Press Report

"Saimnieks"

Chairman Ziedonis Cevers provided Prime-Minister Skele with documents compromising Minister of Economics Guntars Krasts ( Chairman Ziedonis Cevers provided Prime-Minister Skele with documents compromising Minister of Economics Guntars Krasts ("Tevzemei un Brivibai""Tevzemei un Brivibai"). Mr. Cevers refused to comment on the contents of the documents and said that conclusions were to be made by the Prime-Minister. ). Mr. Cevers refused to comment on the contents of the documents and said that conclusions were to be made by the Prime-Minister. DienaDiena Yesterday the

Yesterday the LNNK and the Farmers' Union/the Union of Christian Democrats factions nominated Mr. Talavs Jundzis candidate for Minister of Defense. Mr. Jundzis held the post in Godmanis' cabinet. He is a member of the People's Christian Party. The party has no seats in the Saeima and is planning to merge with the Union of Christian Democrats. Sources in the Saeima say that the Prime-Minister may not accept the candidature. Diena

According to the President's Chancellery, his visit to Russia is postponed until autumn.

According to the President's Chancellery, his visit to Russia is postponed until autumn. "BIZNES I BALTIYA" suggests that the decision was agreed upon by Mr. Ulmanis and President Yeltsin to make it possible for the parties to discuss the results of the Madrid NATO Summit.

Member of the Saeima Oleg Denisov (the Socialist Party) told

Member of the Saeima Oleg Denisov (the Socialist Party) told "SM" about his meetings with Russian Duma deputies. Head of the Russian Parliamentary Delegation to Latvia Mr. Vakulenko said that Russia was ready to revise its economic relations with Latvia if it failed to resolve the issue of non-citizens. According to Mr. Denisov, Russian Parliament members are aware of the agreement between the Saeima governing factions that excludes the possibility of amending the Citizenship Law. The State Duma even may put aside the Citizenship Law if Latvia agrees to simplify the naturalization procedure and stops its current education policy. SM

Italian President Skalfaro at a press-conference said that the issue of national minorities is Latvia's internal affair and expressed hope the country would resolve the problem "in course of time."

Italian President Skalfaro at a press-conference said that the issue of national minorities is Latvia's internal affair and expressed hope the country would resolve the problem "in course of time." SM

Press Report

Press Report

Prime-Minister Skele said that he would resign if the Saeima Committee for Investigation of G-24 Credit Distribution continued circulating rumors of his involvement it the scandal. Chairman of the Committee Viktors Stikuts (

Prime-Minister Skele said that he would resign if the Saeima Committee for Investigation of G-24 Credit Distribution continued circulating rumors of his involvement it the scandal. Chairman of the Committee Viktors Stikuts ("Saimnieks") told the press last Tuesday that Skele was responsible for negligent distribution of G-24 credits among twelve enterprises. Diena

Yesterday the

Yesterday the "Tevzemei un Brivibai" faction officially informed the Prime-Minister and the governing factions about its decision to recall Vladimirs Makarovs from the post of Minister of Welfare. "TB" objects to amendments to the Law on Pensions. The first reading of the amendments supported by "Saimnieks" has been already adopted by the Saeima. "TB" leader Grinblats suggested that "Saimnieks" could nominate its candidate for the post. "Saimnieks" Chairman Cevers said that the party was ready to nominate its candidate for the post upon an agreement with other governing factions and the Prime-Minister. Diena, B&B

Mayor of Daugavpils Aleksey Vidavsky addressed President Ulmanis with an open letter. The letter draws the President's attention to the media campaign aimed at creating a negative image of Daugavpils as a city "alien to Latvia". Mr. Vidavsky denies any political background of his recent visit to Moscow that was aimed at establishing economic contacts in Russia.

Mayor of Daugavpils Aleksey Vidavsky addressed President Ulmanis with an open letter. The letter draws the President's attention to the media campaign aimed at creating a negative image of Daugavpils as a city "alien to Latvia". Mr. Vidavsky denies any political background of his recent visit to Moscow that was aimed at establishing economic contacts in Russia. SM

Press Report

Press Report

Yesterday President Ulmanis had a meeting with representatives of

Yesterday President Ulmanis had a meeting with representatives of Saeima factions. The discussion focused mainly on the Citizenship Law. The President told the press that Latvia was not ready to amend the Citizenship Law. Faction members and the President had to admit that the Law could not be amended since the agreement between the governing factions and the Prime-Minister requires that any amendments to the Citizenship Law should be supported by all the factions. "Tevzemei un Brivibai" and the LNNK will not agree to any amendments. According to "TB" leader Maris Grinblats, participants of the meeting believe that amending the Law would not facilitate naturalization. "Latvijas Cels" and "Saimnieks" representatives suggested to change the naturalization procedure without amending the Citizenship Law. Such changes could include canceling the naturalization fee. Several participants of the meeting said that they were expecting definite suggestions from the President. Diena

Director of the Human Rights Institute of the Latvian University Ineta Ziemele in an article for

Director of the Human Rights Institute of the Latvian University Ineta Ziemele in an article for "DIENA" analyzed the compliance of the Latvian legislation with international human rights norms. She agrees that a sovereign state is free to establish its own naturalization procedures. Still, in certain cases these procedures are to comply with international norms. Such norms require that citizenship should be granted to all children born on the territory of a country irrespective of their parents' citizenship. Another discrepancy between the Latvian legislation and international norms, according to Mrs. Ziemele, are restrictions of non-citizens' political rights. Non-citizens in Latvia cannot be considered as foreigners in terms of the European Human Rights Convention that allows to restrict certain political rights of foreigners. Restrictions can be applied to individuals who entered the country after the adoption of corresponding laws. Mrs. Ziemele also criticized the Citizenship Law for ambiguity allowing an arbitrary treatment of its provisions. Diena

An article in

An article in "SM" suggests that "Commissioner Espersen and Commissioner van der Stoel would forget the existence of Riga" if not for a constant Russia's pressure on Latvia. The author of the article suggests that Latvian nationalists will oppose the country's integration into Europe that would lead to the inflow of foreign labor and press out the Latvian language.

Denmark introduced a non-visa entrance regime for holders of new Latvian alien passports. 

Denmark introduced a non-visa entrance regime for holders of new Latvian alien passports.B&B

The

The LNNK Council and Saeima faction nominated Cesvaine Mayor Valdis Kapralis for Minister of Defense. Today the candidature will be discussed by the Farmers' Union/the Union of Christian Democrats. Diena

The

The LNNK faction voted for expelling LNNK Chairman Juris Dobelis from the faction. Most of its members object to merging with "Tevzemei un Brivibai" while Dobelis was among the supporters of the idea. LNNK faction Chairman Aleksandrs Kirsteins recently was expelled from the LNNK. He said that the LNNK/the Green Party faction will not be influenced by the LNNK merging with "TB". Diena

Press Report

Press Report

President Yeltsin during his meeting with Chairmen of the Houses of the Russian Parliament said that Russia reserved the right to change its policy toward NATO should the bloc be joined by former USSR republics. The agreement between Russia and NATO is to be signed on May 27. State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Maris Riekstins expressed his regret about Yeltsin statement stressing that it contradicted OSCE principles that allowed all its members to select their own security policies.

President Yeltsin during his meeting with Chairmen of the Houses of the Russian Parliament said that Russia reserved the right to change its policy toward NATO should the bloc be joined by former USSR republics. The agreement between Russia and NATO is to be signed on May 27. State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Maris Riekstins expressed his regret about Yeltsin statement stressing that it contradicted OSCE principles that allowed all its members to select their own security policies. Diena

Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs Birkavs and Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Saudargas signed a joint statement on border delimitation talks between the two countries. According to the document, the talks will be continued in Riga on May 23.

Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs Birkavs and Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Saudargas signed a joint statement on border delimitation talks between the two countries. According to the document, the talks will be continued in Riga on May 23. Diena

Yesterday the LNNK faction agreed on the candidature for the post of Minister of Defence. The candidate's name will be revealed today. The most probable candidates are Juris Dobelis (LNNK) and Karlis Druva (the Farmers' Union), currently Head of the Saeima Defense Committee.

Yesterday the LNNK faction agreed on the candidature for the post of Minister of Defence. The candidate's name will be revealed today. The most probable candidates are Juris Dobelis (LNNK) and Karlis Druva (the Farmers' Union), currently Head of the Saeima Defense Committee. B&B

Boris Tsilevich in an article for "SM" claims that the discussion on the problem of non-citizens has "gradually faded" without bringing about any changes. Tsilevich interprets the situation as another victory of the National Bloc over more liberal political forces. The President is inconsistent in his statements on the non-citizens' issue. "Latvijas Cels" is safeguarding its own political interests and will not support the ideas opposed by the Nationalists. "Saimnieks" does have any clear principles and uses the issue of non-citizens for political purposes. Saeima Speaker Cepanis has suggested granting Latvian citizenship to all ethnic Ukrainians born in Latvia. This, according to Tsilevich, contradicts the Convention on Racial Discrimination that bans providing any advantages to an ethnic group in obtaining citizenship.

Boris Tsilevich in an article for "SM" claims that the discussion on the problem of non-citizens has "gradually faded" without bringing about any changes. Tsilevich interprets the situation as another victory of the National Bloc over more liberal political forces. The President is inconsistent in his statements on the non-citizens' issue. "Latvijas Cels" is safeguarding its own political interests and will not support the ideas opposed by the Nationalists. "Saimnieks" does have any clear principles and uses the issue of non-citizens for political purposes. Saeima Speaker Cepanis has suggested granting Latvian citizenship to all ethnic Ukrainians born in Latvia. This, according to Tsilevich, contradicts the Convention on Racial Discrimination that bans providing any advantages to an ethnic group in obtaining citizenship. SM

Press Report

President Ulmanis during his visit to Rezekne delivered a report at a conference on the problems of Latgalian Latvians. The President stressed the importance of a common sense of responsibility for the country's secure future. President Ulmanis said that Latvia was the only country in the world with 30% of its residents having no citizenship. "This is an inadmissible situation, and we should make naturalization results look different," said the President. He noted that successful naturalization of non-citizens was closely linked with national security. President Ulmanis suggested to consider the situation of ethnic minorities not only in terms of the Latvian legislation but also from an emotional point of view. He called upon ethnic Latvians to show more tolerance toward non-citizens and to make them feel that they were welcomed to the Latvian society.

President Ulmanis during his visit to Rezekne delivered a report at a conference on the problems of Latgalian Latvians. The President stressed the importance of a common sense of responsibility for the country's secure future. President Ulmanis said that Latvia was the only country in the world with 30% of its residents having no citizenship. "This is an inadmissible situation, and we should make naturalization results look different," said the President. He noted that successful naturalization of non-citizens was closely linked with national security. President Ulmanis suggested to consider the situation of ethnic minorities not only in terms of the Latvian legislation but also from an emotional point of view. He called upon ethnic Latvians to show more tolerance toward non-citizens and to make them feel that they were welcomed to the Latvian society. Diena

In an interview for

In an interview for "DIENA" President Ulmanis said that there were a sufficient amount of documents in favor of holding a discussion of a possibility of introducing universal presidential elections. Mr. Ulmanis believes that universal elections would maintain the President's sense of political responsibility. Diena, Neatkariga

President Ulmanis told

President Ulmanis told "DIENA" that he would keep insisting on discussing possible changes to the Citizenship Law and to the naturalization procedure. He believes citizenship problems to "require a thorough consideration". The President noted that sixty thousand potential applicants "were looking through the first window not willing to enter". He would be satisfied with at least four to six thousand non-citizens taking citizenship through naturalization annually. Mr. Ulmanis criticized Vladlen Dozortsev for expecting that "all non-citizens could receive citizenship one fine day" and for lacking a constructive approach to the problem. Tomorrow (May 20) the President will start talks with Saeima factions on citizenship issues. Diena

Saeima Speaker Alfreds Cepanis in an interview on his recent visit to Ukraine said that he would suggest the

Saeima Speaker Alfreds Cepanis in an interview on his recent visit to Ukraine said that he would suggest the Saeima to grant Latvian citizenship to ethnic Ukrainians and Poles. B&B

The Immigration Police detained Ms. Natalya Sivokon who entered Latvia in 1991 from Kirgizia. She was sentenced for 4.5 years for theft and was released in 1994. She could not leave Latvia immediately since her passport was lost by Ministry of the Interior authorities. She was settled down in Latvia with Mr. Vitaly Furtat. They have a one year-old son whom they could not register as Mr. Furtat's child. Mr. Furtat's family is afraid that the child may be taken to an orphanage.

The Immigration Police detained Ms. Natalya Sivokon who entered Latvia in 1991 from Kirgizia. She was sentenced for 4.5 years for theft and was released in 1994. She could not leave Latvia immediately since her passport was lost by Ministry of the Interior authorities. She was settled down in Latvia with Mr. Vitaly Furtat. They have a one year-old son whom they could not register as Mr. Furtat's child. Mr. Furtat's family is afraid that the child may be taken to an orphanage. SM