Press Report

Press Report

Yesterday President Ulmanis and Mrs. Ulmane arrived to Denmark on a three-day visit. In a report delivered at the Danish Foreign Politicy Society the President expressed concern about the possibility of secret agreements related to the security of the Baltic states. He stressed that Latvia was hoping to continue working on a plan that would bring the Baltic states closer to NATO. President Ulmanis believes that the issue of observing the interests of small countries while enlarging European international organizations is of essential importance for Europe. The President hopes that the dialogue between Russia and the West will meet the interests of the Baltic states. Tomorrow President Clinton and President Yeltsin will meet in Helsinki to discuss NATO enlargement and related issues. Yeltsin is expected to lay a strong emphasis on the 1990 OSCE Paris Agreement. Russia believes NATO enlargement to contradict the basic principles of the document.

Yesterday President Ulmanis and Mrs. Ulmane arrived to Denmark on a three-day visit. In a report delivered at the Danish Foreign Politicy Society the President expressed concern about the possibility of secret agreements related to the security of the Baltic states. He stressed that Latvia was hoping to continue working on a plan that would bring the Baltic states closer to NATO. President Ulmanis believes that the issue of observing the interests of small countries while enlarging European international organizations is of essential importance for Europe. The President hopes that the dialogue between Russia and the West will meet the interests of the Baltic states. Tomorrow President Clinton and President Yeltsin will meet in Helsinki to discuss NATO enlargement and related issues. Yeltsin is expected to lay a strong emphasis on the 1990 OSCE Paris Agreement. Russia believes NATO enlargement to contradict the basic principles of the document. Diena, SM

The

The Saeima Mandate Committee has drafted a decree on instituting criminal proceedings against independent deputy Valdis Krisbergs. The Saeima will consider the issue on March 20. The Committee adopted the draft decree after hearing the accounts by Mr. Krisbergs and a representative of the Procurator General's Office. Diena

Prime-Minister Skele in an interview for

Prime-Minister Skele in an interview for "SM" explained that Latvia's efforts aimed at improving and strengthening its border with Russia did not contradict the policy of improving economic co-operation with Russia. According to the Prime-Minister, both countries are concerned about smuggling of goods and illegal immigration. SM

Press Report

A knee surgery forced President Clinton to postpone the Helsinki Summit for one day. The agenda of the US President meeting with President Yeltsin will be focused on NATO enlargement.

A knee surgery forced President Clinton to postpone the Helsinki Summit for one day. The agenda of the US President meeting with President Yeltsin will be focused on NATO enlargement. "SM" refers to a source in the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs that claims a provision on not including the Baltic countries in the first stage of NATO enlargement to be an essential part of the agreement between Russia and NATO. The provision is said to be supported by Germany, France and USA. Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs Birkavs told the press that he expected both sides at the talks to confirm the right of an independent state for its own security model. He stressed that only openness could prove that no deals would be made behind the scene. Diena, SM

The

The "Tevzemei un Brivibai"/LNNK faction in the Riga City Council suggested Andris Argalis as a candidate for Mayor. "Latvijas Cels" nominated Andris Berzins for the post. Today "TB", "LC" and "Saimnieks" will discuss the candidates and the structure of the City Council. B&B

Press Report

Director of the Latvian Center for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies Nils Muiznieks suggests discussing the non-citizens' situation and the Citizenship Law "without applying old stereotypes". Mr. Muiznieks believes that the Citizenship Law should be amended to abolish "the window mechanism". He believes that giving all non-citizens an equal right to obtain citizenship through naturalization irrespective of their age could speed-up the process of naturalization. This would bring essential benefits to the stability of the state and would remove a serious obstacle "on Latvia's way to the European Union."

Director of the Latvian Center for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies Nils Muiznieks suggests discussing the non-citizens' situation and the Citizenship Law "without applying old stereotypes". Mr. Muiznieks believes that the Citizenship Law should be amended to abolish "the window mechanism". He believes that giving all non-citizens an equal right to obtain citizenship through naturalization irrespective of their age could speed-up the process of naturalization. This would bring essential benefits to the stability of the state and would remove a serious obstacle "on Latvia's way to the European Union." B&B

The Institute of Sociological studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences studied tendencies dominating in Latvia's business community. The research shows the increase of the number of ethnic Latvians in the private sector. Most newcomers are young educated Latvians. Still, Russians constitute a majority (53.8%) among businessmen while Latvians form the second largest group (31.5%).

The Institute of Sociological studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences studied tendencies dominating in Latvia's business community. The research shows the increase of the number of ethnic Latvians in the private sector. Most newcomers are young educated Latvians. Still, Russians constitute a majority (53.8%) among businessmen while Latvians form the second largest group (31.5%). B&B

Press Report

Press Report

"Tevzemei un Brivibai"

and and "Latvijas Cels" "Latvijas Cels" failed to agree on a candidate for Mayor of Riga. According to failed to agree on a candidate for Mayor of Riga. According to "TB" "TB", , "LC""LC" and and "Saimnieks""Saimnieks" representatives, the three parties will suggest their concepts for organizing the work of the Riga City Council this week. The Riga City Council is expected to elect the Mayor of Riga in a secret ballot. representatives, the three parties will suggest their concepts for organizing the work of the Riga City Council this week. The Riga City Council is expected to elect the Mayor of Riga in a secret ballot. "TB" "TB" and the and the LNNKLNNK are considering joining forces and forming a faction in the Riga City Council. are considering joining forces and forming a faction in the Riga City Council. "TB""TB" has ten seats in the Council while the has ten seats in the Council while the LNNKLNNK has only three. Both parties are discussing the possibility of merging later this year. The idea is supported by a majority of has only three. Both parties are discussing the possibility of merging later this year. The idea is supported by a majority of "TB""TB" members but has numerous opponents in the members but has numerous opponents in the LNNKLNNK. . DienaDiena The Labor Party was founded last Saturday by Aivars Kreituss, Ilga Kreituse, several former members of the Democratic Party and by over one hundred supporters. Mr. Kreituss was elected its Chairman. The new party will focus on protecting the interests of employees and on restructuring and restoring the country's industry. The founders of the party characterized it as a "European Social-Democratic party" and criticized existing Social-Democratic parties for "giving vain promises" during their election campaigns. Still, according to Mr. Kreituss, the Labor Party "is ready to co-operate with other left-wing political forces."

The Labor Party was founded last Saturday by Aivars Kreituss, Ilga Kreituse, several former members of the Democratic Party and by over one hundred supporters. Mr. Kreituss was elected its Chairman. The new party will focus on protecting the interests of employees and on restructuring and restoring the country's industry. The founders of the party characterized it as a "European Social-Democratic party" and criticized existing Social-Democratic parties for "giving vain promises" during their election campaigns. Still, according to Mr. Kreituss, the Labor Party "is ready to co-operate with other left-wing political forces." Diena

Procurator General Janis Skrastins applied to the

Procurator General Janis Skrastins applied to the Saeima for permission to investigate Valdis Krisbergs' case. Independent deputy Krisbergs is suspected of concluding illegal deals and forging business contracts. Mr. Krisbergs was a founder of a company that went bankrupt partly as a result of the alleged violations. Diena

Yeltsin's Press-Secretary Sergey Yastrzhembsky says that the agenda of the Russian President's meeting with President Clinton will include "the situation of national minorities in the Baltic states". Still, the main issue of the Helsinki meeting will be the enlargement of NATO. According to Mr. Yastrzhembsky, Russia will insist on concluding an agreement with NATO that would guarantee non-deployment of nuclear arms on the territory on its new members.

Yeltsin's Press-Secretary Sergey Yastrzhembsky says that the agenda of the Russian President's meeting with President Clinton will include "the situation of national minorities in the Baltic states". Still, the main issue of the Helsinki meeting will be the enlargement of NATO. According to Mr. Yastrzhembsky, Russia will insist on concluding an agreement with NATO that would guarantee non-deployment of nuclear arms on the territory on its new members. Diena

Last Thursday the

Last Thursday the Saeima Committee on Foreign Affairs supported Imants Daudiss' candidature for Latvian Ambassador to Russia. Mr. Daudiss currently holds the position of the Saeima Secretary. Janis Peters' term as Latvian Ambassador to Russia expires this year. In case of Mr. Daudiss' appointment his seat in the "Latvijas Cels" faction may be taken by Mrs. Inese Birzniece. Diena

Press Report

Latvian, Estonian and Lithuanian diplomats are concerned about possible outcome of the upcoming talks on NATO expansion between Russia and USA in Helsinki. Clinton is expected to convince Yeltsin that NATO enlargement would not threaten Russia's security. According to

Latvian, Estonian and Lithuanian diplomats are concerned about possible outcome of the upcoming talks on NATO expansion between Russia and USA in Helsinki. Clinton is expected to convince Yeltsin that NATO enlargement would not threaten Russia's security. According to "DIENA", some senior Latvian Government officials suspect that Russia might agree to Poland, Czech Republic and Hungary entering NATO in exchange for a guarantee of not admitting Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania to the bloc. Still, Latvian diplomats hope that the US will adhere to its current policy on the issue. The Baltic states expect President Clinton to confirm that any questions concerning the joining of NATO by the three countries should be started with "when" and not "if". Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania also look forward to President Yeltsin officially confirming Russia's respect of the right of the Baltic states for independently choosing the ways of maintaining their security. Diena, Neatkariga

The Liepaja police and national guards continue the search for Swedish observer Professor Jan Dellenbrant. The Swedish Professor arrived to Liepaja to study social, economic and political situation in the city and was seen last time early in the morning of March 9 after attending a night-club.

The Liepaja police and national guards continue the search for Swedish observer Professor Jan Dellenbrant. The Swedish Professor arrived to Liepaja to study social, economic and political situation in the city and was seen last time early in the morning of March 9 after attending a night-club. Diena