Press Review

On April 8 Deputy-Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia Vitaly Churkin called upon Latvia to ignore the document mentioning the creation of military bases in Latvia. He also noted that in case Latvia refused to sign the agreements it would be solely responsible for the consequences. The Ambassador of Latvia to Russia J.Peters demanded an official cancellation of the President's decree. He said that in case that was not done the signing of the agreements could be jeopardized. According to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia Andrey Koziryev the document does not exist at all. He suggested that the press had got hold of one of draft copies. The Press-Secretary of the Russian President Vyacheslav Kostikov did not reject the existence of the document. Still, he admitted that "a technical error of a diplomatic nature" had been made. He also added that all necessary explanations and apologizes had been given by Russia and expressed hope that the summit would be held as scheduled. According to the ITAR-TASS news agency the agency received the decree by diplomatic mail, i.e through official channels.

On April 8 Deputy-Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia Vitaly Churkin called upon Latvia to ignore the document mentioning the creation of military bases in Latvia. He also noted that in case Latvia refused to sign the agreements it would be solely responsible for the consequences. The Ambassador of Latvia to Russia J.Peters demanded an official cancellation of the President's decree. He said that in case that was not done the signing of the agreements could be jeopardized. According to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia Andrey Koziryev the document does not exist at all. He suggested that the press had got hold of one of draft copies. The Press-Secretary of the Russian President Vyacheslav Kostikov did not reject the existence of the document. Still, he admitted that "a technical error of a diplomatic nature" had been made. He also added that all necessary explanations and apologizes had been given by Russia and expressed hope that the summit would be held as scheduled. According to the ITAR-TASS news agency the agency received the decree by diplomatic mail, i.e through official channels. Diena

The presidents of the three Baltic states issued a statement on April 8 calling upon the President of Russia to recognize the inadequacy of the statement and confirm the obligations taking by Russia regarding a prompt withdrawal of troops from Latvia and Estonia.

The presidents of the three Baltic states issued a statement on April 8 calling upon the President of Russia to recognize the inadequacy of the statement and confirm the obligations taking by Russia regarding a prompt withdrawal of troops from Latvia and Estonia. Diena, Labrit

President Ulmanis has canceled his visit to Moscow and his suggestion to the Saema to discuss the signing of the agreements at a meeting scheduled for April 15. During his meetings with the heads of self-governing bodies in Kuldiga the President has suggested that the agreement had to be signed in spite of provocations. President Ulmanis is planning to visit Britain, Germany, and Denmark in order to discuss the situation with Western politicians. He also stressed that certain points of the agreement should be revised and specified and expressed his concern about the growing opposition to the agreement. The President noted that an international expertise of the impact of the Skrunda radar is necessary.

President Ulmanis has canceled his visit to Moscow and his suggestion to the Saema to discuss the signing of the agreements at a meeting scheduled for April 15. During his meetings with the heads of self-governing bodies in Kuldiga the President has suggested that the agreement had to be signed in spite of provocations. President Ulmanis is planning to visit Britain, Germany, and Denmark in order to discuss the situation with Western politicians. He also stressed that certain points of the agreement should be revised and specified and expressed his concern about the growing opposition to the agreement. The President noted that an international expertise of the impact of the Skrunda radar is necessary. Diena, Labrit

On April 8 the Latvian Committee for Radio and TV Broadcasting adopted the decision to continue the re-broadcasting of Ostankino program. The "Ostankino" Company has paid it debts for 1993 and promised to accomplish the remaining payments upon the adoption of the 1994 budget in Russia. 

On April 8 the Latvian Committee for Radio and TV Broadcasting adopted the decision to continue the re-broadcasting of Ostankino program. The "Ostankino" Company has paid it debts for 1993 and promised to accomplish the remaining payments upon the adoption of the 1994 budget in Russia.Labrit, SM

Press Report

On April 7 the Ambassador of Russia to Latvia stated that the decree by the President Yeltsin was a "technical" but not a political error and apologized for it. State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia Maris Riekstins pointed out that the Ambassador's explanation did not cancel the decree. He also said he was puzzled by the fact that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had refused to admit its participation in the preparation of the Presidents statement. Mr.Rannih suggested that the reason for the fax copy to reach the Latvian Government so quickly could be the participation of certain subversive forces intending to hamper the agreement between the two countries. Same thought was expressed by Mr.Maris Riekstins. Latvian Ambassador to Sweden Mr.Gross said that he had received the information about Mr.Koziryev referring to the document as "a strange copy but not an original." The Deputy-Head of the "Latvijas Cels" fraction Mr.Indulis Berzins said that the situation created by the decree on military bases did not allow the signing of the agreements without additional negotiations held by the representatives of the two parties. He also noted that the information on the "technical" error would not provide any additional confidence unless confirmed by President Yeltsin. The Chairman of the Saema Commission for International Affairs Mr.Aleksandrs Kirsteins told the journalists that it was typical of the Russian Government to distribute inadequate statements for the purpose of observing the international response and later to claim such statements to be invalid. He also objected against the signing of the agreement on pensioned officers and stressed that USA, Great Britain, and Russia should be responsible for the solution of this problem as well as the problem of immigrants from the USSR since it were the three countries that had determined the post-war destiny of Latvia.

On April 7 the Ambassador of Russia to Latvia stated that the decree by the President Yeltsin was a "technical" but not a political error and apologized for it. State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia Maris Riekstins pointed out that the Ambassador's explanation did not cancel the decree. He also said he was puzzled by the fact that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had refused to admit its participation in the preparation of the Presidents statement. Mr.Rannih suggested that the reason for the fax copy to reach the Latvian Government so quickly could be the participation of certain subversive forces intending to hamper the agreement between the two countries. Same thought was expressed by Mr.Maris Riekstins. Latvian Ambassador to Sweden Mr.Gross said that he had received the information about Mr.Koziryev referring to the document as "a strange copy but not an original." The Deputy-Head of the "Latvijas Cels" fraction Mr.Indulis Berzins said that the situation created by the decree on military bases did not allow the signing of the agreements without additional negotiations held by the representatives of the two parties. He also noted that the information on the "technical" error would not provide any additional confidence unless confirmed by President Yeltsin. The Chairman of the Saema Commission for International Affairs Mr.Aleksandrs Kirsteins told the journalists that it was typical of the Russian Government to distribute inadequate statements for the purpose of observing the international response and later to claim such statements to be invalid. He also objected against the signing of the agreement on pensioned officers and stressed that USA, Great Britain, and Russia should be responsible for the solution of this problem as well as the problem of immigrants from the USSR since it were the three countries that had determined the post-war destiny of Latvia. Diena, Labrit

The "Latvijas Cels" fraction has issued a statement on the decree by President Yeltsin. The statement says that it is evident that certain forces in the governing bodies of Russia are interested in preserving the Russian military presence in Latvia.

The "Latvijas Cels" fraction has issued a statement on the decree by President Yeltsin. The statement says that it is evident that certain forces in the governing bodies of Russia are interested in preserving the Russian military presence in Latvia. Labrit

"Tevzemei un Brivibai" fraction adopted a statement on the decree by the Russian President containg strong objections against the agreements. Its leader Maris Grinbalts called the initialled agreement on retired servicemen "a political suicide."

"Tevzemei un Brivibai" fraction adopted a statement on the decree by the Russian President containg strong objections against the agreements. Its leader Maris Grinbalts called the initialled agreement on retired servicemen "a political suicide." Labrit

According to the former "BALTIYSKAYA GAZETA" corespondent in Moscow who is currently working for the "Al Khayat" newspaper he was told in the Ministry of Defence that the error in Yeltsin's decree appeared due to the differences in terminology used by the Ministry of Defence and the one used by diplomats regarding the Skrunda radar station. The Ministry documents use the term "miliary base" while other document refer to the radar as a "military facility."

According to the former "BALTIYSKAYA GAZETA" corespondent in Moscow who is currently working for the "Al Khayat" newspaper he was told in the Ministry of Defence that the error in Yeltsin's decree appeared due to the differences in terminology used by the Ministry of Defence and the one used by diplomats regarding the Skrunda radar station. The Ministry documents use the term "miliary base" while other document refer to the radar as a "military facility." Baltiskaya Gazeta

On April 6 the Latvian Socialist Party and the "Equal Rights" movement officially protested against the Law on "On Election Campaigns on the Radio and Television" adopted by the Saema. The Law requires that election campaigns in electronic media and election campagn materials should use only the Latvian language. Both parties consider the Law to be a violation of the UN Declaration on Human Rights and the Article of the Latvian Constitution on the Rights and the Duties of an Individual and a Citizen. They requested President Ulmanis to ask the Saema to reconsider the Law in accordance with Article 71 of "Satversme."

On April 6 the Latvian Socialist Party and the "Equal Rights" movement officially protested against the Law on "On Election Campaigns on the Radio and Television" adopted by the Saema. The Law requires that election campaigns in electronic media and election campagn materials should use only the Latvian language. Both parties consider the Law to be a violation of the UN Declaration on Human Rights and the Article of the Latvian Constitution on the Rights and the Duties of an Individual and a Citizen. They requested President Ulmanis to ask the Saema to reconsider the Law in accordance with Article 71 of "Satversme." Vakara Zinas

Press Review

Russian President Yeltsin decreed to start negotiations on the establishment of Russian military bases on the territory of the CIS countries and Latvia for the purpose of the strengthening of the security of Russia and the aforementioned states on April 5. The State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mr.Maris Riekstins invited Russian Ambassador Mr.Aleksandr Rannikh to the Ministry to provide explanations on the statement by Mr.Yeltsin. The Parliament Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mr.Martins Virsis stressed that the statement contradicts the initialled agreements on troop withdrawal. He also informed the press that he had contacted Mr.S.Zotov in Moscow who had failed to give any comments on the statement and "gave a nervous laughter". Later Mr.Virsis' assistants could not reach Mr.Zotov on the phone. The extraordinary meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers was held on April 6. The meeting evaluated Mr.Yeltsin's statement as a manifestation of unwillingness of the Russian Federation to sign the agreements. Latvian Government stated that Latvia will not agree under any conditions to the deployment of foreign military bases on the territory of Latvia. Prime-Minister Birkavs said that the Government expected certain actions on the part of Russia to be taken to provoke the cancellation of the agreement. Still, no-one expected such steps to be taken by President Yeltsin. Minister of Economics Mr.Ojars Kehirs pointed at the fact that economical sanctions against Latvia had been introduced by Russia immediately after March 15.

Russian President Yeltsin decreed to start negotiations on the establishment of Russian military bases on the territory of the CIS countries and Latvia for the purpose of the strengthening of the security of Russia and the aforementioned states on April 5. The State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mr.Maris Riekstins invited Russian Ambassador Mr.Aleksandr Rannikh to the Ministry to provide explanations on the statement by Mr.Yeltsin. The Parliament Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mr.Martins Virsis stressed that the statement contradicts the initialled agreements on troop withdrawal. He also informed the press that he had contacted Mr.S.Zotov in Moscow who had failed to give any comments on the statement and "gave a nervous laughter". Later Mr.Virsis' assistants could not reach Mr.Zotov on the phone. The extraordinary meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers was held on April 6. The meeting evaluated Mr.Yeltsin's statement as a manifestation of unwillingness of the Russian Federation to sign the agreements. Latvian Government stated that Latvia will not agree under any conditions to the deployment of foreign military bases on the territory of Latvia. Prime-Minister Birkavs said that the Government expected certain actions on the part of Russia to be taken to provoke the cancellation of the agreement. Still, no-one expected such steps to be taken by President Yeltsin. Minister of Economics Mr.Ojars Kehirs pointed at the fact that economical sanctions against Latvia had been introduced by Russia immediately after March 15. Diena, Labrit

According to "Panorama" TV Programme President Ulmanis tried to contact Commander of the Army Group Mayorov and the Russian President administration regarding the Statement by Mr.Yeltsin but failed.

According to "Panorama" TV Programme President Ulmanis tried to contact Commander of the Army Group Mayorov and the Russian President administration regarding the Statement by Mr.Yeltsin but failed. Labrit

The "LABRIT" newspaper Moscow office tried to clear up the situation concerning the statement by President Yeltsin. Russian President's Office, the Ministry of Defence, and the Ministry for Foreign Affairs failed to produce any clear explanations regarding the statement by President Yeltsin. The Ministry for Foreign Affairs recommended to wait for the official statement by the President's Press Secretary Mr.Vyacheslav Kostikov to be issued on April 7. According to the Chief of the Russian Armed Forces Staff Mikhail Kolyesnikov Russia needs 30 military bases to be deployed in the CIS countries and Latvia.

The "LABRIT" newspaper Moscow office tried to clear up the situation concerning the statement by President Yeltsin. Russian President's Office, the Ministry of Defence, and the Ministry for Foreign Affairs failed to produce any clear explanations regarding the statement by President Yeltsin. The Ministry for Foreign Affairs recommended to wait for the official statement by the President's Press Secretary Mr.Vyacheslav Kostikov to be issued on April 7. According to the Chief of the Russian Armed Forces Staff Mikhail Kolyesnikov Russia needs 30 military bases to be deployed in the CIS countries and Latvia. Labrit

Press Review

According to the Latvian President's Office the Latvian-Russian Summit has been scheduled for April 20. Prime-Minister Birkavs and several ministers are expected to take part in the summit as well. A meeting of the experts of the two countries is scheduled to take place form April 11 to April 14 in Jurmala. The President and the Prime-Minister of Latvia have summoned an extraordinary plenary meeting of the Saema for the discussion of security issues. The meeting will be held on April 15.

According to the Latvian President's Office the Latvian-Russian Summit has been scheduled for April 20. Prime-Minister Birkavs and several ministers are expected to take part in the summit as well. A meeting of the experts of the two countries is scheduled to take place form April 11 to April 14 in Jurmala. The President and the Prime-Minister of Latvia have summoned an extraordinary plenary meeting of the Saema for the discussion of security issues. The meeting will be held on April 15. Diena

None of the initialled agreements can be left unsigned since they all are integral parts of the package, said Minister for Special Missions Mr.Inkens in response to the inquiry by the "Tevzemei un Brivibai" fraction that contained a demand for the canceling of the initialization of the agreement on social guarantees for pensioned servicemen and their family members. Mr.Inkens also pointed out that the facts dispersed by the Information Service of the Ministry of Defence "had little to do with the agreement". He stressed that only the officers retired before January 28, 1992 would be included into the special list made by Russia and approved by Latvia and acquire a legal status in Latvia. According to the Information Service of the Ministry of Defence the Headquarters of the North-Western Group of the Russian Army are undertaking energetic steps towards the increase of the number of retired servicemen in Latvia.

None of the initialled agreements can be left unsigned since they all are integral parts of the package, said Minister for Special Missions Mr.Inkens in response to the inquiry by the "Tevzemei un Brivibai" fraction that contained a demand for the canceling of the initialization of the agreement on social guarantees for pensioned servicemen and their family members. Mr.Inkens also pointed out that the facts dispersed by the Information Service of the Ministry of Defence "had little to do with the agreement". He stressed that only the officers retired before January 28, 1992 would be included into the special list made by Russia and approved by Latvia and acquire a legal status in Latvia. According to the Information Service of the Ministry of Defence the Headquarters of the North-Western Group of the Russian Army are undertaking energetic steps towards the increase of the number of retired servicemen in Latvia. Diena

The final decision on the re-broadcasting of "Ostankino" TV programs in Latvia will be taken on April 8 during the meeting of the Latvian Council for TV and Radio. Certain efforts have been taken by local businesses to negotiate with the "Ostankino" Company management on possible financing of the re-broadcasting by the Latvian businesses.

The final decision on the re-broadcasting of "Ostankino" TV programs in Latvia will be taken on April 8 during the meeting of the Latvian Council for TV and Radio. Certain efforts have been taken by local businesses to negotiate with the "Ostankino" Company management on possible financing of the re-broadcasting by the Latvian businesses. Diena

Press Review

The Prime-Minister of Sweden Mr.Carl Bildt visited Latvia on March 30. The aim of the visit was the discussion of the agreements on troop withdrawal, Skrunda, and Russian officers with Prime-Minister Birkavs, President Ulmanis, and members of the Saema Commission for Foreign Affairs. Security issues were on top of the agenda of the meetings. Mr.Bildt stressed during a press-conference that stability and security of independent Latvia are prominent factors of European security. He named a prompt withdrawal of Russian troops from Latvia and other Baltic states as one of the prerequisites of such stability. During a meeting at the Saema Commission for Foreign Affairs Mr.Kirsteins told Mr.Bildt that the ratification of the agreement on social guarantees for pensioned Russian officers by the Saema is questionable. President Ulmanis also underlined that the inhabitants of Latvia are concerned about social guarantees for pensioned Russian officers allowing the stay of around 100,000 retired officers and their family members in Latvia. 

The Prime-Minister of Sweden Mr.Carl Bildt visited Latvia on March 30. The aim of the visit was the discussion of the agreements on troop withdrawal, Skrunda, and Russian officers with Prime-Minister Birkavs, President Ulmanis, and members of the Saema Commission for Foreign Affairs. Security issues were on top of the agenda of the meetings. Mr.Bildt stressed during a press-conference that stability and security of independent Latvia are prominent factors of European security. He named a prompt withdrawal of Russian troops from Latvia and other Baltic states as one of the prerequisites of such stability. During a meeting at the Saema Commission for Foreign Affairs Mr.Kirsteins told Mr.Bildt that the ratification of the agreement on social guarantees for pensioned Russian officers by the Saema is questionable. President Ulmanis also underlined that the inhabitants of Latvia are concerned about social guarantees for pensioned Russian officers allowing the stay of around 100,000 retired officers and their family members in Latvia. Diena

Prime-Minister Birkavs in his interview for "Diena" touched upon the main aspects of the agreements between Russia and Latvia. As the main objective of the agreement he named the elimination of vagueness that is characteristic of the current relations with Russia. He also noted that the agreements do not exclude the possibility of claiming for the international acknowledgement of the occupation of Latvia. Mr.Birkavs said that he had provided Mr.Bildt with documental evidences of the occupation in 1940. The Prime-Minister stressed that pensioned officers would not receive any privileges, would not obtain Latvian citizenship and have the status of foreigners or the stateless. He expects the majority of the officers to take Russian citizenship. Mr.Birkavs also mentioned the fact that even if the agreements were only signed by the Latvian President and were not ratified by the Saema Latvia had the right to start the dismantling of the new part of the facility. The Prime-Minister also noted that Russia needs the agreement to obtain Western loans while Latvia needs it to provide security guarantees and to facilitate its incorporation into the European Community. He stressed that the ratification of the agreement will provide a powerful impetus to the economics of Latvia.

Prime-Minister Birkavs in his interview for "Diena" touched upon the main aspects of the agreements between Russia and Latvia. As the main objective of the agreement he named the elimination of vagueness that is characteristic of the current relations with Russia. He also noted that the agreements do not exclude the possibility of claiming for the international acknowledgement of the occupation of Latvia. Mr.Birkavs said that he had provided Mr.Bildt with documental evidences of the occupation in 1940. The Prime-Minister stressed that pensioned officers would not receive any privileges, would not obtain Latvian citizenship and have the status of foreigners or the stateless. He expects the majority of the officers to take Russian citizenship. Mr.Birkavs also mentioned the fact that even if the agreements were only signed by the Latvian President and were not ratified by the Saema Latvia had the right to start the dismantling of the new part of the facility. The Prime-Minister also noted that Russia needs the agreement to obtain Western loans while Latvia needs it to provide security guarantees and to facilitate its incorporation into the European Community. He stressed that the ratification of the agreement will provide a powerful impetus to the economics of Latvia. Diena

During the meeting of Latvian Radio and TV management on the issue of "Ostankino" re-broadcasting an unidentified person called Latvian TV and warned about a bomb planted in the building. Fortunately it was a false alarm.

During the meeting of Latvian Radio and TV management on the issue of "Ostankino" re-broadcasting an unidentified person called Latvian TV and warned about a bomb planted in the building. Fortunately it was a false alarm. Vakara Zinas

During the meeting of the Co-ordination Council of the Technical Managers of Radio and Television of the former USSR the issue of the broadcasting of "Ostankino" programs in the former Soviet Union republics was discussed. The company agrees to pay for the re-broadcasting in Latvia during the first quarter of this year according to current rates. Russian State TV has not paid for the re-broadcasting as well. Still its debt is much lower. It is planned that half of the amount to be paid by "Ostankino TV" will be funded from the Russian state budget. At the same time it was stressed that local companies will cover the re-broadcasting expences in the future. The Director of the Latvian Mass-media Foundation Mr.Rozenvalds, the General Director of "Ostankino" for technical issues Mr.Makoveyev and Deputy director Mr.Khlebnikov have discussed the possibility of a contest to be held among Latvian companies for the right of representing "Ostankino" in Latvia. "Ostankino" agrees to provide its programs for Latvian commercials.

During the meeting of the Co-ordination Council of the Technical Managers of Radio and Television of the former USSR the issue of the broadcasting of "Ostankino" programs in the former Soviet Union republics was discussed. The company agrees to pay for the re-broadcasting in Latvia during the first quarter of this year according to current rates. Russian State TV has not paid for the re-broadcasting as well. Still its debt is much lower. It is planned that half of the amount to be paid by "Ostankino TV" will be funded from the Russian state budget. At the same time it was stressed that local companies will cover the re-broadcasting expences in the future. The Director of the Latvian Mass-media Foundation Mr.Rozenvalds, the General Director of "Ostankino" for technical issues Mr.Makoveyev and Deputy director Mr.Khlebnikov have discussed the possibility of a contest to be held among Latvian companies for the right of representing "Ostankino" in Latvia. "Ostankino" agrees to provide its programs for Latvian commercials. Diena