Press Report

Press Report

A meeting of the three Baltic countries, Polish and Finnish presidents will be held today in Tallinn.

A meeting of the three Baltic countries, Polish and Finnish presidents will be held today in Tallinn. LETA

Latvian Naturalization Board Sept. 19, jointly with United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and OSCE mission in Latvia, will present a new project envisaging introduction of intense Latvian language teaching program in order to promote naturalization process in the country. It is expected to provide training to 2000 people as part of the project, the Naturalization Board reported. The project presentation ceremony will be joined by Latvian government officials as well as representatives from the UNDP, foreign diplomats, teachers and others. The ceremony will be addressed by Prime Minister Andris Berzins and others. The project is financially supported by the United States, Swedish and Norwegian governments.

Latvian Naturalization Board Sept. 19, jointly with United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and OSCE mission in Latvia, will present a new project envisaging introduction of intense Latvian language teaching program in order to promote naturalization process in the country. It is expected to provide training to 2000 people as part of the project, the Naturalization Board reported. The project presentation ceremony will be joined by Latvian government officials as well as representatives from the UNDP, foreign diplomats, teachers and others. The ceremony will be addressed by Prime Minister Andris Berzins and others. The project is financially supported by the United States, Swedish and Norwegian governments. BNS

From Sept 20 to 21 the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe's (OSCE) High Commissioner on national minority issues, Rolf Ekeus, will be visiting in Latvia in order to discuss social integration issues, reported the Foreign Ministry. Ekeus will be meeting Latvia's President Vaira Vike-Freiberga, Parliament Speaker Janis Straume, Prime Minister Andris Berzins, parliament members, as well as leaders of the naturalization board and state language center.

From Sept 20 to 21 the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe's (OSCE) High Commissioner on national minority issues, Rolf Ekeus, will be visiting in Latvia in order to discuss social integration issues, reported the Foreign Ministry. Ekeus will be meeting Latvia's President Vaira Vike-Freiberga, Parliament Speaker Janis Straume, Prime Minister Andris Berzins, parliament members, as well as leaders of the naturalization board and state language center. BNS, Lauku Avize

Improving of Latvia's court system is the third priority of the country after defense and interior spheres, Latvian president told reporters. Remark by Vaira Vike-Freiberga came on Monday following the meeting with Justice Minister Ingrida Labucka. "Latvia should regard improving of the court system as one of its top priorities. I would place it in the third position after improvement of our security, defense and interior ministry structures, and also, of course, customs and border issues," said Vike-Freiberga.

Improving of Latvia's court system is the third priority of the country after defense and interior spheres, Latvian president told reporters. Remark by Vaira Vike-Freiberga came on Monday following the meeting with Justice Minister Ingrida Labucka. "Latvia should regard improving of the court system as one of its top priorities. I would place it in the third position after improvement of our security, defense and interior ministry structures, and also, of course, customs and border issues," said Vike-Freiberga. BNS

During the Joint EU and Latvian Parliamentary Committee meeting the Saeima faction For Human Rights in United Latvia circulated a comparison where the situation of national minorities in Latvia was compared to the one in Macedonia. Although For Human Rights in United Latvia points out to the different approach for solving national minority problems in those two countries, especial attention should be paid to the last phrase where is was stated that Albanians in Macedonia fought for their rights using violent methods, but in Latvia national minorities so far had struggled for equal rights with Latvians using peaceful methods but had not succeeded to improve the situation essentially. FHRUL representative M.Mitrofanov told newspaper

During the Joint EU and Latvian Parliamentary Committee meeting the Saeima faction For Human Rights in United Latvia circulated a comparison where the situation of national minorities in Latvia was compared to the one in Macedonia. Although For Human Rights in United Latvia points out to the different approach for solving national minority problems in those two countries, especial attention should be paid to the last phrase where is was stated that Albanians in Macedonia fought for their rights using violent methods, but in Latvia national minorities so far had struggled for equal rights with Latvians using peaceful methods but had not succeeded to improve the situation essentially. FHRUL representative M.Mitrofanov told newspaper Diena that they did not expect any concrete political solution from EU and the comparison was circulated to make European Parliament members to start thinking about double standards in the sphere of national minority rights. Diena, Vesti Segonya

I.Pimenov, Chairman of Association for Support of Russian Language Schools in Latvia, opposing to V.Avotins states that the school reform taking place in Latvia was originally planned as assimilation of Russian-speaking population because the reform was started and only then authorities started to speak about integration as a specific state policy. Starting from 1995 a pressure was increased on Russian-speaking schools, and in 1998 it was transformed into National Program on transferring tuition language to the state language. Last year a conference “To study in one’s mother tongue” was organised for parents of students attending Russian-speaking schools where there were representatives from 89 schools. In 2001 parents from Valmiera, Aizkraukle and Jelgava schools spoke against such a reform. Now ASRLS prepares the second conference.

I.Pimenov, Chairman of Association for Support of Russian Language Schools in Latvia, opposing to V.Avotins states that the school reform taking place in Latvia was originally planned as assimilation of Russian-speaking population because the reform was started and only then authorities started to speak about integration as a specific state policy. Starting from 1995 a pressure was increased on Russian-speaking schools, and in 1998 it was transformed into National Program on transferring tuition language to the state language. Last year a conference To study in ones mother tongue was organised for parents of students attending Russian-speaking schools where there were representatives from 89 schools. In 2001 parents from Valmiera, Aizkraukle and Jelgava schools spoke against such a reform. Now ASRLS prepares the second conference. Respublika

N.Kabanov from

N.Kabanov from Vesti Segonya interviewed European Parliament deputy M.Galer who specialised in the Baltic States. Mr. Galer assured that Latvian legislation complied with EU standards, and therefore OSCE representation in Latvia would be closed. But it did not mean that European Parliament considered interethnic relations in Latvia to be solved. The position of Brussels is included in the term integration.

The ambassador of Belgium and the head of the Delegation of the European Commission in Latvia have both praised Latvia's progress towards the European Union, but have a critical view of Latvia's administrative and political options. Head of the European Commission's delegation in Latvia, Gunter Weiss, said at the Joint Latvian and European Union Parliamentary Committee meeting on Monday that the professionalism of Latvia's parliament and legislation has grown speedily. "The parliament has enormous experience and it has grown to an effective and working parliament," said Weiss.

The ambassador of Belgium and the head of the Delegation of the European Commission in Latvia have both praised Latvia's progress towards the European Union, but have a critical view of Latvia's administrative and political options. Head of the European Commission's delegation in Latvia, Gunter Weiss, said at the Joint Latvian and European Union Parliamentary Committee meeting on Monday that the professionalism of Latvia's parliament and legislation has grown speedily. "The parliament has enormous experience and it has grown to an effective and working parliament," said Weiss. BNS

As Mr. Weiss reported, European Commission was concerned also about the integration and naturalization processes in Latvian society. He pointed out that so far had not been established Public Integration Fund. In the light of recent events EU will pay more attention to the situation of national minorities in the candidate states. It is possible that EU would develop united standards concerning national minorities. Eurodeputies “pushed” on Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs trying to learn more about how the state performed the dialog with non-Latvian population. I.Berzins told visitors that older non-Latvians had a completely different thinking, and it was difficult to change it. Nevertheless, more and more non-Latvians started to support integration in EU.

As Mr. Weiss reported, European Commission was concerned also about the integration and naturalization processes in Latvian society. He pointed out that so far had not been established Public Integration Fund. In the light of recent events EU will pay more attention to the situation of national minorities in the candidate states. It is possible that EU would develop united standards concerning national minorities. Eurodeputies pushed on Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs trying to learn more about how the state performed the dialog with non-Latvian population. I.Berzins told visitors that older non-Latvians had a completely different thinking, and it was difficult to change it. Nevertheless, more and more non-Latvians started to support integration in EU. Vesti Segonya, Respublika

Today in Riga will take place round table discussion on Framework Convention on national minorities. The event is organised by Information Center of Council of Europe. Five years have passed but Latvia has not ratified this document. MP B.Cilevich, commenting this situation, said that Framework Convention contained the following norms - in regions, densely populated by national minority representatives, their language might be used in communicating with state authorities, names of cities, towns, regions and streets might be used in two language if national minority representatives ask for that. And in the convention is stipulated the right of using person’s name and family name in his mother tongue in official documents. But Latvian language law prohibits these norms.

Today in Riga will take place round table discussion on Framework Convention on national minorities. The event is organised by Information Center of Council of Europe. Five years have passed but Latvia has not ratified this document. MP B.Cilevich, commenting this situation, said that Framework Convention contained the following norms - in regions, densely populated by national minority representatives, their language might be used in communicating with state authorities, names of cities, towns, regions and streets might be used in two language if national minority representatives ask for that. And in the convention is stipulated the right of using persons name and family name in his mother tongue in official documents. But Latvian language law prohibits these norms. Chas

Press Report

Answering to the started criminal proceedings of Latvian Prosecutor General Office against Russian citizen, WWII veteran N.Tess, Russian MFA made an announcement about inadmissible persecutions against the veteran basing them on political and ideological motives. Russian MFA see this as a regular attempt to revise history.

Answering to the started criminal proceedings of Latvian Prosecutor General Office against Russian citizen, WWII veteran N.Tess, Russian MFA made an announcement about inadmissible persecutions against the veteran basing them on political and ideological motives. Russian MFA see this as a regular attempt to revise history. Respublika, Neatkariga, Panorama Latvii

At the regular meting Social Democrats Pasty Council meeting the Chairman of the party J.Bojars proposed to discuss the draft Latvian Constitution but as the majority of council members had received it just before the meeting they postponed this discussion.

At the regular meting Social Democrats Pasty Council meeting the Chairman of the party J.Bojars proposed to discuss the draft Latvian Constitution but as the majority of council members had received it just before the meeting they postponed this discussion. Respublika

On Saturday at Riga Dome Church took place the presentation of the book “Thank you exiled legionnaires!” written by G.Kalme. A.Shabanov from the newspaper

On Saturday at Riga Dome Church took place the presentation of the book Thank you exiled legionnaires! written by G.Kalme. A.Shabanov from the newspaper Chas sees this book as an interpretation of history, because in the book nothing has been said about persecution of Jewish people by Nazis or Latvian General J.Kurelis and his attempt to rebel against Nazis at the end of WW II. A.Shabanov titles his article Church blessed legionnaires. Chas

Press Report

Press Report

 Newspaper

Newspaper Lauku Avize interviewed Riga City Council deputy, Head of Riga – Moscow cooperation commission, Social Democrat D.Ivans. Mr. Ivans told journalists about the latest developments in this cooperation. When asked about the positive attitude of Moscow City Mayor Luzhkov contrary to the official Russian position and the attitude of Latvian MFA , D.Ivans said that MFA greeted and supported these initiatives of Social Democrats. The deputy explained that Social Democrats were not Moscow orientated but they needed this orientation for economic reasons. And now Social Democrats are competitors to J.Jurkans Peoples Harmony Party thus attracting part of Russian-speaking electorate – especially local Russian businessman who were more right oriented that than Peoples Harmony Party.

Russia has informed representatives of the Council of Europe, currently visiting in Moscow, of countries that offer support in various forms, also financial, to armed Chechens and other military groupings from the northern Caucasus. Latvia was mentioned amongst these countries. The Council of Europe representatives reported to Interfax on Friday that according to data given by Russia's Prosecutor General, the list of countries supporting theses extremists includes a number of Arab countries, Turkey, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Latvia and Great Britain. The information was given to the representatives on Thursday by Russia's Prosecutor General, Vladimir Ustinov.

Russia has informed representatives of the Council of Europe, currently visiting in Moscow, of countries that offer support in various forms, also financial, to armed Chechens and other military groupings from the northern Caucasus. Latvia was mentioned amongst these countries. The Council of Europe representatives reported to Interfax on Friday that according to data given by Russia's Prosecutor General, the list of countries supporting theses extremists includes a number of Arab countries, Turkey, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Latvia and Great Britain. The information was given to the representatives on Thursday by Russia's Prosecutor General, Vladimir Ustinov. BNS, Vesti Segodnya

 

Press Report

Press Report

The publishing house Vieda director, Aivars Garda stated that he is not satisfied with the response of EU Enlargement Commissioner G.Verhoigen and that he is planning to send another letter. A.Garda also informed that only four suggestions on the announced contest for amending criminal law were received in August, but that he has received news from a number of lawyers that would be ready to work out the decolonisation law and amendments to the criminal law. He did not want to reveal the names of these lawyers.

The publishing house Vieda director, Aivars Garda stated that he is not satisfied with the response of EU Enlargement Commissioner G.Verhoigen and that he is planning to send another letter. A.Garda also informed that only four suggestions on the announced contest for amending criminal law were received in August, but that he has received news from a number of lawyers that would be ready to work out the decolonisation law and amendments to the criminal law. He did not want to reveal the names of these lawyers. Vesti Segodnja

Support for the European Union in Latvia has considerably increased in the last three months, with 42.7 % of the Latvian population ready to vote for joining the EU in August, up for 5.1 % since May, according to a survey carried out by SKDS. Positive attitudes towards the EU have also increased, up for 10.1% to 55% in August. The results were announced on Thursday by Edvards Kusners, director of the European Integration Bureau (EIB) in Riga, who also added that a more positive attitude towards the EU has resulted from growing support in rural regions (61.9 %), up by 22.9 % since May. In a referendum for joining the EU, 30.7 % of Latvia's population would currently vote against, compared to 37.4 % in May, while 26.6 % of the population has no opinion on the issue, compared to 25.1 % in May. Citizens of Latvia tend to have a more positive view of the EU (44 %) than non-citizens (38.4 %), while 29.9 % citizens are against joining the EU and 33.5 % non-citizens would also vote against. With the increase in Euro-optimists in August, the number of Euro-sceptics has fallen from 42.2 % in May to 35.4 % in August.

Diena, Neatkariga

Press Report

Press Report

The European Union's enlargement commissioner, Gunter Verhoigen, has answered to a letter he received from the scandalous nationalistic essay organiser A.Garda, stating that Latvia's attitude towards ethnic minorities is correct and democratic.

The European Union's enlargement commissioner, Gunter Verhoigen, has answered to a letter he received from the scandalous nationalistic essay organiser A.Garda, stating that Latvia's attitude towards ethnic minorities is correct and democratic. Chas, Respublika

Diena

publishes an informal information about the new Latvian ambassador to Russia N.Penke who yesterday received his credentials from the President. publishes an informal information about the new Latvian ambassador to Russia N.Penke who yesterday received his credentials from the President. Chas, RespublikaChas, Respublika Yesterday Latvia’s Bank President Einars Repse appeared on the TV show accompanied by five more of his companions for forming the new party, all of these five not having previously been in politics. The five people, none of whom has ever been in public spotlight, are highly qualified professionals in their spheres of occupation.

Yesterday Latvias Bank President Einars Repse appeared on the TV show accompanied by five more of his companions for forming the new party, all of these five not having previously been in politics. The five people, none of whom has ever been in public spotlight, are highly qualified professionals in their spheres of occupation. Diena, Neatkariga

Vesti Segodnja

talks to Russian Association in Latvia president G.Astahov. The president gives his opinion about the financial aspects of the activities of the Association. In regard to other roles of the Association, G.Astahov says do not force us to be involved in politics; give us a possibility which is given to all national minorities in Europe – to have their own, officially acknowledged language and its representative in the government, and then we would prefer to deal with cultural issues. talks to Russian Association in Latvia president G.Astahov. The president gives his opinion about the financial aspects of the activities of the Association. In regard to other roles of the Association, G.Astahov says “do not force us to be involved in politics; give us a possibility which is given to all national minorities in Europe – to have their own, officially acknowledged language and its representative in the government, and then we would prefer to deal with cultural issues”. NGO Union of Citizens and Non-citizens and public foundation “Citizenship. Education. Culture” continue to work at the idea to establish the Advisory Council on Non-citizen Matters at Riga City Council. They have received letters from both Latvia’s Way and FHRUL faction expressing support to the idea. However, there is no support in actual matters.

NGO Union of Citizens and Non-citizens and public foundation Citizenship. Education. Culture continue to work at the idea to establish the Advisory Council on Non-citizen Matters at Riga City Council. They have received letters from both Latvias Way and FHRUL faction expressing support to the idea. However, there is no support in actual matters. Chas