Press Report

Press Report

Yesterday the

Yesterday the Saeima elected former State Minister for Human Rights Olafs Bruveris ("Saimnieks") Director of the State Human Rights Office. 58 deputies voted for the candidate while 18 voted against Bruveris and 5 abstained. Mr. Bruveris' candidature was opposed by "Tevzemei un Brivibai". Its representative Juris Vidins questioned Mr. Bruveris' past pointing at a mild punishment for his dissident activities in Soviet times. He also criticized Mr. Bruveris for being biased and focusing only on the rights of non-citizens. Mr. Cevers ("Saimnieks") called Vidins' remarks "an evidence a moral crisis in the country." In a brief interview for "SM" Mr. Bruveris said that he saw bringing Latvia's human rights legislation into compliance with European norms as his basic task. SM, Diena

Russian Ambassador Udaltsov has been holding meetings with

Russian Ambassador Udaltsov has been holding meetings with Saeima faction representatives and independent deputies. The Ambassador had meetings with "Saimnieks", "Latvijas Cels", "People's Harmony", the Socialists, "The Equal Rights", "Tevzemei un Brivibai" and "Latvijai". The Ambassador told "SM" that there were notable differences in the approach of different political parties to the issue of Russian-speakers. Mr. Udaltsov believes that repatriation of Russian-speakers suggested by "Tevzemei un Brivibai" would be a violation of human rights. He said that he had a constructive discussion with "Latvijai" representatives. The faction suggested an amendment to the Citizenship Law that would allow granting Latvian citizenship to all Latvian language school and university graduates. The governing coalition declined the amendment. The Russian Ambassador said that most of the deputies showed a constructive approach to existing problems allowing "to consider future perspectives with moderate optimism." SM

Yesterday the

Yesterday the Saeima adopted the first reading of draft amendments to the Satversme extending the term of the Saeima power for one year (four years instead of current three years). Neatkariga

Press Report

Press Report

The Presidents of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Ukraine signed a joint declaration in Tallinn yesterday. The document stresses the importance of NATO openness to all countries willing to join the bloc ant the right of all nations to choose the ways of maintaining their security. The agenda of the Tallinn Summit also included economic and political issues.

The Presidents of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Ukraine signed a joint declaration in Tallinn yesterday. The document stresses the importance of NATO openness to all countries willing to join the bloc ant the right of all nations to choose the ways of maintaining their security. The agenda of the Tallinn Summit also included economic and political issues. Diena

Russian President Yeltsin signed the Basic Agreement between Russia and NATO in Paris yesterday. The Agreement provides for non-deployment of nuclear arms on the territories of new members of the bloc. In his speech Boris Yeltsin stressed Russia's negative attitude to NATO enlargement. Still, he pointed at the positive effect of the Agreement on further development of partnership between NATO and Russia. The Russian President also mentioned the role of the OSCE in forming a comprehensive security system in Europe for the coming century.

Russian President Yeltsin signed the Basic Agreement between Russia and NATO in Paris yesterday. The Agreement provides for non-deployment of nuclear arms on the territories of new members of the bloc. In his speech Boris Yeltsin stressed Russia's negative attitude to NATO enlargement. Still, he pointed at the positive effect of the Agreement on further development of partnership between NATO and Russia. The Russian President also mentioned the role of the OSCE in forming a comprehensive security system in Europe for the coming century. Diena

Yesterday Russian Ambassador Udaltsov had a meting with

Yesterday Russian Ambassador Udaltsov had a meting with "Tevzemei un Brivibai" representatives. Member of the "TB" delegation Mr. Juris Vidins told the press that his party and the Russian Ambassador had opposite opinions on the issues of Latvia's security and the situation of non-citizens. "TB" representatives suggested "taking into consideration historical aspects" while dealing with the problem of non-citizens. The Russian side, according to the Russian Embassy Press-AttachJ Tsatsurin, used "arguments based on the current situation and put a special accent on future relations between the two countries." According to "TB" representatives at the meeting, the party will not support naturalization and will insist on preserving restrictions of the rights of non-citizens. "TB" members also did not agree to Ambassador Udaltsov who suggested that Latvia would gain more substantial security guarantees by joining the EU than by becoming a NATO member. Mr. Vidins noted that the sides had agreed that Russian residing in Latvia should have a command of the Latvian language. B&B

Prime-Minister Skele requested the Prosecutor General's Office and the State Revenue Service to investigate business activities of Cabinet members. Almost half of the Ministers is suspected of retaining their posts in private businesses, thus violating the Anti-Corruption Law.

Prime-Minister Skele requested the Prosecutor General's Office and the State Revenue Service to investigate business activities of Cabinet members. Almost half of the Ministers is suspected of retaining their posts in private businesses, thus violating the Anti-Corruption Law. Diena

Boris Tsilevich in an article for

Boris Tsilevich in an article for "SM" made a brief survey of attempts to start a dialogue between non-citizens and ethnic minorities and the Government. The Supreme Council of Latvia decreed to establish the Consultative Council for national Minorities in 1990. The Council should have had the right of a legislative initiative. After one year and a half the Saeima voted against establishing the Council. The founding of the Stateless League was another futile attempt of forming a body that would represent the interests of non-citizens. The Government refused to recognize the League. The Department for the Affairs of Nationalities formed in 1991 was shrunk to an office at the Ministry of Justice. According to Tsilevich, President Ulmanis became aware of the necessity to pay more attention to the issue of minorities after receiving recommendations from the OSCE and other international organizations. Still, he failed to choose between "an expert model" and "a representative model" of a council. As a result, six members of the Council were nominated by cultural societies while ten members were selected by the President himself. Tsilevich stresses that the President did not react ton any of the recommendations submitted by the Council. Last meeting of the Council showed that its members would not agree to act as puppets in a show aimed at demonstrating the participation of minorities in political decision-making, writes Tsilevich. SM

Press Report

President Yeltsin says that he does not believe that NATO membership would provide additional security guarantees for the three Baltic states and Ukraine. In his interview to ITAR-TASS and AFP he said that he hoped to persuade the former USSR republics not to join the bloc and to choose "the forming of a comprehensive European security system." Still, President Yeltsin did not mention the possibility of Russia "revising" its relations with NATO in case the bloc was joined by the Baltic states. Such a statement was made previously by Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Primakov.

President Yeltsin says that he does not believe that NATO membership would provide additional security guarantees for the three Baltic states and Ukraine. In his interview to ITAR-TASS and AFP he said that he hoped to persuade the former USSR republics not to join the bloc and to choose "the forming of a comprehensive European security system." Still, President Yeltsin did not mention the possibility of Russia "revising" its relations with NATO in case the bloc was joined by the Baltic states. Such a statement was made previously by Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Primakov. Diena

Estonian, Lithuanian and Latvian Presidents held a meeting in Otepa, Estonia. Today the three leaders will meet Polish and Ukrainian Presidents in Tallinn. The agenda of the meetings includes economic and security issues.

Estonian, Lithuanian and Latvian Presidents held a meeting in Otepa, Estonia. Today the three leaders will meet Polish and Ukrainian Presidents in Tallinn. The agenda of the meetings includes economic and security issues. Diena

President Yeltsin says that he does not believe that NATO membership would provide additional security guarantees for the three Baltic states and Ukraine. In his interview to ITAR-TASS and AFP he said that he hoped to persuade the former USSR republics not to join the bloc and to choose "the forming of a comprehensive European security system." Still, President Yeltsin did not mention the possibility of Russia "revising" its relations with NATO in case the bloc was joined by the Baltic states. Such a statement was made previously by Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Primakov.

President Yeltsin says that he does not believe that NATO membership would provide additional security guarantees for the three Baltic states and Ukraine. In his interview to ITAR-TASS and AFP he said that he hoped to persuade the former USSR republics not to join the bloc and to choose "the forming of a comprehensive European security system." Still, President Yeltsin did not mention the possibility of Russia "revising" its relations with NATO in case the bloc was joined by the Baltic states. Such a statement was made previously by Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Primakov. Diena

Estonian, Lithuanian and Latvian Presidents held a meeting in Otepa, Estonia. Today the three leaders will meet Polish and Ukrainian Presidents in Tallinn. The agenda of the meetings includes economic and security issues.

Estonian, Lithuanian and Latvian Presidents held a meeting in Otepa, Estonia. Today the three leaders will meet Polish and Ukrainian Presidents in Tallinn. The agenda of the meetings includes economic and security issues. Diena

Press Report

Independent deputies Gundars Valdmanis, Leopolds Ozolins and Andris Rubins have founded a new political party. People's Movement

Independent deputies Gundars Valdmanis, Leopolds Ozolins and Andris Rubins have founded a new political party. People's Movement "Briviba" opposes the Law on Privatization that allows the purchase of land by foreigners and will champion a stricter government control of the national economics. Diena

The Foundation for Environmental Rehabilitation of Skrunda and Repatriation of Russian Servicemen will render financial support to 440 families of Russian servicemen willing to repatriate. Each family will receive Ls 400 - 800 aid after settling all repatriation-related formalities. The aid (16 million Swedish Crowns ="" around one million Lats) will be distributed within two years and has been provided by the Swedish Government. According to the CID, 20,000 families of Russian servicemen retired before 28 January 1992 are currently residing in Latvia.

The Foundation for Environmental Rehabilitation of Skrunda and Repatriation of Russian Servicemen will render financial support to 440 families of Russian servicemen willing to repatriate. Each family will receive Ls 400 - 800 aid after settling all repatriation-related formalities. The aid (16 million Swedish Crowns ="" around one million Lats) will be distributed within two years and has been provided by the Swedish Government. According to the CID, 20,000 families of Russian servicemen retired before 28 January 1992 are currently residing in Latvia. Diena

Press Report

"Tevzemei un Brivibai"

is planning to hold a meeting with Prime-Minister Skele today (May 26). The purpose of the meeting is resolving the approaching government crisis. is planning to hold a meeting with Prime-Minister Skele today (May 26). The purpose of the meeting is resolving the approaching government crisis. "TB""TB" representatives told the press that the party would leave the Cabinet if Skele dismissed Minister of Economics Krasts. Mr. Krasts' possible dismissal is considered by Prime-Minister Skele after representatives told the press that the party would leave the Cabinet if Skele dismissed Minister of Economics Krasts. Mr. Krasts' possible dismissal is considered by Prime-Minister Skele after "Saimnieks""Saimnieks" provided him with documents proving that the Minister of Economics violated the Law on Corruption by retaining his post of a company deputy-director. Mr. Krasts at his press-conference last Friday accused "certain provided him with documents proving that the Minister of Economics violated the Law on Corruption by retaining his post of a company deputy-director. Mr. Krasts at his press-conference last Friday accused "certain "Saimnieks""Saimnieks" members" of backing the interests of "western countries". Still, he refused to name the politicians and the countries they were supporting and explained that the company he headed had been out of business for several years. "DIENA" reported about three other ministers violating the Law on Corruption by retaining their posts in private companies. Those are Minister of Communications Kristopans ( members" of backing the interests of "western countries". Still, he refused to name the politicians and the countries they were supporting and explained that the company he headed had been out of business for several years. "DIENA" reported about three other ministers violating the Law on Corruption by retaining their posts in private companies. Those are Minister of Communications Kristopans ("Latvijas Cels""Latvijas Cels"), Minister of Education Celmins (), Minister of Education Celmins ("Saimnieks""Saimnieks") and Minister of Agriculture Dilba () and Minister of Agriculture Dilba ("Saimnikes""Saimnikes"). ). Diena, B&B;Diena, B&B Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Primakov told the press that Russia would revise its relations with the Baltic states if the tree countries joined NATO during the second stage of its enlargement. Russia would also reconsider its agreement with NATO to be signed tomorrow (27 May) in Paris.

Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Primakov told the press that Russia would revise its relations with the Baltic states if the tree countries joined NATO during the second stage of its enlargement. Russia would also reconsider its agreement with NATO to be signed tomorrow (27 May) in Paris. Diena

US Department of State Press-Secretary Nicholas Burns in an interview for

US Department of State Press-Secretary Nicholas Burns in an interview for "DIENA" said that the US would assist Latvia and Russia in resolving the problems that could arise in connection with the agreement on the Skrunda radar. The Latvian side is concerned about possible requests to extend the term of operation of the Skrunda radar. Diena