that it should be any immovable property left by the Russian Army on the Latvian soil. Neatkariga Cina