Press Report

Press Report

An article by President Ulmanis circulated after his meeting with representatives of regional press criticizes party programs for ambiguity. The article titled "For Secure Future of each Individual and the State" focuses on the issue of non-citizens. The President stresses that Latvians, while managing their own country, cannot afford overlooking the problem of non-Latvians and non-citizens, in particular. Mr. Ulmanis believes that all inhabitants of Latvia should feel confident about their future. He stresses that Latvia, being a European democracy, should open "naturalization windows" for all its inhabitants loyal to the country and willing to obtain its citizenship. The President points at the lack of a strategic program for resolving of minority issues that even were not included in the foreign policy concept adopted by the Saeima.

An article by President Ulmanis circulated after his meeting with representatives of regional press criticizes party programs for ambiguity. The article titled "For Secure Future of each Individual and the State" focuses on the issue of non-citizens. The President stresses that Latvians, while managing their own country, cannot afford overlooking the problem of non-Latvians and non-citizens, in particular. Mr. Ulmanis believes that all inhabitants of Latvia should feel confident about their future. He stresses that Latvia, being a European democracy, should open "naturalization windows" for all its inhabitants loyal to the country and willing to obtain its citizenship. The President points at the lack of a strategic program for resolving of minority issues that even were not included in the foreign policy concept adopted by the Saeima. Diena

Yesterday Minister of Foreign Affairs Birkavs participated in the fifty-third Session of the UN Human Rights Committee in Geneva delivered a report on the human rights situation in Latvia. On April 9 the Minister of Foreign Affairs will visit Moscow to discuss the work of the Russian-Latvian Commission with Deputy-Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia Igor Ivanov. The Commission has not started its work yet although its heads (Anatoly Gorbunov and Valery Serov) held a meeting last February.

Yesterday Minister of Foreign Affairs Birkavs participated in the fifty-third Session of the UN Human Rights Committee in Geneva delivered a report on the human rights situation in Latvia. On April 9 the Minister of Foreign Affairs will visit Moscow to discuss the work of the Russian-Latvian Commission with Deputy-Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia Igor Ivanov. The Commission has not started its work yet although its heads (Anatoly Gorbunov and Valery Serov) held a meeting last February. B&B

Prime-Minister Skele will visit Sweden on April 9. The agenda of the visit will include the signing of an agreement on illegal immigration. The agreement is a prerequisite for establishing a non-visa entrance regime between the two countries. The Latvian Premier will meet Swedish Prime-Minister Person. The talks will be focused on Latvia's integration in the European Union and security issues in relation with the OSCE, NATO and the "Partnership for Peace Program."

Prime-Minister Skele will visit Sweden on April 9. The agenda of the visit will include the signing of an agreement on illegal immigration. The agreement is a prerequisite for establishing a non-visa entrance regime between the two countries. The Latvian Premier will meet Swedish Prime-Minister Person. The talks will be focused on Latvia's integration in the European Union and security issues in relation with the OSCE, NATO and the "Partnership for Peace Program." Neatkariga

Prime-Minister Skele at his regular monthly meeting with the press said that the date of his visit to Moscow was not set yet. The Prime-Minister believes that the Government could run a referendum on joining the NATO and the EU by Latvia. According to recent polls, 34% of Latvia's population support such a referendum, one third of its inhabitants would prefer establishing closer contacts with Russia, while 27% spoke in favor of joining the EU. When asked to comment on Mayor Vidavsky's case, Mr. Skele said that the situation demonstrated "the uselessness of unjustified barriers."

Prime-Minister Skele at his regular monthly meeting with the press said that the date of his visit to Moscow was not set yet. The Prime-Minister believes that the Government could run a referendum on joining the NATO and the EU by Latvia. According to recent polls, 34% of Latvia's population support such a referendum, one third of its inhabitants would prefer establishing closer contacts with Russia, while 27% spoke in favor of joining the EU. When asked to comment on Mayor Vidavsky's case, Mr. Skele said that the situation demonstrated "the uselessness of unjustified barriers." SM

Press Report

European Union Commissioner van der Broek will visit Latvia on April 3 to meet Latvian politicians and to open the office of the European Commission Delegation in Riga. Mr. van der Broek will have meetings with Minister for European Union Affairs Kirsteins, members of the Saeima Committee for European Affairs, Minister of Foreign Affairs Birkavs, President Ulmanis, Saeima Speaker Cepanis and Prime-Minister Skele.

European Union Commissioner van der Broek will visit Latvia on April 3 to meet Latvian politicians and to open the office of the European Commission Delegation in Riga. Mr. van der Broek will have meetings with Minister for European Union Affairs Kirsteins, members of the Saeima Committee for European Affairs, Minister of Foreign Affairs Birkavs, President Ulmanis, Saeima Speaker Cepanis and Prime-Minister Skele. Diena

According to

According to "DIENA", a US Congressional delegation confirmed that Latvia satisfies requirements for potential NATO members. Delegation member Gerald Solomon at a press-conference stressed that Latvia was advancing toward democracy, free market economy, civil control of the armed forces and observance of human rights. The US fully supports Latvia's intention to join NATO, said Mr. Solomon. He is the author of a draft resolution supporting the admission of the Baltic states to NATO currently circulating in the Congress. Diena

The Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs received a note by the Russian Embassy to Latvia on acts of vandalism toward the Monument to the Liberators of Riga and other monuments to participants of World War Two. The note refers to the 1994 agreement between Latvia and Russia obliging Latvia to take care of war memorials. 

The Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs received a note by the Russian Embassy to Latvia on acts of vandalism toward the Monument to the Liberators of Riga and other monuments to participants of World War Two. The note refers to the 1994 agreement between Latvia and Russia obliging Latvia to take care of war memorials.Diena

Byelorussia and Slovakia officially recognized the new non-citizens' passport. The passport has already been recognized by the USA, Estonia and Lithuania. Samples of the passport and official notes have been sent to almost 200 states on February 26.

Byelorussia and Slovakia officially recognized the new non-citizens' passport. The passport has already been recognized by the USA, Estonia and Lithuania. Samples of the passport and official notes have been sent to almost 200 states on February 26. Neatkariga

Andris and Albina Kiskis told

Andris and Albina Kiskis told "VAKARA ZINAS" that they had been residing for three years in Holland in a refugee home while their children attended school. To apply for Dutch citizenship they had to provide a certificate confirming that they were not Latvian citizens. The Latvian Embassy refused to issue the document and the Kiskises were expelled from Holland. Liepaja authorities refused to provide them with suitable lodging and threaten to move them out of the abandoned apartment they have recently occupied. According to the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Kiskises applied for a document confirming that Latvia was refusing to receive them. A spokesman for the Ministry said that the family was not persecuted in Latvia and, thus, could not apply for refugee status in Holland. VZ

Press Review

According to the Western press, NATO is planning to sign an agreement on co-operation with NATO in May. The agreement will provide for forming a joint council and establishing Russia's representation at the NATO Headquarters. The document will also define relations between NATO and its new East-European members. Observers expect that the part of the agreement recognizing the right any European nation to choose its security model may cause objections from the Russian side.

According to the Western press, NATO is planning to sign an agreement on co-operation with NATO in May. The agreement will provide for forming a joint council and establishing Russia's representation at the NATO Headquarters. The document will also define relations between NATO and its new East-European members. Observers expect that the part of the agreement recognizing the right any European nation to choose its security model may cause objections from the Russian side. Diena

Latvian Social-Democratic Party leader Juris Bojars told

Latvian Social-Democratic Party leader Juris Bojars told "DIENA" that the party brought an action against Prime-Minister Skele in the Riga District Court. The Social-Democrats accuse Skele of humiliating the party in his TV speech. The party demands revocation of "humiliating statements" and claim an Ls. 1,000 compensation for defamation. A spokesman for the Prime-Minister told "DIENA" that Mr. Skele was ready to defend his views in court.

The Procurator General's Office will appeal the decree by the Daugavpils City Court on Mayor Vidavsky's case. The Court terminated the consideration of Mr. Vidavsky's case. The appeal will be sent to the Daugavpils District Court that will reconsider the case.

The Procurator General's Office will appeal the decree by the Daugavpils City Court on Mayor Vidavsky's case. The Court terminated the consideration of Mr. Vidavsky's case. The appeal will be sent to the Daugavpils District Court that will reconsider the case. Diena

Tomorrow blank forms for applying for new non-citizens' passports will become available at post-offices and at local CID offices. A completed form and a photo should be delivered or mailed to an applicant's CID office. The CID office will notify an applicant within one month about the date of submission of a request. A notification contains a list of documents required for submitting a request for a passport. A request form is filled out by a CID official.

Tomorrow blank forms for applying for new non-citizens' passports will become available at post-offices and at local CID offices. A completed form and a photo should be delivered or mailed to an applicant's CID office. The CID office will notify an applicant within one month about the date of submission of a request. A notification contains a list of documents required for submitting a request for a passport. A request form is filled out by a CID official. PL

Chairman of the

Chairman of the Saeima Committee for Education and Science Dzintars Abikis told the press that the Committee would demand canceling a decision on opening a branch of the Moscow State University (MSU) in Riga should such a decision be adopted by the Government. Committee members believe that opening an MSU branch would impede integrating Russian-speakers into Latvian society. SM

Press Review

Press Review

President Ulmanis said that Boris Yeltsin's recent assessment of Latvia's annexation by the USSR was "a note of hope". The Latvian President believes the Baltic states to be the most sensitive point in the European security system. Therefore, Russia could contribute to the forming of the joint security system by recognizing the right of the Baltic states to choose their security model.

President Ulmanis said that Boris Yeltsin's recent assessment of Latvia's annexation by the USSR was "a note of hope". The Latvian President believes the Baltic states to be the most sensitive point in the European security system. Therefore, Russia could contribute to the forming of the joint security system by recognizing the right of the Baltic states to choose their security model. Diena

Yesterday Minister of Foreign Affairs Birkavs informed the press that Latvia was ready to initial the border agreement with Russia after delimitation maps were prepared. The sides will start working on the maps and will proceed with the talks on April 22 in Moscow.

Yesterday Minister of Foreign Affairs Birkavs informed the press that Latvia was ready to initial the border agreement with Russia after delimitation maps were prepared. The sides will start working on the maps and will proceed with the talks on April 22 in Moscow. Diena

The CID will start distributing application forms for the issuance of new non-citizens' passports in the beginning of April. The forms will be available at post-offices and at local CID offices. Applicants will be able to fill out the forms both in Latvian and Russian. Passports will be issued within twenty dates from the day of submission of an application. Applicants are requested to used the services of photo studios licensed by the CID. According to Deputy-Head of the CID Passport Department Dzintra Peneze, first passports will be issued on April 10. The new non-citizen's passport has been recognized by the US, Estonia and Lithuania. Holders of new passports will not need visas for entering Lithuania and Estonia. Russia has not officially recognized the new passports yet.

The CID will start distributing application forms for the issuance of new non-citizens' passports in the beginning of April. The forms will be available at post-offices and at local CID offices. Applicants will be able to fill out the forms both in Latvian and Russian. Passports will be issued within twenty dates from the day of submission of an application. Applicants are requested to used the services of photo studios licensed by the CID. According to Deputy-Head of the CID Passport Department Dzintra Peneze, first passports will be issued on April 10. The new non-citizen's passport has been recognized by the US, Estonia and Lithuania. Holders of new passports will not need visas for entering Lithuania and Estonia. Russia has not officially recognized the new passports yet. Diena, B&B

Andris Berzins of

Andris Berzins of "Latvijas Cels" was elected Mayor of Riga yesterday. Other two candidates were Andris Argalis ("Tevzemei un Brivibai") and Janis Gulbis (the Social Democrats). Diena

Press Review

Prime-Minister Skele believes that leaving Latvia outside NATO and the European Union may lead to confrontation between the West and Russia. During his meeting with German bankers the Prime-Minister stressed the inadmissibility of creating "gray zones" in Europe. Ministry of Foreign Affairs Press-Secretary Andrejs Pildegovics, while commenting on President Yeltsin's statements made in Helsinki, said that Latvia would not accept unilateral or bilateral security guarantees seeing NATO membership as the only way of maintaining its security. Mr. Pildegovics noted that Latvia welcomed Yeltsin's assessment of Latvia's annexation by the USSR. (The Russian President told the press that Russia had to guarantee security of the Baltic states to dispel their concern about the possibility of a repeated occupation. Mr. Yeltsin also noted that Russia should not only complain about restrictions of the rights of Russian speakers but should also focus on establishing closer relations with the Baltic States.

Prime-Minister Skele believes that leaving Latvia outside NATO and the European Union may lead to confrontation between the West and Russia. During his meeting with German bankers the Prime-Minister stressed the inadmissibility of creating "gray zones" in Europe. Ministry of Foreign Affairs Press-Secretary Andrejs Pildegovics, while commenting on President Yeltsin's statements made in Helsinki, said that Latvia would not accept unilateral or bilateral security guarantees seeing NATO membership as the only way of maintaining its security. Mr. Pildegovics noted that Latvia welcomed Yeltsin's assessment of Latvia's annexation by the USSR. (The Russian President told the press that Russia had to guarantee security of the Baltic states to dispel their concern about the possibility of a repeated occupation. Mr. Yeltsin also noted that Russia should not only complain about restrictions of the rights of Russian speakers but should also focus on establishing closer relations with the Baltic States. Diena

The Kiskis family was expelled from Holland after applying to the Latvian Embassy for a document confirming that the family members were not citizens of Latvia. The document was required for obtaining permanent residence permits. Instead of issuing the document the Embassy misinformed the Dutch Immigration Police claiming that the family intended to return to Latvia. The Kiskises, while staying in Holland, lost their

The Kiskis family was expelled from Holland after applying to the Latvian Embassy for a document confirming that the family members were not citizens of Latvia. The document was required for obtaining permanent residence permits. Instead of issuing the document the Embassy misinformed the Dutch Immigration Police claiming that the family intended to return to Latvia. The Kiskises, while staying in Holland, lost their "propiska" in Latvia. They applied to the Liepaja City authorities for an apartment. Although the family lived in Liepaja before leaving for Holland, the city authorities refused to provide them with a suitable apartment. The Olaine refugee camp authorities refused to give them a temporary shelter, since all members of the family had personal codes in their passports. In their interview for "SM" the Kiskises complained about the lack of assistance form Minister of Foreign Affairs Birkavs and from OSCE, UN and Human Rights Bureau representatives. SM

The Daugavpils City Court suspended consideration of Mayor Vidavsky's case due to the lack of sufficient proofs of Mr. Vidavsky's active membership in the Communist Party after January 13, 1991. The Procurator General's Office has the right to demand a review of the case by the Latgale District Court within ten days.

The Daugavpils City Court suspended consideration of Mayor Vidavsky's case due to the lack of sufficient proofs of Mr. Vidavsky's active membership in the Communist Party after January 13, 1991. The Procurator General's Office has the right to demand a review of the case by the Latgale District Court within ten days. Diena, B&B

Yesterday the

Yesterday the Saeima voted for suspending the immunity of independent deputy Krisbergs. The deputy is accused of illegal financial transactions and fraud. B&B

Latvia paid a part of its debt to the UN and regained its right to vote at the General Assembly. Diena

Latvia paid a part of its debt to the UN and regained its right to vote at the General Assembly. Diena