Press Report

Director of the Latvian Center for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies Nils Muiznieks suggests discussing the non-citizens' situation and the Citizenship Law "without applying old stereotypes". Mr. Muiznieks believes that the Citizenship Law should be amended to abolish "the window mechanism". He believes that giving all non-citizens an equal right to obtain citizenship through naturalization irrespective of their age could speed-up the process of naturalization. This would bring essential benefits to the stability of the state and would remove a serious obstacle "on Latvia's way to the European Union."

Director of the Latvian Center for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies Nils Muiznieks suggests discussing the non-citizens' situation and the Citizenship Law "without applying old stereotypes". Mr. Muiznieks believes that the Citizenship Law should be amended to abolish "the window mechanism". He believes that giving all non-citizens an equal right to obtain citizenship through naturalization irrespective of their age could speed-up the process of naturalization. This would bring essential benefits to the stability of the state and would remove a serious obstacle "on Latvia's way to the European Union." B&B

The Institute of Sociological studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences studied tendencies dominating in Latvia's business community. The research shows the increase of the number of ethnic Latvians in the private sector. Most newcomers are young educated Latvians. Still, Russians constitute a majority (53.8%) among businessmen while Latvians form the second largest group (31.5%).

The Institute of Sociological studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences studied tendencies dominating in Latvia's business community. The research shows the increase of the number of ethnic Latvians in the private sector. Most newcomers are young educated Latvians. Still, Russians constitute a majority (53.8%) among businessmen while Latvians form the second largest group (31.5%). B&B

Press Report

Press Report

"Tevzemei un Brivibai"

and and "Latvijas Cels" "Latvijas Cels" failed to agree on a candidate for Mayor of Riga. According to failed to agree on a candidate for Mayor of Riga. According to "TB" "TB", , "LC""LC" and and "Saimnieks""Saimnieks" representatives, the three parties will suggest their concepts for organizing the work of the Riga City Council this week. The Riga City Council is expected to elect the Mayor of Riga in a secret ballot. representatives, the three parties will suggest their concepts for organizing the work of the Riga City Council this week. The Riga City Council is expected to elect the Mayor of Riga in a secret ballot. "TB" "TB" and the and the LNNKLNNK are considering joining forces and forming a faction in the Riga City Council. are considering joining forces and forming a faction in the Riga City Council. "TB""TB" has ten seats in the Council while the has ten seats in the Council while the LNNKLNNK has only three. Both parties are discussing the possibility of merging later this year. The idea is supported by a majority of has only three. Both parties are discussing the possibility of merging later this year. The idea is supported by a majority of "TB""TB" members but has numerous opponents in the members but has numerous opponents in the LNNKLNNK. . DienaDiena The Labor Party was founded last Saturday by Aivars Kreituss, Ilga Kreituse, several former members of the Democratic Party and by over one hundred supporters. Mr. Kreituss was elected its Chairman. The new party will focus on protecting the interests of employees and on restructuring and restoring the country's industry. The founders of the party characterized it as a "European Social-Democratic party" and criticized existing Social-Democratic parties for "giving vain promises" during their election campaigns. Still, according to Mr. Kreituss, the Labor Party "is ready to co-operate with other left-wing political forces."

The Labor Party was founded last Saturday by Aivars Kreituss, Ilga Kreituse, several former members of the Democratic Party and by over one hundred supporters. Mr. Kreituss was elected its Chairman. The new party will focus on protecting the interests of employees and on restructuring and restoring the country's industry. The founders of the party characterized it as a "European Social-Democratic party" and criticized existing Social-Democratic parties for "giving vain promises" during their election campaigns. Still, according to Mr. Kreituss, the Labor Party "is ready to co-operate with other left-wing political forces." Diena

Procurator General Janis Skrastins applied to the

Procurator General Janis Skrastins applied to the Saeima for permission to investigate Valdis Krisbergs' case. Independent deputy Krisbergs is suspected of concluding illegal deals and forging business contracts. Mr. Krisbergs was a founder of a company that went bankrupt partly as a result of the alleged violations. Diena

Yeltsin's Press-Secretary Sergey Yastrzhembsky says that the agenda of the Russian President's meeting with President Clinton will include "the situation of national minorities in the Baltic states". Still, the main issue of the Helsinki meeting will be the enlargement of NATO. According to Mr. Yastrzhembsky, Russia will insist on concluding an agreement with NATO that would guarantee non-deployment of nuclear arms on the territory on its new members.

Yeltsin's Press-Secretary Sergey Yastrzhembsky says that the agenda of the Russian President's meeting with President Clinton will include "the situation of national minorities in the Baltic states". Still, the main issue of the Helsinki meeting will be the enlargement of NATO. According to Mr. Yastrzhembsky, Russia will insist on concluding an agreement with NATO that would guarantee non-deployment of nuclear arms on the territory on its new members. Diena

Last Thursday the

Last Thursday the Saeima Committee on Foreign Affairs supported Imants Daudiss' candidature for Latvian Ambassador to Russia. Mr. Daudiss currently holds the position of the Saeima Secretary. Janis Peters' term as Latvian Ambassador to Russia expires this year. In case of Mr. Daudiss' appointment his seat in the "Latvijas Cels" faction may be taken by Mrs. Inese Birzniece. Diena

Press Report

Latvian, Estonian and Lithuanian diplomats are concerned about possible outcome of the upcoming talks on NATO expansion between Russia and USA in Helsinki. Clinton is expected to convince Yeltsin that NATO enlargement would not threaten Russia's security. According to

Latvian, Estonian and Lithuanian diplomats are concerned about possible outcome of the upcoming talks on NATO expansion between Russia and USA in Helsinki. Clinton is expected to convince Yeltsin that NATO enlargement would not threaten Russia's security. According to "DIENA", some senior Latvian Government officials suspect that Russia might agree to Poland, Czech Republic and Hungary entering NATO in exchange for a guarantee of not admitting Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania to the bloc. Still, Latvian diplomats hope that the US will adhere to its current policy on the issue. The Baltic states expect President Clinton to confirm that any questions concerning the joining of NATO by the three countries should be started with "when" and not "if". Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania also look forward to President Yeltsin officially confirming Russia's respect of the right of the Baltic states for independently choosing the ways of maintaining their security. Diena, Neatkariga

The Liepaja police and national guards continue the search for Swedish observer Professor Jan Dellenbrant. The Swedish Professor arrived to Liepaja to study social, economic and political situation in the city and was seen last time early in the morning of March 9 after attending a night-club.

The Liepaja police and national guards continue the search for Swedish observer Professor Jan Dellenbrant. The Swedish Professor arrived to Liepaja to study social, economic and political situation in the city and was seen last time early in the morning of March 9 after attending a night-club. Diena

Press Report

The

The Saeima Committee on Education and Culture suggested to amend the procedure of granting Latvian citizenship for an outstanding service to the country. Committee members believe that the notion of "an outstanding service" should be withdrawn from the law and citizenship should be granted by the President. Head of the Committee Dzintars Abikis told the press that corresponding amendments should be introduced into the Citizenship Law because of heated arguments over each candidate for citizenship in the Saeima. Chairman of the Saeima Human Rights Committee Antons Seiksts also believes that the procedure should be changed since candidates often prove to be "merely financial supporters of a political party". Mr. Seiksts suggests drafting a clear explanation of the term "an outstanding service" to be included in the Citizenship Law. Although "Tevzemei un Brivibai" opposes granting of citizenship for an outstanding service, it will not support amending the Citizenship Law. "TB" deputy Aigars Jirgens says that the faction is against any changes to the Citizenship Law that might serve as a precedent for a more profound amending of the Law. Mr. Jirgens believes granting of citizenship to few persons for an outstanding service to Latvia to be "a lesser evil than creating a situation when thousands would obtain the right for extraordinary naturalization" as a result of amending the Citizenship Law. Diena, B&B

The

The Saeima Committee for Human Rights and Social Issues declined proposal by deputy Vladlen Dozortsev ("Peoples' Harmony") on granting non-citizens the right to work as lawyers. Chairman of the Committee Anton Seiksts told the press that the restriction set by the legislation in force did not contradict international human rights conventions. Neatkariga

Deputy-Chairman of the

Deputy-Chairman of the Duma Committe for the Affairs of the CIS and Compatriots Abroad Vyacheslav Igrunov ("Yabloko" - "Apple") took part in the drafting of the Law "On Compatriots". According to Mr. Igrunov, the Committee worked its own draft that contradicts several international and Russian legal norms. He does not believe that the draft law would be passed by the Council of the Federation and by the President. In an interview for "SM" Mr. Igrunov said that he saw no evidence of a noticeable improvement in non-citizens' situation in Latvia. The "Yabloko" faction strongly objects to NATO enlargement and to the joining of NATO by the Baltic states in particular believing it to be a threat to stability in Europe. Mr. Igrunov confirms that the entire political spectrum represented in the Russian Duma saw NATO enlargement as a challenge to Russia. SM

Press Review

Press Review

The Ministry of Justice is investigating the refusal of judges in Daugavpils to consider Vidavsky's case. Two judges of the Daugavpils City Court are suspected in deliberately postponing the hearing of Mayor Vidavsky's case. Mr. Vidavsky was accused of unlawfully running for a second term in office being a former active Communist party member. He is suspected in taking part in the Plenary Session of the Latvian communist Party on January 14, 1991. According to the law, individuals who were Communist Party members after January 13, 1991, do not have the right to run for posts in self-governments. Mr. Vidavsky believes the law to be absurd and claims that he participated in the Plenary Session on January 13 and not on January 14. Vidavsky's case should have been considered by the court before the start of local elections. Still, one of the judges fell ill while the other one said that being Vidavsky's supporter he could not take the case.

The Ministry of Justice is investigating the refusal of judges in Daugavpils to consider Vidavsky's case. Two judges of the Daugavpils City Court are suspected in deliberately postponing the hearing of Mayor Vidavsky's case. Mr. Vidavsky was accused of unlawfully running for a second term in office being a former active Communist party member. He is suspected in taking part in the Plenary Session of the Latvian communist Party on January 14, 1991. According to the law, individuals who were Communist Party members after January 13, 1991, do not have the right to run for posts in self-governments. Mr. Vidavsky believes the law to be absurd and claims that he participated in the Plenary Session on January 13 and not on January 14. Vidavsky's case should have been considered by the court before the start of local elections. Still, one of the judges fell ill while the other one said that being Vidavsky's supporter he could not take the case. Diena

Prime-Minister Skele, several Cabinet members and Ministry of the Interior officials will discuss the reinforcement of Latvia's Eastern border today at the Ministry. Yesterday the Government supported Minister of the Interior Turlais' plan of reinforcing Latvia's border that would require around 15 million Lats for its implementation. According to Turlais, considerable improvement was required since the Eastern border of the country will become the European Union border as well.

Prime-Minister Skele, several Cabinet members and Ministry of the Interior officials will discuss the reinforcement of Latvia's Eastern border today at the Ministry. Yesterday the Government supported Minister of the Interior Turlais' plan of reinforcing Latvia's border that would require around 15 million Lats for its implementation. According to Turlais, considerable improvement was required since the Eastern border of the country will become the European Union border as well. Neatkariga

SIPRI (a Swedish international research institute) experts believe that Russia could agree to former Warsaw Pact countries joining NATO. Still, Russia will never agree to the Baltic states and other former USSR republics joining the bloc.

SIPRI (a Swedish international research institute) experts believe that Russia could agree to former Warsaw Pact countries joining NATO. Still, Russia will never agree to the Baltic states and other former USSR republics joining the bloc. Diena