Press Report

56.8% of voters participated in the local elections last weekend (March 9). Social Democrats took the majority of seats in the Daugavpils City Council. A Daugavpils Court judge refused to consider Vidavsky's case explaining that he voted for Vidavsky in previous elections. Vidavsky is accused of being an active member of the National Salvation Committee in 1991. In his interview for

56.8% of voters participated in the local elections last weekend (March 9). Social Democrats took the majority of seats in the Daugavpils City Council. A Daugavpils Court judge refused to consider Vidavsky's case explaining that he voted for Vidavsky in previous elections. Vidavsky is accused of being an active member of the National Salvation Committee in 1991. In his interview for "SM" Vidavsky denies the fact. 9 out of 15 seats in the Liepaja City Council were taken by candidates from the joint list of "Latvijas Cels", the Union of Christian Democrats, the Christian People's Party and the Farmers' Union. The seats were divided among political parties almost equally in Jelgava, Rezekne and Jurmala. Voters were to choose from a single list of candidates ("For Ventspils") in Ventspils. The Latvian Social-Democratic Party and the Latvian Social-Democratic Workers' Party gained 11 out of 60 seats in the Riga City Council. The two Social-Democratic parties still may remain in opposition in the Riga City Council if "Tevzemei un Brivibai" (10 seats), "Latvijas Cels" (9 seats), "Saimnieks" (5 seats), the Farmers' Union and LNNK (3 seats each) and the Greens (2 seats) manage to form a coalition. The rest of the seats are taken by "Equal Rights" (3), the National Progress Party, and "People's Harmony", Zigerist's party and the Russian Party (2 seats each). Diena, SM

Minister of Foreign Affairs Birkavs said that recent steps taken by Russia and Latvia mark a positive development of relations between the two countries. At his yesterday's press-conference Mr. Birkavs stressed that political aspect of co-operation between Latvia and Russia still lacked stability. He expressed hope that remaining former Russian servicemen would be withdrawn from Latvia before 15 May 1997 according to the agreement between the two countries. 800 former Russian servicemen retired after February 1992 have applied for permanent residence permits. 570 of them have been already issued with the permits.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Birkavs said that recent steps taken by Russia and Latvia mark a positive development of relations between the two countries. At his yesterday's press-conference Mr. Birkavs stressed that political aspect of co-operation between Latvia and Russia still lacked stability. He expressed hope that remaining former Russian servicemen would be withdrawn from Latvia before 15 May 1997 according to the agreement between the two countries. 800 former Russian servicemen retired after February 1992 have applied for permanent residence permits. 570 of them have been already issued with the permits. Diena, LV

According to the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, talks between Minister of Foreign Affairs Primakov and NATO Secretary General Solana gave "positive" results. Still, certain problems remained unresolved, says the statement by the Ministry. Last Friday Mr. Primakov told the press that Russia still objected to NATO enlargement while NATO representatives say that Russia and NATO are working on certain documents that would provide guarantees of Russia's security.

According to the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, talks between Minister of Foreign Affairs Primakov and NATO Secretary General Solana gave "positive" results. Still, certain problems remained unresolved, says the statement by the Ministry. Last Friday Mr. Primakov told the press that Russia still objected to NATO enlargement while NATO representatives say that Russia and NATO are working on certain documents that would provide guarantees of Russia's security. Diena, Neatkariga

Press Report

Press Report

According to preliminary results of self-government elections held last weekend, the largest number of votes was won by "Tevzemei un Brivibai", the Social Democrats (a joint list of candidates representing the Latvian Social-Democratic Party and the Latvian Social-Democratic Workers="" Party),

According to preliminary results of self-government elections held last weekend, the largest number of votes was won by "Tevzemei un Brivibai", the Social Democrats (a joint list of candidates representing the Latvian Social-Democratic Party and the Latvian Social-Democratic Workers="" Party), ALatvijas Cels" and "Saimnieks". The Social Democrats were more successful in the local elections this year. The official results of the elections are expected in seven days. Diena, B&B

The Social Democratic Party and the Social Democratic Workers' Party will sue Prime-Minister Skele for offensive statements made while addressing the people of Latvia on the national TV last Thursday. The Prime-Minister said that the Social-Democrats were headed by former KGB officers and Communist leaders while members of the two parties would have welcomed Soviet tanks. Skele in his speech called upon voters not to support left-wing parties in local elections.

The Social Democratic Party and the Social Democratic Workers' Party will sue Prime-Minister Skele for offensive statements made while addressing the people of Latvia on the national TV last Thursday. The Prime-Minister said that the Social-Democrats were headed by former KGB officers and Communist leaders while members of the two parties would have welcomed Soviet tanks. Skele in his speech called upon voters not to support left-wing parties in local elections. Diena

According to

According to "The Washington Post", Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Primakov during his meeting with NATO representatives demanded guarantees of not admitting former USSR republics to NATO. Russia's demands also include a ten-year moratorium on NATO enlargement after its first stage is accomplished in 1999. SM

Boris Tsilevich believes that building an "ethnic state" instead of a political nation impedes Latvia's development as a European country. Tsilevich points at the low percentage of non-Latvians in the Saeima (10%) and among government officials and civil servants. Tsilevich notes that citizenship is viewed as a mechanism for safeguarding the rule of ethnic Latvians. He points at the fact that the Human Rights Bureau "gave ambiguous assessment" of the Cabinet of Ministers regulations requiring that all applicants for unemployment benefits should have passed a test in the state language.

Boris Tsilevich believes that building an "ethnic state" instead of a political nation impedes Latvia's development as a European country. Tsilevich points at the low percentage of non-Latvians in the Saeima (10%) and among government officials and civil servants. Tsilevich notes that citizenship is viewed as a mechanism for safeguarding the rule of ethnic Latvians. He points at the fact that the Human Rights Bureau "gave ambiguous assessment" of the Cabinet of Ministers regulations requiring that all applicants for unemployment benefits should have passed a test in the state language. SM

Press Report

Press Report

According to preliminary results of self-government elections held last weekend, the largest number of votes was won by "Tevzemei un Brivibai", the Social Democrats (a joint list of candidates representing the Latvian Social-Democratic Party and the Latvian Social-Democratic Workers="" Party),

According to preliminary results of self-government elections held last weekend, the largest number of votes was won by "Tevzemei un Brivibai", the Social Democrats (a joint list of candidates representing the Latvian Social-Democratic Party and the Latvian Social-Democratic Workers="" Party), ALatvijas Cels" and "Saimnieks". The Social Democrats were more successful in the local elections this year. The official results of the elections are expected in seven days. Diena, B&B

The Social Democratic Party and the Social Democratic Workers' Party will sue Prime-Minister Skele for offensive statements made while addressing the people of Latvia on the national TV last Thursday. The Prime-Minister said that the Social-Democrats were headed by former KGB officers and Communist leaders while members of the two parties would have welcomed Soviet tanks. Skele in his speech called upon voters not to support left-wing parties in local elections.

The Social Democratic Party and the Social Democratic Workers' Party will sue Prime-Minister Skele for offensive statements made while addressing the people of Latvia on the national TV last Thursday. The Prime-Minister said that the Social-Democrats were headed by former KGB officers and Communist leaders while members of the two parties would have welcomed Soviet tanks. Skele in his speech called upon voters not to support left-wing parties in local elections. Diena

According to

According to "The Washington Post", Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Primakov during his meeting with NATO representatives demanded guarantees of not admitting former USSR republics to NATO. Russia's demands also include a ten-year moratorium on NATO enlargement after its first stage is accomplished in 1999. SM

Boris Tsilevich believes that building an "ethnic state" instead of a political nation impedes Latvia's development as a European country. Tsilevich points at the low percentage of non-Latvians in the Saeima (10%) and among government officials and civil servants. Tsilevich notes that citizenship is viewed as a mechanism for safeguarding the rule of ethnic Latvians. He points at the fact that the Human Rights Bureau "gave ambiguous assessment" of the Cabinet of Ministers regulations requiring that all applicants for unemployment benefits should have passed a test in the state language.

Boris Tsilevich believes that building an "ethnic state" instead of a political nation impedes Latvia's development as a European country. Tsilevich points at the low percentage of non-Latvians in the Saeima (10%) and among government officials and civil servants. Tsilevich notes that citizenship is viewed as a mechanism for safeguarding the rule of ethnic Latvians. He points at the fact that the Human Rights Bureau "gave ambiguous assessment" of the Cabinet of Ministers regulations requiring that all applicants for unemployment benefits should have passed a test in the state language. SM

Press Report

Prime-Minster Skele in his report on the situation in Latvia singled out the achievements of the Government and focused on the problems still to be resolved. The priorities of the Government policy include the development of agriculture and privatization. The final part of Skele's speech was dedicated to strengthening Latvia's Eastern border. The Prime-Minister even called upon the people of Latvia to participate in "erecting the border" that, according to Skele, is a symbolic boundary between the country's present and past.

Prime-Minster Skele in his report on the situation in Latvia singled out the achievements of the Government and focused on the problems still to be resolved. The priorities of the Government policy include the development of agriculture and privatization. The final part of Skele's speech was dedicated to strengthening Latvia's Eastern border. The Prime-Minister even called upon the people of Latvia to participate in "erecting the border" that, according to Skele, is a symbolic boundary between the country's present and past. Diena, B&B

Press Report

Last Tuesday the Cabinet of Ministers adopted the draft law on the European Human Rights Convention and its Additional Protocols. The Cabinet decreed to pass the draft law to the

Last Tuesday the Cabinet of Ministers adopted the draft law on the European Human Rights Convention and its Additional Protocols. The Cabinet decreed to pass the draft law to the Saeima for ratification. By ratifying the Convention Latvia will recognize the right of individuals and legal entities to submit complaints to the European Court on Human Rights and will fulfill its obligations taken in 1995, when Latvia joined he Council of Europe. Latvian legislation has been reviewed and amended to comply with Council of Europe standards. According to Council of Europe experts, the country's legislation does not contain any norms contradicting the Convention. Diena

Member of the Latvian parliamentary delegation to Russia Janis Jurkans ("People's Harmony") in an interview for

Member of the Latvian parliamentary delegation to Russia Janis Jurkans ("People's Harmony") in an interview for "PANORAMA LATVII" confirmed that all Russian politicians irrespective of their political views were concerned about the situation of Russian-speakers in Latvia. He believes that relations between the two countries could improve if Latvia "increased the speed of naturalization process and followed van der Stoel's recommendations". Mr. Jurkans said that Russia used the problem of Russian-speakers as a tool to press on Latvia and to reach "certain political goals". Still, he believes that the pressure could help Latvian politicians to become aware of the urgency of changing the Russian-speakers' situation. The change would be even more advantageous to Latvia than to Russia, believes Jurkans. PL