Press Report

Head of the Naturalization Board Eizenija Aldermane said at a press-conference that a test in the Latvian history cannot be considered "a stumbling block" accountable for a small number of applicants for naturalization. OSCE High Commissioner van der Stoel during his visit to Latvia criticized the test for being too complicated. Mrs. Aldermane pointed at the broad choice of text books in history available to applicants. She also pointed out the opportunity to choose between an oral and a written test. The Head of the Naturalization Board told the press about a brochure published in Latvian and Russian explaining the essence of citizenship and terms and procedures of applying for citizenship (300,000 copies). The Naturalization Board has also released a brochure on naturalization in the English language to be circulate among foreign diplomats. Mrs. Aldermane said that the Naturalization Board was not going to force Latvia's inhabitants to apply for naturalization and sees its duty in making precise information on how to obtain citizenship available to non-citizens. The pace of naturalization remained the same as last year. The Board received 225 applications in January,274 -- in February, and 245 -- in March. The total number of applications received by the Board as of February 28 is 5,945. The number of requests for naturalization received is 6191. Currently, 124 thousand individuals have the right to obtain citizenship through naturalization. Only 4,544 have received citizenship.

Head of the Naturalization Board Eizenija Aldermane said at a press-conference that a test in the Latvian history cannot be considered "a stumbling block" accountable for a small number of applicants for naturalization. OSCE High Commissioner van der Stoel during his visit to Latvia criticized the test for being too complicated. Mrs. Aldermane pointed at the broad choice of text books in history available to applicants. She also pointed out the opportunity to choose between an oral and a written test. The Head of the Naturalization Board told the press about a brochure published in Latvian and Russian explaining the essence of citizenship and terms and procedures of applying for citizenship (300,000 copies). The Naturalization Board has also released a brochure on naturalization in the English language to be circulate among foreign diplomats. Mrs. Aldermane said that the Naturalization Board was not going to force Latvia's inhabitants to apply for naturalization and sees its duty in making precise information on how to obtain citizenship available to non-citizens. The pace of naturalization remained the same as last year. The Board received 225 applications in January,274 -- in February, and 245 -- in March. The total number of applications received by the Board as of February 28 is 5,945. The number of requests for naturalization received is 6191. Currently, 124 thousand individuals have the right to obtain citizenship through naturalization. Only 4,544 have received citizenship. Diena, Neatkariga

Natalya Lebedeva (

Natalya Lebedeva ("SM") in her report on OSCE High Commissioner van der Stoel's visit noted that the High Commissioner usually avoided interviews and press-conferences. Mr. van der Stoel during his brief meeting with the press said that "the window mechanism" was one of the reasons for the slowness of naturalization processes in Latvia. Still, he does not believe that abolishing the "mechanism" will bring a tangible increase in the number of applicants. According to "SM", Mr. van der Stoel "was astonished" by a complicated test in the Latvian history. N. Lebedeva noted that the High Commissioner did not pay much attention to education for minorities and applied the term "Russian community" to all non-Latvian inhabitants of Latvia. SM

"Tevzemei un Brivibai"

Secretary General Aigars Kimenis in an article in Secretary General Aigars Kimenis in an article in "DIENA""DIENA" criticized the President for "rocking the boat" and jeopardizing political stability in the Cabinet. Mr. Kimenis expressed concern about President Ulmanis' suggestion to "open windows" to non-citizens willing to obtain citizenship through naturalization. criticized the President for "rocking the boat" and jeopardizing political stability in the Cabinet. Mr. Kimenis expressed concern about President Ulmanis' suggestion to "open windows" to non-citizens willing to obtain citizenship through naturalization. "Tevzemei un Brivibai""Tevzemei un Brivibai" sees the Citizenship Law in force as the best possible compromise and would not agree to amend it. Mr. Kimenis believes increasing the percentage of non-Latvians among citizens may lead to Latvia's incorporation into Russia's sphere of influence. sees the Citizenship Law in force as the best possible compromise and would not agree to amend it. Mr. Kimenis believes increasing the percentage of non-Latvians among citizens may lead to Latvia's incorporation into Russia's sphere of influence. DienaDiena

Press Report

According to Head of the

According to Head of the Saeima Human Rights Committee Antons Seiksts, OSCE High Commissioner Max van der Stoel "has not changed his views on human rights since his last visit to Latvia". The High Commissioner recommended canceling the registration of nationality in passports, granting of citizenship to children born in Latvia, simplifying naturalization tests in history and the Latvian language. Mr. Seiksts told the press that Mr. van der Stoel's "liberal democratic outlook" could benefit from obtaining "deeper understanding of the peculiar situation in Latvia". He hopes that Mr. van der Stoel "would display a deeper understanding of the situation" during his next visit to Latvia. The Head of the Saeima Committee stressed that such understanding could be especially useful when discussing the removal of the "nationality graph" from passports. According to Mr. Seiksts, the society "is not ready to accept such a change". Mr. Seiksts said that the High Commissioner had not insisted on canceling "the window mechanism". He explained to the Commissioner that the agreement between the governing factions allows to amend the Citizenship Law only on the basis of consensus. Seiksts himself believes the approach to be outdated since it does not allow introducing even minor technical amendments to the Law. The Head of the Saeima Committee agreed with Mr. van der Stoel who suggested simplifying the naturalization test in history. Still, Mr. Seiksts would not agree to simplifying the language test. Saeima Speaker Alfreds Cepanis briefed Mr. van der Stoel on the implementation of the Citizenship Law and on the steps taken to abolish the nine differences between the rights of citizens and non-citizens that did not comply with EU legislation. Mr. Cepanis said that the High Commissioner did not believe the human rights problem to be a burning issue in Latvia and was mostly concerned about a low pace of the naturalization process suggesting to simplify naturalization tests. Mr. Cepanis informed the High Commissioner of a recent social research of the possible reasons for an extremely low number of applicants for naturalization. Among those is a non-visa regime for entering Russia still in force for non-citizens, unwillingness to serve in the Latvian Army and a low rating of Latvian citizenship among non-citizens. During his visit to the Naturalization Board the High Commissioner focused on altering the history test and activities of the Board. According to Head of the Naturalization Board Eizenija Aldermane, the history test is being reviewed by the Board. The High Commissioner will follow the results of a research by the Naturalization Board on citizens' and non-citizens' approach to citizenship and on their perception of the issue. The Naturalization Board will study the problem in collaboration with the Human Rights Office, the Soros Foundation, the Ministry of Education and Science and the Citizenship and Immigration Department. Mrs. Aldermane informed the High Commissioner about an information booklet on naturalization prepared in co-operation with the OSCE Mission (with financial support of the Mission, according to "NEATKARIGA").

During a meeting with President Ulmanis OSCE High Commissioner van der Stoel stressed that naturalization should not be accomplished just for its own sake. The process was a powerful mechanism for integrating non-Latvians into Latvia's society. The President focused on the reform of the education system and on the efforts aimed at establishing a broad dialogue in Latvia's society. Minister of Foreign Affairs Birkavs informed the High Commissioner about the introduction of new non-citizens' passports on April 10. Mr. van der Stoel was surprised by the small number of states that had recognized the passports.

During a meeting with President Ulmanis OSCE High Commissioner van der Stoel stressed that naturalization should not be accomplished just for its own sake. The process was a powerful mechanism for integrating non-Latvians into Latvia's society. The President focused on the reform of the education system and on the efforts aimed at establishing a broad dialogue in Latvia's society. Minister of Foreign Affairs Birkavs informed the High Commissioner about the introduction of new non-citizens' passports on April 10. Mr. van der Stoel was surprised by the small number of states that had recognized the passports. Diena, Neatkariga, B&B

Deputy-Head of the Naturalization Board Kohanovics took part in a meeting of the Union of Latvia's Ukrainians. In his report he suggested that naturalization problems should be resolved without provoking confrontation in the society. Mr. Kohanovics spoke in favor of abolishing "the window mechanism" and granting citizenship to all children born in Latvia. He believes that elderly people should be exempt from a written test in the Latvian language. The Deputy-Head of the Board also supports decreasing naturalization fee.

Deputy-Head of the Naturalization Board Kohanovics took part in a meeting of the Union of Latvia's Ukrainians. In his report he suggested that naturalization problems should be resolved without provoking confrontation in the society. Mr. Kohanovics spoke in favor of abolishing "the window mechanism" and granting citizenship to all children born in Latvia. He believes that elderly people should be exempt from a written test in the Latvian language. The Deputy-Head of the Board also supports decreasing naturalization fee.

Press Report

The agenda of OSCE High Commissioner van der Stoel's visit to Latvia includes meetings with President Ulmanis, Saeima Speaker Alfreds Cepanis, members of the Saeima Human Rights Committee, heads of the Saeima Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of the Interior, the Minister of Education and Science and the Minister of Environmental Protection and Regional Development. During his previous visit to Latvia last October Mr. van der Stoel said that he saw serious reasons for considering possible ways of reducing the number of non-citizens. 

The agenda of OSCE High Commissioner van der Stoel's visit to Latvia includes meetings with President Ulmanis, Saeima Speaker Alfreds Cepanis, members of the Saeima Human Rights Committee, heads of the Saeima Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of the Interior, the Minister of Education and Science and the Minister of Environmental Protection and Regional Development. During his previous visit to Latvia last October Mr. van der Stoel said that he saw serious reasons for considering possible ways of reducing the number of non-citizens.Diena

Head of the Human Rights Office Kaija Gertnere in her report delivered at a conference on education for national minorities said that Latvian education system complied with international human rights standards. Minister of Education Juris Celmins explained that the closing of Russian-language schools is caused by decreasing demand for school education in Russian. Head of the General Education Department Baiba Kinstlere said that Latvia's education system complied with the standards set by the Hague Recommendations. Still, she admitted that the draft Law on Education, if adopted, would violate the standards. The draft Law provides for introducing the Latvian language as the only language of instruction in schools after 2005. Her opinion on the draft Education Law is shared by member of the President's Consultative Council on Minorities Boris Tsilevich.

Head of the Human Rights Office Kaija Gertnere in her report delivered at a conference on education for national minorities said that Latvian education system complied with international human rights standards. Minister of Education Juris Celmins explained that the closing of Russian-language schools is caused by decreasing demand for school education in Russian. Head of the General Education Department Baiba Kinstlere said that Latvia's education system complied with the standards set by the Hague Recommendations. Still, she admitted that the draft Law on Education, if adopted, would violate the standards. The draft Law provides for introducing the Latvian language as the only language of instruction in schools after 2005. Her opinion on the draft Education Law is shared by member of the President's Consultative Council on Minorities Boris Tsilevich. Diena, SM, B&B

Press Report

First non-citizens' passports will be issued this week. According to Deputy-Director of the Citizenship and Immigration Board Janis Leins, ten or fifteen new passports will be handed out on April 10. Application forms have been available starting April 2 at post-offices and local offices of the Board. Mr. Leins informed applicants for new non-citizens' passport about a mistake that occurred in the Russian version of the form. The form does not specify the age of an applicant's children to be listed in the form. Regulations require that children under sixteen years of age should be listed in the form. Mr. Leins advised holders of old "brown" non-citizens' passports not to rush for new passports to avoid excessive queues at local offices of the Board. New non-citizens' passports have been recognized by USA, Estonia, Lithuania, Poland, Byelorussia, Slovakia and Norway.

First non-citizens' passports will be issued this week. According to Deputy-Director of the Citizenship and Immigration Board Janis Leins, ten or fifteen new passports will be handed out on April 10. Application forms have been available starting April 2 at post-offices and local offices of the Board. Mr. Leins informed applicants for new non-citizens' passport about a mistake that occurred in the Russian version of the form. The form does not specify the age of an applicant's children to be listed in the form. Regulations require that children under sixteen years of age should be listed in the form. Mr. Leins advised holders of old "brown" non-citizens' passports not to rush for new passports to avoid excessive queues at local offices of the Board. New non-citizens' passports have been recognized by USA, Estonia, Lithuania, Poland, Byelorussia, Slovakia and Norway. Diena, Panorama Latvii

EU Commissioner van den Broek called upon Latvian statesmen to bring the country's legislation in compliance with EU standards. At his press-conference last Friday Mr. van den Broek stressed the importance of resolving the problem of non-citizens paying special attention to employment restrictions. During his visit to the Human Rights Office the EU Commissioner highly evaluated its efforts calling it "a unique institution". Mr. van den Broek also touched upon the low pace of naturalization and recommended to study the process thoroughly. He also noted that the Government was ready to discuss naturalization procedure. In an interview for

EU Commissioner van den Broek called upon Latvian statesmen to bring the country's legislation in compliance with EU standards. At his press-conference last Friday Mr. van den Broek stressed the importance of resolving the problem of non-citizens paying special attention to employment restrictions. During his visit to the Human Rights Office the EU Commissioner highly evaluated its efforts calling it "a unique institution". Mr. van den Broek also touched upon the low pace of naturalization and recommended to study the process thoroughly. He also noted that the Government was ready to discuss naturalization procedure. In an interview for "DIENA" Mr. van den Broek said that "Latvia approached the issue of non-citizens in a sensible way in compliance with EU norms". The EU Commissioner said that he was satisfied with the recent progress in Latvia's talks with Russia. He stressed that the EU would not agree to Russia connecting border delimitation to the issue of Russian-speakers. Diena

Press Report

Press Report

The President's Advisor Armands Gutmanis told

The President's Advisor Armands Gutmanis told "DIENA" that Mr. Ulmanis in his statement on "the opening of naturalization windows" did not suggest amending the Citizenship Law. The purpose of the statement was to encourage a discussion of social and ethnic harmony in the country and to attract the attention of political parties to the issue. Head of the Naturalization Board Eizenija Aldermane believes that canceling the "window mechanism" would not bring about a dramatic increase in the number of applicants for citizenship. Only ten thousand Latvia's inhabitants out of 124 thousand having the right to undergo naturalization have applied for it. Mrs. Aldermane does not believe naturalization tests to be overcomplicated and criticizes "SM" for exaggerating the difficulties faced by applicants. Still, she thinks that the number of questions on the history of Latvia should be reduced along with canceling a written rendering of a Latvian text in the Latvian Language test. The current Saeima is unlikely to remove the "window mechanism" from the Citizenship Law since the Law can be amended only upon a decree by the Co-operation Council adopted upon a consensus principle. "Tevzemei un Brivibai" and the LNNK have already objected to canceling the "window mechanism" (see below). Diena

"Tevzemei un Brivibai" Chairman Maris Grinblats and "TB" Secretary General Aigars Kimenis held a press-conference on the steps taken recently by President Ulmanis and Prime-Minister Skele. The "TB" leaders criticized the President for his recent suggestion "to open naturalization windows" interpreting it as a proposal to amend the Citizenship Law. The "TB" Party Council circulated a statement claiming that there were no minority problems in Latvia and insisting that the country should overcome the consequences of occupation by resolving the problem of repatriating "the colonists". Mr. Kimenis believes that President Ulmanis' statements "are advantageous to Russian imperialists, who have intensified their efforts aimed at involving Latvia in the CIS by using the country's Russian-speaking population". Any attempts to amend the Citizenship Law would lead to a Government crisis, warned Mr. Kimenis. The "TB" leaders also criticized Prime-Minister Skele for interfering into the affairs of the Ministry of Economics headed by "TB" member Guntars Krasts. The Prime-Minister did not agree to replacing two of the four Directors of the Latvian Privatization Agency. B&B

EU Commissioner on Security Issues and Relations with East and Central European Countries van den Broek during his meeting with Minister for EU Affairs Kirsteins stressed that Latvia should accelerate harmonization of its legislation. According to the EU Commissioner, Latvia should pay special attention to legislation on foreign trade, customs, competition and illegal financial operations. Yesterday Mr. van den Broek visited the State Human Rights Bureau and had a meeting with members of the

EU Commissioner on Security Issues and Relations with East and Central European Countries van den Broek during his meeting with Minister for EU Affairs Kirsteins stressed that Latvia should accelerate harmonization of its legislation. According to the EU Commissioner, Latvia should pay special attention to legislation on foreign trade, customs, competition and illegal financial operations. Yesterday Mr. van den Broek visited the State Human Rights Bureau and had a meeting with members of the Saeima Committee on European Affairs. Diena