Press Review

Press Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs A.Pildegovics announced that Latvian MFA was positive about the proposal of its Lithuanian counterpart to speed up talks on concluding an agreement on the sea border and was ready to meet in the nearest future. The possible date of the meeting of delegations or experts would be fixed very soon.

Press Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs A.Pildegovics announced that Latvian MFA was positive about the proposal of its Lithuanian counterpart to speed up talks on concluding an agreement on the sea border and was ready to meet in the nearest future. The possible date of the meeting of delegations or experts would be fixed very soon. Neatkariga

Co-operation between Russia and Latvia gets worse. Economic sanctions are becoming more severe in the spheres where different permissions are necessary for co-operation. The Russian Central Bank just recently demanded commercial banks to make savings when dealing with Latvian clients, but Russian National Sanitary inspection has decided not to issue permissions to import to Russia all kinds of agricultural goods from Latvia till “ the situation improves”.

Co-operation between Russia and Latvia gets worse. Economic sanctions are becoming more severe in the spheres where different permissions are necessary for co-operation. The Russian Central Bank just recently demanded commercial banks to make savings when dealing with Latvian clients, but Russian National Sanitary inspection has decided not to issue permissions to import to Russia all kinds of agricultural goods from Latvia till the situation improves. Neatkariga

Diena

publishes an analytical article on public integration basing on the opinion of Latvian linguists that language is one of the basic components of integration. The author refers to the research On the road to a civic society that showed that 20% of all non-citizens in Latvia consider that they do not know the Latvian language but 40% - that their knowledge of this language is very little. The Head of the Sociolinguistic Department of the Latvian language institute I.Druviete thinks integration process consisting of several parts. Political integration is the top level when the state inhabitants support the idea of a political or state nation. According to Ms.Druviete, to realise the idea of political integration that could take place, in the most favourable conditions, after next two generations, you should start with mastering the Latvian language. publishes an analytical article on public integration basing on the opinion of Latvian linguists that language is one of the basic components of integration. The author refers to the research “On the road to a civic society” that showed that 20% of all non-citizens in Latvia consider that they do not know the Latvian language but 40% - that their knowledge of this language is very little. The Head of the Sociolinguistic Department of the Latvian language institute I.Druviete thinks integration process consisting of several parts. Political integration is the top level when the state inhabitants support the idea of a political or state nation. According to Ms.Druviete, to realise the idea of political integration that could take place, in the most favourable conditions, after next two generations, you should start with mastering the Latvian language. The Council of the

The Council of the DPS Saimnieks has decided to let the Party congress to elect the next Chairman. It could not agree whether Z.Cevers, who was ready to return to his former post, should stay or there should be a new leader. Diena, Rigas Balss, Chas, Panorama Latvii

Moscow would like the office of the UN High Commissioner on Human Rights and other UN structures to be more actively involved in the problem of Russian speakers in Latvia. This proposal was announced by the Russian party during the meeting of the Deputy Head of Russian MFA Y.Ushakov and the UN High Commissioner on Human Rights M.Robinson. According to Mr.Ushakov, the Russian party insisted on the fact of a discriminatory policy towards Russian speakers in Latvia. He also stated that many international organisations, OSCE in particular, started to pay more attention to the problems of those people.

Panorama Latvii

Panorama Latvii

organised a second round of hot line concerning issues of Naturalisation. Almost all respondents felt offended, second class people and did not want any citizenship. organised a second round of “hot line” concerning issues of Naturalisation. Almost all respondents felt offended, second class people and did not want any citizenship.

Press Review

Press Review

Yesterday at the press conference the Swedish Foreign Affairs Minister Lena Hjelm-Vallen said that the decision of the Saeima to observe the OSCE recommendations for amendments in the Citizenship Law would considerably help Latvia in its way to the European Union. The Minister emphasized that the observance of the EU norms are in Latvia's interests. She believes that the Saeima sooner or later will decide on supporting of the governmental recommendations.

Yesterday at the press conference the Swedish Foreign Affairs Minister Lena Hjelm-Vallen said that the decision of the Saeima to observe the OSCE recommendations for amendments in the Citizenship Law would considerably help Latvia in its way to the European Union. The Minister emphasized that the observance of the EU norms are in Latvia's interests. She believes that the Saeima sooner or later will decide on supporting of the governmental recommendations. Diena, Rita Zinas, B&B

Dienajournalists in Moscow Anna Stroja and Pavel Shirov analyze a book Basics of the Geopolitics. Future of the Russian Geopolitics by Alexander Dugin, a founder of the national Bolshevik party. According to the foreword, the book is the first text book on geopolitics published in Russian, and serves as a good information source for those who make decisions in important spheres of the Russian politics - lawyers, economists, diplomats, analysts, politicians. According to the author, objectives of the Russia's geopolitics are standing up against the Atlantic superpower and creation of a new Eurasian empire. Baltic states, Poland, Moldova and the Ukraine are called "sanitary corridor", and the Russian politicians are advised to act, so that the temporary illusions of these countries about the potential independence from the geopolitically influential neighbours, would be dispersed. Director of the Estonian Institute of the Social Economics Juhan Sillaste thinks that this kind of ideas hinder the integration processes in the Baltic. Diena

Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has submitted the Latvian MFA a diplomatic note with a request to activate the talks of both countries about the finalizing the sea border.

Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has submitted the Latvian MFA a diplomatic note with a request to activate the talks of both countries about the finalizing the sea border. Diena

Council of the State Auditor's Office will carry out a final decision on the results of the audit in the National Human Rights Office on June 3.

Council of the State Auditor's Office will carry out a final decision on the results of the audit in the National Human Rights Office on June 3. Diena

Rita Zinas asked several popular persons to answer the question whether Russia cares about the Russian in Latvia. Vice President of the Russian Community in Latvia Boris Borisov positively evaluated Russia's decision to protect the interests of the Russian speaking people in Latvia. At the same time, he said that there has not been any real assistance from the Russian side. Head of the Russian Cultural Center of Latvia Jury Abizov thinks that rights of the Russian speaking population in Latvia are poorly observed in Latvia, and Russia cannot help solve these problems. Mr. Abizov attributes the Russia's sudden reaction to human rights violations in Latvia as incompetence of the Russian officials. Rita Zinas

Regular meeting of the Saeima Commission on Implementation of the Citizenship Law is scheduled for 4 June. Yesterday the Commission sent a letter to the Prime Minister with a request to ensure the presence of the Minister of the Interior at the meeting. The Minister of the Interior did not show up at two previous meetings of the Commission.

Regular meeting of the Saeima Commission on Implementation of the Citizenship Law is scheduled for 4 June. Yesterday the Commission sent a letter to the Prime Minister with a request to ensure the presence of the Minister of the Interior at the meeting. The Minister of the Interior did not show up at two previous meetings of the Commission. Chas

SM interviews the leader of the Latvijas Cels Party Andrejs Pantelejevs. On the question about the government forming faction agreement on the Citizenship Law amendments, Andrejs Pantelejevs said that the Tevzemei un Brivibai formally follows the agreement, but essentially some departure from the undertaken obligations is being observed, and the Latvijas Cels is carefully following the development of the situation. At the same time Andrejs Pantelejevs assured that the adoption of the Citizenship Law amendments is the priority of the Latvijas Cels.

SM publishes an article about a text book of the Latvian language for the schools with other language of instruction, which was prepared by the National Program for Latvian Language Training. Aija Priedite, Head of the Program, believes that the main idea of text books is to form a positive view on life and one's own surroundings.

Press Review

Press Review

After long debates the Saeima decided to return the Criminal Law to the Saeima Commissions for a review.

After long debates the Saeima decided to return the Criminal Law to the Saeima Commissions for a review. Diena

Swedish Foreign Affairs Minister Lena Valena arrived in Riga to become acquainted with the amendments to the Citizenship Law. Yesterday the Latvian Foreign Affairs Minister Valdis Birkavs said that it is absolutely essential that the Saeima supports the governmental proposal for the Citizenship Law amendments.

Swedish Foreign Affairs Minister Lena Valena arrived in Riga to become acquainted with the amendments to the Citizenship Law. Yesterday the Latvian Foreign Affairs Minister Valdis Birkavs said that it is absolutely essential that the Saeima supports the governmental proposal for the Citizenship Law amendments. Diena

SM publishes an article by Mr. Elkin about the amendments of the Citizenship Law in which the author argues that the governmental version of amendments most likely will not be supported by the Saeima, since the Latvijas Cels is ready to agree with the Tevzemei un Brivibai on not granting the citizenship to non-citizen children automatically. As the deputy head of the Latvijas Cels faction Karlis Leiskalns told SM the LC faction most likely will not support the automatic granting of citizenship, since it believes that the command of the Latvian language is an essential criteria for the obtaining of citizenship. SM

Latvian Foreign Affairs Minister Valdis Birkavs will ask his Estonian counterpart to sign the bilateral agreement on simplifying border crossing for residents of the border zones as soon as possible.

Latvian Foreign Affairs Minister Valdis Birkavs will ask his Estonian counterpart to sign the bilateral agreement on simplifying border crossing for residents of the border zones as soon as possible. Neatkariga

Yesterday Press Secretary of the Latvian MFA Andrejs Pildegovics told journalists that Russia deliberately does not want to have a dialogue with Latvia. Besides, the Russian authorities are to be blamed for the distribution of distorted information about Latvia and political processes here. Commenting the press statement of Mr. Pildegovics,

Yesterday Press Secretary of the Latvian MFA Andrejs Pildegovics told journalists that Russia deliberately does not want to have a dialogue with Latvia. Besides, the Russian authorities are to be blamed for the distribution of distorted information about Latvia and political processes here. Commenting the press statement of Mr. Pildegovics, Chas writes that, according to an unofficial competent source, these brave statements of Latvian officials about Russia are done in accordance with the unofficial recommendations of European institutions, and that the recent talk of the Latvian Prime Minister with the president of the European Commission has something to do with that.

Yesterday at the meeting of the National Council on Crime Prevention the head of the Satversme (Constitution) Defence Bureau Lainis Kamaldins named 12 extremist organizations acting in Latvia. The Council discussed possible means preventing the repetition of the 14 May meeting in the Vermanes park (in Riga) in which members of some extremist organizations took part. The Ministry of the Interior has prepared a project for amendments in legislative acts which would ban the use of symbols of the former USSR, the Latvian SSR, and the Nazi Germany at meetings and other mass gatherings.

Yesterday at the meeting of the National Council on Crime Prevention the head of the Satversme (Constitution) Defence Bureau Lainis Kamaldins named 12 extremist organizations acting in Latvia. The Council discussed possible means preventing the repetition of the 14 May meeting in the Vermanes park (in Riga) in which members of some extremist organizations took part. The Ministry of the Interior has prepared a project for amendments in legislative acts which would ban the use of symbols of the former USSR, the Latvian SSR, and the Nazi Germany at meetings and other mass gatherings. Neatkariga, B&B

Yesterday a Russian newspaper "NEZAVISIMAYA GAZETA" published an interview with Colonel General Leonid Ivashov, the chief of the Department of International Military Co-operation at the Russian Ministry of Defence, in which he announced that in a case some former Soviet Union republic becomes a candidate to the NATO, Russia will have to increase the number of strategical forces in the north-west region. Press Secretary of the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Andrejs Pildegovics said that this interview cannot be considered an official decision of the Russian government.

Yesterday a Russian newspaper "NEZAVISIMAYA GAZETA" published an interview with Colonel General Leonid Ivashov, the chief of the Department of International Military Co-operation at the Russian Ministry of Defence, in which he announced that in a case some former Soviet Union republic becomes a candidate to the NATO, Russia will have to increase the number of strategical forces in the north-west region. Press Secretary of the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Andrejs Pildegovics said that this interview cannot be considered an official decision of the Russian government. B&B

At the congress of the International Press Institute in Moscow, the Russian Prime Minister Kiriyenko was asked about the Latvian-Russian relations which are reserved. Prime Minister said that there should not be double standards regarding the human rights violations in Russia or any other country. He believes that there are violations of human rights of Russian speaking people in Latvia, therefore Russia cannot be indiferent towards that, and it will use civilized means to affect the situation.

At the congress of the International Press Institute in Moscow, the Russian Prime Minister Kiriyenko was asked about the Latvian-Russian relations which are reserved. Prime Minister said that there should not be double standards regarding the human rights violations in Russia or any other country. He believes that there are violations of human rights of Russian speaking people in Latvia, therefore Russia cannot be indiferent towards that, and it will use civilized means to affect the situation. Diena

Oksana Migunova, journalist of

Oksana Migunova, journalist of B&B, expressed her opinion about the show-off examination for the naturalization organized by the Soros Foundation which was filmed and later will be shown on the TV and used as a visual material in Russian schools. She compares this film with the various commercials on TV and questions whether it will reach the goal. B&B

Within the framework of the Program on Integration, SM publishes a story of two young people who think that the Latvian citizenship in an advantageous factor for their successful future in Latvia.

Within the framework of the Program on Integration, SM publishes a story of two young people who think that the Latvian citizenship in an advantageous factor for their successful future in Latvia. SM

Ilga Apine in her article for the weekly newspaper

Ilga Apine in her article for the weekly newspaper Fokuss states that although conditions for a successful integration are more favourable in Latvia than in Estonia, the integration process in Latvia, unlike in Estonia, is hindered by the state institutions, inability of the Saeima to agree on the amendments to Citizenship Law and the lack of the political will.

Press Review

Press Review

Diena informs that the Parliamentary Assembly of the European Council will prepare the final report about the human rights situation in Latvia after one more visit of EC representatives to Latvia on 15 - 17 June. As the EC representative Terry Davies said after the previous visit in Riga, during 7 years of independence Latvia has not been able to integrate its non-citizens. Therefore it is necessary to strengthen the dialogue between the state authorities, non-citizen organizations, and the Latvian Human Rights committee. Mr. Davies also expressed a regret about the recent decision of the Saeima to keep the capital punishment. Diena

Cabinet of Ministers decided to join the Supplementary protocol No 6 of the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms on the abolition of the death penalty. The protocol will come into force only after its ratification by the Saeima. After the governmental meeting at the press conference, Minister of Foreign Affairs said that simultaneously with the ratification of the protocol, the Saeima will have to decide on amendments in the Criminal Law. Minister of Justice Dzintars Rasnacs admitted that Latvian prisons cannot ensure the isolation of persons sentenced to the life, therefore the abolishing of death penalty should be done after the prison reform - by the year of 2001, the latest.

Cabinet of Ministers decided to join the Supplementary protocol No 6 of the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms on the abolition of the death penalty. The protocol will come into force only after its ratification by the Saeima. After the governmental meeting at the press conference, Minister of Foreign Affairs said that simultaneously with the ratification of the protocol, the Saeima will have to decide on amendments in the Criminal Law. Minister of Justice Dzintars Rasnacs admitted that Latvian prisons cannot ensure the isolation of persons sentenced to the life, therefore the abolishing of death penalty should be done after the prison reform - by the year of 2001, the latest. Diena

The information agency Interfax informed on Monday about the statement of anonymous representative of the Russian Central Bank saying that the Russian Bank plans to begin economic sanctions against Latvia, including termination of the licences issuance for opening of the Latvian bank branches and representations in Russia. The Association of the Latvian Commercial Banks and the National Bank of Latvia think that even if this statement is serious, no grand consequences are to be expected. The National Bank also notes that in such a case Russian banks and enterprises will lose more. Prime Minister Guntars Krasts refrained from commenting this information.

The information agency Interfax informed on Monday about the statement of anonymous representative of the Russian Central Bank saying that the Russian Bank plans to begin economic sanctions against Latvia, including termination of the licences issuance for opening of the Latvian bank branches and representations in Russia. The Association of the Latvian Commercial Banks and the National Bank of Latvia think that even if this statement is serious, no grand consequences are to be expected. The National Bank also notes that in such a case Russian banks and enterprises will lose more. Prime Minister Guntars Krasts refrained from commenting this information. Diena

The Saeima Human Rights Commission will not put an issue about the dismissing of Olafs Bruvers from the post of the Director of National Human Rights Office into the Saeima agenda, head of the Commission Antons Seiksts said. Still, the Commission condemns Mr. Bruvers' reprimands towards the UNDP and donor countries. The Saeima Commission criticized the NHRO for not taking a clear stand on issues related with the human rights, for example, on the state language law. Furthermore, the Commission thinks that the NHRO should pay less attention to the social issues which are under the competence of the Welfare Ministry.

The Saeima Human Rights Commission will not put an issue about the dismissing of Olafs Bruvers from the post of the Director of National Human Rights Office into the Saeima agenda, head of the Commission Antons Seiksts said. Still, the Commission condemns Mr. Bruvers' reprimands towards the UNDP and donor countries. The Saeima Commission criticized the NHRO for not taking a clear stand on issues related with the human rights, for example, on the state language law. Furthermore, the Commission thinks that the NHRO should pay less attention to the social issues which are under the competence of the Welfare Ministry. Jauna Avize

Continuing publishing information about various actions by the Soros Foundation concerning the citizenship and naturalization issues, CHAS informs about the TV program on language and history examinations for the naturalization which was shown by the 31 Channel and Latvian Public TV.

Continuing publishing information about various actions by the Soros Foundation concerning the citizenship and naturalization issues, CHAS informs about the TV program on language and history examinations for the naturalization which was shown by the 31 Channel and Latvian Public TV. Chas

Neatkarigareturns to the issue of Valka-Valga (Latvian -Estonian border towns). Yesterday Press Secretary of the Latvian Foreign Affairs Ministry toldNeatkariga that at this moment Latvia and Estonia work out a bilateral agreement on favourable border crossing conditions for the residents of the border zones which might be signed within a month or two. The draft agreement provides that the residents of border zones of both countries will not have time or place restrictions on the border crossing procedure. The border check point will have a list of persons who can freely cross the border upon presenting an identification card. The agreement also will include the issue of the Savienibas Street - residents of this street will be able to cross the border on this street without going around to the nearest check point. Neatkariga

The Cabinet of Ministers supports the conception of the improving quality and security of the Latvian citizen passports which provides for exchanging of the existing passports to ones with better quality. The gradual exchange of the passports might start already next year.

The Cabinet of Ministers supports the conception of the improving quality and security of the Latvian citizen passports which provides for exchanging of the existing passports to ones with better quality. The gradual exchange of the passports might start already next year. Neatkariga

Diena in Russian publishes the continuation of the story of Irma Tkeshelashvili and her daughter who do not have a legal residence permit.

Representatives of Russian and Latvian newspapers express their opinions about the campaign organized by the Soros foundation urging non-citizens to become naturalized. Acting Director of the

Representatives of Russian and Latvian newspapers express their opinions about the campaign organized by the Soros foundation urging non-citizens to become naturalized. Acting Director of the SM Alla Berezovskaya is the publication of the Appeal of Russian Intelligentsia initiated a discussion. The newspaper will continue publishing information presented by the organizers of this campaign, and she hopes that the activity of the readers will increase. At the same time Ms. Berezovskaya says that even if all people entitled to the naturalization will do so, there will be huge lines in the naturalization offices. Besides, the elimination of the naturalization windows will not eliminate the humiliating procedure of the very process. Furthermore, Ms. Berezovskaya doubts whether "it is possible to sell the citizenship with help of an advertisement." Deputy Director of Panorama Latvii Vitas Kulpinskas believes that the campaign of a collective appeal is "wrongful" - Everybody should decide himself/herself whether to get the Latvian citizenship or the citizenship of any other country. According to Mr. Kulpinskas, both supporters of naturalization and supporters of ":zero variant" should have a possibility to express their opinion. Editor of the Russkaya Gazeta Elena Zaruckaya thinks that this campaign is recurrent deceiving of non-citizens. She thinks that even if people obtain citizenship, they will gain nothing. Although the newspaper published the Appeal of the Russian Intelligentsia, it refused to participate in the project further. Vladimir Stashenko, Deputy Director ofChas who signed the aforementioned Appeal, supports the procedure of the naturalization which is not humiliating and is based on a realistic requirements. According to Mr. Stashenko, the target group of this Appeal was the youth who does not have difficulties with passing the exams, they just have to take them. Tatjana Fast, Editor of B&B, says that although the integration processes follow their own natural ways, the fastening of these processes can only be welcomed. Viktors Avotins, editor of Jauna Avize, argues that the campaign does not answer to the question why non-citizens have to get citizenship. For him, it looks like a form of a protest, but one cannot build a stable state on the protest. Sarmite Elerte, Editor-in-Chief of Diena, asks whether the society is ready for a social advertisement, since in some cases an advertisement can do what the reationally presented information cannot.

Press Review

Head of

Head of Latvijas Cels faction Kristiana Libane informed press yesterday that the council and the faction of Latvijas Cels will ask the coalition partners to agree on uniting of three Citizenship Law amendments and simultaneously reviewing them in the Saeima. Diena

On Monday the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs submitted to the Cabinet of Ministers a draft resolution concerning the adherence to the Protocol 6 of the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms about the abolishment of the death penalty. It is possible that the Cabinet of Ministers considers this draft resolution at the meeting on Tuesday.

On Monday the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs submitted to the Cabinet of Ministers a draft resolution concerning the adherence to the Protocol 6 of the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms about the abolishment of the death penalty. It is possible that the Cabinet of Ministers considers this draft resolution at the meeting on Tuesday. Diena

At the interview for the Latvian Radio State President Guntis Ulmanis said that there are no grounds for not taking seriously the statements of Russian President Boris Yeltsin about the possible meeting of two presidents.

At the interview for the Latvian Radio State President Guntis Ulmanis said that there are no grounds for not taking seriously the statements of Russian President Boris Yeltsin about the possible meeting of two presidents. Diena

SM andSegodnya continues publishing opinions of readers and journalists about the Appeal of Russian intelligentsia to non-citizens to become naturalized which was published in Russian newspapers a couple of weeks ago. Abram Kleckin, professor of the Latvian University and one of the signatories of the aforementioned Appeal, tells SM about his motives behind the signing that document. According to Mr. Kleckin, the main task of the Appeal was to inform the society and to initiate the discussion about these issues, and not to make people immediately apply for the naturalization. Mr. Kleckin believes that faster non-citizens become the citizens, more quickly Latvia will become a democratic society, since more people will participate in decision-making processes. A different point of view is expressed by Oleg Goculak. He argues that the capacity of the Naturalization Board is 10,000 applications reviewed per year, subsequently, it will take 14 years for non-citizens to be able to influence the politics. Mr. Goculak sees other more effective ways of protecting the rights of non-citizens, for example, establishing a representative institution of non-citizens. Segodnyapublishes an opinion of Nikolay Kabanov who thinks that total ignorance of the social-psychology of Russians living in Latvia led the signatories of the aforementioned appeal to assume that people will apply for the naturalization. According to Mr. Kabanov, people simply do not want to bend. SM

Panorama Latvii informs its readers about the upcoming "hot line" in the editorial office on Wednesday when people will be able to call and express their opinion about the naturalization and citizenship issues.

Consul of Belorus Vladimir Gromiko informs readers of the

Consul of Belorus Vladimir Gromiko informs readers of the Panorama Latvii about the necessary documents for applying for the Belorussian citizenship.

Panorama Latviipublishes a story of Mrs. Taisija Gedz who has received an expulsion order from the Cesis DCMA due to the fact that her temporary residence permit expired a half of a year ago.

Estonian mass media has started a campaign for the protection of the rights of Estonians in the Latvian border town Valka,

Estonian mass media has started a campaign for the protection of the rights of Estonians in the Latvian border town Valka, B&B informs. The front page story of an Estonian newspaper Sonumileth says that Latvian authorities do not allow Estonian citizens residing in Latvia to cross the border as freely as before. Yesterday B&B asked the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to give some explanations concerning this issue.. Press Secretary of the Estonian MFA said that they have contacted Latvian colleagues, unfortunately it was impossible to solve the problems related with the border crossing, since the favourable regime for the border crossing existed only on the basis of oral agreements. No solutions to this issue was mentioned by the Estonian MFA. B&B

Igor Pimenov, Head of the Association Supporting Schools with Russian as the Language of Instruction, thinks that people living in Latvia should honour and know the language of the native population. Still, the education project presented by the Ministry of Education providing by the year of 2007 in national minority schools only 25% of subjects to be taught in the minority language (other subjects are to be taught in the Latvian language), promotes the assimilation of the national minorities. As one of major obstacles to implementation of such an educational program for the national minority schools is the insufficient command of the Latvian language of teachers. The proposal of the Association is to introduce into the educational programs a new subject of systematic knowledge about Latvia - geography, culture, ethnography which could be taught every day and in the Latvian language. Besides, new methods of teaching Latvian should be used in these classes.

Igor Pimenov, Head of the Association Supporting Schools with Russian as the Language of Instruction, thinks that people living in Latvia should honour and know the language of the native population. Still, the education project presented by the Ministry of Education providing by the year of 2007 in national minority schools only 25% of subjects to be taught in the minority language (other subjects are to be taught in the Latvian language), promotes the assimilation of the national minorities. As one of major obstacles to implementation of such an educational program for the national minority schools is the insufficient command of the Latvian language of teachers. The proposal of the Association is to introduce into the educational programs a new subject of systematic knowledge about Latvia - geography, culture, ethnography which could be taught every day and in the Latvian language. Besides, new methods of teaching Latvian should be used in these classes. B&B

Rita Zinas publishes an interview with Ilga Kreituse, head of the Saeima Commission on the Implementation of the Citizenship Law in which she supports the amendments concerning the granting of citizenship on the basis of outstanding service for the benefit of Latvia. According to Kreituse the quota of 50 persons per year who would receive citizenship on the aforementioned grounds, would be a normal situation. Mrs. Kreituse is against the delegating power to grant citizenship on the grounds of outstanding service to the Cabinet of Ministers, since "this should be an open process" and the candidates should be discussed in the Saeima. Rita Zinas

Jauna Avize publsihes an article about the recent conflict between head of the National Human Rights Office Mr. Olafs Bruvers and his ex-deputy Ms. Kaija Gertnere. After presenting the arguments of both sides involved into the conflict and noting how eager both sides were in presenting the discrediting documents, the newspaper concludes that the positions which will be held by persons involved into the conflict in the future, will reveal real instigators of this discord.