Press Review

Press Review

CID Deputy-Director Janis Leins told the BNS news agency that samples of the non-citizen's passport would be sent to the governments of almost 200 countries for legalization. Latvia expects to receive confirmations of recognition of the document within forty-five days. The issuing of new passports will be started on April 10, 1997.

CID Deputy-Director Janis Leins told the BNS news agency that samples of the non-citizen's passport would be sent to the governments of almost 200 countries for legalization. Latvia expects to receive confirmations of recognition of the document within forty-five days. The issuing of new passports will be started on April 10, 1997. SM, Diena

Russia's policy toward the Russian-speaking population of CIS and Baltic countries was on the agenda of yesterday's meeting of the Government Committee for the Affairs of Compatriots Abroad. Minister for the Affairs of Nationalities and Federal Relations Vyacheslav Mihailov in his report stressed that protection of the rights of compatriots abroad should be among the priorities of Russia's foreign policies. Mr. Mihailov said that compatriots should enjoy the rights equal to those of the native population of former USSR republics. He believes that Russia should inhibit repatriation of Russian-speakers. Decrease of the number of Russian-speakers in CIS and Baltic countries will broaden a gap between these countries and Russia, believes Mihailov. He also suggested to "encourage the forming of autonomies" in the areas where Russian-speakers constitute a large portion of the population. Russia should insist on introducing Russian as a second state language in the countries with high percentages of the Russian-speaking population.

Russia's policy toward the Russian-speaking population of CIS and Baltic countries was on the agenda of yesterday's meeting of the Government Committee for the Affairs of Compatriots Abroad. Minister for the Affairs of Nationalities and Federal Relations Vyacheslav Mihailov in his report stressed that protection of the rights of compatriots abroad should be among the priorities of Russia's foreign policies. Mr. Mihailov said that compatriots should enjoy the rights equal to those of the native population of former USSR republics. He believes that Russia should inhibit repatriation of Russian-speakers. Decrease of the number of Russian-speakers in CIS and Baltic countries will broaden a gap between these countries and Russia, believes Mihailov. He also suggested to "encourage the forming of autonomies" in the areas where Russian-speakers constitute a large portion of the population. Russia should insist on introducing Russian as a second state language in the countries with high percentages of the Russian-speaking population. SM

Deputy-Speaker of the Russian

Deputy-Speaker of the Russian Duma Aleksandr Shohin in an interview for "SM" confirmed that the main topic of talks with the Latvian parliamentary delegation was the rights of Russian-speakers in Latvia. The Russian side stressed that no improvement of economic relations between the two countries could be possible without resolving the problem of Russian-speakers and the border issue. Russia would not agree to any references to the 1920 Riga Peace Treaty. The Russian side also strongly objects to Latvia becoming a NATO member and suggests concluding a trilateral agreement between NATO, Russia and Latvia. SM Gennady Kotov, Vladimir Buzayev and Aleksandr Raihman (the Latvian Human Rights Committee) in their report on the human rights situation in Latvia name complicated naturalization tests as a main reason for a slow pace of naturalization. Although, during registration, 90% of non-citizens expressed their wish to obtain citizenship, only around three thousand have received citizenship through naturalization. Only few restrictions of non-citizens' rights have been canceled. Non-citizens are still paid lower pensions, since only years of work on the territory of Latvia are taken as a basis for calculating their pensions. The rule is not applied to citizens. Unemployed Russian-speakers cannot apply for social benefits without producing a certificate proving that they have passed a language test irrespective of the work they are looking for. Among other problems, the authors mention amendments to the Law "On Foreigners' and Stateless Persons' Entrance to and stay in the Republic of Latvia". The new version of the Law provides for a more complicated procedure of the issuance of residence permits. According to the Law, residence permits should be applied for at Latvian embassies abroad. SM

Press Review

"Saimnieks"

leader Cevers told the press yesterday that his party would not insist on restructuring the Cabinet after it was joined by six deputies from other factions. Mr. Cevers also said that leader Cevers told the press yesterday that his party would not insist on restructuring the Cabinet after it was joined by six deputies from other factions. Mr. Cevers also said that "Saimnieks""Saimnieks" supported Robert Zile's candidature for Minister of Finance. Tomorrow Zile's candidature will be on the agenda of the meeting of the Council for Co-operation between the Governing Factions. supported Robert Zile's candidature for Minister of Finance. Tomorrow Zile's candidature will be on the agenda of the meeting of the Council for Co-operation between the Governing Factions. Diena, NeatkarigaDiena, Neatkariga Yesterday Chairman of the Unity Party Alberts Kauls told

Yesterday Chairman of the Unity Party Alberts Kauls told "DIENA" that the party conference scheduled for mid-March will discuss possible merging of "Unity" ("Vieniba") with "Saimnieks". The "Unity" faction ceased to exist after four of its members left for "Saimnieks" and one -- for the Farmers' Union. Diena

Six Parliamentary Secretaries were appointed by Monday, February 24. Four Parliamentary secretaries have retained their offices. Former Minister of Education and Science Grinblats (

Six Parliamentary Secretaries were appointed by Monday, February 24. Four Parliamentary secretaries have retained their offices. Former Minister of Education and Science Grinblats ("Tevzemei un Brivibai") was appointed Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Justice and Robert Jurdzs ("TB") took the post of Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Welfare. Diena

Council of Europe Secretary General Daniel Tarschys believes that capital punishment cannot facilitate the decrease of crime rate. Twenty-nine European countries have abolished capital punishment in time of peace. Eight countries have excluded death sentences from their court practice, while some of these eight European nations have declared a moratorium on capital punishment. Latvia and Lithuania also have declared a moratorium on death penalty, and no death penalties have been executed in Estonia since 1991. Among other examples, Daniel Tarschys points at the decrease of crime rate in Canada after the country abolished capital punishment in 1976. Just on the opposite, the number of serious offenses increased in the USA after the country re-introduced capital punishment in 1977. Mr. Tarschys points at the fact that most capital offenses, especially murders, are committed in the state of an extreme agitation or under the effect of drugs. In these cases a criminal very often cannot assess the risk of facing capital punishment. Another argument used by Daniel Tarschys is a risk of a mistake during investigation and court proceedings leading to an innocent person being sentenced to death.

Council of Europe Secretary General Daniel Tarschys believes that capital punishment cannot facilitate the decrease of crime rate. Twenty-nine European countries have abolished capital punishment in time of peace. Eight countries have excluded death sentences from their court practice, while some of these eight European nations have declared a moratorium on capital punishment. Latvia and Lithuania also have declared a moratorium on death penalty, and no death penalties have been executed in Estonia since 1991. Among other examples, Daniel Tarschys points at the decrease of crime rate in Canada after the country abolished capital punishment in 1976. Just on the opposite, the number of serious offenses increased in the USA after the country re-introduced capital punishment in 1977. Mr. Tarschys points at the fact that most capital offenses, especially murders, are committed in the state of an extreme agitation or under the effect of drugs. In these cases a criminal very often cannot assess the risk of facing capital punishment. Another argument used by Daniel Tarschys is a risk of a mistake during investigation and court proceedings leading to an innocent person being sentenced to death. Neatkariga

Press Report

Last Thursday

Last Thursday "Tevzemei un Brivibai" issued a statement criticizing Saeima Speaker Alfreds Cepanis for his remarks made during the visit of the Latvian delegation to Moscow. Member of the delegation Juris Sinka (Tevzemei un Brivibai) told the press that Cepanis in his statements "doubted the European orientation of Latvia's foreign politics and the international importance of the Declaration on Occupation, and spoke in favor of establishing closer relations with Russia". Mr. Sinka quoted the Saeima Speaker who said that Latvia, while seeing NATO membership as a security guarantee, was open to other options and guarantees. He also criticized Mr. Cepanis for suggesting to resolve the border issue on the basis of the Helsinki Final Act. Juris Sinka stressed that the Act could not be applied to Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania since those countries were occupied and could not sign the document. Diena

President Ulmanis and Minister of Foreign Affairs Birkavs say that Latvia will decline all suggestions of concluding a trilateral agreement with NATO and Russia guaranteeing the country's security. Such a suggestion was made by Deputy-Speaker of the Russian

President Ulmanis and Minister of Foreign Affairs Birkavs say that Latvia will decline all suggestions of concluding a trilateral agreement with NATO and Russia guaranteeing the country's security. Such a suggestion was made by Deputy-Speaker of the Russian Duma Aleksandr Shohin. Mr. Birkavs explained that Russia, being a guarantor of Latvia's security, would have the right to require that Latvia satisfied its demands on "the so-called human rights issues" and abandoned its plans of joining NATO. Diena

Press Review

Latvia lost its right to vote in the UN General Assembly among other forty-three countries that failed to settle their debts with the UN. Current Latvia's debt exceeds two million dollars. Minister of Foreign Affairs Birkavs explained that Latvia would settle the debt before the middle of March. Although the state budget provides for the payment, Latvia decided to use the funds for other purposes before the next voting at the UN General Assembly, said Birkavs.

Latvia lost its right to vote in the UN General Assembly among other forty-three countries that failed to settle their debts with the UN. Current Latvia's debt exceeds two million dollars. Minister of Foreign Affairs Birkavs explained that Latvia would settle the debt before the middle of March. Although the state budget provides for the payment, Latvia decided to use the funds for other purposes before the next voting at the UN General Assembly, said Birkavs. Diena

Press Review

Press Review

Yesterday several

Yesterday several Saeima deputies left the Unity Party and the "Tautai un Taisnibai" factions. Five "Tautai un Taisnibai" deputies (Gunta Gannusa, Andris Saulitis, Janis Strods, Ojars Grinbergs and Olgerts Dunkers) joined the "Saimnieks" faction. The "Tautai un Taisnibai" faction was formed last year by former Zigerist's party deputies. One "TT" member (Saeima Deputy-Secretary Maris Rudzitis) joined "Tevzemei un Brivibai". Earlier, "TB" terminated Leopolds Ozolins's mandate after the deputy voted against Skele's Cabinet. Ozolins objected to Juris Kaksitis ("Saimnieks") taking the post of Deputy Prime-Minister. "TB" again has 14 seats in the Saeima. Unity Party faction member Edgars Bans joined "Saimnieks". Now "Saimnieks" has 23 seats. Adolfs Locmelis, formerly a "Unity" member, joined the Farmers' Union/the Union of Christian Democrats. Three remaining "Unity" members have not joined any faction yet and may retain the status of independent deputies. Diena

Leopolds Ozolins was the only

Leopolds Ozolins was the only "TB" member voting against Skele's Cabinet. His mandate was terminated by "TB" for violating faction discipline. Ozolins claimed that candidate for Deputy Prime-Minister Juris Kaksitis in 1986, while a judge, sentenced a young dissident to five years in a reformatory camp. With the beginning of "perestroyka" the dissident was released and forced to emigrate to USA. Kaksitis does not deny his possible participation in the political persecution while Ziedonis Cevers said that Kaksitis "was following the laws that were in force then." Diena

"Saimnieks"

suggested amendments to the Citizenship Law that would grant Latvian citizenship to all ethnic Poles permanently residing in Latvia who do not have citizenship of any other state. The amendments were declined by a majority of deputies and were not passed to the suggested amendments to the Citizenship Law that would grant Latvian citizenship to all ethnic Poles permanently residing in Latvia who do not have citizenship of any other state. The amendments were declined by a majority of deputies and were not passed to the Saeima Saeima committees. The deputies objected to granting privileges to an ethnic group. Bartasevics, Lujans, Dozortsev, Urbanovics and Jurkans submitted draft amendments granting citizenship to all children born in Latvia, one of whose parents was a permanent resident. The amendments also provide for canceling of the "window mechanism", i.e., giving the right to obtain citizenship through naturalization to all permanent residents without any age restrictions. In connection with the suggested amendment Bartasevics pointed at OSCE High Commissioner van der Stoel's objections to the "window mechanism." committees. The deputies objected to granting privileges to an ethnic group. Bartasevics, Lujans, Dozortsev, Urbanovics and Jurkans submitted draft amendments granting citizenship to all children born in Latvia, one of whose parents was a permanent resident. The amendments also provide for canceling of the "window mechanism", i.e., giving the right to obtain citizenship through naturalization to all permanent residents without any age restrictions. In connection with the suggested amendment Bartasevics pointed at OSCE High Commissioner van der Stoel's objections to the "window mechanism." NeatkarigaNeatkariga