Press Report

In response to the statement released by Latvian parliament on the war in Chechnya Russian Foreign Ministry announced that the statement actually supports terrorists and separatists. Chairman of the Human Rights in United Latvia faction Janis Jurkans said that with adopting the statement there is no other country beside Latvia which has that bad relations with Russia.

In response to the statement released by Latvian parliament on the war in Chechnya Russian Foreign Ministry announced that the statement actually supports terrorists and separatists. Chairman of the Human Rights in United Latvia faction Janis Jurkans said that with adopting the statement there is no other country beside Latvia which has that bad relations with Russia. Neatkariga, Vesti, Chas, Panorama Latvii

Vesti interviews the Latvian actor Ivars Kalnins who admits that he does not understand the need for naturalization and differences made between citizens and non-citizens.

Diena publishes a commentary by Ineta Ziemele proving the need for serious support from the government for research and quality publications in ethnopolicy, citizenship, language policy, other branches of social as respected authors of international researches very rarely have access to original sources in Latvian and works of Latvian authors in English or Russian practically are not available on international market.

Diena publishes a commentary by Ineta Ziemele proving the need for serious support from the government for research and quality publications in ethnopolicy, citizenship, language policy, other branches of social as respected authors of international researches very rarely have access to original sources in Latvian and works of Latvian authors in English or Russian practically are not available on international market. Diena

Press Review

Riga District Court last Friday ruled that Vasily Kononov was guilty in war crimes committed in 1944 he was accused of and should be punished by 6 year inprisonment in a closed prison. The MP s interviewed by Neatkariga recognize that punishing Kononovs is a sign of a lawful state.

Riga District Court last Friday ruled that Vasily Kononov was guilty in war crimes committed in 1944 he was accused of and should be punished by 6 year inprisonment in a closed prison. The MP s interviewed by Neatkariga recognize that punishing Kononovs is a sign of a lawful state. Vesti Segodna says it is the first case in independent Latvia when a person is tried for war crimes.

Chairman of the New Party faction Silvija Dreimane confirmed to Neatkariga that last week the People's Party parliamentarians had intense negotiations offering cooperation in the new government. Gundars Berzins from People's Party said there have been no talks about changes in coalition.

Chairman of the New Party faction Silvija Dreimane confirmed to Neatkariga that last week the People's Party parliamentarians had intense negotiations offering cooperation in the new government. Gundars Berzins from People's Party said there have been no talks about changes in coalition. Neatkariga

People's Party will nominate its candidate for the position of the Director General of Privatization Agency. Minister of Economy Vladimirs Makarovs, on the contrary, thinks that the new director general should be a professional and not to represent some party.

People's Party will nominate its candidate for the position of the Director General of Privatization Agency. Minister of Economy Vladimirs Makarovs, on the contrary, thinks that the new director general should be a professional and not to represent some party. Neatkariga

Latvian DCMA has requested 3000 lats from the state budget to serve residents who due to illness cannot come to the office to exchange the USSR passports for new passports. The money is to cover transport expenses needed to visit at home old and sick people. Since extension of the deadline the activity of non-citizens willing to get the new passport has fallen (1000 per day in December/400-500 this month). It is expected that 6-7% will not manage to get the passports. The department plans to run announcements in Russian language media inviting to apply for passports.

Latvian DCMA has requested 3000 lats from the state budget to serve residents who due to illness cannot come to the office to exchange the USSR passports for new passports. The money is to cover transport expenses needed to visit at home old and sick people. Since extension of the deadline the activity of non-citizens willing to get the new passport has fallen (1000 per day in December/400-500 this month). It is expected that 6-7% will not manage to get the passports. The department plans to run announcements in Russian language media inviting to apply for passports. Diena

Six stateless persons are registered in Latvia. There is a special case when the status of a stateless person was given to a family – a mother and her two children. It is forecasted that the status could be granted to less than 50 persons.

Six stateless persons are registered in Latvia. There is a special case when the status of a stateless person was given to a family – a mother and her two children. It is forecasted that the status could be granted to less than 50 persons. Diena

This year for the Estonian DCMA has begun with huge lines of non-citizens queuing for resident permits. It is expected that in the coming months there will be much more visitors – permits expire for 7681 persons in January, 12,568 in February, 39,382 in March

This year for the Estonian DCMA has begun with huge lines of non-citizens queuing for resident permits. It is expected that in the coming months there will be much more visitors – permits expire for 7681 persons in January, 12,568 in February, 39,382 in March. Diena

Press Report

The Saeima yesterday passed a statement calling Russia to stop military activities in Chechnya and start solving the conflict by negotiations. The statement was passed after long discussions and supported by 70 MPs.

The Saeima yesterday passed a statement calling Russia to stop military activities in Chechnya and start solving the conflict by negotiations. The statement was passed after long discussions and supported by 70 MPs. Neatkariga, Diena, Vesti, Chas

Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK today will have an extraordinary party board meeting to prepare a statement on the current relations in the ruling coalition. The politicians still discuss the recent meeting of the People’s Party and For Human Rights in United Latvia.

Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK today will have an extraordinary party board meeting to prepare a statement on the current relations in the ruling coalition. The politicians still discuss the recent meeting of the Peoples Party and For Human Rights in United Latvia. Neatkariga

Diena

runs an article on whether the big number of non-citizens will be a problem for Latvia on the way to the EU and how naturalization can be speeded up. The state could help by expanding the possibilities for learning the Latvian language and developing dialogue with non-Latvians. runs an article on whether the big number of non-citizens will be a problem for Latvia on the way to the EU and how naturalization can be speeded up. The state could help by expanding the possibilities for learning the Latvian language and developing dialogue with non-Latvians. In a radio interview Prime Minister Andris Skele said he did not support the suggested subscrption payment for public TV and radio. He believes that the state budget can provide enough money to maintain the broadcasters.

In a radio interview Prime Minister Andris Skele said he did not support the suggested subscrption payment for public TV and radio. He believes that the state budget can provide enough money to maintain the broadcasters. Diena

Latvian parliamentarians have supported the idea to have an extraordinary session on February 9 – the day the President of the European Commission Romano Prodi visits Latvia – to discuss Latvia’s startegy for the EU accession.

Latvian parliamentarians have supported the idea to have an extraordinary session on February 9 – the day the President of the European Commission Romano Prodi visits Latvia – to discuss Latvias startegy for the EU accession. Diena

Chas

has an interview with the new Russian Consul to Liepaja Valery Polyakov. He has worked in Australia, US, Poland, Lithuania, speaks English and Polish. has an interview with the new Russian Consul to Liepaja Valery Polyakov. He has worked in Australia, US, Poland, Lithuania, speaks English and Polish.

 

Press Review

Chairman of the Saeima’s Commission for Foreign Affairs Guntars Krasts has received a letter from the Russian Ambassador Aleksander Udaltsov explaining Russia’s position in the war in Chechnya. Krasts admitted that this move could be seen as a sign that Russia is ready to start political discussions about the solution of the conflict.

Chairman of the Saeimas Commission for Foreign Affairs Guntars Krasts has received a letter from the Russian Ambassador Aleksander Udaltsov explaining Russias position in the war in Chechnya. Krasts admitted that this move could be seen as a sign that Russia is ready to start political discussions about the solution of the conflict. Neatkariga, BB, PL

Latvian President supports the idea of Prosecutor General’s Office to have a joint meeting of prosecutors from Latvia, US, Canada, Australia, Germany, Great Britain and Israel who have worked with Konrads Kalejs case. The president has said that there is no lapse for crimes against humanity.

Latvian President supports the idea of Prosecutor Generals Office to have a joint meeting of prosecutors from Latvia, US, Canada, Australia, Germany, Great Britain and Israel who have worked with Konrads Kalejs case. The president has said that there is no lapse for crimes against humanity. Diena

Yesterday, Justice Minister Valdis Birkavs spoke about the things done during the six months of his office term. Among the achievements he noted that reorganization of the State Language Center, State Language Inspection and the Board of Citizenship and National Affairs that was planned to finished last year.

Yesterday, Justice Minister Valdis Birkavs spoke about the things done during the six months of his office term. Among the achievements he noted that reorganization of the State Language Center, State Language Inspection and the Board of Citizenship and National Affairs that was planned to finished last year. Diena

In yesterday’s press conference Valdis Birkavs said that Justice Ministry will develop draft Cabinet regulations for implementation of the Language Law by August 1. Also, the ministry should develop the state program Society Integration in Latvia an submit it to the Cabinet during these six months as well as to set up and information center at the Naturalization Board.

In yesterdays press conference Valdis Birkavs said that Justice Ministry will develop draft Cabinet regulations for implementation of the Language Law by August 1. Also, the ministry should develop the state program Society Integration in Latvia an submit it to the Cabinet during these six months as well as to set up and information center at the Naturalization Board. Lauku Avize

Lauku Avize

prints a full text of the interview with the Latvian banker Valery Kargin publishe by the Russian newspaper Vedomosti. Among other things, he expresses his astonishment concerning the very strong attempts of the Russian government to protect Russians in Latvia. prints a full text of the interview with the Latvian banker Valery Kargin publishe by the Russian newspaper Vedomosti. Among other things, he expresses his astonishment concerning the very strong attempts of the Russian government to protect Russians in Latvia.

Panorama Latvii

interviews the Latvian political science expert Nikolajs Neilands about the possible developments in the relations between Russia and Latvia in connection with the statement on the war in Chechnya which is to be passed today by the Latvian parliament. interviews the Latvian political science expert Nikolajs Neilands about the possible developments in the relations between Russia and Latvia in connection with the statement on the war in Chechnya which is to be passed today by the Latvian parliament.

Jauna Avize

publishes a commentary by Aigars Kimenis, member of the board of TB/LNNK about the new Language Law. He notes that ministers form his party will do everything to have the Cabinet regulations concerning the language as strict as possible. publishes a commentary by Aigars Kimenis, member of the board of TB/LNNK about the new Language Law. He notes that ministers form his party will do everything to have the Cabinet regulations concerning the language as strict as possible.

BB

writes about the move of the Estonian Prime Minister Mart Laar: last Friday he dismissed the head of the DCMA due to the inefficient work of the department. writes about the move of the Estonian Prime Minister Mart Laar: last Friday he dismissed the head of the DCMA due to the inefficient work of the department.

Latvijas Vestnesis

publishes a translation of the interview of the newspaper Gazeta Wyborcza with the Latvian President. One of the questions was whether the new Language Law has improved relations between Latvia and Russia and the president had to say that Russia continued reproacing Latvia of discrmination of ethnic minorities while all other countries sent congratulations. publishes a translation of the interview of the newspaper Gazeta Wyborcza with the Latvian President. One of the questions was whether the new Language Law has improved relations between Latvia and Russia and the president had to say that Russia continued reproacing Latvia of discrmination of ethnic minorities while all other countries sent congratulations.

Press Report

Latvijas Vestnesis publishes a speech by the Chairman of OSCE Wolfgang Schusel about Austrias OSCE presidency in 2000.

There is no basis to speak about the changes in the current coalition and pushing Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK out of the coalition,

There is no basis to speak about the changes in the current coalition and pushing Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK out of the coalition, Neatkariga was informed about the Prime Ministers opinion by his press secretary Ugis Salna.

The suggestion moved forward by the faction For Human Rights in United Latvia to allow non-citizens participate in municipal elections was not supported by the Saeima’s Commission for State Administration and Municipalities.

The suggestion moved forward by the faction For Human Rights in United Latvia to allow non-citizens participate in municipal elections was not supported by the Saeimas Commission for State Administration and Municipalities. Neatkariga

Yesterday, Russian Interior Ministry released an official statement saying that the announcement made by Andris Skele about Russia’s activities in Chechnya is nothing but an attempt to misinterpret facts and justify the Chechen terrorists.

Yesterday, Russian Interior Ministry released an official statement saying that the announcement made by Andris Skele about Russias activities in Chechnya is nothing but an attempt to misinterpret facts and justify the Chechen terrorists.

Latvian Foreign Minister Indulis Berzins in principle supported Skele and mentioned that he did not expect any other reaction from Russia.

Latvian Foreign Minister Indulis Berzins in principle supported Skele and mentioned that he did not expect any other reaction from Russia. Chas, Vesti, Panorama Latvii, Diena

Saeima’s Commission for Implementation of the Citizenship Law ruled that taking away non-citizen’s status can not be based on provisions with retrospective force.

Saeimas Commission for Implementation of the Citizenship Law ruled that taking away non-citizens status can not be based on provisions with retrospective force. Diena

Cabinet of Ministers yesterday approved the concept of passports and made to develop tender documents and announce a tender for making the passports in two months time.

Cabinet of Ministers yesterday approved the concept of passports and made to develop tender documents and announce a tender for making the passports in two months time. Diena