Press Review

Press Review

Yesterday the

Yesterday the Saeima supported Robert Zile's ("Tevzemei un Brivibai") candidature for Minister of Finance and Aija Poca's ("Latvijas Cels") candidature for State Minister for State Revenues. Sixty-eight deputies voted for the candidates with four (two socialists and two Zigerist's party members) voting against Zile and Poca. Roberts Zile held the post of Chairman of the Saeima Budget Committee in the previous Cabinet. Diena, B&B

Russian Deputy Prime-Minister Valery Serov arrived yesterday to Latvia to discuss the work and the prospects of the Latvian-Russian Government Committee. Its aim is to resolve problems of vital importance to both countries. Mr. Serov heads the Russian side in the Committee while the Latvian side is headed by Deputy Prime-Minister Gorbunovs. Mr. Serov will also meet Prime-Minister Skele, Minister of Foreign Affairs Birkavs and President Ulmanis. Valery Serov is Head of the Government Committee for the Affairs of Compatriots Abroad (for detailed information on the recent meeting of the Committee see the press-report of February 26). According to

Russian Deputy Prime-Minister Valery Serov arrived yesterday to Latvia to discuss the work and the prospects of the Latvian-Russian Government Committee. Its aim is to resolve problems of vital importance to both countries. Mr. Serov heads the Russian side in the Committee while the Latvian side is headed by Deputy Prime-Minister Gorbunovs. Mr. Serov will also meet Prime-Minister Skele, Minister of Foreign Affairs Birkavs and President Ulmanis. Valery Serov is Head of the Government Committee for the Affairs of Compatriots Abroad (for detailed information on the recent meeting of the Committee see the press-report of February 26). According to "BIZNES I BALTIYA", the agenda of the meeting of Prime-Minister Skele with Deputy Prime-Minister Serov included the exchange of opinions on the situation of Russian-speakers in Latvia. The Russian side focused on social and humanitarian issues. Yesterday Mr. Serov had a meeting with representatives of Russian-speakers' organizations. Diena, B&B

Yesterday the

Yesterday the Saeima voted against passing draft amendments to the Citizenship Law to the Committees. The amendments were submitted by "Saimnieks" and by Socialist and "People's Harmony" deputies. "Saimnieks" suggested granting the right for extraordinary naturalization to ethnic Poles. Draft amendments by Socialists and "People's Harmony" cancel the "window mechanism" and give all Latvia's residents the right to undergo naturalization irrespective of their age. According to V.Dozortsev ("People's Harmony"), President Ulmanis also spoke in favor of canceling the "window mechanism." SM, B&B

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Latvia agreed to recognize its current border with Russia. According to Head of the Latvian Delegation to the border talks Aivars Vovers, Latvia would not demand a reference to the 1920 Riga Peace Treaty in the border agreement. Mr. Vovers told the press that the delegation would not discuss the property rights of former inhabitants of the Abrene district. The next round of the talks will be held on March 20-21 in Riga. Minister for European Union Affairs Aleksandrs Kirstens said the outcome of the talks was the only possible solution to the border problem.

Latvia agreed to recognize its current border with Russia. According to Head of the Latvian Delegation to the border talks Aivars Vovers, Latvia would not demand a reference to the 1920 Riga Peace Treaty in the border agreement. Mr. Vovers told the press that the delegation would not discuss the property rights of former inhabitants of the Abrene district. The next round of the talks will be held on March 20-21 in Riga. Minister for European Union Affairs Aleksandrs Kirstens said the outcome of the talks was the only possible solution to the border problem. "Tevzemei un Brivibai" representatives told the press that the party would further insist on considering Abrene a part of Latvia's territory. Diena, Neatkariga

Today the governing factions are to vote on Roberts Zile's candidature for Minister of Finance. All governing factions support the candidate. After Zile's appointment,

Today the governing factions are to vote on Roberts Zile's candidature for Minister of Finance. All governing factions support the candidate. After Zile's appointment, "Tevzemei un Brivibai" will have the largest number of seats in the Cabinet (four Ministers and one State Minister). Diena

The Cabinet of Ministers adopted amendments to the regulations for determining the procedure of naturalization tests. The amendments give applicants the right to chose between a verbal test and a multiple choice test in Latvian history and constitutional principles.

The Cabinet of Ministers adopted amendments to the regulations for determining the procedure of naturalization tests. The amendments give applicants the right to chose between a verbal test and a multiple choice test in Latvian history and constitutional principles. PL

Kotov, Buzayev and Raihman of the Latvian Human Rights Committee in their survey of the human rights situation in Latvia in 1996 point at the indifference displayed by the Latvian authorities to the problem of illegal residents. Most of these people have lost their "propiska" after temporary absence from Latvia or, even, without leaving the country. The human rights activists criticize amendments to the Law "On Foreigners' and Stateless Persons' Entrance to and Stay in the Republic of Latvia" adopted by the Cabinet of Ministers last August. The amendments require that all foreign citizens permanently residing in Latvia should apply for permanent residence permits. The requirement is a threat to foreigners' status in Latvia, since it does not set any difference between a temporary residence permit and a permanent residence permit as for the possibility of annulling. Both types of residence permits can be annulled in fifteen cases, including the loss of a legal source of income. The Latvian Human Rights Committee members point at misinterpretation of the Law "On the Status of Former USSR Citizens who are not Citizens of Latvia or of any other State". Courts and the Procurator's Office still insist that only individuals who had "propiska" in Latvia

Kotov, Buzayev and Raihman of the Latvian Human Rights Committee in their survey of the human rights situation in Latvia in 1996 point at the indifference displayed by the Latvian authorities to the problem of illegal residents. Most of these people have lost their "propiska" after temporary absence from Latvia or, even, without leaving the country. The human rights activists criticize amendments to the Law "On Foreigners' and Stateless Persons' Entrance to and Stay in the Republic of Latvia" adopted by the Cabinet of Ministers last August. The amendments require that all foreign citizens permanently residing in Latvia should apply for permanent residence permits. The requirement is a threat to foreigners' status in Latvia, since it does not set any difference between a temporary residence permit and a permanent residence permit as for the possibility of annulling. Both types of residence permits can be annulled in fifteen cases, including the loss of a legal source of income. The Latvian Human Rights Committee members point at misinterpretation of the Law "On the Status of Former USSR Citizens who are not Citizens of Latvia or of any other State". Courts and the Procurator's Office still insist that only individuals who had "propiska" in Latvia ON July 1, 1992, can be included in the Register of Inhabitants. Still, the OSCE and the Council of Europe, according to the authors of the article, insist on using "BEFORE July 1, 1992" when defining the category of residents entitled to registration.SM

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CID Deputy-Director Janis Leins told the BNS news agency that samples of the non-citizen's passport would be sent to the governments of almost 200 countries for legalization. Latvia expects to receive confirmations of recognition of the document within forty-five days. The issuing of new passports will be started on April 10, 1997.

CID Deputy-Director Janis Leins told the BNS news agency that samples of the non-citizen's passport would be sent to the governments of almost 200 countries for legalization. Latvia expects to receive confirmations of recognition of the document within forty-five days. The issuing of new passports will be started on April 10, 1997. SM, Diena

Russia's policy toward the Russian-speaking population of CIS and Baltic countries was on the agenda of yesterday's meeting of the Government Committee for the Affairs of Compatriots Abroad. Minister for the Affairs of Nationalities and Federal Relations Vyacheslav Mihailov in his report stressed that protection of the rights of compatriots abroad should be among the priorities of Russia's foreign policies. Mr. Mihailov said that compatriots should enjoy the rights equal to those of the native population of former USSR republics. He believes that Russia should inhibit repatriation of Russian-speakers. Decrease of the number of Russian-speakers in CIS and Baltic countries will broaden a gap between these countries and Russia, believes Mihailov. He also suggested to "encourage the forming of autonomies" in the areas where Russian-speakers constitute a large portion of the population. Russia should insist on introducing Russian as a second state language in the countries with high percentages of the Russian-speaking population.

Russia's policy toward the Russian-speaking population of CIS and Baltic countries was on the agenda of yesterday's meeting of the Government Committee for the Affairs of Compatriots Abroad. Minister for the Affairs of Nationalities and Federal Relations Vyacheslav Mihailov in his report stressed that protection of the rights of compatriots abroad should be among the priorities of Russia's foreign policies. Mr. Mihailov said that compatriots should enjoy the rights equal to those of the native population of former USSR republics. He believes that Russia should inhibit repatriation of Russian-speakers. Decrease of the number of Russian-speakers in CIS and Baltic countries will broaden a gap between these countries and Russia, believes Mihailov. He also suggested to "encourage the forming of autonomies" in the areas where Russian-speakers constitute a large portion of the population. Russia should insist on introducing Russian as a second state language in the countries with high percentages of the Russian-speaking population. SM

Deputy-Speaker of the Russian

Deputy-Speaker of the Russian Duma Aleksandr Shohin in an interview for "SM" confirmed that the main topic of talks with the Latvian parliamentary delegation was the rights of Russian-speakers in Latvia. The Russian side stressed that no improvement of economic relations between the two countries could be possible without resolving the problem of Russian-speakers and the border issue. Russia would not agree to any references to the 1920 Riga Peace Treaty. The Russian side also strongly objects to Latvia becoming a NATO member and suggests concluding a trilateral agreement between NATO, Russia and Latvia. SM Gennady Kotov, Vladimir Buzayev and Aleksandr Raihman (the Latvian Human Rights Committee) in their report on the human rights situation in Latvia name complicated naturalization tests as a main reason for a slow pace of naturalization. Although, during registration, 90% of non-citizens expressed their wish to obtain citizenship, only around three thousand have received citizenship through naturalization. Only few restrictions of non-citizens' rights have been canceled. Non-citizens are still paid lower pensions, since only years of work on the territory of Latvia are taken as a basis for calculating their pensions. The rule is not applied to citizens. Unemployed Russian-speakers cannot apply for social benefits without producing a certificate proving that they have passed a language test irrespective of the work they are looking for. Among other problems, the authors mention amendments to the Law "On Foreigners' and Stateless Persons' Entrance to and stay in the Republic of Latvia". The new version of the Law provides for a more complicated procedure of the issuance of residence permits. According to the Law, residence permits should be applied for at Latvian embassies abroad. SM

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"Saimnieks"

leader Cevers told the press yesterday that his party would not insist on restructuring the Cabinet after it was joined by six deputies from other factions. Mr. Cevers also said that leader Cevers told the press yesterday that his party would not insist on restructuring the Cabinet after it was joined by six deputies from other factions. Mr. Cevers also said that "Saimnieks""Saimnieks" supported Robert Zile's candidature for Minister of Finance. Tomorrow Zile's candidature will be on the agenda of the meeting of the Council for Co-operation between the Governing Factions. supported Robert Zile's candidature for Minister of Finance. Tomorrow Zile's candidature will be on the agenda of the meeting of the Council for Co-operation between the Governing Factions. Diena, NeatkarigaDiena, Neatkariga Yesterday Chairman of the Unity Party Alberts Kauls told

Yesterday Chairman of the Unity Party Alberts Kauls told "DIENA" that the party conference scheduled for mid-March will discuss possible merging of "Unity" ("Vieniba") with "Saimnieks". The "Unity" faction ceased to exist after four of its members left for "Saimnieks" and one -- for the Farmers' Union. Diena

Six Parliamentary Secretaries were appointed by Monday, February 24. Four Parliamentary secretaries have retained their offices. Former Minister of Education and Science Grinblats (

Six Parliamentary Secretaries were appointed by Monday, February 24. Four Parliamentary secretaries have retained their offices. Former Minister of Education and Science Grinblats ("Tevzemei un Brivibai") was appointed Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Justice and Robert Jurdzs ("TB") took the post of Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Welfare. Diena

Council of Europe Secretary General Daniel Tarschys believes that capital punishment cannot facilitate the decrease of crime rate. Twenty-nine European countries have abolished capital punishment in time of peace. Eight countries have excluded death sentences from their court practice, while some of these eight European nations have declared a moratorium on capital punishment. Latvia and Lithuania also have declared a moratorium on death penalty, and no death penalties have been executed in Estonia since 1991. Among other examples, Daniel Tarschys points at the decrease of crime rate in Canada after the country abolished capital punishment in 1976. Just on the opposite, the number of serious offenses increased in the USA after the country re-introduced capital punishment in 1977. Mr. Tarschys points at the fact that most capital offenses, especially murders, are committed in the state of an extreme agitation or under the effect of drugs. In these cases a criminal very often cannot assess the risk of facing capital punishment. Another argument used by Daniel Tarschys is a risk of a mistake during investigation and court proceedings leading to an innocent person being sentenced to death.

Council of Europe Secretary General Daniel Tarschys believes that capital punishment cannot facilitate the decrease of crime rate. Twenty-nine European countries have abolished capital punishment in time of peace. Eight countries have excluded death sentences from their court practice, while some of these eight European nations have declared a moratorium on capital punishment. Latvia and Lithuania also have declared a moratorium on death penalty, and no death penalties have been executed in Estonia since 1991. Among other examples, Daniel Tarschys points at the decrease of crime rate in Canada after the country abolished capital punishment in 1976. Just on the opposite, the number of serious offenses increased in the USA after the country re-introduced capital punishment in 1977. Mr. Tarschys points at the fact that most capital offenses, especially murders, are committed in the state of an extreme agitation or under the effect of drugs. In these cases a criminal very often cannot assess the risk of facing capital punishment. Another argument used by Daniel Tarschys is a risk of a mistake during investigation and court proceedings leading to an innocent person being sentenced to death. Neatkariga

Press Report

Last Thursday

Last Thursday "Tevzemei un Brivibai" issued a statement criticizing Saeima Speaker Alfreds Cepanis for his remarks made during the visit of the Latvian delegation to Moscow. Member of the delegation Juris Sinka (Tevzemei un Brivibai) told the press that Cepanis in his statements "doubted the European orientation of Latvia's foreign politics and the international importance of the Declaration on Occupation, and spoke in favor of establishing closer relations with Russia". Mr. Sinka quoted the Saeima Speaker who said that Latvia, while seeing NATO membership as a security guarantee, was open to other options and guarantees. He also criticized Mr. Cepanis for suggesting to resolve the border issue on the basis of the Helsinki Final Act. Juris Sinka stressed that the Act could not be applied to Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania since those countries were occupied and could not sign the document. Diena

President Ulmanis and Minister of Foreign Affairs Birkavs say that Latvia will decline all suggestions of concluding a trilateral agreement with NATO and Russia guaranteeing the country's security. Such a suggestion was made by Deputy-Speaker of the Russian

President Ulmanis and Minister of Foreign Affairs Birkavs say that Latvia will decline all suggestions of concluding a trilateral agreement with NATO and Russia guaranteeing the country's security. Such a suggestion was made by Deputy-Speaker of the Russian Duma Aleksandr Shohin. Mr. Birkavs explained that Russia, being a guarantor of Latvia's security, would have the right to require that Latvia satisfied its demands on "the so-called human rights issues" and abandoned its plans of joining NATO. Diena