Press Review

Latvia lost its right to vote in the UN General Assembly among other forty-three countries that failed to settle their debts with the UN. Current Latvia's debt exceeds two million dollars. Minister of Foreign Affairs Birkavs explained that Latvia would settle the debt before the middle of March. Although the state budget provides for the payment, Latvia decided to use the funds for other purposes before the next voting at the UN General Assembly, said Birkavs.

Latvia lost its right to vote in the UN General Assembly among other forty-three countries that failed to settle their debts with the UN. Current Latvia's debt exceeds two million dollars. Minister of Foreign Affairs Birkavs explained that Latvia would settle the debt before the middle of March. Although the state budget provides for the payment, Latvia decided to use the funds for other purposes before the next voting at the UN General Assembly, said Birkavs. Diena

Press Review

Press Review

Yesterday several

Yesterday several Saeima deputies left the Unity Party and the "Tautai un Taisnibai" factions. Five "Tautai un Taisnibai" deputies (Gunta Gannusa, Andris Saulitis, Janis Strods, Ojars Grinbergs and Olgerts Dunkers) joined the "Saimnieks" faction. The "Tautai un Taisnibai" faction was formed last year by former Zigerist's party deputies. One "TT" member (Saeima Deputy-Secretary Maris Rudzitis) joined "Tevzemei un Brivibai". Earlier, "TB" terminated Leopolds Ozolins's mandate after the deputy voted against Skele's Cabinet. Ozolins objected to Juris Kaksitis ("Saimnieks") taking the post of Deputy Prime-Minister. "TB" again has 14 seats in the Saeima. Unity Party faction member Edgars Bans joined "Saimnieks". Now "Saimnieks" has 23 seats. Adolfs Locmelis, formerly a "Unity" member, joined the Farmers' Union/the Union of Christian Democrats. Three remaining "Unity" members have not joined any faction yet and may retain the status of independent deputies. Diena

Leopolds Ozolins was the only

Leopolds Ozolins was the only "TB" member voting against Skele's Cabinet. His mandate was terminated by "TB" for violating faction discipline. Ozolins claimed that candidate for Deputy Prime-Minister Juris Kaksitis in 1986, while a judge, sentenced a young dissident to five years in a reformatory camp. With the beginning of "perestroyka" the dissident was released and forced to emigrate to USA. Kaksitis does not deny his possible participation in the political persecution while Ziedonis Cevers said that Kaksitis "was following the laws that were in force then." Diena

"Saimnieks"

suggested amendments to the Citizenship Law that would grant Latvian citizenship to all ethnic Poles permanently residing in Latvia who do not have citizenship of any other state. The amendments were declined by a majority of deputies and were not passed to the suggested amendments to the Citizenship Law that would grant Latvian citizenship to all ethnic Poles permanently residing in Latvia who do not have citizenship of any other state. The amendments were declined by a majority of deputies and were not passed to the Saeima Saeima committees. The deputies objected to granting privileges to an ethnic group. Bartasevics, Lujans, Dozortsev, Urbanovics and Jurkans submitted draft amendments granting citizenship to all children born in Latvia, one of whose parents was a permanent resident. The amendments also provide for canceling of the "window mechanism", i.e., giving the right to obtain citizenship through naturalization to all permanent residents without any age restrictions. In connection with the suggested amendment Bartasevics pointed at OSCE High Commissioner van der Stoel's objections to the "window mechanism." committees. The deputies objected to granting privileges to an ethnic group. Bartasevics, Lujans, Dozortsev, Urbanovics and Jurkans submitted draft amendments granting citizenship to all children born in Latvia, one of whose parents was a permanent resident. The amendments also provide for canceling of the "window mechanism", i.e., giving the right to obtain citizenship through naturalization to all permanent residents without any age restrictions. In connection with the suggested amendment Bartasevics pointed at OSCE High Commissioner van der Stoel's objections to the "window mechanism." NeatkarigaNeatkariga

Press Review

Press Review

Head of the Latvian Delegation to Moscow Cepanis told the press yesterday that Russian politicians displayed significant interest in the situation of Russian-speakers in Latvia and its policy aimed at joining NATO. Russia closely connects those two political issues to the prospects of economic relations with Latvia. During the talks in Moscow, Mr. Cepanis said that NATO membership was seen by Latvia as the only way of maintaining its security. Still, he added that Latvia was open to discussing other options that could guarantee security. Mr. Cepanis informed the Russian side about the actual situation of non-citizens in Latvia, stressing the lack of interest in naturalization. Member of the Delegation Juris Sinka (

Head of the Latvian Delegation to Moscow Cepanis told the press yesterday that Russian politicians displayed significant interest in the situation of Russian-speakers in Latvia and its policy aimed at joining NATO. Russia closely connects those two political issues to the prospects of economic relations with Latvia. During the talks in Moscow, Mr. Cepanis said that NATO membership was seen by Latvia as the only way of maintaining its security. Still, he added that Latvia was open to discussing other options that could guarantee security. Mr. Cepanis informed the Russian side about the actual situation of non-citizens in Latvia, stressing the lack of interest in naturalization. Member of the Delegation Juris Sinka ("Tevzemei un Brivibai"), during the meetings in Moscow pointed at the patronizing manner of addressing the Latvian side common among Russian politicians. Mr. Sinka said that his remark had an effect on some of the Russian politicians who chose a more discreet manner of speaking to their partners. Ministry of Foreign Affairs Press-Secretary Pildegovics said at a press-briefing that Latvia was still expecting Russia to provide the full text of its long-term doctrine for its relations with the Baltic states. He said that Latvia could not be criticized for human rights violations since those were not discovered by international organizations. Latvia would not accept any pressure connected with citizenship and naturalization issues, said Pildegovics. He stressed that the Latvian Citizenship Law complied with the European norms. Diena, Neatkariga

President Yeltsin in his letter to the Federation Assembly named the protection of the rights of Russian-speakers as one of the most important priorities inthe country's foreign politicy.

President Yeltsin in his letter to the Federation Assembly named the protection of the rights of Russian-speakers as one of the most important priorities inthe country's foreign politicy. Neatkariga

Yesterday Prime-Minister Skele suggested Head of the

Yesterday Prime-Minister Skele suggested Head of the Saeima Budget and Finance Committee Roberts Zile ("Tevzemei un Brivibai") as a candidate for Minister of Finance. Earlier, Skele offered the post to Atis Sausnitis ("Saimnieks") who declined the offer. "Latvijas Cels", "Tevzemei un Brivibai", LNNK/the Greens, the Farmers' Union/the Christian Democrats and "Tautai un Taisnibai" support the Prime-Minister's choice. "Saimnieks" is still discussing Skele's suggestion. "Saimnieks" faction leader Cevers said that the faction had not worked out a definite position on the candidate. The governing factions have agreed to accept the new Minister of Finance on a consensus basis. Diena

Press Review

Head of the Latvian Delegation to Moscow Alfreds Cepanis said at a press-conference that Latvia saw NATO membership as the only way of maintaining it security. While touching upon the issue of Russian-speakers, Cepanis stressed that the Russian side was often using outdated information on the issue. The majority of the Russian-speaking population is not "rushing to obtain citizenship", noted Cepanis. He believes that the problem of ethnic Russians in Latvia "should not be brought to an international scene."

Head of the Latvian Delegation to Moscow Alfreds Cepanis said at a press-conference that Latvia saw NATO membership as the only way of maintaining it security. While touching upon the issue of Russian-speakers, Cepanis stressed that the Russian side was often using outdated information on the issue. The majority of the Russian-speaking population is not "rushing to obtain citizenship", noted Cepanis. He believes that the problem of ethnic Russians in Latvia "should not be brought to an international scene." B&B

Chairman of the

Chairman of the Saeima Human Rights Committee Antons Seiksts told the press that Russia was criticizing Latvia for slow naturalization of non-citizens without valid argumentation. Yesterday Head of the Naturalization Board Eizenija Aldermane reported to the Committee on the latest developments in naturalization. According to the Naturalization Board, 33 thousand non-citizens could apply for naturalization in 1996 while only 550 applications were received. Last week Mrs. Aldermane told "DIENA" that 2,664 non-citizens applied for naturalization in 1995 and 1996 while 54,970 had the right to obtain citizenship. 33,327 young people between 16 and 20 years of age could apply for naturalization last year and only 560 used the right. Diena

According to the Naturalization Board, the total number of Latvian residents having received citizenship through naturalization is 5,701, including those having already passed the tests and waiting for decrees by Cabinet of Ministers confirming their naturalization. Initially, the total number was 9,000. Around 4,000 of these are ethnic Latvians and Livs who received citizenship through extraordinary naturalization after corresponding amendments had been introduced into the Citizenship Law. Deputy-Head of the Board Kahanovics says that the number of applicants has reduced lately. 28 persons were granted citizenship for their extraordinary services to Latvia. Currently, the

According to the Naturalization Board, the total number of Latvian residents having received citizenship through naturalization is 5,701, including those having already passed the tests and waiting for decrees by Cabinet of Ministers confirming their naturalization. Initially, the total number was 9,000. Around 4,000 of these are ethnic Latvians and Livs who received citizenship through extraordinary naturalization after corresponding amendments had been introduced into the Citizenship Law. Deputy-Head of the Board Kahanovics says that the number of applicants has reduced lately. 28 persons were granted citizenship for their extraordinary services to Latvia. Currently, the Saeima is reviewing nine candidates who may be granted citizenship for extraordinary services. Technically, the Naturalization Board is able to review 10,000 applications per year. Still, the average of slightly more than two thousand applications are received annually. Latvian residents between 20 and 25 years of age (appr. 31,000) can apply for citizenship this year. This age group shows a slightly higher activity than the youngest group (16 to 20 years of age) with already 55 applicants in the first two months of 1996. The Naturalization Board gives the following data on the current naturalization situation:

- The number of non-citizens: around 680,000.

- The number of non-citizens: around 680,000.

- The number of non-citizens having the right to apply for naturalization: around 55,000.

- The number of non-citizens having the right to apply for naturalization: around 55,000.

- The number of non-citizens having applied for naturalization or having already obtained citizenship through naturalization: 5,701.

- The number of non-citizens having applied for naturalization or having already obtained citizenship through naturalization: 5,701.

These are:

These are:
Lithuanians and Estonians - 28.5%;
Russians - 46.5%;
Byelorussians - 8.3%;
Poles - 7.9%;
Ukrainians - 4.2%;
Others - 3.1%. Neatkariga

Press Review

Press Review

Russian Ambassador to Latvia Udaltsov held a press-conference marking his first month in office. Mr. Udaltsov described the Long-Term Doctrine for Relations with the Baltic States as a document focused, among other aspects, on protection of Russia's interests in the region. According to Udaltsov, the program of Russia's relations with the Baltic states is remarkable for its pragmatic approach. The Ambassador stressed that Latvia and Russia had resolved the problems of troop withdrawal, the Skrunda radar station and retired servicemen despite the pressure from radical politicians. Both countries should develop mutual confidence and understanding and practice "a more predictable policy" toward each other, said Udaltsov. He explained that the full text of the Doctrine was not available to the media since it was a working document. Mr. Udaltsov stressed that Russian-speakers still had problems in Latvia and that Russia was not excluding the possibility of "using economic factors" to influence Latvian politics toward non-citizens. In that connection the Ambassador referred to the 1991 agreement between Russia and Latvia that provided for granting of Latvian citizenship to all its permanent residents ratified by Latvia. The Russian Parliament refused to ratify the agreement after it became clear that Latvia was not going to observe its conditions on citizenship. According to Mr. Udaltsov, 65 thousand Russian citizens are registered at the Russian Embassy. The Embassy will not hand the lists of Russian citizens residing in Latvia to the Latvian side.

Russian Ambassador to Latvia Udaltsov held a press-conference marking his first month in office. Mr. Udaltsov described the Long-Term Doctrine for Relations with the Baltic States as a document focused, among other aspects, on protection of Russia's interests in the region. According to Udaltsov, the program of Russia's relations with the Baltic states is remarkable for its pragmatic approach. The Ambassador stressed that Latvia and Russia had resolved the problems of troop withdrawal, the Skrunda radar station and retired servicemen despite the pressure from radical politicians. Both countries should develop mutual confidence and understanding and practice "a more predictable policy" toward each other, said Udaltsov. He explained that the full text of the Doctrine was not available to the media since it was a working document. Mr. Udaltsov stressed that Russian-speakers still had problems in Latvia and that Russia was not excluding the possibility of "using economic factors" to influence Latvian politics toward non-citizens. In that connection the Ambassador referred to the 1991 agreement between Russia and Latvia that provided for granting of Latvian citizenship to all its permanent residents ratified by Latvia. The Russian Parliament refused to ratify the agreement after it became clear that Latvia was not going to observe its conditions on citizenship. According to Mr. Udaltsov, 65 thousand Russian citizens are registered at the Russian Embassy. The Embassy will not hand the lists of Russian citizens residing in Latvia to the Latvian side. Diena, SM

Yesterday

Yesterday Saeima Speaker Alfreds Cepanis and Duma Speaker Gennady Seleznev during their meeting in Moscow stressed that Russia and Latvia should get rid of "the elements of cold war" in their relations. Deputy-Speaker of the Russian Duma Aleksandr Shohin told Latvian representatives that observance of the rights of "compatriots" in Latvia was considered a priority issue by Russia. Mr. Seleznev also touched upon Latvia's intention to join NATO and said that the Russian Government was concerned about the prospect. Today Mr. Cepanis is meeting Head of the President's Administration Chubais and Chairman of the Federation Council Stroyev. Diena, B&B