Press Review

Press Review

At a briefing on Monday, Latvian MFA representative A.Pildegovics informed ambassadors of EU member and associate states, USA and OSCE Mission to Latvia head on the events that took place at the Riga City Council on March 3. Russian party would be informed on Latvian attitude towards these events and comments made by Russian officials through diplomatic channels. Mr.Pildegovics said that that ambassadors were informed all together because it was a practical possibility to prepare for a common foreign and security policy, as it was planned in EU. In his turn, the Saeima Speaker A.Cepanis announced on Monday that he planned to send a letter to Russian State Duma Speaker G.Seleznov on his opinion towards this event and the inadequate reaction of Russian officials. At a briefing on Monday, Latvian MFA representative A.Pildegovics informed ambassadors of EU member and associate states, USA and OSCE Mission to Latvia head on the events that took place at the Riga City Council on March 3. Russian party would be informed on Latvian attitude towards these events and comments made by Russian officials through diplomatic channels. Mr.Pildegovics said that that ambassadors were informed all together because it was a practical possibility to prepare for a common foreign and security policy, as it was planned in EU. In his turn, the Saeima Speaker A.Cepanis announced on Monday that he planned to send a letter to Russian State Duma Speaker G.Seleznov on his opinion towards this event and the inadequate reaction of Russian officials. Diena, NeatkarigaDiena, Neatkariga Minister of Communications V.Kristopans does not think that the announcements of Russian officials on imposing economic sanctions against Latvia should not be taken seriously. He thinks that the picket at the Riga City council is an ordinary thing.

Minister of Communications V.Kristopans does not think that the announcements of Russian officials on imposing economic sanctions against Latvia should not be taken seriously. He thinks that the picket at the Riga City council is an ordinary thing. (Diena, Rita Zinas) SM correspondent has different information. He writes that several administration institutions of Russian are elaborating strategy to put economic pressure on Latvia.

Atis Lejins, Director of Latvian Foreign Affairs Institute publishes his ideas on the current Latvian - Russian relations. When analysing the situation, he comes to a conclusion that these activities of Russian officials could arise from the need to divert public attention from their internal matters - bad social economic situation in Russia. Mr.Lejins also analyses some other possible reasons for this reaction.

Atis Lejins, Director of Latvian Foreign Affairs Institute publishes his ideas on the current Latvian - Russian relations. When analysing the situation, he comes to a conclusion that these activities of Russian officials could arise from the need to divert public attention from their internal matters - bad social economic situation in Russia. Mr.Lejins also analyses some other possible reasons for this reaction. Bizness & Baltija writes about the possible schedule of Russias future actions.

Weekly newspaper

Weekly newspaper Segodnya published several letters of people, who participated in the picket at Riga City Council.

Diena - Russian version: Solving the border dispute between Russia and Latvia depends on the situation of national minorities in Latvia. This statement was made by Deputy Chairman of State Duma Vladimir Rizhkov to the radio station Eho Moskvi. He stressed that Russian - Latvian relations were getting colder in all aspects.

Several newspapers inform about the rally of several political parties of Russia that was held in Pskow on Monday. About 1000 people gathered in front of the Latvian Consulate, burned Latvian flag and submitted an announcement where they characterised Riga event as a very cruel one and asked for economic sanctions against Latvian, resignation of Latvian Prime Minister and international isolation of Latvia.

Several newspapers inform about the rally of several political parties of Russia that was held in Pskow on Monday. About 1000 people gathered in front of the Latvian Consulate, burned Latvian flag and submitted an announcement where they characterised Riga event as a very cruel one and asked for economic sanctions against Latvian, resignation of Latvian Prime Minister and international isolation of Latvia. Neatkariga, Jauna Avize, Chas andBiznes I Baltiya analyses the possible situation if such economic sanctions were imposed.

On Monday Faction Tevzemei un Brivibai/LNNK adopted a draft human rights part of the Satversme and their proposals for amendments to the Law on Citizenship. They plan to include in the General part of the Satversme to include a provision the Latvian language being the state language and that this article could be amended only through a public referendum. They also propose to include a separate part on human rights but Chapter 8 under the title Basic Rights and offer their definition of a stateless person - “a person who does not belong to any state or has no right to such a belonging according to the valid laws”.

On Monday Faction Tevzemei un Brivibai/LNNK adopted a draft human rights part of the Satversme and their proposals for amendments to the Law on Citizenship. They plan to include in the General part of the Satversme to include a provision the Latvian language being the state language and that this article could be amended only through a public referendum. They also propose to include a separate part on human rights but Chapter 8 under the title Basic Rights and offer their definition of a stateless person - a person who does not belong to any state or has no right to such a belonging according to the valid laws. Neatkariga, Biznes I Baltiya, Chas

To speed up issuing of non-citizen passports, the Citizenship and Migration Affairs Board (CMAB) will work in three shifts all 24 hours. They plan to hire 30 more employees. Until February 19, there have been issued 119 375 non-citizen passports, but all together there are 650 800 non-citizens registered in the Resident Register. Currently, the CMAB can issue 16 800 passport a month. Internal Minister Z.Cevers has asked the Minster of Finances to allow the Board to use those 250 000 Ls they have collected as fees. This sum is necessary to finish issuing till January 1, 2000 what is the deadline.

To speed up issuing of non-citizen passports, the Citizenship and Migration Affairs Board (CMAB) will work in three shifts all 24 hours. They plan to hire 30 more employees. Until February 19, there have been issued 119 375 non-citizen passports, but all together there are 650 800 non-citizens registered in the Resident Register. Currently, the CMAB can issue 16 800 passport a month. Internal Minister Z.Cevers has asked the Minster of Finances to allow the Board to use those 250 000 Ls they have collected as fees. This sum is necessary to finish issuing till January 1, 2000 what is the deadline. Neatkariga

Panorama Latvii writes about the situation in Jekabpils where the local judge refuses to accept cases written in the Russian language from police inspectors. So, instead of starting to investigate the next case, an inspector has to interpret the filled in documents into Latvian himself thus extending the detention term of the suspect.

Press Review

Diena, Panorama Latvii, Biznes I Baltiya, Jauna Avize

, etc. inform about the possible economic sanctions of Russia against Latvia for human rights violations during Tuesdays picket. Yeltsins press secretary S.Yastrzhemsky announced that Presidents councillors would propose the President to limit trade relations with Latvia. He considered this sanction a completely adequate and normal measure. , etc. inform about the possible economic sanctions of Russia against Latvia for human rights violations during Tuesday’s picket. Yeltsin’s press secretary S.Yastrzhemsky announced that President’s councillors would propose the President to limit trade relations with Latvia. He considered this sanction “a completely adequate and normal measure. Bizness I BaltiyaBizness I Baltiya wonders about this policy and ties to find an explanation for this phenomenon. Russia feels sorry for Latvian pensioners bur completely forgets about its own. But you can not interpret policy as a chain of separate events. And this reaction is just a point of quantity turning into quality, i.e. after those seven years of independent Latvia wit its Law on Citizenship, prohibition of professions for non-citizen, etc. wonders about this policy and ties to find an explanation for this phenomenon. “Russia feels sorry for Latvian pensioners bur completely forgets about its own. But you can not interpret policy as a chain of separate events. And this reaction is just a point of quantity turning into quality, i.e. after those seven years of independent Latvia wit its Law on Citizenship, prohibition of professions for non-citizen, etc.” At Saturday’s Cabinet of Ministers meeting its participants, after learning the information provided by the Interior Minister Z.Cevers, acknowledged the fact that police activities during the picket had been proper.

At Saturdays Cabinet of Ministers meeting its participants, after learning the information provided by the Interior Minister Z.Cevers, acknowledged the fact that police activities during the picket had been proper. (Neatkariga, Diena)

A new picket will be organised on March 17 with about 1000 participants.

A new picket will be organised on March 17 with about 1000 participants. (Jauna Avize, Chas) People have decided to protest against the system of issuing non-citizen passport marching along Riga streets. Movement Equality and Latvian Socialist Party have requested a permission to Riga City Council, but it is not clear whether the permission will be granted.

Press Review

Actuality No 1 - still the effect of Tuesday’s picket at Riga City Council and the reaction of government representatives- both Russian and Latvian. Newspapers write about Russian Prime Minister Chernomirdin’s public announcement where he claimed this event to be the worst human rights violation case and condemned Latvian Prime Minister G.Krasts for his words that this picket could have been a provocation of Russia

Actuality No 1 - still the effect of Tuesdays picket at Riga City Council and the reaction of government representatives- both Russian and Latvian. Newspapers write about Russian Prime Minister Chernomirdins public announcement where he claimed this event to be the worst human rights violation case and condemned Latvian Prime Minister G.Krasts for his words that this picket could have been a provocation of Russia (Chas, SM, Diena, etc.). Latvian newspapers Neatkariga and Diena find his words offensive for the whole state, and Latvian government officials consider the whole reaction inadequate. President Ulmaniss press office have published an official announcement Diena on this, saying that such expressions would not help to improve co-operation between those two countries. The participants of this picket had blocked one of the major streets of Riga and there was no doubt that police had to establish order. Another thing was the means used for that, and they should be evaluated.

But local newspapers pay more attention to the amount of this reaction, finding it tendentious. Thus Russian newspaper Chas correspondent S.Zaletayev even titled his article “They hit you on your back not on your ... non-citizen passport”.

But local newspapers pay more attention to the amount of this reaction, finding it tendentious. Thus Russian newspaper Chas correspondent S.Zaletayev even titled his article They hit you on your back not on your ... non-citizen passport.

Press Review

Press Review

All newspapers of Latvia, both Russian and Latvian write about the reaction to the picket at the Riga City Council and a protest rally held by several dozens of peole at the Latvian Ambassy in Moscow.

All newspapers of Latvia, both Russian and Latvian write about the reaction to the picket at the Riga City Council and a protest rally held by several dozens of peole at the Latvian Ambassy in Moscow.

Russian newspapers

Russian newspapers SM, Chas, Panorama Latvii inform about a rally led by the leaders of Trudovaya Rossija, Officers Union and National Bolsheviks Party and the international reaction to Riga event.

The President of Russia B.Yeltsin supports the description of dispersing the picket given by Russia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Primakov. Yeltsin’s press-secretary S.Yastrozhemsky said, that taking into consideration what had happened in Riga, there could not even be a discussion on preparation of Yeltsin - Ulmanis meeting.

The President of Russia B.Yeltsin supports the description of dispersing the picket given by Russias Minister of Foreign Affairs Primakov. Yeltsins press-secretary S.Yastrozhemsky said, that taking into consideration what had happened in Riga, there could not even be a discussion on preparation of Yeltsin - Ulmanis meeting.

Byelorussian MFA has announced that it officially agrees with the opinion of Russia, expressed hope that Latvia would solve national minority problems in accordance with the OSCE spirit. Latvian newspapers

Byelorussian MFA has announced that it officially agrees with the opinion of Russia, expressed hope that Latvia would solve national minority problems in accordance with the OSCE spirit. Latvian newspapers Neatkariga, Valkara Zinas, Rita Zinas, when writing about these events, also add the opinion of the Prime Minister G.Krasts and several deputies that the picket at the Riga City Council could be a provocation of Russia. They found it strange that Russian TV representatives were at the right place in the right moment.

“Faction

Faction Tevzemei un Brivibai is working on the draft of the second part of the Satversme (Constitution) On Human Rights in which all human rights will be only for citizens but not for all residents of Latvia, faction leader J.Straume informed Diena.

It was last autumn, when a special commission of the Saeima prepared a draft of the second part, but the project had not been addopted by the Saeima in total. Representatives of

It was last autumn, when a special commission of the Saeima prepared a draft of the second part, but the project had not been addopted by the Saeima in total. Representatives of Tevzemei un Brivibai explained that their version coincided with the commissions version for 90%. But from Straumes announcement you can understand that the differences are very essential. It means that TB proposes all human rights, listed in the second part, to refer only to the citizens of Latvia.

Press Review

Press Review

News # 1 in all Latvian newspapers - the picket at the Riga City Council building on Tuesday and the reaction caused by the actions of Municipal police in Latvia and Russia.

News # 1 in all Latvian newspapers - the picket at the Riga City Council building on Tuesday and the reaction caused by the actions of Municipal police in Latvia and Russia.

On Tuesday, answering to the invitation made by the newspaper

On Tuesday, answering to the invitation made by the newspaper Panorama Latvii about fifteen hundred pensioners (mostly Russian speakers) gathered at the Riga City Council building to protest against their low living standard. The crowd blocked the nearest thoroughfare, thus creating a severe traffic problem. Municipal police came to clear the street and their attempts provoked conflicts, making policemen to use truncheons and brutal power. This incident caused sharp reaction in Moscow. Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Y.Primakov described this as a gross human rights violation. The Council of Russia Deputy Kuznecov even asked to postpone the planned visit of the Council Chairman G.Seleznov to Latvia, but this proposal was declined. Latvian MFA published an announcement saying that Russian authorities tried intentionally to politicize this event and interpret it as it pleased them better. Local politicians condemn the actions of police and ask the guilty ones to be punished. At the same time, Municipal police has accused the newspaper Panorama Latvii to be guilty for organising this unsanctioned picket and brought it to the court.

SM

publishes an interview with Byelorussian Minister of Foreign Affairs I.Antonovich. Answering to the question on the situation of Byelorussians in Latvia, he said that during the discussion with his Latvian partner he had learned that the administration of Latvia had an intention to make the status of all residents of Latvia united, but the Minister could not go into details. publishes an interview with Byelorussian Minister of Foreign Affairs I.Antonovich. Answering to the question on the situation of Byelorussians in Latvia, he said that during the discussion with his Latvian partner he had learned that the administration of Latvia had an intention to make the status of all residents of Latvia united, but the Minister could not go into details.

Panorama Latvii

comments on the draft law On the State Language. It finds this law to become the main weapon against the Russian language and a mean to oust the still remaining rights to use this language. comments on the draft law “On the State Language”. It finds this law to become the main weapon against the Russian language and a mean to oust the still remaining rights to use this language.