Press Review

The Union of the Nationalist Organizations has announced during its press-conference that it would call for a nation-wide referendum on the Skrunde radar station and undertake other non-violent actions. Earlier a letter of protest had been issued by the Union regarding the agreement between Latvia and Russia on the radar station. It was stressed during the press-conference that the results of the talks had been kept secret from the Saema deputies. The opinion was expressed that the station might be used as a base for aggression against Latvia. Mr.Mejers of "Latvijas Vanagi" said that "the war was not over while there were Russian troops on the Latvian soil."

The Union of the Nationalist Organizations has announced during its press-conference that it would call for a nation-wide referendum on the Skrunde radar station and undertake other non-violent actions. Earlier a letter of protest had been issued by the Union regarding the agreement between Latvia and Russia on the radar station. It was stressed during the press-conference that the results of the talks had been kept secret from the Saema deputies. The opinion was expressed that the station might be used as a base for aggression against Latvia. Mr.Mejers of "Latvijas Vanagi" said that "the war was not over while there were Russian troops on the Latvian soil." Labrit, Diena

The Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Georgs Andreyevs gives his evaluation of relations between Latvia and Russia in his interview for "Rigas Balss". He says that the West persuaded Latvia to agree to Russia's terms of withdrawal in order to support the government of Russia in its political struggle against the right wing in Russian Parliament. The Minister also mentioned the official letter of protest addressed to the SCSCE member-countries regarding recent statements by Mr. Koziryev that is currently under preparation.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Georgs Andreyevs gives his evaluation of relations between Latvia and Russia in his interview for "Rigas Balss". He says that the West persuaded Latvia to agree to Russia's terms of withdrawal in order to support the government of Russia in its political struggle against the right wing in Russian Parliament. The Minister also mentioned the official letter of protest addressed to the SCSCE member-countries regarding recent statements by Mr. Koziryev that is currently under preparation. Rigas Balss

The issue of security for the Baltic region will be the major one during the talks between Mr.Valenca and Mr.Ulmanis. Relations between Latvia, Russia, and other East-European states will also be discussed.

The issue of security for the Baltic region will be the major one during the talks between Mr.Valenca and Mr.Ulmanis. Relations between Latvia, Russia, and other East-European states will also be discussed. Labrit

President Ulmanis has not answered the letter by Mr.Yeltsin suggesting that a summit should be held in Moscow to discus the troops withdrawal and other associated issues. According to the President's press-councilor the letter needs a more thorough consideration.

President Ulmanis has not answered the letter by Mr.Yeltsin suggesting that a summit should be held in Moscow to discus the troops withdrawal and other associated issues. According to the President's press-councilor the letter needs a more thorough consideration.

Press Review

The spokesmen for the Saema fractions have given their comments on the recommendations by the Council of Europe experts on the Draft Citizenship Law worked on by "Latvijas Cels" and Farmers' Union fractions. Aivars Endzins of "Latvijas Cels" points out that there are no categorical demands in the Recommendations. "The recommendations should not be perceived as an attempt to exercise pressure, and it is not mandatory for us to take them into consideration," he says. He believes that the most important matter is the quota problem. Mr.Endzins says that this problem should be carefully considered by the Saema. As for the objections against the idea of a single-community state he suggests that the problem has been caused by inaccurate translation into English. Speaking about the quota principle he says that it should be connected to a step-by-step approach to naturalization. The law should strictly define categories of persons entitled to receive citizenship at certain points. At the same time he suggests that Latvia should make it clear for the international community that ethnic situation in Latvia is quite different from what is common to international experience. Pauls Karnups of DNNL welcomed the conclusions made by the experts. He says that several items pointed out by the CE experts has also been included into the draft by his fractionbut excluded later by "Latvijas Cels". He points out that the experts do not have any serious objections against the quota principle. He also notes that the CE acknowledges the right of a state to adopt the laws that are considered to satisfy its internal demands in the best way possible. Still LNNK cannot agree to the CE approach to the idea of a single-community state in Latvia. Aigars Jurgens of "Tevzemei un Brivibai" expresses opinion that the CE experts do not fully understand the current situation in Latvia and the status of persons having arrived to the country during the occupation period. The suggested approach could be applicable in case those persons have arrived to Latvia legally according internationally accepted practice. Mr.Jurgens also believes that several international agreements, like Geneva Convention, were not taken into consideration by the experts. He stresses that a mass naturalization of immigrants may jeopardize the national identity of Latvians. Aivars Datavs of "Saskana Latvijai" says that currently the recommendations are manipulated with by nationalists. He believes that despite the attempts of the nationalists to prove that the recommendations coincide with their solutions of the problem there is a contradiction between the two approaches that can be plainly seen. He stresses that the recommendations are very similar to the ideas expressed by his fraction. He also agrees to the criticism against the quota principle. Olafs Bruvers of KDS (Christian Democrats) fully agrees to the recommendations though suggesting that certain points show that the international community does not understand the current situation in Latvia. He also suggests to substitute the quota principle by more strict demands towards naturalized persons.

The spokesmen for the Saema fractions have given their comments on the recommendations by the Council of Europe experts on the Draft Citizenship Law worked on by "Latvijas Cels" and Farmers' Union fractions. Aivars Endzins of "Latvijas Cels" points out that there are no categorical demands in the Recommendations. "The recommendations should not be perceived as an attempt to exercise pressure, and it is not mandatory for us to take them into consideration," he says. He believes that the most important matter is the quota problem. Mr.Endzins says that this problem should be carefully considered by the Saema. As for the objections against the idea of a single-community state he suggests that the problem has been caused by inaccurate translation into English. Speaking about the quota principle he says that it should be connected to a step-by-step approach to naturalization. The law should strictly define categories of persons entitled to receive citizenship at certain points. At the same time he suggests that Latvia should make it clear for the international community that ethnic situation in Latvia is quite different from what is common to international experience. Pauls Karnups of DNNL welcomed the conclusions made by the experts. He says that several items pointed out by the CE experts has also been included into the draft by his fractionbut excluded later by "Latvijas Cels". He points out that the experts do not have any serious objections against the quota principle. He also notes that the CE acknowledges the right of a state to adopt the laws that are considered to satisfy its internal demands in the best way possible. Still LNNK cannot agree to the CE approach to the idea of a single-community state in Latvia. Aigars Jurgens of "Tevzemei un Brivibai" expresses opinion that the CE experts do not fully understand the current situation in Latvia and the status of persons having arrived to the country during the occupation period. The suggested approach could be applicable in case those persons have arrived to Latvia legally according internationally accepted practice. Mr.Jurgens also believes that several international agreements, like Geneva Convention, were not taken into consideration by the experts. He stresses that a mass naturalization of immigrants may jeopardize the national identity of Latvians. Aivars Datavs of "Saskana Latvijai" says that currently the recommendations are manipulated with by nationalists. He believes that despite the attempts of the nationalists to prove that the recommendations coincide with their solutions of the problem there is a contradiction between the two approaches that can be plainly seen. He stresses that the recommendations are very similar to the ideas expressed by his fraction. He also agrees to the criticism against the quota principle. Olafs Bruvers of KDS (Christian Democrats) fully agrees to the recommendations though suggesting that certain points show that the international community does not understand the current situation in Latvia. He also suggests to substitute the quota principle by more strict demands towards naturalized persons. Labrit

The LNNK leaders have considered the problems faced by the Department of Citizenship and Immigration (DCI) and the Language Center. Mr. Budovskuis of LNNK referred to the DCI as "the filter to provide ethnic purity". The problem of corruption in the DCI was mentioned. It was also stressed that the problem of residence permits should be considered. Such permits as it was emphasized during the meeting create the impression among "permanent residents" that theyhave the right of staying in Latvia. It was suggested to persistently remind those to whom it may concern that Feb.5, 1995 is the deadline for applying for Russian citizenship.

The LNNK leaders have considered the problems faced by the Department of Citizenship and Immigration (DCI) and the Language Center. Mr. Budovskuis of LNNK referred to the DCI as "the filter to provide ethnic purity". The problem of corruption in the DCI was mentioned. It was also stressed that the problem of residence permits should be considered. Such permits as it was emphasized during the meeting create the impression among "permanent residents" that theyhave the right of staying in Latvia. It was suggested to persistently remind those to whom it may concern that Feb.5, 1995 is the deadline for applying for Russian citizenship. Labrit

On Feb.21 the President of the Republic of Latvia Mr. Ulmanis received an official letter by Mr. Boris Yeltsin informing him that the Russian President is ready to hold a meeting with Mr. Ulmanis in Moscow to discuss the issues of mutual interest and to evaluate the results of the talks on troops withdrawal. The letter also contains the President's opinion on the current Russian-speaking minority situation and suggests that there is a possibility for creating a new pattern for the relations between the two countries.

On Feb.21 the President of the Republic of Latvia Mr. Ulmanis received an official letter by Mr. Boris Yeltsin informing him that the Russian President is ready to hold a meeting with Mr. Ulmanis in Moscow to discuss the issues of mutual interest and to evaluate the results of the talks on troops withdrawal. The letter also contains the President's opinion on the current Russian-speaking minority situation and suggests that there is a possibility for creating a new pattern for the relations between the two countries. Neatkariga, Cina

Press Report

The Law on the Election of Local Government Bodies adopted at the first meeting of the Saema winter session met criticize both on the part of voters and present local authorities. The Jelgava City Hall deputies addressed an open letter to the leaders of all Saema fractions expressing their concern about the fact that from the very start non-citizens had been deprived of their active suffrage while in its second reading the Law limits the access of citizens to passive suffrage. According to Mr. Edvin Kide, the leader of the "Sasksna Latvijai" fraction, his fraction has been persistently suggesting to grant active suffrage to all permanent residents who had been residing in the country for five years and more. This would also reduce the current social tension since most of the residents are more interested in the affairs managed by their self-government bodies than in the politics on a higher level. As for the demands for the command of the state language they are considered by Mr. Kide to be too high and do not allow Russian-speaking citizens to run for posts in local government bodies.

The Law on the Election of Local Government Bodies adopted at the first meeting of the Saema winter session met criticize both on the part of voters and present local authorities. The Jelgava City Hall deputies addressed an open letter to the leaders of all Saema fractions expressing their concern about the fact that from the very start non-citizens had been deprived of their active suffrage while in its second reading the Law limits the access of citizens to passive suffrage. According to Mr. Edvin Kide, the leader of the "Sasksna Latvijai" fraction, his fraction has been persistently suggesting to grant active suffrage to all permanent residents who had been residing in the country for five years and more. This would also reduce the current social tension since most of the residents are more interested in the affairs managed by their self-government bodies than in the politics on a higher level. As for the demands for the command of the state language they are considered by Mr. Kide to be too high and do not allow Russian-speaking citizens to run for posts in local government bodies. Russky Putj

Martins Virsis, the head of the Latvian delegation to the talks on troops withdrawal, outlined the most difficult problems both parties had to face at the recent talks in his interview for "Diena". He said that the problem of social security for retired servicemen and the problem of payment for the Skrunde radar remained unsolved. Mr. Virsis says that no connection should be set between these two problems. According to Mr.Virsis retired servicemen having permanent "propiska" and permanently residing in the country should enjoy all the rights of permanent residents and may apply for citizenship in compliance with the legislation in force. Most of the problems are associated with the servicemen having been retired during last two years. While speaking about the Western participation in the process of negotiations with Russia he noted that the Skrunde process should be monitored by CSCE and probably other international bodies. He also pointed out that current attitude of the West towards Latvia could be more well-defined should there be a ratified agreement with Russia. 

Martins Virsis, the head of the Latvian delegation to the talks on troops withdrawal, outlined the most difficult problems both parties had to face at the recent talks in his interview for "Diena". He said that the problem of social security for retired servicemen and the problem of payment for the Skrunde radar remained unsolved. Mr. Virsis says that no connection should be set between these two problems. According to Mr.Virsis retired servicemen having permanent "propiska" and permanently residing in the country should enjoy all the rights of permanent residents and may apply for citizenship in compliance with the legislation in force. Most of the problems are associated with the servicemen having been retired during last two years. While speaking about the Western participation in the process of negotiations with Russia he noted that the Skrunde process should be monitored by CSCE and probably other international bodies. He also pointed out that current attitude of the West towards Latvia could be more well-defined should there be a ratified agreement with Russia.Diena

Press Report

During his meeting with the press Sergey Zotov referred to the attitude of the Latvian party to the issue of retired servicemen as "unexpected". He said that it was absolutely clear that their pensions should be paid by Russia. According to him the Latvian party would not agree to provide guaranteed right of residence and social security to all retired servicemen.

During his meeting with the press Sergey Zotov referred to the attitude of the Latvian party to the issue of retired servicemen as "unexpected". He said that it was absolutely clear that their pensions should be paid by Russia. According to him the Latvian party would not agree to provide guaranteed right of residence and social security to all retired servicemen. Rigas Balss

The article in SM deals with the problem of discrimination faced by certain groups of former Salaspils Concentration Camp prisoners. The most discriminated ones are prisoners placed to the camp as small kids after their villages in Russia, Byelorussia, and Ukraine had been burned down by the Nazis. Such people are not given the status of politically oppressed and sometimes even humiliated by local authorities. The pretext for such treatment is the fact that in German concentration camp reports they are referred to as persons "evacuated" from dangerous areas.

The article in SM deals with the problem of discrimination faced by certain groups of former Salaspils Concentration Camp prisoners. The most discriminated ones are prisoners placed to the camp as small kids after their villages in Russia, Byelorussia, and Ukraine had been burned down by the Nazis. Such people are not given the status of politically oppressed and sometimes even humiliated by local authorities. The pretext for such treatment is the fact that in German concentration camp reports they are referred to as persons "evacuated" from dangerous areas. SM Segodnya

A new organization has been founded last week. It is called "The Migrant Association" and is the union of 39 similar organizations founded earlier in Russia, Ukraine, Byelorussia, and Latvia. The main objective of the organization is to attract the attention of the international community to the problems faced by people willing to return to their historical motherland and to receive financial aid since the governments are not capable of financing migration programs. It has also been stressed by the Chairman of the Association Mrs. Austra Bolsevica that in Latvia people are often pressed to leave the country for their historical motherland due to psychological pressure and by legal acts adopted by the government.

A new organization has been founded last week. It is called "The Migrant Association" and is the union of 39 similar organizations founded earlier in Russia, Ukraine, Byelorussia, and Latvia. The main objective of the organization is to attract the attention of the international community to the problems faced by people willing to return to their historical motherland and to receive financial aid since the governments are not capable of financing migration programs. It has also been stressed by the Chairman of the Association Mrs. Austra Bolsevica that in Latvia people are often pressed to leave the country for their historical motherland due to psychological pressure and by legal acts adopted by the government. SM Segodnya

During a meeting of the DNNL fraction spokesmen with the inspectors of the Language Commission and Citizenship and Immigration Dept. officials deputy Maris Budovskis said: "We have been persistently striving for a national state and national purity. The Citizenship and Immigration Department is just a filter to prevent Latvia from contamination. And thanks a lot for holding on."

During a meeting of the DNNL fraction spokesmen with the inspectors of the Language Commission and Citizenship and Immigration Dept. officials deputy Maris Budovskis said: "We have been persistently striving for a national state and national purity. The Citizenship and Immigration Department is just a filter to prevent Latvia from contamination. And thanks a lot for holding on." Panorama Latvii

Press Report

Another round of Latv.-Russ. talks was accomplished on Feb.17. The final agreement on the complete set of withdrawal-associated issues has not been achieved. Though the basic problem, i.e. the problem of the Skrunde radar station has been settled there are other few to be decided upon which include: the rent for the radar site and social security for retired servicemen. A special working group will be operating on the issues unsolved until the beginning of the next round. During the meeting with Mr. Zotov with Mr. Birkavs the latter assured him that the Latvian Government will not in any manner restrict the rights of retired servicemen. Mr. Zotov refused to inform the journalists on the disputable aspects of that issue. According to the Defence Force Commander Dainis Turlo the problem is connected with those servicemen that have been retired after Russia has overtaken the USSR army under its jurisdiction. The problem is not economical since the Russian Government will pay their pensions but is of a political nature since such persons are planning to stay in Latvia as permanent residents.

Another round of Latv.-Russ. talks was accomplished on Feb.17. The final agreement on the complete set of withdrawal-associated issues has not been achieved. Though the basic problem, i.e. the problem of the Skrunde radar station has been settled there are other few to be decided upon which include: the rent for the radar site and social security for retired servicemen. A special working group will be operating on the issues unsolved until the beginning of the next round. During the meeting with Mr. Zotov with Mr. Birkavs the latter assured him that the Latvian Government will not in any manner restrict the rights of retired servicemen. Mr. Zotov refused to inform the journalists on the disputable aspects of that issue. According to the Defence Force Commander Dainis Turlo the problem is connected with those servicemen that have been retired after Russia has overtaken the USSR army under its jurisdiction. The problem is not economical since the Russian Government will pay their pensions but is of a political nature since such persons are planning to stay in Latvia as permanent residents. Diena, Labrit, Neatkariga, Cina

According to

According to Vakara Zinas the draft agreement on social security for retired servicemen will permit them to hand over their apartments to their parents or gown-up children having Latvian"propiska". Retired servicemen having no apartments will receive the apartments left by other servicemen. This means that Latvian residents will "loose the chance of receiving the apartments left by the military". Several MPs confirmed that they knew nothing about such draft agreements. The deputy head of Latvian delegation to the talks Mr.Skuja said that all documents had not been translated into Latvian yet which was the reason why they were not distributed among MPs. International scientific conference dedicated to medical and biological impact of the Skrunde radar is scheduled for June. Labrit

During his visit to Riga the Head of the British Foreign Office Mr. Heard touched upon the problems of troops withdrawal. He said that this problem should not be connected with any other problems existing between Latvia and Russia. Viktors Avotinsh evaluates the foundation of The League of The Stateless. He believes that such organization can improve the "quality of political discussions." He also points out that such organization is welcomed by those who adhere to the politics of openness and clarity and is opposed by those who intend to implement their politics without a possibility of a reaction on the part of the people to whom their politics are addressed. The author stresses that The League might act as an official representative for non-citizens thus excluding the possibility of the non-citizen problem being used by ideological and political groups to their benefit. It is also mentioned that two of the founders of the league were also the co-authors the first manifesto of the Popular Front in 1988 (Bogdanov and Maltsev).

During his visit to Riga the Head of the British Foreign Office Mr. Heard touched upon the problems of troops withdrawal. He said that this problem should not be connected with any other problems existing between Latvia and Russia. Viktors Avotinsh evaluates the foundation of The League of The Stateless. He believes that such organization can improve the "quality of political discussions." He also points out that such organization is welcomed by those who adhere to the politics of openness and clarity and is opposed by those who intend to implement their politics without a possibility of a reaction on the part of the people to whom their politics are addressed. The author stresses that The League might act as an official representative for non-citizens thus excluding the possibility of the non-citizen problem being used by ideological and political groups to their benefit. It is also mentioned that two of the founders of the league were also the co-authors the first manifesto of the Popular Front in 1988 (Bogdanov and Maltsev).