Press Report

President Ulmanis condemned the act of terrorism against the Monument to the Liberators of Riga. Mr. Ulmanis called it "a provocative attempt to complicate Latvia's international relations." Prime-Minister Skele told the press that "the stupid provocation could lead to negative consequences in Latvia as well as well as outside the country." He positively evaluated the reaction of the Riga City Council and stressed the importance of restoring the Monument. Head of the Bureau for Protection of the

President Ulmanis condemned the act of terrorism against the Monument to the Liberators of Riga. Mr. Ulmanis called it "a provocative attempt to complicate Latvia's international relations." Prime-Minister Skele told the press that "the stupid provocation could lead to negative consequences in Latvia as well as well as outside the country." He positively evaluated the reaction of the Riga City Council and stressed the importance of restoring the Monument. Head of the Bureau for Protection of the Satversme Mr. Kamaldins told the press that two men killed by the explosion were former members of the "Aizsargi" paramilitary organization expelled for their radical views. Diena, B&B

The

The "Tevzemei un Brivibai" faction decided to extend Minister of Welfare Makarov's term in the office. The faction may cancel its decision on recalling Mr. Makarov from the Minister's post if the Saeima agrees to increase the pension budget. Diena

Russian border-guards detained underage children and their parents returning to Latvia on the border station of Sebezh. The children were registered in their parents' passports as Latvian citizens and did not have passports. The CID refused to comment on the problem.

Russian border-guards detained underage children and their parents returning to Latvia on the border station of Sebezh. The children were registered in their parents' passports as Latvian citizens and did not have passports. The CID refused to comment on the problem. SM

Rasma Karklina, an American political scientist, in her article argues with those who claim the current education policy to lead to non-Latvians' assimilation. She refers to statistical data that does not show a considerable inflow of Russian-speaking children to Latvian schools. Moreover, the number of ethnic Latvians studying in Russian-language schools exceeds the number of Russian-speakers attending Latvian schools. According to Mrs. Karklina, the

Rasma Karklina, an American political scientist, in her article argues with those who claim the current education policy to lead to non-Latvians' assimilation. She refers to statistical data that does not show a considerable inflow of Russian-speaking children to Latvian schools. Moreover, the number of ethnic Latvians studying in Russian-language schools exceeds the number of Russian-speakers attending Latvian schools. According to Mrs. Karklina, the Saeima tends to support an education concept similar to the one suggested by a group of Russian-speaking intellectuals in 1996. The concept provides for teaching of several subjects directly related to Latvia (the country's history, geography, etc.) in Latvian. Diena

Press Report

US Ambassador to Latvia Larry Napper during his yesterday's meeting with President Ulmanis said that the three Baltic states will receive a draft US-Baltic Charter soon. After the Charter is considered by the Baltic states, their Presidents will be invited by President Clinton to sign the document. The Charter will contain the historic evaluation of relation between the USA and the Baltic states and will stress the importance of their independence for US national interests.

US Ambassador to Latvia Larry Napper during his yesterday's meeting with President Ulmanis said that the three Baltic states will receive a draft US-Baltic Charter soon. After the Charter is considered by the Baltic states, their Presidents will be invited by President Clinton to sign the document. The Charter will contain the historic evaluation of relation between the USA and the Baltic states and will stress the importance of their independence for US national interests. Diena

Head of the Naturalization Board Eizenija Aldermane confirmed that the number of applications for naturalization has

Head of the Naturalization Board Eizenija Aldermane confirmed that the number of applications for naturalization has DECREASED considerably after President Ulmanis' suggestion to reduce the naturalization fee. Some applicants having already paid the fee even require information on the possibility of reimbursement. Diena

Head of the

Head of the "Tevzemei un Brivibai" and the LNNK faction in the Riga City Council Aigars Kimenis told the press that the Council would have to decide on the dismantling of the Monument to the Liberators of Latvia. Faction member Lasmanis said that restoring "a pile of stones while thousands are almost starving would be a violation of human rights." Neatkariga

Russian Ambassador to Latvia Alexander Udaltsov in an interview for

Russian Ambassador to Latvia Alexander Udaltsov in an interview for "SM" said that the majority of the Saeima deputies support developing normal neighborly relations with Russia. The Ambassador confirmed that Russia would connect the observance of the rights of Russian speakers with other aspects of its relations with Latvia. He referred to OSCE High Commissioner van der Stoel's suggestions on canceling "naturalization windows" and simplifying the naturalization process. Mr. Udaltsov stressed that the Russian Parliament would not ratify any agreement with Latvia unless the situation of Russian-speakers is changed. He criticized Latvia for "weakening the motivation for obtaining citizenship" by introducing new alien passports. The Ambassador said that Russia will make a final decision on the alien passports only after thorough consultations with the Latvian side. Mr. Udaltsov emphasized the role of "certain political forces" in creating the atmosphere leading to an act of terrorism against the Monument to the Liberators of Riga. SM

Press Report

Yesterday the Third International Conference on Ombudsman and Human Rights Institutions was opened in Riga. President Ulmanis in his opening speech marked the contribution made by the UNDP to the forming of democratic society in Latvia and positively evaluated the activities of the State Human Rights Office. The President had a meeting with UN Deputy-Secretary General Rafiudin Ahmed who is participating in the Conference. The agenda of the meeting included UNDP assistance to Latvia in implementing the Latvian language training program and accomplishing social reforms. Mr. Ahmed also met Saeima Speaker Cepanis. The Deputy-Secretary General said that he was satisfied with Latvia's achievements in forming a harmonious multi-national society and offered UN expert assistance to

Yesterday the Third International Conference on Ombudsman and Human Rights Institutions was opened in Riga. President Ulmanis in his opening speech marked the contribution made by the UNDP to the forming of democratic society in Latvia and positively evaluated the activities of the State Human Rights Office. The President had a meeting with UN Deputy-Secretary General Rafiudin Ahmed who is participating in the Conference. The agenda of the meeting included UNDP assistance to Latvia in implementing the Latvian language training program and accomplishing social reforms. Mr. Ahmed also met Saeima Speaker Cepanis. The Deputy-Secretary General said that he was satisfied with Latvia's achievements in forming a harmonious multi-national society and offered UN expert assistance to Saeima Committees in drafting of relevant legal acts. Representative of the UN High Commissioner on Human Rights Brian Burdekin also stressed the role of the State Human Rights Office and laid a special emphasis on its educating and conflict preventing role. Diena, Neatkariga

Chairman of the Riga City Council Andris Berzins told the press yesterday that the Monument to the Liberators of Riga will not be dismantled although its restoration might demand restructuring of the city budget. According to

Chairman of the Riga City Council Andris Berzins told the press yesterday that the Monument to the Liberators of Riga will not be dismantled although its restoration might demand restructuring of the city budget. According to "BIZNES I BALTIYA", the police discovered the bodies of two persons killed during the explosion at the Monument to the Liberators of Riga last Friday. The paper refers to unofficial sources that claim both persons to belong to a paramilitary "Aizsargi" ("The Guards") organization. According to the same sources, the organization has contacts with the pro-"Tevzemei un Brivibai" wing of the LNNK. The investigation if the incident is supervised by the State Bureau for Protection of the Satversme. B&B, SM

The Russian Embassy to Latvia informed the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs that the Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Evgeny Primakov would not take part in the meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of eleven Baltic Council states. Russia will be represented by Mr. Primakov's deputy Mr. Alexander Avdeyev. According to the Russian Embassy, Minister of Foreign Affairs Primakov will visit Hong-Kong on June 2-3, the time when the Ministers' meeting will be held in Riga.

The Russian Embassy to Latvia informed the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs that the Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Evgeny Primakov would not take part in the meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of eleven Baltic Council states. Russia will be represented by Mr. Primakov's deputy Mr. Alexander Avdeyev. According to the Russian Embassy, Minister of Foreign Affairs Primakov will visit Hong-Kong on June 2-3, the time when the Ministers' meeting will be held in Riga. B&B

Saeima

deputy Dozortsev believes that the President's recommendation to reduce the naturalization fee has slowed down the naturalization process. Many applicants now are waiting for a Ls 3 fee suggested by the President to be introduced in the nearest future. Mr. Dozortsev referred to Head of the Naturalization Board Aldermane who said that the process of naturalization virtually halted. deputy Dozortsev believes that the President's recommendation to reduce the naturalization fee has slowed down the naturalization process. Many applicants now are waiting for a Ls 3 fee suggested by the President to be introduced in the nearest future. Mr. Dozortsev referred to Head of the Naturalization Board Aldermane who said that the process of naturalization virtually halted. SM SM Boris Tsilevich in an article for

Boris Tsilevich in an article for "SM" points at the prompt appointment of Human Rights Office Director, the ratification of the European Human Rights Convention and the President's recommendations on simplifying naturalization terms. He believes that these steps can be explained by the upcoming parliamentary vacations that will give the Cabinet and the Prime-Minister an opportunity to adopt legal acts independently in accordance with Article 81 of the Satversme. "Tevzemei un Brivibai" is more interested in retaining its seats in the Cabinet than in blocking the decisions taken by its coalition partners. None of "Latvijas Cels" and "Saimnieks" members voted against the new draft Language law. B.Tsilevich believes that the main purpose of the Law is creating new sources of income for Government officials since the draft Law requires translation of all documents submitted to the state institutions into Latvian. SM

Press Report

Director of the Human Rights Bureau Olafs Bruvers in an interview for

Director of the Human Rights Bureau Olafs Bruvers in an interview for "NEATKARIGA" singled out two categories of human rights problems encountered in Latvia. Resolving one group of problems would require financing. Those include social benefits for elderly people or improving living conditions in prisons. Still, resolving some of the problems would not require any financing. The rights of individuals are often violated by bureaucrats. Mr. Bruvers believes that officials should be educated and taught to treat each individual with respect. Mr. Bruvers named non-implementation of court decrees the most important problem he had to deal with as a State Minister of Human Rights. Neatkariga

Head of the Naturalization Board Eizenija Aldermane in a TV talk-show explained the low pace of naturalization by frequent changes of "political accents". She believes that many potential applicants expect the law to be "softened". She admitted that people over thirty years of age dominated among applicants for naturalization. Mrs. Aldermane stressed the importance of a program aimed at supporting the forming of civic society in Latvia. The program is supported by the Institute of Philosophy and Sociology, the State Human Rights Office, the CID, the OSCE Mission to Latvia and the Soros Foundation. Mrs. Aldermane believes that naturalization tests are not too complicated; the history test has been simplified while text-books to be used by applicants are widely available.

Head of the Naturalization Board Eizenija Aldermane in a TV talk-show explained the low pace of naturalization by frequent changes of "political accents". She believes that many potential applicants expect the law to be "softened". She admitted that people over thirty years of age dominated among applicants for naturalization. Mrs. Aldermane stressed the importance of a program aimed at supporting the forming of civic society in Latvia. The program is supported by the Institute of Philosophy and Sociology, the State Human Rights Office, the CID, the OSCE Mission to Latvia and the Soros Foundation. Mrs. Aldermane believes that naturalization tests are not too complicated; the history test has been simplified while text-books to be used by applicants are widely available. SM

Press Report

Press Report

Last Friday at 00:50 a.m. the Monument to the Liberators of Riga was heavily damaged by an explosion. The police found remnants of an unidentified person near the monument the next morning. A special group of detectives has been formed to investigate the terrorist act. Russian Ambassador Udaltsov characterized the incident as a "political action". Spokesman for the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Gennady Tarasov in a statement circulated by the Russian Embassy to Latvia stressed that Latvia's reaction to the provocation will allow to assess the country's interest toward improving its relations with Russia. State Secretary of the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Maris Riekstins told

Last Friday at 00:50 a.m. the Monument to the Liberators of Riga was heavily damaged by an explosion. The police found remnants of an unidentified person near the monument the next morning. A special group of detectives has been formed to investigate the terrorist act. Russian Ambassador Udaltsov characterized the incident as a "political action". Spokesman for the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Gennady Tarasov in a statement circulated by the Russian Embassy to Latvia stressed that Latvia's reaction to the provocation will allow to assess the country's interest toward improving its relations with Russia. State Secretary of the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Maris Riekstins told "DIENA" that he would request the Russian side not to make hasty conclusions that might influence the relations between the two countries. Executive Director of the Riga City Council Andris Grinbergs told the press that experts should decide whether the monument is still can be restored or it should be dismantled. Diena, SM, B&B

State

State Duma Vice-Speaker Baburin told the press that the Russian Parliament would demand the introduction of economic sanction to Latvia should the Saeima adopt the new Language Law in its current reading. SM

The Prosecutor General's Office did not find President Ulmanis guilty of violating the Anti-Corruption Law. The investigation showed that Mr. Ulmanis

The Prosecutor General's Office did not find President Ulmanis guilty of violating the Anti-Corruption Law. The investigation showed that Mr. Ulmanis de facto was not on the boards of two private companies and a memorial foundation. According to "NEATKARIGA", the President is not likely to sue "DIENA" for groundless accusations. Several "Latvijas Cels", "Saimnieks" and "Tevzemei un Brivibai" politicians suggest amending the Law to allow Government officials to retain their posts in private companies. Diena, Neatkariga