Press Review

Yesterday the independent deputy, Labour Party leader A.Kreituss announced that he had submitted to the Presidium of the Saeima information on forming a new faction in the 6th Saeima. There would be 10 deputies, and it would be the fourth largest in the Saeima.

Yesterday the independent deputy, Labour Party leader A.Kreituss announced that he had submitted to the Presidium of the Saeima information on forming a new faction in the 6th Saeima. There would be 10 deputies, and it would be the fourth largest in the Saeima. Neatkariga

Some more newspapers published information on the visit of the NHRO Director O.Bruveris’s visit to Valka.

Some more newspapers published information on the visit of the NHRO Director O.Bruveriss visit to Valka. Neatkariga

Diena interviews the Head of the Consular department of Latvian MFA S.Mellupe on the functions and activities of this department. Ms. Mellupe told the correspondent that every day they received information about some five passports lost abroad and requests to issue return documents to people whose travel documents were not valid any more. Offices of this Department protected interests and rights of physical and juridical persons abroad. They co-ordinated rendering help in extraordinary occasions, accidents, etc. She also told about those 16 countries Latvia had signed no visa agreements with and about the expressions of the German Foreign Minister K.Kinkel that Germany would implement no visa regime with the Baltic states at the end of this year, the latest - beginning of the next year.

Tevzemei un Brivibai/LNNK

has started its advertisement campaign for signing the proposal for a referendum. They published 10 questions about the amendments to the Law on Citizenship, the campaign and answers to them, as well the list of signing districts and their working hours in Riga. Rigas Balss

The heads of tenant unions met at the NHRO yesterday to discuss the problems arising from the need of domicile registration (propiska) in passports. It was acknowledged that the lack of this registration prevent a person to realise such his rights as a right for a job, education, social aid and creates problems for solving many essential issues. So persons with no domicile registration are not allowed to return to Latvia after leaving the country. As one more human rights violation was mentioned the wide spread practice of household managers to put for public information the list of persons having not paid their public utility bills, thus causing to suffer also relatives of these people. Jauna Avize

Dr. pol

. A.Pabriks publishes his considerations on different aspects of the independent Latvian state. When speaking about the inner policy of Latvia, he stresses that the most vital issue is formation of an integrated and free society and establishing a legal state. He is positive about amending the Law on Citizenship but the only drawback he sees is that these changes were made due to a foreign pressure. There was no political compromise among Latvian politicians on this issue, they just yielded to this outside pressure loosing their political posture. Amendments to the Law on Citizenship are just the beginning for formation of an integrated society. It is a very complicated and labour consuming task, Latvians would have to reconcile to the thought that Latvia will never be a national state in the ethnic understanding, but Russians have to understand that Latvia will never be Russia where the Russian language, culture and traditions would have no restrictions. . A.Pabriks publishes his considerations on different aspects of the independent Latvian state. When speaking about the inner policy of Latvia, he stresses that the most vital issue is formation of an integrated and free society and establishing a legal state. He is positive about amending the Law on Citizenship but the only drawback he sees is that these changes were made due to a foreign pressure. There was no political compromise among Latvian politicians on this issue, they just yielded to this outside pressure loosing their political posture. Amendments to the Law on Citizenship are just the beginning for formation of an integrated society. It is a very complicated and labour consuming task, Latvians would have to reconcile to the thought that Latvia will never be a national state in the ethnic understanding, but Russians have to understand that Latvia will never be Russia where the Russian language, culture and traditions would have no restrictions. Diena (Russian version)Diena (Russian version) Migration service specialists of Russia have estimated the situation and come to a conclusion that mass migration of non-native population from the Baltic states to Russia has come to an end. The peak of it was in 1992 - 1994 when every year about 26 000 people moved to Russia. In 1997 there were 5658 immigrants from Latvia, and now the migration level is in the frame of normal migration for all countries.

Migration service specialists of Russia have estimated the situation and come to a conclusion that mass migration of non-native population from the Baltic states to Russia has come to an end. The peak of it was in 1992 - 1994 when every year about 26 000 people moved to Russia. In 1997 there were 5658 immigrants from Latvia, and now the migration level is in the frame of normal migration for all countries. Chas

The head of Consular Department of Polish Embassy in Minsk V.Mendzelevsky announced that no visa regime for citizens of Russia and Byelorussia was abolished. According to the new regulations, citizens of these two countries have to acquire a visa either on the border or in the diplomatic representatives of Poland. Mr. V.Mendzelevsky explained that this was not a discrimination of citizens of Russia and Byelorussia.

The head of Consular Department of Polish Embassy in Minsk V.Mendzelevsky announced that no visa regime for citizens of Russia and Byelorussia was abolished. According to the new regulations, citizens of these two countries have to acquire a visa either on the border or in the diplomatic representatives of Poland. Mr. V.Mendzelevsky explained that this was not a discrimination of citizens of Russia and Byelorussia. Chas

Chas

interview ordinary citizens of Latvia on the streets of Riga whether they would go to sign the proposal. Some people did not now anything about it, some did not give a direct answer, some were eager to do it, but some had just a vague idea about it. Chas

Just after the ordinary refusal to register the block of left wing parties for the election to the 7th Saeima, the movement “Solidarity”, Socialist Party, People’s Harmony Party (PHP) and also Russian Party worked out an agreement to run for the elections under one banner on the list of PHP.

Just after the ordinary refusal to register the block of left wing parties for the election to the 7th Saeima, the movement Solidarity, Socialist Party, Peoples Harmony Party (PHP) and also Russian Party worked out an agreement to run for the elections under one banner on the list of PHP. SM

On the fourth day of collecting signatures for the proposal for a referendum there was no sign of increasing activity of the population. The leader of

On the fourth day of collecting signatures for the proposal for a referendum there was no sign of increasing activity of the population. The leader of Tevzemei un Brivibai/LNNK M.Grinblats and the head of this faction J.Straume confirmed this fact but explained that the Central Election Commission did not receive exact data from districts regularly and there was felt a pressure of public opinion on the activity of citizens. Bizness & Baltiya

Press Review

“Fokuss” publishes an interview with the Head of the OSCE Mission to Latvia R.Samuel. Asked about the implementation of OSCE recommendations in Latvia, Mr. Samuel answered that considerable part of them had already been implemented and, if “window” mechanism is abolished and citizenship granted to children born in the independent Latvia, it would be a major step forwards. OSCE hoped that these amendments would be implemented as soon as possible. Speaking about the use of the state language in private businesses, Mr. Samuel voiced an opinion that it was not desirable to insist that private enterprise meetings, with no state language speakers present, had to be conducted in the state language. It could just slow down foreign businesses’ coming to Latvia. Commenting on the proposals of the CBSS Commissioner O.Espersen the Head of the Mission said that the Commissioner had not announced them as binding for Latvia. Proposing of such a system had never been neither on the OSCE agenda nor in the proposals of Mr. van der Stoel.

Fokuss publishes an interview with the Head of the OSCE Mission to Latvia R.Samuel. Asked about the implementation of OSCE recommendations in Latvia, Mr. Samuel answered that considerable part of them had already been implemented and, if window mechanism is abolished and citizenship granted to children born in the independent Latvia, it would be a major step forwards. OSCE hoped that these amendments would be implemented as soon as possible. Speaking about the use of the state language in private businesses, Mr. Samuel voiced an opinion that it was not desirable to insist that private enterprise meetings, with no state language speakers present, had to be conducted in the state language. It could just slow down foreign businesses coming to Latvia. Commenting on the proposals of the CBSS Commissioner O.Espersen the Head of the Mission said that the Commissioner had not announced them as binding for Latvia. Proposing of such a system had never been neither on the OSCE agenda nor in the proposals of Mr. van der Stoel.

Latvian Ambassador to Russia I.Daudiss, when talking to President Ulmanis, expressed an opinion that for improving Latvian - Russian relations there would be necessary a meeting with the officials of Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and B.Jeltsin’s councillors.

Latvian Ambassador to Russia I.Daudiss, when talking to President Ulmanis, expressed an opinion that for improving Latvian - Russian relations there would be necessary a meeting with the officials of Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and B.Jeltsins councillors. Neatkariga

The director of the NHRO O.Bruveris and several officials went to Valka to meet with local people and learn about their problems with border crossing. The majority of visitors were non-citizens who did not know the state language. They stressed the major problem - difficult border crossing system. People wanted the Riga guests to raise their problem to the highest levels and help to find a solution. At the end of this meeting O.Bruveris said that he would meet the State Minister of Municipal Affairs J.Bunkss who was the leader of working group dealing with Valka - Valga issue. The aim of this meeting would be to find out the most effective way for NHRO to be involved in the solution of this problem.

The director of the NHRO O.Bruveris and several officials went to Valka to meet with local people and learn about their problems with border crossing. The majority of visitors were non-citizens who did not know the state language. They stressed the major problem - difficult border crossing system. People wanted the Riga guests to raise their problem to the highest levels and help to find a solution. At the end of this meeting O.Bruveris said that he would meet the State Minister of Municipal Affairs J.Bunkss who was the leader of working group dealing with Valka - Valga issue. The aim of this meeting would be to find out the most effective way for NHRO to be involved in the solution of this problem. Neatkariga

Information received from Latvian diplomatic representatives shows that Latvians living abroad are not very active in signing the proposal for a referendum, yet. Three persons have signed the proposal in Minsk, one in Vitebsk. In other countries nobody has signed yet. All together 20 Latvian embassies, general consulates and honorary consulates are available for signing the proposal.

Information received from Latvian diplomatic representatives shows that Latvians living abroad are not very active in signing the proposal for a referendum, yet. Three persons have signed the proposal in Minsk, one in Vitebsk. In other countries nobody has signed yet. All together 20 Latvian embassies, general consulates and honorary consulates are available for signing the proposal. Diena

The newspaper

The newspaper Lauku Avize published the speech of EU Commisione Hans van den Broek in Latvia where he also touched upon the problem of integration of non-citizens in Latvia expressing a hope that the amendments to the Law on Citizenship would speed up the process of naturalisation and formation of integrated society.

After the last meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers, the Minister of Education and Science J.Gaigals told the press that the government had formed a team of 23 experts to prepare a program for formation of a civic society right at schools to prevent formation of two community society.

After the last meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers, the Minister of Education and Science J.Gaigals told the press that the government had formed a team of 23 experts to prepare a program for formation of a civic society right at schools to prevent formation of two community society. SM

Press Review

On the second day of signing for the proposal for a referendum, people still lacked information on the location of corresponding districts and the essence of the question itself - what they should sing for. Lack of information in great deal is due to scanty means allocated for this purpose to the Central Election Commission. It is also the reason why collectors of signatures can not visit old age and sick people disable to arrive to the districts themselves.

On the second day of signing for the proposal for a referendum, people still lacked information on the location of corresponding districts and the essence of the question itself - what they should sing for. Lack of information in great deal is due to scanty means allocated for this purpose to the Central Election Commission. It is also the reason why collectors of signatures can not visit old age and sick people disable to arrive to the districts themselves. Neatkariga

Rigas Balss

gives information on the signature collection districts, on persons allowed to participate in the campaign and describes a day in one of these districts located in Riga Secondary school No 2. gives information on the signature collection districts, on persons allowed to participate in the campaign and describes a day in one of these districts located in Riga Secondary school No 2. In Russian version of

In Russian version of Diena, MP I.Berzins writes about his reasons for not signing the proposal for a referendum. He thinks that the referendum has already started because singing or withdrawing is the expression of ones position in this issue.

The same newspaper in its column Citizenship writes about Dmitry Alehin - a young man who decided to get naturalised, and explains his reasons for such a decision.

The same newspaper in its column Citizenship writes about Dmitry Alehin - a young man who decided to get naturalised, and explains his reasons for such a decision. Diena

Martins Stauers, the head of the Union of Latvians in Montreal, describes the situation in the society of Canadian Latvians and their opinion about the proposal for a referendum. The question of a political position is not so important for those people any more and many of them are convinced that granting citizenship to children born in Latvia will be favourable for the country.

Martins Stauers, the head of the Union of Latvians in Montreal, describes the situation in the society of Canadian Latvians and their opinion about the proposal for a referendum. The question of a political position is not so important for those people any more and many of them are convinced that granting citizenship to children born in Latvia will be favourable for the country. Neatkariga

SM comments the book “Latviesu Egregors “ (Latvian Egregor) - a collection of short esoteric descriptions by M.Ozols. Mr. Ozols expresses in his work very nationalistic ideas. Thus, he thinks that only carefully tested non-citizens should be naturalised and considers integration of Russian people impossible. Instead of that, Latvians should organise pure Latvian districts, streets, etc. In order to avoid assimilation of Latvians by Russians, he proposes to organise a Russian autonomy in Daugavpils because it is not a Latvian city any more.

SM comments the book Latviesu Egregors (Latvian Egregor) - a collection of short esoteric descriptions by M.Ozols. Mr. Ozols expresses in his work very nationalistic ideas. Thus, he thinks that only carefully tested non-citizens should be naturalised and considers integration of Russian people impossible. Instead of that, Latvians should organise pure Latvian districts, streets, etc. In order to avoid assimilation of Latvians by Russians, he proposes to organise a Russian autonomy in Daugavpils because it is not a Latvian city any more.

 

Press Review

EU would be embittered if Latvian citizens voted against the amendments adopted by the Saeima, EU Commissioner Hans van den Broek said to the press. He also affirmed that EU did not support Russia’s attempts to mix economic and political issues in relation with Latvia.

EU would be embittered if Latvian citizens voted against the amendments adopted by the Saeima, EU Commissioner Hans van den Broek said to the press. He also affirmed that EU did not support Russias attempts to mix economic and political issues in relation with Latvia. Diena, Jauna Avize, Chas, Panorama Latvii, SM, Bizness & Baltiya

US and EU representatives have stated once more that they would not put forward any demands for amendments to the Law on Citizenship in addition to the existing ones. EU Commissioner van den Broek affirmed it during his visit to Riga. At the OSCE meeting in Vienna, Assistant to the Deputy State Secretary R.Asmus also pointed out that the US fully agreed to the announcement of OSCE High Commissioner Max van der Stoel of July 17. Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs V.Birkavs had a telephone conversation with Mr. van der Stoel , and OSCE Commissioner confirmed that there would be no more demands in the future.

US and EU representatives have stated once more that they would not put forward any demands for amendments to the Law on Citizenship in addition to the existing ones. EU Commissioner van den Broek affirmed it during his visit to Riga. At the OSCE meeting in Vienna, Assistant to the Deputy State Secretary R.Asmus also pointed out that the US fully agreed to the announcement of OSCE High Commissioner Max van der Stoel of July 17. Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs V.Birkavs had a telephone conversation with Mr. van der Stoel , and OSCE Commissioner confirmed that there would be no more demands in the future. Diena, Neatkariga

Despite of some activitiesof

Tevzemei un Brivibai/LNNK, not many people came to sign in favour of a referendum during the first day. This could be partially explained by lack of information signs about the location of signing districts. Neatkariga, Diena, Jauna Avize, Chas, SM, Bizness & Baltiya

Dr.paed

. Janis Birzkops publishes his opinion on the process of integration in Latvia. He thinks that the process had been started from a wrong place. It should be started from de-occupation. As this is too difficult task for Latvia alone, it should ask for help from international institutions. But integration itself should be carried out very slowly and step by step. . Janis Birzkops publishes his opinion on the process of integration in Latvia. He thinks that the process had been started from a wrong place. It should be started from de-occupation. As this is too difficult task for Latvia alone, it should ask for help from international institutions. But integration itself should be carried out very slowly and step by step. NeatkarigaNeatkariga

Professor I.Lazovskis writes about different aspects of Latvian history and citizenship, but the main idea of the article is that no child, born in Latvia, should be considered as an occupant because this term as well as criminal acts are not hereditary.

Diena

The leader of Peoples Harmony Party J.Jurkans told the correspondent of Panorama Latvii his impressions about his visit to Moscow where he had a meeting with the Mayor of Moscow J.Luzhkov. He also spoke about the policy of left wing parties during the next elections. When asked abut the possible results of the signature collection campaign, Mr. Jurkans thought that TB would succeed because too much was put to stake and they would do their utmost to get the necessary number of signatures. Panorama Latvii

SM informs about a press conference organised by Tevzemei un Brivibai/LNNK where representatives J.Dobelis and I.Kalnins described the future campaign of collection of signatures and their political allies in this action. SM

Press Report

EU Commissioner of Foreign Affairs Hans van den Broek is coming for one day visit to Latvia. During this visit he plans to discus among other matters also citizenship issues. During his last week visit to Moscow Mr. van den Broek expressed his belief that Russia should react positively to the amendments to the Law on Citizenship. The Commissioner plans to meet with the head of the Naturalisation Board E.Aldermane to discuss issues of receiving citizenship, minorities and other human rights aspects.

EU Commissioner of Foreign Affairs Hans van den Broek is coming for one day visit to Latvia. During this visit he plans to discus among other matters also citizenship issues. During his last week visit to Moscow Mr. van den Broek expressed his belief that Russia should react positively to the amendments to the Law on Citizenship. The Commissioner plans to meet with the head of the Naturalisation Board E.Aldermane to discuss issues of receiving citizenship, minorities and other human rights aspects. Neatkariga

Tevzemei un Brivibai/LNNK

representatives in the government doubt the truthfulness of the announcement of OSCE High Commissioner Max van der Stoel. These people think that OSCE could be dissatisfied with little interest of parents of non-citizen children to request citizenship for their children, that would lead to another demands for automatic granting of citizenship. Who can tell us what could happen in a year or two if only 5-10 % of those people would request citizenship for their children? asked the Chairman of representatives in the government doubt the truthfulness of the announcement of OSCE High Commissioner Max van der Stoel. These people think that OSCE could be dissatisfied with little interest of parents of non-citizen children to request citizenship for their children, that would lead to another demands for automatic granting of citizenship. “Who can tell us what could happen in a year or two if only 5-10 % of those people would request citizenship for their children?” asked the Chairman of Tevzemei un Brivibai/LNNK Tevzemei un Brivibai/LNNK M.Grinblats. His deputy J.Dobelis was skeptical about any promises of different foreign officials in general. M.Grinblats. His deputy J.Dobelis was skeptical about any promises of different foreign officials in general. NeatkarigaNeatkariga On July 18, the Union

On July 18, the Union Tevzemei un Brivibai/LNNK agreed to pay maximal effort to carry out collecting of signatures to propose a referendum about citizenship issue. To succeed in it, 133 434 votes are necessary. To further this campaign TB plans with advertising in mass media, circulating leaflets and controlling electoral districts to prevent illegal influencing of voters. Neatkariga, Diena, Jauna Avize, Bizness & Baltiya

41.2% of Latvian population consider that there are ethnic conflicts on every day life level. It was found out during a public opinion poll done by the research center Socially Correlative Data Systems. The director of this center A.Kaktins thinks that the poll gives evidence about ethnic problems and people’s negative experience in this field.

41.2% of Latvian population consider that there are ethnic conflicts on every day life level. It was found out during a public opinion poll done by the research center Socially Correlative Data Systems. The director of this center A.Kaktins thinks that the poll gives evidence about ethnic problems and peoples negative experience in this field. Diena

Andris Jansons in the newspaper

Andris Jansons in the newspaper Jauna Avize analyses the situation with collecting signatures for proposing a referendum on amending the Law on Citizenship and possible practical outcome of participation or refraining.