Press Review

Press Review

Peoples Party

together with TB/LNNK have decided to collect the necessary 34 signatures to summon an extraordinary meeting before June 23 to consider the draft language law I the third reading. This meeting according to Peoples Party faction Chairman G.Berzins could take place on June 16. He said that the law would slightly contradict OSCE recommendations, and the government should pay more attention to explain the international society the position of Latvia. Neatkariga, Diena, Chas The day of presidential election is approaching and all the Saeima factions have announced that there will be no trading of votes - the election is too important. But J.Pelss doubts it and tries to prove his position.

The day of presidential election is approaching and all the Saeima factions have announced that there will be no trading of votes - the election is too important. But J.Pelss doubts it and tries to prove his position. Neatkariga, Diena, Chas

J.Saratovs has been elected the Secretary General of TB/LNNK. He replaced A.Kimenis who is now heading the TB/LNNK faction in Riga City Council.

Neatkariga Portugal has informed Latvian MFA about new norms to be observed by Latvian citizens who plan to go there using the no visa regime.

Portugal has informed Latvian MFA about new norms to be observed by Latvian citizens who plan to go there using the no visa regime. Neatkariga

Minister of Foreign Affairs V.Birkavs tells the newspaper

Minister of Foreign Affairs V.Birkavs tells the newspaper Neatkariga about the North dimension for Latvia. MFA has formed a working group to evaluate the possibilities of this dimension. Neatkariga

All 12 grade graduates will have a possibility when taking the Latvian language exam next year to pass the naturalisation test as well. This is the opinion of the Minister of Education as well as the Head of the Naturalisation Board E.Aldermane. Some Saeima deputies have expressed an opinion that combining those two tests was a bit of rush and was not legally precise. This year 2433 students voluntarily participated in the experiment to combine the both tests.

All 12 grade graduates will have a possibility when taking the Latvian language exam next year to pass the naturalisation test as well. This is the opinion of the Minister of Education as well as the Head of the Naturalisation Board E.Aldermane. Some Saeima deputies have expressed an opinion that combining those two tests was a bit of rush and was not legally precise. This year 2433 students voluntarily participated in the experiment to combine the both tests. Diena

TB/LNNK will not rush to support

TB/LNNK will not rush to support Social Democrats joining the government forming coalition because they want to wait until the presidential election is over and get certain if the government posts are not traded for votes to get a support for some president candidate. The Chairman of Social Democrats faction E.Baldzens said that this position of TB/LNNK did no bother SD at all, because it was acceptable for them to act within the framework of the already concluded agreement. Diena

According to the opinion poll organised by Latvijas fakti, in May the popularity of

According to the opinion poll organised by Latvijas fakti, in May the popularity of Peoples Party decreased but that of Social Democrats - increased. Only 18.7% of respondents were ready to vote for the Peoples Party (1.8% less than in April). Diena

The State Language Inspection examined Riga schools, and during the first four months of this year they discovered more that 440 fake language knowledge certificates and in May 15 more. They discovered falsified documents even among the school directors. From 112 teachers having fake certificates, the Inspection dismissed only 20 employees. The found guilty are not always punished, they are given a possibility to take the test one more time.

The State Language Inspection examined Riga schools, and during the first four months of this year they discovered more that 440 fake language knowledge certificates and in May 15 more. They discovered falsified documents even among the school directors. From 112 teachers having fake certificates, the Inspection dismissed only 20 employees. The found guilty are not always punished, they are given a possibility to take the test one more time. Jauna Avize

A retired English language teacher Yesterday. Naumova gives a piece of advise how to distinguish between a low an high quality language training courses for people who want to master the Latvian language.

A retired English language teacher Yesterday. Naumova gives a piece of advise how to distinguish between a low an high quality language training courses for people who want to master the Latvian language. Chas

SM

interviewed J.Jurkans, the Chairman of the faction For Human Rights in United Latvia and V.Birkavs, Minister of Foreign Affairs about the planned visit of Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs I.Ivanov to Latvia. J.Jurkans thinks that this visit could strengthen the positions of Latvijas Cels, but V.Birkavs considers that it could serve as the starting point for the future meeting of prime ministers. Yesterday two pickets were held - one opposite the UNDP premises and the other in Jelgava. The participants of Riga picket held slogans “There is genocide in RL” “ We demand a political asylum”, etc. The leader of these people spoke about arbitrariness of Latvian officials. The Jelgava picket was larger in number and people protested against high communal fees, etc.

Yesterday two pickets were held - one opposite the UNDP premises and the other in Jelgava. The participants of Riga picket held slogans There is genocide in RL We demand a political asylum, etc. The leader of these people spoke about arbitrariness of Latvian officials. The Jelgava picket was larger in number and people protested against high communal fees, etc. SM

SM

writes about the emigrants from Latvia. The largest numbers left Latvia in 1992 - about 53 thousand people, in 1996 only 10 000 people. Most of them left for Russia, Byelorussia, Ukraine. When writing about the discussions on the concept of the national integration program, the journalist points out that for organising different seminars and conferences on this issue, about 60 000 Ls were spent(only 19 000 came from the state budget).

When writing about the discussions on the concept of the national integration program, the journalist points out that for organising different seminars and conferences on this issue, about 60 000 Ls were spent(only 19 000 came from the state budget). Bizness & Baltiya

Press Review

Press Review

Yesterday the Saeima Standing Committee on Education decided to postpone the consideration of the draft language until August when the deputies return from summer vacations. Dz. Abikis, the chair of the Committee told journalists that one of the reasons for postponing the consideration of this law was the work on other draft laws including several education laws.

Yesterday the Saeima Standing Committee on Education decided to postpone the consideration of the draft language until August when the deputies return from summer vacations. Dz. Abikis, the chair of the Committee told journalists that one of the reasons for postponing the consideration of this law was the work on other draft laws including several education laws.

Politicians have earlier expressed the opinion about postponing the consideration of the draft language law because it needs more precise definitions.

Politicians have earlier expressed the opinion about postponing the consideration of the draft language law because it needs more precise definitions. Diena, Neatkariga

The Minister of Education J. Gaigals sent a letter to the Chair of the Saeima Standing Committee on Education Dz. Abikis asking to ensure the consideration of the Law on General Education and Law on Vocational Education till the summer recess of the Saeima. Both draft laws have already been adopted in the second reading.

The Minister of Education J. Gaigals sent a letter to the Chair of the Saeima Standing Committee on Education Dz. Abikis asking to ensure the consideration of the Law on General Education and Law on Vocational Education till the summer recess of the Saeima. Both draft laws have already been adopted in the second reading. Neatkariga

Yesterday the 6th protocol of the European Human Rights Convention abolishing the death penalty came into force in Latvia. Today the Saeima Standing Committee of Defence and Interior affairs will work on amendments to the Criminal Law of the Republic of Latvia which still provides the possibility of sentencing the death penalty.

Yesterday the 6th protocol of the European Human Rights Convention abolishing the death penalty came into force in Latvia. Today the Saeima Standing Committee of Defence and Interior affairs will work on amendments to the Criminal Law of the Republic of Latvia which still provides the possibility of sentencing the death penalty. Diena

Graduates of national minority high schools are taking the centralised examination of the Latvian language which if passed successfully will count as the language examination for naturalisation. Officials of the Ministry of Education Naturalisation Board, and members of parliament participate in the examination as observers.

Graduates of national minority high schools are taking the centralised examination of the Latvian language which if passed successfully will count as the language examination for naturalisation. Officials of the Ministry of Education Naturalisation Board, and members of parliament participate in the examination as observers. Diena

Neatkariga writes about the examination in the Riga High School No 53. Only 4 students of 37 who took the exam have decided to combine it with the examination for acquiring citizenship

Deputy director of the Examination Commission Emils Liepins believes that only some 500-600 graduates out of some 3500 who take the centralised Latvian language examination, will use this opportunity to combine these examinations.

Deputy director of the Examination Commission Emils Liepins believes that only some 500-600 graduates out of some 3500 who take the centralised Latvian language examination, will use this opportunity to combine these examinations. SM

Neatkariga'sjournalist V. Hermanis discusses functions of mass media in the situation when there are attempts to integrate the ethnically, religiously and socially divided society in Latvia. Neatkariga

SM reviews an interview of the Latvian Foreign Affairs Minister V. Birkavs published by the Polish newspaper Rzeczpospolita in which the minister criticises the Russias policy towards Latvia. SM reminds that this interview appears before the visit of the Russian Foreign Minister to Latvia. SM comments that it has become a tradition for Latvian politicians prior important meeting with Russian politicians to do something extraordinary, thus, creating a possibility to suspend talks. SM

Press Review

Press Review

On Friday the Joint Committee on the Skrunda Radar informed journalists that the dismantling of the Radar is conducted in accordance with the international agreements and there are no doubts that the last active military person of the Russian army would leave Latvia by 29 February 2000. The Russian representative A. Nikitin said that the dismantling of the Radar might be completed in October this year. The Latvian representative Edgars Skuja told journalists that Russian party has considerably reduced the number of military personnel and the amount of ammunition. The OSCE Representative Juergen Huebschen stated that both parties fully comply with the Agreement. The work is done in professional and co-operative way.

On Friday the Joint Committee on the Skrunda Radar informed journalists that the dismantling of the Radar is conducted in accordance with the international agreements and there are no doubts that the last active military person of the Russian army would leave Latvia by 29 February 2000. The Russian representative A. Nikitin said that the dismantling of the Radar might be completed in October this year. The Latvian representative Edgars Skuja told journalists that Russian party has considerably reduced the number of military personnel and the amount of ammunition. The OSCE Representative Juergen Huebschen stated that both parties fully comply with the Agreement. The work is done in professional and co-operative way. Diena

Russia pays 5 million dollars annually for the rent of the land of the Skrunda Radar Station. The dismantling has cost two million dollars. The Colonel Nikitin refused to tell the exact amount of expenses, 

Russia pays 5 million dollars annually for the rent of the land of the Skrunda Radar Station. The dismantling has cost two million dollars. The Colonel Nikitin refused to tell the exact amount of expenses,Neatkariga writes.

The Saeima Standing Committee on Implementation of Citizenship Law has prepared the amendments to the Law on the Status of Former USSR Citizens Who are Not Citizens of Latvia and Any Other Country providing instances of losing the status of non-citizen.

The Saeima Standing Committee on Implementation of Citizenship Law has prepared the amendments to the Law on the Status of Former USSR Citizens Who are Not Citizens of Latvia and Any Other Country providing instances of losing the status of non-citizen. Diena in Russian

During the 3rd congress of the For Fatherland and Freedom taking place on Saturday delegates adopted a resolution stating that approval of the OSCE recommendations on the state language law might threaten the existence of the Latvian language.

During the 3rd congress of the For Fatherland and Freedom taking place on Saturday delegates adopted a resolution stating that approval of the OSCE recommendations on the state language law might threaten the existence of the Latvian language. Diena

SM provides more extensive coverage of the congress. It is said that the Party called the Saeima deputies not to yield to recommendations of foreign commissars but to recognise own responsibility about the right of the Latvian nation to communicate in its own language in its own country, to think about the future of the Latvian language and adopt the strict law which would reinforce the primary role of the State language in all spheres of life on whole territory of Latvia. A delegate J. Freimanis called the congress and the fraction For Fatherland and Freedom to deal with the issue of suspending the activity of the Naturalisation Board since there are working historians with diploma issued in the USSR and foreigners who cannot come up with Latvian history as it really was. SM

Three social democratic parties - the Latvian Social Democratic Workers Party, the Latvian Social Democratic Party and the Latgale Democratic Party joined during a congress on Saturday. The leader of the former Social Democratic Party Juris Bojars became the leader of the united party.

Three social democratic parties - the Latvian Social Democratic Workers Party, the Latvian Social Democratic Party and the Latgale Democratic Party joined during a congress on Saturday. The leader of the former Social Democratic Party Juris Bojars became the leader of the united party. Diena

In order to promote integration process the CHAS journalist L. Fedoseev suggests instead of organising big conferences which do not solve anything, to form permanent working groups consisting of people who have earned the trust of not only Latvians.

In order to promote integration process the CHAS journalist L. Fedoseev suggests instead of organising big conferences which do not solve anything, to form permanent working groups consisting of people who have earned the trust of not only Latvians. Chas

In an article for the 

In an article for theDiena in Russian (31 May) V. Sorokin discusses the role of mass media in the integration process. Mr. Sorokin believes that Latvian and Russian journalists cannot agree because they place their own ethnic and political identity over the professional ethics. Speaking about the Russian mass media, Mr Sorokin argues that a half of Russian journalists believe that their task is to provoke the government and actively participate in politics rather than simply tell about events. Mr. Sorokin believes that a politician working in the mass media as a journalist sooner or later violates the freedom of speech even if he/she does not want it. Besides, that activity cannot be called journalism rather the public relations - creating positive image of a favourite politician and party. Diena

Press Review

Press Review

Yesterday the Saeima Presidium and representatives of the fractions agreed to have the elections of the State President on 17 June.

Yesterday the Saeima Presidium and representatives of the fractions agreed to have the elections of the State President on 17 June. Diena

Yesterday Latvia and Lithuania initialled the agreement on sea border.

Yesterday Latvia and Lithuania initialled the agreement on sea border. Diena

Today the Joint Committee on the Skrunda Radar holds the press conference on the occasion of the 4th anniversary of the Joint Committee. The OSCE representative Jurgen Huebschen, representative of the Russian Party Alexander Nikitin and the Latvian representative Edgars Skuja will take part.

Today the Joint Committee on the Skrunda Radar holds the press conference on the occasion of the 4th anniversary of the Joint Committee. The OSCE representative Jurgen Huebschen, representative of the Russian Party Alexander Nikitin and the Latvian representative Edgars Skuja will take part. Jauna Avize

High School graduates who will successfully pass the centralised Latvian language examination, will not need to take the state language examination when naturalising. That became possible after the co-ordination of the requirements of the Ministry of Education and the Naturalisation Board. Approximately 2400 graduates of national minority schools will take the centralised Latvian language examination on 1 June. To ensure the objectivity of the examination, officials of the Naturalisation Board and members of the Saeima Standing Committee on Implementation of the Citizenship Law will participate at the exam as observers. The Naturalisation Board prepared necessary amendments to the Cabinet of Ministers Regulations on the examination of the Latvian language proficiency. The Saeima Standing Committee on Implementation of the Citizenship Law, however, has decided to assess the compliance of the agreement between the Ministry of Education and the Naturalisation Board with the Latvian legislation.

High School graduates who will successfully pass the centralised Latvian language examination, will not need to take the state language examination when naturalising. That became possible after the co-ordination of the requirements of the Ministry of Education and the Naturalisation Board. Approximately 2400 graduates of national minority schools will take the centralised Latvian language examination on 1 June. To ensure the objectivity of the examination, officials of the Naturalisation Board and members of the Saeima Standing Committee on Implementation of the Citizenship Law will participate at the exam as observers. The Naturalisation Board prepared necessary amendments to the Cabinet of Ministers Regulations on the examination of the Latvian language proficiency. The Saeima Standing Committee on Implementation of the Citizenship Law, however, has decided to assess the compliance of the agreement between the Ministry of Education and the Naturalisation Board with the Latvian legislation. Diena, Neatkariga, Jauna Avize, B&B

In order to facilitate the implementation of the national minority education programs, the Ministry of Education has prepared one sample program which offers four models of bilingual education. According to the Education Law, on 1 September 1999 national minority schools should begin implementation of these programs. Igor Pimenov, Director of the Association for Support of Schools with the Russian language of instruction, expressed doubts whether teachers of national minority schools will be methodologically prepared to teach according to bilingual education models. Director of the Academic division of the 17th Secondary School N. Gasulis told Diena that teachers have already started to prepare the methodology of bilingual education and are ready to teach a part of subjects in Latvian although at the beginning it will be difficult.

In order to facilitate the implementation of the national minority education programs, the Ministry of Education has prepared one sample program which offers four models of bilingual education. According to the Education Law, on 1 September 1999 national minority schools should begin implementation of these programs. Igor Pimenov, Director of the Association for Support of Schools with the Russian language of instruction, expressed doubts whether teachers of national minority schools will be methodologically prepared to teach according to bilingual education models. Director of the Academic division of the 17th Secondary School N. Gasulis told Diena that teachers have already started to prepare the methodology of bilingual education and are ready to teach a part of subjects in Latvian although at the beginning it will be difficult. Diena

After long discussions on Wednesday the People’s Part decided to support the version of the Language law provision concerning the language proficiency of persons working in the private sphere, prepared by the Legal Office of the Saeima. This version corresponds with the OSCE recommendation concerning this provision. Still, the People’s Party does not agree with other OSCE recommendation about the use of language at meetings of enterprises. The People’s Party believes that the State Language law should be adopted before the summer recession.

After long discussions on Wednesday the Peoples Part decided to support the version of the Language law provision concerning the language proficiency of persons working in the private sphere, prepared by the Legal Office of the Saeima. This version corresponds with the OSCE recommendation concerning this provision. Still, the Peoples Party does not agree with other OSCE recommendation about the use of language at meetings of enterprises. The Peoples Party believes that the State Language law should be adopted before the summer recession. Diena

Dr.iur. Juris Bolis believes that the opinion of foreign investors in Latvia about the State language law should be taken into account, since they could withdraw from Latvia if they see that implementation of the State language law provisions, as they look now, could hinder the effective work of their firms. He thinks that the government should create an effective Ombudsman institution to mediate between the private firms and governmental institutions.

Dr.iur. Juris Bolis believes that the opinion of foreign investors in Latvia about the State language law should be taken into account, since they could withdraw from Latvia if they see that implementation of the State language law provisions, as they look now, could hinder the effective work of their firms. He thinks that the government should create an effective Ombudsman institution to mediate between the private firms and governmental institutions. Diena in Russian

Panorama Latvii journalist S. Zaletayev analyses the Alternative Conception of the State Integration Program proposed by Russian public organisations. He suggests to take out of the alternative conception the chapter on Social Aspect of Integration because it is a separate subject to be dealt in more detailed way, and the chapter on Historical Aspect because it is more reasonable to have present as the basis and discuss the future, and to leave history for historians. In conclusion of the article Mr.Zaletayev quotes the head of the OSCE Mission to Latvia David Johnson saying that the conception in its present version deserves critical comments. But in order to benefit from critics, they should be constructive. It is not enough to say We do not like it. If a part of the society believes that the document is unsatisfactory or one-sided, now is the time to propose new formulations and concrete ideas. When the final version appears, it will be too late to state: We do not need such an integration program. Panorama Latvii

Press Review

Press Review

Latvia is the only European country (except for Yugoslavia) which despite the EU recommendations has not declined to have high level contacts with Byelorussia, the Byelorussian Ambassador in Latvia M. Marinich has told in the interview for the Byelorussian newspaper Respublika on Wednesday. Commenting the mentioned information, the State Secretary of the Latvian MFA M. Riekstins told journalists that according to the Latvian foreign affairs conception, relations with Byelorussia are important for Latvia, therefore the dialogue is conducted on various levels. At the same time, Latvia has informed the Byelorussian party about its position concerning the lack of democratic institutes there.

Latvia is the only European country (except for Yugoslavia) which despite the EU recommendations has not declined to have high level contacts with Byelorussia, the Byelorussian Ambassador in Latvia M. Marinich has told in the interview for the Byelorussian newspaper Respublika on Wednesday. Commenting the mentioned information, the State Secretary of the Latvian MFA M. Riekstins told journalists that according to the Latvian foreign affairs conception, relations with Byelorussia are important for Latvia, therefore the dialogue is conducted on various levels. At the same time, Latvia has informed the Byelorussian party about its position concerning the lack of democratic institutes there. Diena

Chas journalist L. Fedoseev comments differences in revealing the visit of the OSCE High Commissioner M. van der Stoel to Latvia by two TV companies: the private LNT company and the public LTV-1. While the LNT stressed that the High Commissioner had insisted on at least three amendments to the State Language law , otherwise Latvia would have serious problems with joining the EU, the public LTV-1 informed that the High Commissioner was satisfied with the law, presenting no special requirements. The journalist concludes that the public television, instead of informing, brain-washes the public. Chas

Polish Primary school is not satisfied with a school reorganisation plan proposed by the Riga City Council, according to pupils of the 1-4 grades will remain in the primary school building while students of 5-9 grade will be transferred to the Polish Secondary School. Due to inappropriate classrooms and unqualitative teaching, this year the accreditation commission refused to issue the accreditation to the Polish Primary School. It, however, does not mean that the school will be closed. It is under the competence of the school’s founder - the Riga City Council to decide the future of the school.

Polish Primary school is not satisfied with a school reorganisation plan proposed by the Riga City Council, according to pupils of the 1-4 grades will remain in the primary school building while students of 5-9 grade will be transferred to the Polish Secondary School. Due to inappropriate classrooms and unqualitative teaching, this year the accreditation commission refused to issue the accreditation to the Polish Primary School. It, however, does not mean that the school will be closed. It is under the competence of the schools founder - the Riga City Council to decide the future of the school. Jauna Avize

Commenting the report on the implementation of the activity plan for the public discussion of the state integration program,

Commenting the report on the implementation of the activity plan for the public discussion of the state integration program, Lauku Avize journalist V. Krustins questions the objective of the concluding conference that will take place on 28-29 May, to summarise the results of the public discussion, if the informative leaflets asking people to give their opinions were distributed so late.
Besides he is against the establishing of one more bureau with furniture, stationary and limousine- the Integration Bureau. Mr. Krustins doubts whether different parties of integration process are aware of what integration should mean for each of them. Lauku Avize

Lauku Avize

publishes opinions of people from different regions concerning the social integration. All of them think that the integration campaign is exaggerated and that other issues (like unemployment) are more important for the countryside. publishes opinions of people from different regions concerning the social integration. All of them think that the integration campaign is exaggerated and that other issues (like unemployment) are more important for the countryside. D. Baltaiskalna, Latvian University Ph.D. student, analyses a role of interpersonal communication and mass media communication in the social integration process. She quotes results of various Baltic Data House surveys. General conclusions are that since 1998 the role of the Latvian language in all sociolinguistic functions has increased and the situation of the language can be promoted by reasonable activities of the mass media.

D. Baltaiskalna, Latvian University Ph.D. student, analyses a role of interpersonal communication and mass media communication in the social integration process. She quotes results of various Baltic Data House surveys. General conclusions are that since 1998 the role of the Latvian language in all sociolinguistic functions has increased and the situation of the language can be promoted by reasonable activities of the mass media. Rigas Balss