Press Report

Press Report

The inquired politicians voiced the changes proposed by the Central Election Committee as limiting voter rights and thus most probably the Saeima Legal Committee will reject them.

The inquired politicians voiced the changes proposed by the Central Election Committee as limiting voter rights and thus most probably the Saeima Legal Committee will reject them. Diena also mentions that the dispute about changes to the Election Law can bring back the topicality of the proposal made by the FHRUL to abolish state language proficiency requirement for persons running for elections.

Society Integration Foundation Board chairperson R.Umbilja will ask the State Revenue Service to formulate whether the members of SIF Board should be considered state officials. The subject of concern is that a person, having the status of “state official”, is the subject of several restrictions. One of them is that while being a state official s/he can only be employed in the following spheres: pedagogy, research or in the fields related to creativity. Also it is not clear whether already appointed ministers and the representatives from municipalities are the subjects of the conflict of interests. Saeima Legal Committee Office Head says that each case should be revised separately.

Society Integration Foundation Board chairperson R.Umbilja will ask the State Revenue Service to formulate whether the members of SIF Board should be considered state officials. The subject of concern is that a person, having the status of state official, is the subject of several restrictions. One of them is that while being a state official s/he can only be employed in the following spheres: pedagogy, research or in the fields related to creativity. Also it is not clear whether already appointed ministers and the representatives from municipalities are the subjects of the conflict of interests. Saeima Legal Committee Office Head says that each case should be revised separately. Diena

Lauku Avize

informs about 2-day Princes Charles Visit. Prince Charles of Wales, set to visit Latvia on November 8 and 9 as part of his Baltic state visit, is interested to see the country's progress since his last visit in 1995 and achievements on the way to EU and NATO membership. His second day in Latvia will begin with a visit to Baltnet at the Riga airport from where he will fly to Daugavpils. In Daugavpils the Prince of Wales will be visiting an orphanage. Later he will visit an Orthodox Cathedral, the Daugavpils central market and a reception held by the city mayor. In Daugavpils Prince Charles will be meeting business representatives at a business support centre, open a language centre in his name and look in to work done by the naturalisation board in Daugavpils. informs about 2-day Princes Charles Visit. Prince Charles of Wales, set to visit Latvia on November 8 and 9 as part of his Baltic state visit, is interested to see the country's progress since his last visit in 1995 and achievements on the way to EU and NATO membership. His second day in Latvia will begin with a visit to Baltnet at the Riga airport from where he will fly to Daugavpils. In Daugavpils the Prince of Wales will be visiting an orphanage. Later he will visit an Orthodox Cathedral, the Daugavpils central market and a reception held by the city mayor. In Daugavpils Prince Charles will be meeting business representatives at a business support centre, open a language centre in his name and look in to work done by the naturalisation board in Daugavpils. ChasChas “In fact, Latvia has fulfilled the OSCE requirements, therefore the Mission should be closed,” thinks Saeima Foreign Affairs Committee. Committee deputy chairperson R.Labanovskis says that “there are almost none unfulfilled task for Latvia”. He also added that the issues concerning Saeima and municipal election laws have become more topical. In the opinion of R.Labonovskis the statement of the Prime Minister to take all necessary measures to ensure the observance of international human rights, including changes in law, is too rushed as only the Saeima is entitled to enter amendments to the legislation.

In fact, Latvia has fulfilled the OSCE requirements, therefore the Mission should be closed, thinks Saeima Foreign Affairs Committee. Committee deputy chairperson R.Labanovskis says that there are almost none unfulfilled task for Latvia. He also added that the issues concerning Saeima and municipal election laws have become more topical. In the opinion of R.Labonovskis the statement of the Prime Minister to take all necessary measures to ensure the observance of international human rights, including changes in law, is too rushed as only the Saeima is entitled to enter amendments to the legislation. Neatkariga adds that also HCNM R.Ekeus voiced that Latvia has fulfilled the majority of the tasks included in the guidelines for the closure of the OSCE. Neatkariga

Vesti Segodnja

also writes about the discussion at the Saeima Foreign Affairs Committee about the closure of the Mission. also writes about the discussion at the Saeima Foreign Affairs Committee about the closure of the Mission. “The representatives of the MoFA were invited to the closed session and they “shared their secret” and admitted to the parliamentarians that after all they will have to introduce the amendments to non-democratic Election Law. For the terror of the ruling coalition, that is not the end. According to the statements of diplomats, the OSCE demands Latvia to speed up naturalisation and improve a dialogue with national minorities. Yes, but in order to improve a dialogue it is necessary to have a dialogue as such. But there is no dialogue and if we look at the body of the newly established SIF Board it is not going to take place”.

The representatives of the MoFA were invited to the closed session and they shared their secret and admitted to the parliamentarians that after all they will have to introduce the amendments to non-democratic Election Law. For the terror of the ruling coalition, that is not the end. According to the statements of diplomats, the OSCE demands Latvia to speed up naturalisation and improve a dialogue with national minorities. Yes, but in order to improve a dialogue it is necessary to have a dialogue as such. But there is no dialogue and if we look at the body of the newly established SIF Board it is not going to take place.

Chas publishes the printed summarised version of the internet forum with the Association for the Support of the Russian Language Schools in Latvia chairperson Pimenovs. He does not think that his “fight” against the education reform in 2004 is useless, as he foresees that after “successful implementation of this reform”, the state will follow with another – all studies exclusively in the Latvian language from the very 1st grade. I.Pimenvs considers that the teachers are not the only ones to be blamed if students have not learned Latvian, it is the matter of resources and teaching aid. I.Pimenovs has also the support of the Russian embassy to Latvia, however, “the ground for our future is our own resources plus political support from Russia”.

Chas publishes the printed summarised version of the internet forum with the Association for the Support of the Russian Language Schools in Latvia chairperson Pimenovs. He does not think that his fight against the education reform in 2004 is useless, as he foresees that after successful implementation of this reform, the state will follow with another – all studies exclusively in the Latvian language from the very 1st grade. I.Pimenvs considers that the teachers are not the only ones to be blamed if students have not learned Latvian, it is the matter of resources and teaching aid. I.Pimenovs has also the support of the Russian embassy to Latvia, however, the ground for our future is our own resources plus political support from Russia.

 Press Report

Press Report

Germany's Defence Minister Rudolf Scharping expressed indirect support to the Baltic NATO bid, adding that all three Baltic states should become members of the alliance at the same time, while meeting Latvia's parliament speaker in Riga. In his meeting with the Latvian Foreign Affairs Minister I.Berzins, he discussed social integration issues and Scharping praised Latvia for positive integration processes.

Germany's Defence Minister Rudolf Scharping expressed indirect support to the Baltic NATO bid, adding that all three Baltic states should become members of the alliance at the same time, while meeting Latvia's parliament speaker in Riga. In his meeting with the Latvian Foreign Affairs Minister I.Berzins, he discussed social integration issues and Scharping praised Latvia for positive integration processes. Diena, Neatkariga, Chas, LETA

Thursday the Latvian parliament passed in the first reading the asylum bill which would ensure compliance with the European Union (EU) requirements and universal human rights as regards asylum-seekers.

Thursday the Latvian parliament passed in the first reading the asylum bill which would ensure compliance with the European Union (EU) requirements and universal human rights as regards asylum-seekers. Latvijas Vestnesis

The U.S. Senate approved Brian Carlson the new U.S. Ambassador to Latvia on October 30 and the ambassador is expected to arrive to Latvia after 20 November.

The U.S. Senate approved Brian Carlson the new U.S. Ambassador to Latvia on October 30 and the ambassador is expected to arrive to Latvia after 20 November. Diena, Neatkariga, LETA

Vesti Segodnja

is crossed that the Latvian Government does not ban the publishing of the nationalistic newspaper is crossed that the Latvian Government does not ban the publishing of the nationalistic newspaper Latvietis LatvijaLatvietis Latvija (The Latvian in Latvia)(The Latvian in Latvia) and also re-publishes some pieces of the articles published in and also re-publishes some pieces of the articles published in Latvietis LatvijaLatvietis Latvija, which are clearly anti-Russian. , which are clearly anti-Russian. Today the conference “Perspectives of National Minority Education in Latvia” is launched in Daugavpils. Many high officials, representatives of the international community as well as local representatives will mainly discuss the problems which students and teachers of minority education will face in 2004.

Today the conference Perspectives of National Minority Education in Latvia is launched in Daugavpils. Many high officials, representatives of the international community as well as local representatives will mainly discuss the problems which students and teachers of minority education will face in 2004. Panorama Latvii

Press Report

Press Report

On Monday among other discussion subjects Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga and Dutch Premier Wim Kok also discussed the work of the OSCE mission in Latvia. Vike-Freiberga voiced conviction the work of the OSCE mission in Latvia has been the "success story" -- Latvia's legislation has been aligned to international standards as a result of active dialogue between the state and the OSCE, the OSCE has helped a lot to Latvia in the legislation improvement and at this point the closing stage of its work has become but Latvia will always be open for exchange of opinions. Speaking about her vision of integrated society in Latvia and its future goals Vike-Freiberga underscored Latvia does not want a society formed of two communities but wants a functioning society whose mutual understanding is based on the state language, mutual respect between various nationalities and values that are at base of a democratic state.

On Monday among other discussion subjects Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga and Dutch Premier Wim Kok also discussed the work of the OSCE mission in Latvia. Vike-Freiberga voiced conviction the work of the OSCE mission in Latvia has been the "success story" -- Latvia's legislation has been aligned to international standards as a result of active dialogue between the state and the OSCE, the OSCE has helped a lot to Latvia in the legislation improvement and at this point the closing stage of its work has become but Latvia will always be open for exchange of opinions. Speaking about her vision of integrated society in Latvia and its future goals Vike-Freiberga underscored Latvia does not want a society formed of two communities but wants a functioning society whose mutual understanding is based on the state language, mutual respect between various nationalities and values that are at base of a democratic state. BNS, Latvijas Vestnesis

Latvian president and Austrian parliament speaker in a meeting Tuesday discussed bilateral relations between the two countries, the European Union and NATO enlargement and latest developments in the world after Sept. 11 terror acts in the United States. Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga and Austrian Parliament Speaker Heinz Fischer voiced satisfaction over co-operation between the two countries growing ever closer and diverse.

Latvian president and Austrian parliament speaker in a meeting Tuesday discussed bilateral relations between the two countries, the European Union and NATO enlargement and latest developments in the world after Sept. 11 terror acts in the United States. Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga and Austrian Parliament Speaker Heinz Fischer voiced satisfaction over co-operation between the two countries growing ever closer and diverse. Neatkariga

According to the latest social poll the most trusted institutions among the citizens of Latvia are the radio, television and church. Three most unpopular institutions are the Privatisation Agency, Customs and Saeima.

According to the latest social poll the most trusted institutions among the citizens of Latvia are the radio, television and church. Three most unpopular institutions are the Privatisation Agency, Customs and Saeima. Neatkariga.

Chas

talks with the principle of the Russian Gymnasium. Her opinion about the education reform of 2004 is that it is too rushed, as well as she names problems that are experienced by both students and teachers when studying the subjects in the Latvian language. talks with the principle of the Russian Gymnasium. Her opinion about the education reform of 2004 is that it is too rushed, as well as she names problems that are experienced by both students and teachers when studying the subjects in the Latvian language.

Vesti Segodnja

interviews T.Fasta, editor-in-chief of the new Russian newspaper newspaper interviews T.Fasta, editor-in-chief of the new Russian newspaper newspaper TelegrafTelegraf. T.Fasta informs that the new newspaper will be a daily newspaper on 24 pages. The mission of the newspaper is to unite all Russians – the one residing in Riga, in Russia, as well as all others residing in the world. T.Fasta also claims that the newspaper is not going to present any political power. . T.Fasta informs that the new newspaper will be a daily newspaper on 24 pages. The mission of the newspaper is to unite all Russians – the one residing in Riga, in Russia, as well as all others residing in the world. T.Fasta also claims that the newspaper is not going to present any political power.

Vesti Segodnja

gives a brief insight in the discussion Integration – Ideals and Illusions organised by the EU Information Centre. The first conclusion of the newspaper is that this issue is turning into the domain for the narrow circle of experts. Professor of the University of Latvia A.Kďeckins considers that it is rather possible to talk about social and economic disintegration in Latvia than national conflicts. In regard to the education reform A.Kďeckins voices that it had to be the subject of discussions among the parents and teachers. gives a brief insight in the discussion “Integration – Ideals and Illusions” organised by the EU Information Centre. The first conclusion of the newspaper is that this issue is turning into the domain for the narrow circle of experts. Professor of the University of Latvia A.Kďeckins considers that it is rather possible to talk about social and economic disintegration in Latvia than national conflicts. In regard to the education reform A.Kďeckins voices that it had to be the subject of discussions among the parents and teachers.

Latvijas Vestnesis

gives a printed version of the interview with Latvian Parliament Speaker J.Straume for the National Radio. One of the main questions is concerning the OSCE requirement to abolish state language proficiency requirement for persons running for parliamentarian and municipal elections in the Law on Elections. gives a printed version of the interview with Latvian Parliament Speaker J.Straume for the National Radio. One of the main questions is concerning the OSCE requirement to abolish state language proficiency requirement for persons running for parliamentarian and municipal elections in the Law on Elections.

Press Report

Press Report

Dutch prime minister on Monday in Riga in a meeting with Latvian president affirmed full support of the Netherlands to active involvement of Latvia in the European Union membership talks and believes the EU internal reform can not be an obstacle for the enlargement process, a spokeswoman said.

Dutch prime minister on Monday in Riga in a meeting with Latvian president affirmed full support of the Netherlands to active involvement of Latvia in the European Union membership talks and believes the EU internal reform can not be an obstacle for the enlargement process, a spokeswoman said. BNS, Diena, Latvijas Vestnesis

The Baltic states parliaments European affairs committee heads Monday in a meeting in Riga discussed holding referendums in the Baltic states on accession to the European Union, proposing them be held either separately in each country or simultaneously in all the three states.

The Baltic states parliaments European affairs committee heads Monday in a meeting in Riga discussed holding referendums in the Baltic states on accession to the European Union, proposing them be held either separately in each country or simultaneously in all the three states. BNS

Missionaries wanting to arrive in Latvia have problems with receiving visas and they can only arrive upon invitation of local religious organisations, stated a report on the freedom of religion in Latvia made by the US department of state. The report states that Visa regulations effective since July 1999 require religious workers to present either an ordination certificate or evidence of religious education that corresponds to a Latvian bachelor's degree in theology. The visa application process still is cumbersome. Nonetheless, the Government co-operated to resolve several difficult visa cases in favour of missionary workers. Difficulties in this area diminished and Citizenship and Migration Department officials have worked to ease the situation.

Missionaries wanting to arrive in Latvia have problems with receiving visas and they can only arrive upon invitation of local religious organisations, stated a report on the freedom of religion in Latvia made by the US department of state. The report states that Visa regulations effective since July 1999 require religious workers to present either an ordination certificate or evidence of religious education that corresponds to a Latvian bachelor's degree in theology. The visa application process still is cumbersome. Nonetheless, the Government co-operated to resolve several difficult visa cases in favour of missionary workers. Difficulties in this area diminished and Citizenship and Migration Department officials have worked to ease the situation. BNS

Diena writes that this report contained no essential reproaches and a statements that the Constitution of Latvia ensured religious freedom. There are still some bureaucratic problems concerning minority religions.

Diena writes that this report contained no essential reproaches and a statements that the Constitution of Latvia ensured religious freedom. There are still some bureaucratic problems concerning minority religions.

Austrian Parliament President Heinz Fischer is heading a delegation that continues its official visit to Latvia today. Today Fischer is set to meet with President Vaira Vike-Freiberga.

LETA, Diena, Latvijas Vestnesis, Chas

Newspaper Lauku Avize investigates who stands behind the activities of I.Stalnoy and the youth organisation Solidarnost. These yougsters are lavishly supported by the union Equality, some Saeima MPs, e.g. J.Sokolskis. And oil company Lukoil transferred for Solidarnosts last summer event 150 LVL. The journalist asked Latvian Security police why they did not prevent this anti-Latvian buffooning. The answer was that Police had not found anything illegal in their activities.

The leader of Solidarnost, who was a Latvian by nationality and his former namewas E.Zalitis, turned into a Russian I.Stalnoy. Lauku Avize interviewed Cesis Regional Register Office head about the process how a person may change his ethnicity record and name.

Vechernyaya Riga informs that the Municipal Police drew up an administrative record on the organisers of the Solidarnost picket at the Saeima building for exceeding the time limit given for the picket.

Latvian Prime Minister A.Berzins said, answering to the statement of Social Democrats leader J.Bojars directed against the things achieved by the Latvian State, government, and President in the field of ensuring basic human rights, that it not only misled Latvian society but also created a wrong impression about our country in the world. J.Bojars should know that since 1995 in Latvia has been operating a human rights ombudsman – National Human Rights Office – and that the quality of its activities was evaluated by a group of independent international experts April this year. NHRO was one of the first in the Eastern Europe that received such evaluation. And activities of J.Bojars may cause concern that a signal is being sent aiming to burden Latvias co-operation with its partners and prevent explaining for Russia Latvias achievements in the human rights field. Latvijas Vestnesis

Minister of Foreign Affairs I.Berzins gave a speech on Latvia’s foreign policy at the NGOs forum. He pointed out that activities on many NGOs were one of evidences that in Latvia existed both so called middle class, civic society and people able to express their opinion and to defend their interests. Speaking about Latvian – Russian relation the Minister said Latvia’s return to Europe meant that Latvia was establishing new relations with Russia. And the phantoms of the past need to be given up. And the fact that Russia due to its internal problems did not sign and ratify bilateral border agreement yet, did not prevent both from mutually advantageous co-operation.

Minister of Foreign Affairs I.Berzins gave a speech on Latvias foreign policy at the NGOs forum. He pointed out that activities on many NGOs were one of evidences that in Latvia existed both so called middle class, civic society and people able to express their opinion and to defend their interests. Speaking about Latvian – Russian relation the Minister said Latvias return to Europe meant that Latvia was establishing new relations with Russia. And the phantoms of the past need to be given up. And the fact that Russia due to its internal problems did not sign and ratify bilateral border agreement yet, did not prevent both from mutually advantageous co-operation. Latvijas Vestnesis

Diena analyses LSDSP members’ possible exit from the party. The newspaper says that after the party’s chairman was re-elected as the leader of LSDSP, his opponents, headed by the LSDSP Saeima faction’s head Egils Baldzens, do not make haste in quitting the party but will continue work until there is no new dispute between leaders of the party and the faction. Such a dispute can be caused by the LSDSP new board’s attempts to force the faction to sign an undesirable agreement with For Human Rights In A United Latvia (PCTVL). Bojars told Diena however that this proposal will not be reviewed that soon, as a new board for the party must be elected first, which will then thoroughly evaluate PCTVL’s proposal and only back co-operation over those issues that are not counter to the party’s program. Ousting Bojars’ major opponent, Imants Burvis, from the party no longer bothers Bojars, for, since Burvis was not elected to the party’s council, he can now be removed by his regional organisation.

Diena analyses LSDSP members possible exit from the party. The newspaper says that after the partys chairman was re-elected as the leader of LSDSP, his opponents, headed by the LSDSP Saeima factions head Egils Baldzens, do not make haste in quitting the party but will continue work until there is no new dispute between leaders of the party and the faction. Such a dispute can be caused by the LSDSP new boards attempts to force the faction to sign an undesirable agreement with For Human Rights In A United Latvia (PCTVL). Bojars told Diena however that this proposal will not be reviewed that soon, as a new board for the party must be elected first, which will then thoroughly evaluate PCTVLs proposal and only back co-operation over those issues that are not counter to the partys program. Ousting Bojars major opponent, Imants Burvis, from the party no longer bothers Bojars, for, since Burvis was not elected to the partys council, he can now be removed by his regional organisation. LETA

A.Gilyman, Riga City Council deputy writes about the situation of Latvian Social Democrats. For long time they tried to get power but every time when they came near it the ruling coalition through them out. And they had only one possibility remaining -to start co-operating with For Human Rights in United Latvia. At his moment a new situation occurred on the Latvian political stage – in the capital all power went into the hands of people who did not depend on the ruling oligarchy.

A.Gilyman, Riga City Council deputy writes about the situation of Latvian Social Democrats. For long time they tried to get power but every time when they came near it the ruling coalition through them out. And they had only one possibility remaining -to start co-operating with For Human Rights in United Latvia. At his moment a new situation occurred on the Latvian political stage – in the capital all power went into the hands of people who did not depend on the ruling oligarchy. Vesti Segodnya

Commenting the draft amendments proposed by J.Bojars, L.Fedoseyev states that these amendments change the Constitution so that nothing much remains from the previous one. If Latvia became a presidential republic, it would mean that the majority could ignore the minority; and in Latvia with its existing ethnic problems it would mean that non-Latvians would be ousted from political processes.

Commenting the draft amendments proposed by J.Bojars, L.Fedoseyev states that these amendments change the Constitution so that nothing much remains from the previous one. If Latvia became a presidential republic, it would mean that the majority could ignore the minority; and in Latvia with its existing ethnic problems it would mean that non-Latvians would be ousted from political processes. Chas

Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga repaced her former representative in the Society Integration Foundation Council O.Tipainis with the entrepreneur S.Bukingholc.

Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga repaced her former representative in the Society Integration Foundation Council O.Tipainis with the entrepreneur S.Bukingholc. Chas

A.Gurin starts his article with the statement made by the DHoM of the OSCE Mission to Latvia N.Brennan that Latvia would have to abolish the norms requesting local government and Saeima deputy candidates to know the state language on the highest level. But then he turns to the aspects of Economics, comparing the situation in Latvia and Russia. In Russia authorities have understood that tourism brings money. In Sankt-Petersburg they plan to introduce signboards in the English language on the central streets, but in Latvia authorities do not want any Russian language thus preventing tourists from Russia coming here.

A.Gurin starts his article with the statement made by the DHoM of the OSCE Mission to Latvia N.Brennan that Latvia would have to abolish the norms requesting local government and Saeima deputy candidates to know the state language on the highest level. But then he turns to the aspects of Economics, comparing the situation in Latvia and Russia. In Russia authorities have understood that tourism brings money. In Sankt-Petersburg they plan to introduce signboards in the English language on the central streets, but in Latvia authorities do not want any Russian language thus preventing tourists from Russia coming here. Panorama Latvii

Press Report

Press Report

Press Report

Today, President Vaira Vike-Freiberga's state visit to Spain concludes, LETA learned from the President's Press Service. During the visit, the president attended the Madrid Conference on Democratic Transition and Consolidation at the invitation of the King of Spain Juan Carlos I.

Today, President Vaira Vike-Freiberga's state visit to Spain concludes, LETA learned from the President's Press Service. During the visit, the president attended the Madrid Conference on Democratic Transition and Consolidation at the invitation of the King of Spain Juan Carlos I. LETA

Newspaper

Chas interviewed the Representative of the Ministry of Federation and Migration Affairs to Latvia T.Shlichkova about the migration situation between Russia and Latvia. She told the journalist that all migration took place within the framework of the agreement On regulating the process of migration and protection of migrants rights. The agreement was signed in 1993, took effect in 1995 but implemented in 1997. Since then every year about 1500 – 2000 people migrate between these countries, and it is, according to the opinion of Ms. Shlichkova, a normal amount of international migration.

Latvia is the first Baltic country that will be visited by Dutch Prime Minister Wim Kok already Monday. Kok says in an interview in Diena that he advocates EU enlargement that also includes the Baltic countries. LETA