Press Report

Press Report

Yesterday the Saeima adopted the Language law stating that the Government should elaborate the regulations on language use in public events. 52 deputies were for the law, against – 26 from the union For Human Rights in United Latvia and majority of Social Democrats, but TB/LNNK did not take part in voting. Latvian President V.V.Freiberga considers that the law will protect the rights of the Latvian language and corresponds to international standards. It is confirmed by the announcement to the press to the OSCE High Commissioner Max van der Stoel where he states that the Latvian language in its essence complies with Latvian international obligations.

Yesterday the Saeima adopted the Language law stating that the Government should elaborate the regulations on language use in public events. 52 deputies were for the law, against – 26 from the union For Human Rights in United Latvia and majority of Social Democrats, but TB/LNNK did not take part in voting. Latvian President V.V.Freiberga considers that the law will protect the rights of the Latvian language and corresponds to international standards. It is confirmed by the announcement to the press to the OSCE High Commissioner Max van der Stoel where he states that the Latvian language in its essence complies with Latvian international obligations. Neatkariga, Diena, Jauna Avize, Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Bizness & Baltiya, Panorama Latvii

Latvijas Vestnesis

published the results of voting. published the results of voting. Prime Minister A.Skele has received a letter from British Prime Minister T.Blair where Mr. Blair points out that last may he asked the Council of Europe at its Helsinki meeting to start official negotiation with Latvia on joining EU. British Prime Minister acknowledges that Latvia has achieved big progress preparing for participation in EU and the difficult negotiation to join it. He assures that GB will support Latvia in this process.

Prime Minister A.Skele has received a letter from British Prime Minister T.Blair where Mr. Blair points out that last may he asked the Council of Europe at its Helsinki meeting to start official negotiation with Latvia on joining EU. British Prime Minister acknowledges that Latvia has achieved big progress preparing for participation in EU and the difficult negotiation to join it. He assures that GB will support Latvia in this process. Latvijas Vestnesis, Diena

The Saeima has conceptually supported the abolishing the commemoration day of Latvian soldiers on March 16 and transferring it to November 11 Lacplesis Day.

The Saeima has conceptually supported the abolishing the commemoration day of Latvian soldiers on March 16 and transferring it to November 11 Lacplesis Day. Diena

Chas

writes about the legal status of an apatrid and the situation in this respect in Latvia. On the day of adoption of the Language law two pickets were held at the Saeima. On one side of the street stood the supporters of the Latvian language and on the other – Russian speakers. And between them a line of policemen.

On the day of adoption of the Language law two pickets were held at the Saeima. On one side of the street stood the supporters of the Latvian language and on the other – Russian speakers. And between them a line of policemen. Vesti Segodnya, Panorama Latvii

Riga show business representative M.Lipchenko was fined by the language inspection for misspelling the name of Sanpetersburgh in the Latvian language on the posters of the Mariin theatre posted on the National Opera House.

Riga show business representative M.Lipchenko was fined by the language inspection for misspelling the name of Sanpetersburgh in the Latvian language on the posters of the Mariin theatre posted on the National Opera House. Vesti Segodnya, Bizness & Baltiya

Latvian Human Rights Commission lawyer Y.Solovyov advises the readers of

Latvian Human Rights Commission lawyer Y.Solovyov advises the readers of Panorama Latvii how to exchange their passports if there is no propiska.

Press Report

The government yesterday unanimously accepted the concept of the Society Integration Program which points out the principal directions of integration in Latvia that will be developed into a project program by next March. 16,600 thousand lats from the state budget that are needed for developing the program along with the 41,895 lats from foreign donors will be allocated in near future

The government yesterday unanimously accepted the concept of the Society Integration Program which points out the principal directions of integration in Latvia that will be developed into a project program by next March. 16,600 thousand lats from the state budget that are needed for developing the program along with the 41,895 lats from foreign donors will be allocated in near future. Diena, Jauna Avize, Panorama Latvii

The Saeima Committee on Education yesterday specified its proposed amendments to the Language Law providing that the government should have the right to determine cases when along with the state language foreign languages may be used in public information, stamps and letterheads. Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK expressed its support to this specified version of the provisions. The party still holds a different from the rest of the ruling coalition position concerning the language in public events.

The Saeima Committee on Education yesterday specified its proposed amendments to the Language Law providing that the government should have the right to determine cases when along with the state language foreign languages may be used in public information, stamps and letterheads. Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK expressed its support to this specified version of the provisions. The party still holds a different from the rest of the ruling coalition position concerning the language in public events. Neatkariga, Diena, Vesti

Diena

publishes two commentaries on the situation around the Language Law: one is by Dzintars Abikis who explains what is the position of the Peoples Party regarding the laws most controversial provisions. The other is by Artis Pabriks calling passing of the law Latvias last battle of the 20th century. publishes two commentaries on the situation around the Language Law: one is by Dzintars Abikis who explains what is the position of the People’s Party regarding the law’s most controversial provisions. The other is by Artis Pabriks calling passing of the law “Latvia’s last battle of the 20th century”. Deputy Director of DCMA Andris Janis Lejins yesterday met the Saeima’s Human Rights Commission to discuss the approaching deadline for exchanging the old Soviet passport with Latvia’s non-citizen passports. As a new thing it was suggested that for people who are older than 60 could be granted a three month extension of the deadline. After estimates, after next January 1, 25-30 thousand people will become stateless persons or foreign citizens.

Deputy Director of DCMA Andris Janis Lejins yesterday met the Saeimas Human Rights Commission to discuss the approaching deadline for exchanging the old Soviet passport with Latvias non-citizen passports. As a new thing it was suggested that for people who are older than 60 could be granted a three month extension of the deadline. After estimates, after next January 1, 25-30 thousand people will become stateless persons or foreign citizens. Chas, BB, Panorama Latvii

Press Report

Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK and People's Party's factions on Monday confirmed their different position regarding the most essential articles of the Language Law. However, the parties will continue consultations on Tuesday. Saeima's Committee on Education hopes for the support of the New Party in the vote for the law. Diena also runs the text of Articles 11 and 21 as supported by FF/LNNK and People's Party and Latvia's Way.

Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK and People's Party's factions on Monday confirmed their different position regarding the most essential articles of the Language Law. However, the parties will continue consultations on Tuesday. Saeima's Committee on Education hopes for the support of the New Party in the vote for the law. Diena also runs the text of Articles 11 and 21 as supported by FF/LNNK and People's Party and Latvia's Way. Diena, Neatkariga, Chas

Results of a survey compiled by the European Integration Office say that there is a stable support for Latvia's integration into EU and it is considerably bigger than in Estonia and Lithuania: 50% in Latvia said they will vote for joining the EU, 38% in Estonia and 30% in Lithuania.

Results of a survey compiled by the European Integration Office say that there is a stable support for Latvia's integration into EU and it is considerably bigger than in Estonia and Lithuania: 50% in Latvia said they will vote for joining the EU, 38% in Estonia and 30% in Lithuania. Diena, Neatkariga

Foreign Ministers of the EU member states yesterday in Brussels confirmed that EU accession negotiations will be started with 6 more candidate countries.

Foreign Ministers of the EU member states yesterday in Brussels confirmed that EU accession negotiations will be started with 6 more candidate countries. Neatkariga, Diena

Experts state that joining the EU for Latvia will bring principal changes in Latvia's constitutional and judicial sytem. These issues were discussed in an international conference on the Latvian Constitution and the EU legal system that was opened last week in Riga.

Experts state that joining the EU for Latvia will bring principal changes in Latvia's constitutional and judicial sytem. These issues were discussed in an international conference on the Latvian Constitution and the EU legal system that was opened last week in Riga. Diena

Diena runs an opinion by a politologist Ivars Indans on the importance of society integration in Latvia's development.

Yesterday, Riga District Court started the trial in the criminal case against the red partisan Vasily Kononov who is accused of killing 9 people during the WW2 in Ludza district. Otside the court building there were 2 different groups of rallyers: in support of Kononovs and people against him.

Yesterday, Riga District Court started the trial in the criminal case against the red partisan Vasily Kononov who is accused of killing 9 people during the WW2 in Ludza district. Otside the court building there were 2 different groups of rallyers: in support of Kononovs and people against him. Diena, Chas, Vesti

Vesti and Panorama Latvii run an announcement of the movement Equality asking people to come to a rally by the Saeima building on December 9 against passing the Language Law.

Panorama Latvii runs an interview with an MP and lawyer of the Latvian Human Rights Committee Yuri Sokolovsky about the situation with the old USSR passports and the approaching deadline for exchanging them for the Latvian non-citizen passports.

Latvijas Vestnesis runs the text of the interview with Andris Skele on Latvian Radio that took place Dec. 3. Answering one question Skele says that more and more non-ÄŽatvian parents send their children to Latvian schools and in general people in Latvia understand that knowing the language gives them more carrier opportunities.

Latvijas Vestnesis runs the text of the draft Language Law as prepared by the responsible Saeima's Commission for the vote on Dec. 9.

Press Report

On Saturday Peoples Party and TB/LNNK could not find a compromise on the issue of considering the Language law in the second reading. The interlocutors had a different understanding of using the language in public events and information materials. Instead of it they came to an agreement that the elementary school graduates, probably already this spring would have a mandatory history exam.

On Saturday Peoples Party and TB/LNNK could not find a compromise on the issue of considering the Language law in the second reading. The interlocutors had a different understanding of using the language in public events and information materials. Instead of it they came to an agreement that the elementary school graduates, probably already this spring would have a mandatory history exam. Neatkariga, Diena, Bizness & Baltiya

The Union Latvijas Cels had the annual party congress. The Chairman of Latvijas Cels A.Pantelejevs told the present that the Party was the only European capitalism party in Latvia and its mission was to maintain the slogan Wellbeing for everybody! During the congress he was re-elected to the Chairman’s post for one more year.

The Union Latvijas Cels had the annual party congress. The Chairman of Latvijas Cels A.Pantelejevs told the present that the Party was the only European capitalism party in Latvia and its mission was to maintain the slogan Wellbeing for everybody! During the congress he was re-elected to the Chairmans post for one more year. Neatkariga, Diena, Bizness & Baltiya

Latvian Social Democratic Workers Party holds its solemn council meeting to commemorate its 10 years anniversary. The speakers assured in their speeches that the party had become very influential, could win many seats in the next Saeima elections and form the Government.

Latvian Social Democratic Workers Party holds its solemn council meeting to commemorate its 10 years anniversary. The speakers assured in their speeches that the party had become very influential, could win many seats in the next Saeima elections and form the Government. Neatkariga

L.Fedoseyev in

L.Fedoseyev in Chas comments on this event and states that Social Democrats are for Latvian Latvia and one forth of them are ready to vote for the antidemocratic Language law.

TB/LNNK Board member A.Kimelis in Diena calls the Saeima members to stand up for the rights of Latvian language when the President has yielded to the impudent pressure of foreign experts and sent the Language law back to the Saeima for second consideration. When adopting the Language law, TB/LNNK will not move from its main goal – to ensure the leading role of the Latvian language in every sphere. Therefore the Party considers that the law should be adopted without any amendments, preserving the norms regulating language usage in all spheres.

TB/LNNK Board member A.Kimelis in Diena calls the Saeima members to stand up for the rights of Latvian language when the President has yielded to the impudent pressure of foreign experts and sent the Language law back to the Saeima for second consideration. When adopting the Language law, TB/LNNK will not move from its main goal – to ensure the leading role of the Latvian language in every sphere. Therefore the Party considers that the law should be adopted without any amendments, preserving the norms regulating language usage in all spheres. Diena

N.Locmele in

N.Locmele in Diena writes about the seminar Public integration through education and language. The conclusion of this seminar was that one of the greatest attractions and threats at the same is the wish of the basic nation to make minorities like itself therefore integration was a personal decision, and the state might only encourage it.

Former Latvian president G.Ulmanis speaking at the High Commissioner Max van der Stoel’s symposium mentioned Latvia as an example for other countries in co-operation with the OSCE commissioners.

Former Latvian president G.Ulmanis speaking at the High Commissioner Max van der Stoels symposium mentioned Latvia as an example for other countries in co-operation with the OSCE commissioners. Diena