Press Report

Press Report

Both For Human Rights in United Latvia and FF/LNNK consider that Social Democrats may not conclude several coalition agreements in Riga City Council because booth of them are sure that Social Democrats will sign such an agreement with them. From the expressions of Social Democrats one may conclude that they intend to fulfil all obligations concerning distribution of posts with FHRUL but plan to sign the agreement with FF/LNNK.

Both For Human Rights in United Latvia and FF/LNNK consider that Social Democrats may not conclude several coalition agreements in Riga City Council because booth of them are sure that Social Democrats will sign such an agreement with them. From the expressions of Social Democrats one may conclude that they intend to fulfil all obligations concerning distribution of posts with FHRUL but plan to sign the agreement with FF/LNNK. Diena

Contrary to the present practice when data in citizen passports are entered in passport offices according to person’s place of residence, the data in the new citizen passports will be entered at the DCMA Passport Centre where non-citizen passports are prepared now. According to the agreement with the German company Giesecke & Devrient the passport forms will be produced outside Latvia but data entered in Latvia at the Passport Centre.

Contrary to the present practice when data in citizen passports are entered in passport offices according to persons place of residence, the data in the new citizen passports will be entered at the DCMA Passport Centre where non-citizen passports are prepared now. According to the agreement with the German company Giesecke & Devrient the passport forms will be produced outside Latvia but data entered in Latvia at the Passport Centre. Diena

Four years ago DCMA Passport Centre started printing of non-citizen passports personalising more than 20 000 passport per months. Now it operates not on full capacity, but is ready with July 1 start working on personalising Latvian citizen, diplomatic and service passports, and later also on IDs.

Four years ago DCMA Passport Centre started printing of non-citizen passports personalising more than 20 000 passport per months. Now it operates not on full capacity, but is ready with July 1 start working on personalising Latvian citizen, diplomatic and service passports, and later also on IDs. Neatkariga, Panorama Latvii

Contrary to the forecasts that the victory of left-wing parties could increase the wish of non-citizens to become naturalised, the number of applicants has not increased, even slightly reduced. Totally during t first three months of this year there were 2298 applicants and 2743 people became Latvian citizens. Head of Naturalisation Board E.Aldermane thinks that the present tempo of naturalisation will remain with a possible slight increase at the end of year when part of naturalisation applicants would complete Naturalisation Board organised preparation courses for naturalisation exams. Most probably the activity of non-citizens will not be so high as after opening so-called “naturalisation windows”.

Contrary to the forecasts that the victory of left-wing parties could increase the wish of non-citizens to become naturalised, the number of applicants has not increased, even slightly reduced. Totally during t first three months of this year there were 2298 applicants and 2743 people became Latvian citizens. Head of Naturalisation Board E.Aldermane thinks that the present tempo of naturalisation will remain with a possible slight increase at the end of year when part of naturalisation applicants would complete Naturalisation Board organised preparation courses for naturalisation exams. Most probably the activity of non-citizens will not be so high as after opening so-called naturalisation windows. Diena

The Central Election Commission (CEC) on Wednesday announced repeated local elections in eastern town Ilukste, CEC Chairman Arnis Cimdars told

The Central Election Commission (CEC) on Wednesday announced repeated local elections in eastern town Ilukste, CEC Chairman Arnis Cimdars told BNS. The elections in Ilukste will be held July 22. Result of the March 11 poll in Ilukste was cancelled by a Daugavpils court ruling because Social Democrat candidate Andris Ancans did not qualify for requirements of the election candidate outlined under the law. Shortly before elections he did not have a job in Ilukste and there were no other grounds for him to run in the local elections there.

To further Latvian integration into NATO and discuss urgent security policy issues with the new US President administration Latvian President V.Vike-Freiberga will go an a week long visit to The USA.

To further Latvian integration into NATO and discuss urgent security policy issues with the new US President administration Latvian President V.Vike-Freiberga will go an a week long visit to The USA. Neatkariga, Respublika

Vesti Segodnya titled this information Latvia is ready to accept nuclear weapons.

Russian National Council ratified the protocol once more prolonging Latvian – Russian intergovernmental agreement of June 2, 1993 on regulation of migration process and ensuring the rights of migrants.

Russian National Council ratified the protocol once more prolonging Latvian – Russian intergovernmental agreement of June 2, 1993 on regulation of migration process and ensuring the rights of migrants.

Yesterday Latvian Minister of Justice I.Labucka met Russian Ambassador I.Studennikov to discuss Latvian – Russian co-operation in legal matters. I.Labucka suggested to reconsider and actualise the current co-operation agreement. Both officials also analyse the integration process in Latvia. Minister of Justice informed Russian Ambassador about the established consultative council on public integration affairs. In his turn the Ambassador confirmed that his compatriots if they had chosen to live in Latvia, should master the Latvian language. He also spoke about criminal proceedings against WW II veterans that caused negative emotions in Russia. I.Labucka answered to this saying that Latvian jurisdiction was independent and persons tried were wartime criminals but not veterans. Both officials expressed hope that relations between those two countries would improve in future.

Yesterday Latvian Minister of Justice I.Labucka met Russian Ambassador I.Studennikov to discuss Latvian – Russian co-operation in legal matters. I.Labucka suggested to reconsider and actualise the current co-operation agreement. Both officials also analyse the integration process in Latvia. Minister of Justice informed Russian Ambassador about the established consultative council on public integration affairs. In his turn the Ambassador confirmed that his compatriots if they had chosen to live in Latvia, should master the Latvian language. He also spoke about criminal proceedings against WW II veterans that caused negative emotions in Russia. I.Labucka answered to this saying that Latvian jurisdiction was independent and persons tried were wartime criminals but not veterans. Both officials expressed hope that relations between those two countries would improve in future. Latvijas Vestnesis, Chas, Vesti Segodnya

Spain supports Latvia's aim at joining the European Union, and completing accession negotiations by 2002, as well as NATO membership, said The Spanish Foreign Minister Josep Pique i Camps at a press conference in Riga on Wednesday. He also said that the Spanish public opinion is for EU expansion and that dialogue with the public on EU expansion exists on both the political and business levels.

Spain supports Latvia's aim at joining the European Union, and completing accession negotiations by 2002, as well as NATO membership, said The Spanish Foreign Minister Josep Pique i Camps at a press conference in Riga on Wednesday. He also said that the Spanish public opinion is for EU expansion and that dialogue with the public on EU expansion exists on both the political and business levels. BNS, Latvijas Vestnesis, Vesti Segodnya

Lithuanian Parliamentary Chairman Arturas Paulauskas is Thursday leaving for Latvia for a working visit and a series of meetings with top officials of the neighbouring Baltic state. Paulauskas is to see Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga, his Latvian counterpart, Janis Straume, Prime Minister Andris Berzins and Foreign Minister Indulis Berzins on Friday.

Lithuanian Parliamentary Chairman Arturas Paulauskas is Thursday leaving for Latvia for a working visit and a series of meetings with top officials of the neighbouring Baltic state. Paulauskas is to see Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga, his Latvian counterpart, Janis Straume, Prime Minister Andris Berzins and Foreign Minister Indulis Berzins on Friday. BNS

Latvian national debt continues to increase rapidly. During the last month it increased for 87 million Ls. Now it reached 616 million Ls.

Latvian national debt continues to increase rapidly. During the last month it increased for 87 million Ls. Now it reached 616 million Ls. Respublika, Vesti Segodnya, Neatkariga

If the Latvian project to introduce ID cards is not cheaper than Estonian one, it will cost Latvian taxpayers not less than 12 million Ls. Even if every Latvian resident (2.3 million) would buy such a card for 3 Ls, it would cover only a half of all expenses. The newspaper

Respublika interviewed the Head of DCMA about these new ID cards.

E.Chuyanova in the newspaper Chas writes about the composition contest organised by the publishing house Vieda for Latvian school students Road to the New World – or Real Nationalism and real culture – the only guarantee for survival of the Latvian nation. One of the proposed themes was Realisation of divine justice – or Liberation of Latvia from 700 000 settlers. The editors of the newspaper sent the Prosecutor Generals office an official letter with a request to find out whether such an contest was not kindling of national hatred.

A few days ago the government at the sitting of State Secretaries discussed amendments to the regulations of the procedure of naturalisation exams. D.Zhdanova from Chas found out that there was nothing to be afraid of, the procedure would not become more complicated. The amendments under discussion consisted of 8 points – mostly editorial. The Cabinet of Ministers could consider the amendments after two months. Chas

After finding out the fact that some of the new Riga City Council deputies did not have the adequate state language proficiency level, State Language Centre intends to check the language knowledge of deputies, representing For Human Rights in United Latvia once more. Disregarding the fact that in the nearest future Strasbourg Human Rights Court will consider the case of the member of Movement Equality from Daugavpils I.Podkolzina for taking her of the list of candidates for the previous Saeima election for not adequate state language proficiency level. At the Riga City Council faction For Human Rights in United Latvia meeting, deputies decided not go to the State Language Centre and take any repeated test.

Panorama Latvii

Press Report

Press Report

On of the issues that could raise public interest in the nearest future could be the idea to permit using IDs along with passports in elections. The newspaper

On of the issues that could raise public interest in the nearest future could be the idea to permit using IDs along with passports in elections. The newspaper Jauna Avize interviewed the Assistant to the Minister of Economics E.Karnitis who told that IDs could perform within the country the functions of internal passport and there were negotiations on establishing united Baltic ID system.

This week DCMA is celebrating its 10th anniversary and due to this the Department will hold information days on April 18 – 19 when people will be able to learn about DCMA activities, receive answers to their questions about migration and citizenship. Department Head M.Bicevskis urges people to call them and apply for these days and ask their questions.

This week DCMA is celebrating its 10th anniversary and due to this the Department will hold information days on April 18 – 19 when people will be able to learn about DCMA activities, receive answers to their questions about migration and citizenship. Department Head M.Bicevskis urges people to call them and apply for these days and ask their questions. Neatkariga

Latvian representative NAF oficer I.Paulins within the OSCE Border Observing Mission went to Georga.

Latvian representative NAF oficer I.Paulins within the OSCE Border Observing Mission went to Georga. Neatkariga

Press Report

Press Report

A group of 15 Ukrainian National Bolsheviks Wednesday in a rally outside the Latvian embassy in Kiev, staged in a protest against oppression of Russian speaker residents and WW II veterans in Latvia, burned Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga in effigy.

A group of 15 Ukrainian National Bolsheviks Wednesday in a rally outside the Latvian embassy in Kiev, staged in a protest against oppression of Russian speaker residents and WW II veterans in Latvia, burned Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga in effigy. Diena, Neatkariga, Chas, Vesti Segodnja

Latvian justice minister Ingrida Labucka and UNDP representative in Latvia, Jan Soerensen, Wednesday signed a joint agreement about attracting funds of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and foreign donors for implementation of the public integration program. The justice minister also presented a declaration about implementation of the public integration program, noting progress already achieved and appreciating the European Commission and UNDP efforts towards implementation of the program. The UNDP has already set aside 100,000 US dollars for the national program of public integration in Latvia and will raise additional 320,000 USD to provide to the Latvian government full support in co-ordinating public integration policies, developing and implementing projects, putting in place a monitoring mechanism and informing the public about integration-related issues. Among other international donators, which have already invested essential amounts in integration projects are the embassies of foreign countries, EC and OSCE.

Latvian justice minister Ingrida Labucka and UNDP representative in Latvia, Jan Soerensen, Wednesday signed a joint agreement about attracting funds of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and foreign donors for implementation of the public integration program. The justice minister also presented a declaration about implementation of the public integration program, noting progress already achieved and appreciating the European Commission and UNDP efforts towards implementation of the program. The UNDP has already set aside 100,000 US dollars for the national program of public integration in Latvia and will raise additional 320,000 USD to provide to the Latvian government full support in co-ordinating public integration policies, developing and implementing projects, putting in place a monitoring mechanism and informing the public about integration-related issues. Among other international donators, which have already invested essential amounts in integration projects are the embassies of foreign countries, EC and OSCE. Diena, Lauku Avize, Latvijas Vestnesis, Chas, Panorama Latvii, Respublika

Sweden Presidency in the EU in the discussions with Poland and Ukraine named Latvia as a positive model in the field of immigration legislation and its control.

Sweden Presidency in the EU in the discussions with Poland and Ukraine named Latvia as a positive model in the field of immigration legislation and its control. Diena

Jauna

talks with the new Riga mayor G.Bojars. He gives his considerations about the results of the municipal election. The loss of the ruling parties lies in the over-exaggerated expenses for their election campaigns. The victory of Social Democrats is based on several aspects – people have lost their trust in ruling parties and usually not very well-off people in the entire world do not vote for right-wing parties. He voices that Social Democrats are not going to introduce socialism in the country, they just want to prove that they are good administrators. talks with the new Riga mayor G.Bojars. He gives his considerations about the results of the municipal election. The loss of the ruling parties lies in the over-exaggerated expenses for their election campaigns. The victory of Social Democrats is based on several aspects – people have lost their trust in ruling parties and usually not very well-off people in the entire world do not vote for right-wing parties. He voices that Social Democrats are not going to introduce socialism in the country, they just want to prove that they are good administrators. In yesterday’s meeting with business people V.Vike-Freiberga compared Latvia to Canada in the respect of language situation in both countries. She said that there are countries where market rules the situation, however, as in Latvia the number of people who do not speak Latvian is essential the norms of the Language Law are justifiable.

In yesterdays meeting with business people V.Vike-Freiberga compared Latvia to Canada in the respect of language situation in both countries. She said that there are countries where market rules the situation, however, as in Latvia the number of people who do not speak Latvian is essential the norms of the Language Law are justifiable. Chas

Saeima Intergovernmental Committee members – FHRUL A.Bartashevich, New Party I.Udre, J.Bunks LW – went to Cuba to talk with its leader F.Castro regarding the issues of national minority rights in Latvia.

Saeima Intergovernmental Committee members – FHRUL A.Bartashevich, New Party I.Udre, J.Bunks LW – went to Cuba to talk with its leader F.Castro regarding the issues of national minority rights in Latvia. Vesti Segodnja

Press Report

Press Report

Iranian and Venezuelan ambassadors Tuesday presented their credentials to Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga. Vike-Freiberga and the Iranian ambassador, Mahmoud Bayat, discussed the possibilities for closer co-operation in trade, education and tourism. The talks with the Venezuelan ambassador, Jose Eugenio Lopez Contreras, focused on the need to facilitate economic ties between businessmen from the two countries as well as the co-operation in tourism and other areas. The Iranian ambassador to Latvia will reside in Stockholm, and the Venezuelan ambassador will reside in Helsinki. None of these countries have been represented in Latvia on the ambassadorial level before.

Iranian and Venezuelan ambassadors Tuesday presented their credentials to Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga. Vike-Freiberga and the Iranian ambassador, Mahmoud Bayat, discussed the possibilities for closer co-operation in trade, education and tourism. The talks with the Venezuelan ambassador, Jose Eugenio Lopez Contreras, focused on the need to facilitate economic ties between businessmen from the two countries as well as the co-operation in tourism and other areas. The Iranian ambassador to Latvia will reside in Stockholm, and the Venezuelan ambassador will reside in Helsinki. None of these countries have been represented in Latvia on the ambassadorial level before. Neatkariga

Two Russian extremists from National Bolshevik Party at the court hearing on Tuesday said they were not guilty on charges of terrorism and illegal border crossing and the third defendant also rejected terrorism charges while pleading guilty for illegal crossing of Latvian border. Adult defendants Maxim Zhurkin and Sergei Solovey rejected the charges, but their underage fellow party member Dmitry Gafarov admitted he was guilty in crossing the Latvian border illegally. Tuesday marked the beginning of the first terrorist trial in Latvia with three Russian extremists and their Latvian supporter, Vladimir Moskovtsev, as the defendants. The foursome was charged with the incident in the St.Peters Church in Riga on the eve of the Latvian Independence Day last year.

Two Russian extremists from National Bolshevik Party at the court hearing on Tuesday said they were not guilty on charges of terrorism and illegal border crossing and the third defendant also rejected terrorism charges while pleading guilty for illegal crossing of Latvian border. Adult defendants Maxim Zhurkin and Sergei Solovey rejected the charges, but their underage fellow party member Dmitry Gafarov admitted he was guilty in crossing the Latvian border illegally. Tuesday marked the beginning of the first terrorist trial in Latvia with three Russian extremists and their Latvian supporter, Vladimir Moskovtsev, as the defendants. The foursome was charged with the incident in the St.Peters Church in Riga on the eve of the Latvian Independence Day last year. Diena, Neatkariga, Jauna, Panorama Latvii, Respublika, Vesti Segodnja

According to unofficial information the former Riga mayor A.Argalis who gave up the post in FF/LNNK board last week is planning to found his own right-wing party for the upcoming election of 8 Saeima. The speculations are that People’s party could also be interested in founding a new party.

According to unofficial information the former Riga mayor A.Argalis who gave up the post in FF/LNNK board last week is planning to found his own right-wing party for the upcoming election of 8 Saeima. The speculations are that Peoples party could also be interested in founding a new party. Neatkariga

Yesterday Russian ambassador to Latvia I.Studennikov met with the new Riga mayor G.Bojars.

Yesterday Russian ambassador to Latvia I.Studennikov met with the new Riga mayor G.Bojars. Chas, Vesti Segodnja

American Research and Development Institute RAND Environmental Science & Policy Centre has published a study “Expansion of NATO 2000-2015”. In regard to Latvia, in the paper it is indicated that the Baltic countries could join NATO in middle-term perspective.

American Research and Development Institute RAND Environmental Science & Policy Centre has published a study Expansion of NATO 2000-2015. In regard to Latvia, in the paper it is indicated that the Baltic countries could join NATO in middle-term perspective. Neatkariga, Respublika

Respublika

gives some comments about the municipal election and the choice of the new naturalised citizens. According to the data and numbers provided by the Naturalisation Board, gives some comments about the municipal election and the choice of the “new naturalised citizens”. According to the data and numbers provided by the Naturalisation Board, RespublikaRespublika comes to conclusion that these people voted not only for the union FHRUL, thus the ruling parties have no rights to call them non-loyal citizens. comes to conclusion that these people voted not only for the union FHRUL, thus the ruling parties have no rights to call them “non-loyal citizens”. Yesterday was the last day when Latvian students could hand in their essays on the topic how to free Latvia from occupants and the means of mass media in Russian – the contest organised by publishing house “Vieda”. In the opinion of

Yesterday was the last day when Latvian students could hand in their essays on the topic how to free Latvia from occupants and the means of mass media in Russian – the contest organised by publishing house Vieda. In the opinion of Vesti Segodnja it is a case of kindling national hate and should be reviewed at the court, however, there are no reactions from state authorities.

FF/LLNK member, Riga Council deputy V.Kalnozols answers to couple questions asked by

FF/LLNK member, Riga Council deputy V.Kalnozols answers to couple questions asked by Vesti Segodnja. V.Kalnozols says that he is not against integration and equal rights for all people in Latvia.

Press Report

Press Report

FF/LNNK party’s board has approved the intention of Riga City Council deputies to form the coalition with social democrats. The board is especially happy with the reached agreement that both coalition partners will have veto rights on inviting other partners to the coalition, thus co-operation with FHRUL is made impossible.

FF/LNNK partys board has approved the intention of Riga City Council deputies to form the coalition with social democrats. The board is especially happy with the reached agreement that both coalition partners will have veto rights on inviting other partners to the coalition, thus co-operation with FHRUL is made impossible. Diena, Neatkariga, Jauna, Chas, Vesti Segodnja, Respublika

The Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe in early March asked the Latvian National Armed Forces (NAF) to find the possibility to send observers to Georgia. Now Latvia has sent a response to OSCE that Latvia is ready to send two observers to Georgia.

The Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe in early March asked the Latvian National Armed Forces (NAF) to find the possibility to send observers to Georgia. Now Latvia has sent a response to OSCE that Latvia is ready to send two observers to Georgia. Neatkariga

Today and tomorrow foreign affair minister I.Berzins is participating in the discussions with high officials of the OSCE and EC in Bucharest. I.Berzins takes part in the meetings as a chairman of the EC Council of Ministers.

Today and tomorrow foreign affair minister I.Berzins is participating in the discussions with high officials of the OSCE and EC in Bucharest. I.Berzins takes part in the meetings as a chairman of the EC Council of Ministers. Neatkariga

Many journalists working for the means of mass media issued in Russian are the members of the union For Human Rights in a United Latvia. The most presented newspaper in the union is

Panorama Latvii. FHRUL chairperson J.Jurkans when asked if he influences the writers answered that sometimes he had indicated which issue is to be reflected. Lauku Avize

Latvijas Vestnesis

interviews the Latvian Language Learning Programme management unit director A.Priedite. One of the most serious issues regarding other nationalities is that information provided in the Russian language is not adequate and in A.Priedites opinion the solution could be the official newspaper in Russian free of charge or at very low cost reflecting processes in the country. As most successful events organised in the framework of the programme A.Priedite names youth camps and courses. In the second part of the interview she provides more detailed information about Latvian Language Learning National Programme and LAT2. interviews the Latvian Language Learning Programme management unit director A.Priedite. One of the most serious issues regarding other nationalities is that information provided in the Russian language is not adequate and in A.Priedite’s opinion the solution could be the official newspaper in Russian free of charge or at very low cost reflecting processes in the country. As most successful events organised in the framework of the programme A.Priedite names youth camps and courses. In the second part of the interview she provides more detailed information about Latvian Language Learning National Programme and LAT2. Department of Citizenship and Migration Affairs will celebrate 10-year anniversary and in honour of the event on 18 and 19 April the information days will be organised to introduce people with the work of DCMA.

Department of Citizenship and Migration Affairs will celebrate 10-year anniversary and in honour of the event on 18 and 19 April the information days will be organised to introduce people with the work of DCMA. Chas, Panorama Latvii

Vesti Segodnja publishes some statistics about the work of DCMA.

Vesti Segodnja publishes some statistics about the work of DCMA.

Panorama Latvii

publishes informative article about the functions of Latvian Russian Co-operation Association. Readers are introduced with different issues concerning returning back to Russia. publishes informative article about the functions of Latvian Russian Co-operation Association. Readers are introduced with different issues concerning returning back to Russia.