Press Report

Press Report

Yesterday the first twenty non-citizens' passports were issued at the Passport Center of the Board for Citizenship and Migration Affairs. According to

Yesterday the first twenty non-citizens' passports were issued at the Passport Center of the Board for Citizenship and Migration Affairs. According to "DIENA", the passport has been recognized by fifteen countries. "SM" mentions twelve countries, while "PANORAMA LATVII" names fourteen. Seven applicants failed to appear at the ceremony. According to "SM", Minister of the Interior Turlais in his speech interpreted the applicants' willingness to obtain the new passport as a token of their loyalty to Latvia. The BNS news agency reports on Russian Ambassador Udaltsov's negative attitude to the new passports. He stressed that the document did not comply with several international conventions and did not resolve the problem of the large number of non-citizens in Latvia. "Russia will have to analyze the consequences of its possible attitude to holders of new passports," said Mr. Udaltsov when asked about possible recognition of the new passports by Russia. Deputy-Head of the Board for Citizenship and Migration Issues Leins commented on the Ambassadors' statement saying that Russia would complicate the problems faced by non-citizens by refusing to recognize the new passports. The Board is planning to issue 700.000 non-citizens' passports within the next three years. Diena, SM, PL

"SM"

commented on a response of the Latvian Government officials and the Latvian press to OSCE High Commissioner van der Stole's visit to Latvia. The article suggests that the nationalists' opposition to any changes in the Citizenship Law is rooted in their fear to lose their political power. This also accounts for their objections to granting citizenship to "Eastern" Latvians. The Latvian media was mostly defending the state policy toward non-citizens claiming that the High Commissioner lacked the understanding of the situation in the country. "Independent journalist" Karlis Reimanis incommented on a response of the Latvian Government officials and the Latvian press to OSCE High Commissioner van der Stole's visit to Latvia. The article suggests that the nationalists' opposition to any changes in the Citizenship Law is rooted in their fear to lose their political power. This also accounts for their objections to granting citizenship to "Eastern" Latvians. The Latvian media was mostly defending the state policy toward non-citizens claiming that the High Commissioner lacked the understanding of the situation in the country. "Independent journalist" Karlis Reimanis in "NEATKARIGA" "NEATKARIGA" (April 8) even compared van der Stole to an angel of death willing to bring easy and painless death to the Latvian people. (April 8) even compared van der Stole to an angel of death willing to bring easy and painless death to the Latvian people. SMSM The Latvian Government is deliberately creating prerequisites for the closure of Russian-language schools, believes an The Latvian Government is deliberately creating prerequisites for the closure of Russian-language schools, believes an "SM""SM" journalist. Even if the draft Law on Education introducing school education in the Latvian language only after 2005 is not adopted, many Russian-language schools will be closed due to the lack of teachers. They will be forced to quit their jobs after September 1, 1998. This is a deadline for all Russian-school teachers to pass the highest category Latvian language test. Elderly teachers will not be able to pass the test while most of the teachers do not have enough free time to get properly prepared for it. journalist. Even if the draft Law on Education introducing school education in the Latvian language only after 2005 is not adopted, many Russian-language schools will be closed due to the lack of teachers. They will be forced to quit their jobs after September 1, 1998. This is a deadline for all Russian-school teachers to pass the highest category Latvian language test. Elderly teachers will not be able to pass the test while most of the teachers do not have enough free time to get properly prepared for it. SMSM The Saeima voted against including amendments suggested by the Saeima Human Rights Committee in the third reading of the Law on Pharmacy. The amendments provided for giving non-citizens the right to work as certified pharmacists. According to the Law, non-citizens can be employed by pharmacies but cannot work as directors of drug-stores or pharmacy dealers.

The Saeima voted against including amendments suggested by the Saeima Human Rights Committee in the third reading of the Law on Pharmacy. The amendments provided for giving non-citizens the right to work as certified pharmacists. According to the Law, non-citizens can be employed by pharmacies but cannot work as directors of drug-stores or pharmacy dealers. Diena, SM

Press Report

Press Report

Minister of Foreign Affairs Valdis Birkavs had a meeting with Russian Deputy-Minister of Foreign Affairs Igor Ivanov. The agenda of the talks included issues connected with the situation of Russian-speakers in Latvia. The Russian side expressed concern about the slowness of naturalization processes caused by Aobstacles artificially created by the Government". The Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs provided his Russian colleagues with the results of sociological research of non-citizens' attitude toward naturalization.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Valdis Birkavs had a meeting with Russian Deputy-Minister of Foreign Affairs Igor Ivanov. The agenda of the talks included issues connected with the situation of Russian-speakers in Latvia. The Russian side expressed concern about the slowness of naturalization processes caused by Aobstacles artificially created by the Government". The Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs provided his Russian colleagues with the results of sociological research of non-citizens' attitude toward naturalization. Diena, B&B

Today the first ten to fifteen non-citizens will receive new non-citizens' passports. The new passports have been recognized by twelve countries including USA, Estonia, Lithuania, Poland, Byelorussia, Slovakia, Norway, Great Britain, Finland, Israel, Czech Republic and Italy.

Today the first ten to fifteen non-citizens will receive new non-citizens' passports. The new passports have been recognized by twelve countries including USA, Estonia, Lithuania, Poland, Byelorussia, Slovakia, Norway, Great Britain, Finland, Israel, Czech Republic and Italy. B&B "PANORAMA LATVII" in a comment on OSCE High Commissioner van der Stoel's visit to Latvia stressed that even "Latvijas Cels" member Antons Seiksts did not agree to removing "the nationality column" from Latvian passports. Head of the Naturalization Board Eizenija Adermane in an interview said that changing test requirements would be a violation of the Law.

"SM" in its survey of the OSCE High Commissioner's visit criticized Minister of Education Celmins for misinforming the High Commissioner on education for Russian-speakers. Mr. Celmins said that some of Russian language schools were closed after Russian-speaking families started sending their children to Latvian schools. According to the author of the article, the situation was caused by expected school reform that would make school education in Russian unavailable after 2005. He also stressed that Head of the Saeima Human Rights Committee Antons Seiksts while objecting to abolishing "the nationality column" did not give real reasons for his objections. According to the article, ethnic Latvians enjoyed advantages that would be lost, should their ethnic origin not be indicated in their passports. SM

Latvian Minister of the Interior Dainis Turlais and State Minister of the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs Schorri sinend an agreement on return of illegal immigrants. The agreement will come into force on May 1. An agreement on non-visa entrance regime will be signed after Latvia ratifies the 1951 UN Convention on Refugees.

Latvian Minister of the Interior Dainis Turlais and State Minister of the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs Schorri sinend an agreement on return of illegal immigrants. The agreement will come into force on May 1. An agreement on non-visa entrance regime will be signed after Latvia ratifies the 1951 UN Convention on Refugees. Diena

"Tevzemei un Brivibai"

does not support the statement made by Minister of Economics Guntars Krasts last Tuesday. does not support the statement made by Minister of Economics Guntars Krasts last Tuesday. "TB""TB" member Krasts said that he would resign if Prime-Minister Skele insisted on the Director General of the Privatization Agency appointing Directors of the Agency. Mr. Krasts and his party suggest selecting candidates for the posts through a contest. Yesterday member Krasts said that he would resign if Prime-Minister Skele insisted on the Director General of the Privatization Agency appointing Directors of the Agency. Mr. Krasts and his party suggest selecting candidates for the posts through a contest. Yesterday "TB""TB" representatives had consultations with President Ulmanis. The President believes that Mr. Krasts should retain his post in the Government. representatives had consultations with President Ulmanis. The President believes that Mr. Krasts should retain his post in the Government. DienaDiena

Press Report

Head of the Naturalization Board Eizenija Aldermane said at a press-conference that a test in the Latvian history cannot be considered "a stumbling block" accountable for a small number of applicants for naturalization. OSCE High Commissioner van der Stoel during his visit to Latvia criticized the test for being too complicated. Mrs. Aldermane pointed at the broad choice of text books in history available to applicants. She also pointed out the opportunity to choose between an oral and a written test. The Head of the Naturalization Board told the press about a brochure published in Latvian and Russian explaining the essence of citizenship and terms and procedures of applying for citizenship (300,000 copies). The Naturalization Board has also released a brochure on naturalization in the English language to be circulate among foreign diplomats. Mrs. Aldermane said that the Naturalization Board was not going to force Latvia's inhabitants to apply for naturalization and sees its duty in making precise information on how to obtain citizenship available to non-citizens. The pace of naturalization remained the same as last year. The Board received 225 applications in January,274 -- in February, and 245 -- in March. The total number of applications received by the Board as of February 28 is 5,945. The number of requests for naturalization received is 6191. Currently, 124 thousand individuals have the right to obtain citizenship through naturalization. Only 4,544 have received citizenship.

Head of the Naturalization Board Eizenija Aldermane said at a press-conference that a test in the Latvian history cannot be considered "a stumbling block" accountable for a small number of applicants for naturalization. OSCE High Commissioner van der Stoel during his visit to Latvia criticized the test for being too complicated. Mrs. Aldermane pointed at the broad choice of text books in history available to applicants. She also pointed out the opportunity to choose between an oral and a written test. The Head of the Naturalization Board told the press about a brochure published in Latvian and Russian explaining the essence of citizenship and terms and procedures of applying for citizenship (300,000 copies). The Naturalization Board has also released a brochure on naturalization in the English language to be circulate among foreign diplomats. Mrs. Aldermane said that the Naturalization Board was not going to force Latvia's inhabitants to apply for naturalization and sees its duty in making precise information on how to obtain citizenship available to non-citizens. The pace of naturalization remained the same as last year. The Board received 225 applications in January,274 -- in February, and 245 -- in March. The total number of applications received by the Board as of February 28 is 5,945. The number of requests for naturalization received is 6191. Currently, 124 thousand individuals have the right to obtain citizenship through naturalization. Only 4,544 have received citizenship. Diena, Neatkariga

Natalya Lebedeva (

Natalya Lebedeva ("SM") in her report on OSCE High Commissioner van der Stoel's visit noted that the High Commissioner usually avoided interviews and press-conferences. Mr. van der Stoel during his brief meeting with the press said that "the window mechanism" was one of the reasons for the slowness of naturalization processes in Latvia. Still, he does not believe that abolishing the "mechanism" will bring a tangible increase in the number of applicants. According to "SM", Mr. van der Stoel "was astonished" by a complicated test in the Latvian history. N. Lebedeva noted that the High Commissioner did not pay much attention to education for minorities and applied the term "Russian community" to all non-Latvian inhabitants of Latvia. SM

"Tevzemei un Brivibai"

Secretary General Aigars Kimenis in an article in Secretary General Aigars Kimenis in an article in "DIENA""DIENA" criticized the President for "rocking the boat" and jeopardizing political stability in the Cabinet. Mr. Kimenis expressed concern about President Ulmanis' suggestion to "open windows" to non-citizens willing to obtain citizenship through naturalization. criticized the President for "rocking the boat" and jeopardizing political stability in the Cabinet. Mr. Kimenis expressed concern about President Ulmanis' suggestion to "open windows" to non-citizens willing to obtain citizenship through naturalization. "Tevzemei un Brivibai""Tevzemei un Brivibai" sees the Citizenship Law in force as the best possible compromise and would not agree to amend it. Mr. Kimenis believes increasing the percentage of non-Latvians among citizens may lead to Latvia's incorporation into Russia's sphere of influence. sees the Citizenship Law in force as the best possible compromise and would not agree to amend it. Mr. Kimenis believes increasing the percentage of non-Latvians among citizens may lead to Latvia's incorporation into Russia's sphere of influence. DienaDiena

Press Report

According to Head of the

According to Head of the Saeima Human Rights Committee Antons Seiksts, OSCE High Commissioner Max van der Stoel "has not changed his views on human rights since his last visit to Latvia". The High Commissioner recommended canceling the registration of nationality in passports, granting of citizenship to children born in Latvia, simplifying naturalization tests in history and the Latvian language. Mr. Seiksts told the press that Mr. van der Stoel's "liberal democratic outlook" could benefit from obtaining "deeper understanding of the peculiar situation in Latvia". He hopes that Mr. van der Stoel "would display a deeper understanding of the situation" during his next visit to Latvia. The Head of the Saeima Committee stressed that such understanding could be especially useful when discussing the removal of the "nationality graph" from passports. According to Mr. Seiksts, the society "is not ready to accept such a change". Mr. Seiksts said that the High Commissioner had not insisted on canceling "the window mechanism". He explained to the Commissioner that the agreement between the governing factions allows to amend the Citizenship Law only on the basis of consensus. Seiksts himself believes the approach to be outdated since it does not allow introducing even minor technical amendments to the Law. The Head of the Saeima Committee agreed with Mr. van der Stoel who suggested simplifying the naturalization test in history. Still, Mr. Seiksts would not agree to simplifying the language test. Saeima Speaker Alfreds Cepanis briefed Mr. van der Stoel on the implementation of the Citizenship Law and on the steps taken to abolish the nine differences between the rights of citizens and non-citizens that did not comply with EU legislation. Mr. Cepanis said that the High Commissioner did not believe the human rights problem to be a burning issue in Latvia and was mostly concerned about a low pace of the naturalization process suggesting to simplify naturalization tests. Mr. Cepanis informed the High Commissioner of a recent social research of the possible reasons for an extremely low number of applicants for naturalization. Among those is a non-visa regime for entering Russia still in force for non-citizens, unwillingness to serve in the Latvian Army and a low rating of Latvian citizenship among non-citizens. During his visit to the Naturalization Board the High Commissioner focused on altering the history test and activities of the Board. According to Head of the Naturalization Board Eizenija Aldermane, the history test is being reviewed by the Board. The High Commissioner will follow the results of a research by the Naturalization Board on citizens' and non-citizens' approach to citizenship and on their perception of the issue. The Naturalization Board will study the problem in collaboration with the Human Rights Office, the Soros Foundation, the Ministry of Education and Science and the Citizenship and Immigration Department. Mrs. Aldermane informed the High Commissioner about an information booklet on naturalization prepared in co-operation with the OSCE Mission (with financial support of the Mission, according to "NEATKARIGA").

During a meeting with President Ulmanis OSCE High Commissioner van der Stoel stressed that naturalization should not be accomplished just for its own sake. The process was a powerful mechanism for integrating non-Latvians into Latvia's society. The President focused on the reform of the education system and on the efforts aimed at establishing a broad dialogue in Latvia's society. Minister of Foreign Affairs Birkavs informed the High Commissioner about the introduction of new non-citizens' passports on April 10. Mr. van der Stoel was surprised by the small number of states that had recognized the passports.

During a meeting with President Ulmanis OSCE High Commissioner van der Stoel stressed that naturalization should not be accomplished just for its own sake. The process was a powerful mechanism for integrating non-Latvians into Latvia's society. The President focused on the reform of the education system and on the efforts aimed at establishing a broad dialogue in Latvia's society. Minister of Foreign Affairs Birkavs informed the High Commissioner about the introduction of new non-citizens' passports on April 10. Mr. van der Stoel was surprised by the small number of states that had recognized the passports. Diena, Neatkariga, B&B

Deputy-Head of the Naturalization Board Kohanovics took part in a meeting of the Union of Latvia's Ukrainians. In his report he suggested that naturalization problems should be resolved without provoking confrontation in the society. Mr. Kohanovics spoke in favor of abolishing "the window mechanism" and granting citizenship to all children born in Latvia. He believes that elderly people should be exempt from a written test in the Latvian language. The Deputy-Head of the Board also supports decreasing naturalization fee.

Deputy-Head of the Naturalization Board Kohanovics took part in a meeting of the Union of Latvia's Ukrainians. In his report he suggested that naturalization problems should be resolved without provoking confrontation in the society. Mr. Kohanovics spoke in favor of abolishing "the window mechanism" and granting citizenship to all children born in Latvia. He believes that elderly people should be exempt from a written test in the Latvian language. The Deputy-Head of the Board also supports decreasing naturalization fee.

Press Report

The agenda of OSCE High Commissioner van der Stoel's visit to Latvia includes meetings with President Ulmanis, Saeima Speaker Alfreds Cepanis, members of the Saeima Human Rights Committee, heads of the Saeima Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of the Interior, the Minister of Education and Science and the Minister of Environmental Protection and Regional Development. During his previous visit to Latvia last October Mr. van der Stoel said that he saw serious reasons for considering possible ways of reducing the number of non-citizens. 

The agenda of OSCE High Commissioner van der Stoel's visit to Latvia includes meetings with President Ulmanis, Saeima Speaker Alfreds Cepanis, members of the Saeima Human Rights Committee, heads of the Saeima Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of the Interior, the Minister of Education and Science and the Minister of Environmental Protection and Regional Development. During his previous visit to Latvia last October Mr. van der Stoel said that he saw serious reasons for considering possible ways of reducing the number of non-citizens.Diena

Head of the Human Rights Office Kaija Gertnere in her report delivered at a conference on education for national minorities said that Latvian education system complied with international human rights standards. Minister of Education Juris Celmins explained that the closing of Russian-language schools is caused by decreasing demand for school education in Russian. Head of the General Education Department Baiba Kinstlere said that Latvia's education system complied with the standards set by the Hague Recommendations. Still, she admitted that the draft Law on Education, if adopted, would violate the standards. The draft Law provides for introducing the Latvian language as the only language of instruction in schools after 2005. Her opinion on the draft Education Law is shared by member of the President's Consultative Council on Minorities Boris Tsilevich.

Head of the Human Rights Office Kaija Gertnere in her report delivered at a conference on education for national minorities said that Latvian education system complied with international human rights standards. Minister of Education Juris Celmins explained that the closing of Russian-language schools is caused by decreasing demand for school education in Russian. Head of the General Education Department Baiba Kinstlere said that Latvia's education system complied with the standards set by the Hague Recommendations. Still, she admitted that the draft Law on Education, if adopted, would violate the standards. The draft Law provides for introducing the Latvian language as the only language of instruction in schools after 2005. Her opinion on the draft Education Law is shared by member of the President's Consultative Council on Minorities Boris Tsilevich. Diena, SM, B&B