Press Report

According to the head of the Latvian delegation to the talks on troop withdrawal Mr. Virsis the main problems to be negotiated upon are the annual rent for the radar station and social guarantees for retired army officers. Mr. Zotov mentioned the amount of $ 400 mln. per year claimed by the Latvian party and he added that no increases would be made by the Russian party on the initial amount of $ 2 mln per year offered. As for the problem of social guarantees the parties has not yet worked out concrete demands regarding the nature of such guarantees. An agreement was achieved on the number of the personnel of the radar station which would probably be reduced down to 599. It was also mentioned that in order to reduce a foreign military presence the radar might be guarded by Latvian troops. 

According to the head of the Latvian delegation to the talks on troop withdrawal Mr. Virsis the main problems to be negotiated upon are the annual rent for the radar station and social guarantees for retired army officers. Mr. Zotov mentioned the amount of $ 400 mln. per year claimed by the Latvian party and he added that no increases would be made by the Russian party on the initial amount of $ 2 mln per year offered. As for the problem of social guarantees the parties has not yet worked out concrete demands regarding the nature of such guarantees. An agreement was achieved on the number of the personnel of the radar station which would probably be reduced down to 599. It was also mentioned that in order to reduce a foreign military presence the radar might be guarded by Latvian troops.Diena, Neatkariga, Cina

There was a meeting between the representatives of parish self-government bodies of Skrunde area and Government officials held on Feb.16 during which local authorities and community representatives expressed their concern about the terms of the radar withdrawal. LNNK and Tevzemei un Brivibai fractions have already announced that they will vote against the terms suggested during the talks between Russia and Latvia.

There was a meeting between the representatives of parish self-government bodies of Skrunde area and Government officials held on Feb.16 during which local authorities and community representatives expressed their concern about the terms of the radar withdrawal. LNNK and Tevzemei un Brivibai fractions have already announced that they will vote against the terms suggested during the talks between Russia and Latvia. Diena

In his interview for SM SEVODNYA Mr. Zotov also touched upon the problems of Russian-speaking population. He said that there is an attempt to force non-Latvians to leave the country by constantly pressing on them and violating their human rights which contradicts the agreement on the relations between the two countries of January 1991.

In his interview for SM SEVODNYA Mr. Zotov also touched upon the problems of Russian-speaking population. He said that there is an attempt to force non-Latvians to leave the country by constantly pressing on them and violating their human rights which contradicts the agreement on the relations between the two countries of January 1991. SM

In his interview for NEATKARIGA CINA the Latvian ambassador to Russia Mr. Peters says that the propaganda campaign regarding the discrimination of Russian-speaking population in Latvia is to a large extend a result of a complicated internal situation in Russia due to the growing influence of extreme nationalists.

In his interview for NEATKARIGA CINA the Latvian ambassador to Russia Mr. Peters says that the propaganda campaign regarding the discrimination of Russian-speaking population in Latvia is to a large extend a result of a complicated internal situation in Russia due to the growing influence of extreme nationalists. Neatkariga, Cina

The second reading of the Draft Law on the Referendum on Draft Citizenship Laws was prepared by the Legal Commission of the Saema. According to that law the Citizenship Law may be submitted for the referendum by the President. The Referendum Law might be adopted by the middle of March.

The second reading of the Draft Law on the Referendum on Draft Citizenship Laws was prepared by the Legal Commission of the Saema. According to that law the Citizenship Law may be submitted for the referendum by the President. The Referendum Law might be adopted by the middle of March. Diena

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Latvia Mr. Andreyevs spoke on the citizenship issues in his interview for

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Latvia Mr. Andreyevs spoke on the citizenship issues in his interview for SM. As the basic reason for his contacts with Russian Foreign Office being so seldom he named the absence of an adopted citizenship law. The Minister also explained the reasons why he and his fraction ("Latvijas Cels") had been supporting the "quota" principle for the Citizenship Law. The first reason was not to aggravate the existing demographic disbalance and treat the naturalization process very carefully. He also said that there were certain political reasons for such approach including the fact that a great portion of Russian-speaking population could not be expected to be loyal to Latvia. The Minister stressed that a "compromise that would satisfy both parties and the international community should be worked out." Mr. Malinsh, the Press Secretary of the Citizenship and Immigration Department in his interview complained about the decision of the Ministry of the interior to attach passport bureaus to the Department. Previously the bureaus were part of Police departments. He confirmed that the staff of the Department has an opportunity to interpret the laws in a relatively flexible manner. According to Malinsh a large amount of non-citizens have a square stamp in their passports. He points out that these people have "illusions about the possibility of staying in Latvia forever". There are also individuals that understand that though they have a "square stamp" they will have to leave Latvia sooner or later. Such people according to Malinshfight to receive citizenship. As it was explained by the Legal Commission of the Saema the legal status of such persons as well as the terms of their stay in Latvia are not determined by any law which means that it cannot be stated that these persons will have to leave the country at some point. Malinsh also suggested the Department's option for the solution of the problem. He and his colleagues consider that it is important to officially determine the term of the stay for non-citizens in order to "prepare them psychologically". The second part of the plan is the establishment of joint ventures between Latvia and Russia that will take care of dwelling and employment problems of repatriates. Such joint ventures will be licensed by the Department but the whole repatriation program is expected to be financed by international community. Labrit

Press Review

 

The Cabinet of Ministers has authorized the Latvian delegation to agree to the Russian terms on the Skrunde radar station (the 4 years + 18 months formula). According to Martins Virsis, the Head of the delegation, problems could arise in connection with the number of Russian staff to mantain the station. Russia insists on 900-large personnel. Russia has agreed that Latvia could dismantle the newly built part of the station with the financial support of international bodies. Another problem might be connected with the $ 2 mln. annual land rent suggested by Russia and considered insufficient by Latvia. It was also noted by the Latvian party that while there are no problems connected with the social security for the Russian servicemen during the withdrawal period some problems may occur regarding later social support for retired officers residing in Latvia. Diena, Labrit

The author of the article in RIGAS BALSS (Ivars Libietis) expressed an agressively negative attitude towards the forthcoming results of the talks between Latvia and Russia comparing it to the agreements imposed by Germany on Czhechoslovakia and by the USSR on Latvia before the World War 2. Rigas Balss

 

The press was given the access to the conclusions by the CE experts on the Draft Citizenship Law. The experts expressed concern about the quota principle which is defined in the Law in an "obscure" manner and primarily meets the interests of the state but not the citizens. Also the idea of a "single community state" is criticized. The analysis was also given to the paragraphs on double citizenship, state language, naturalization process, stateless persons, etc. It was noted that unlike the citizenship laws in other states that refer to persons arriving to a country after such law has been adopted the Draft Law refers to persons that are currently residing in the countries. In this connection the Law attempts to both preserve the national identity of Latvians and not to ignore the interests of the non-citizens who have been bermanent residents of the country. It is said in the document that in accordance with European principles every individual must be well-informed about his/her chances of receiving citizenship. To achieve a balance between the state interests and private interests of individuals the experts suggest to divide all residents into priority groups in accordance with their age, term of residenece, etc. Diena

LNNK Saema fraction supports the request by the officers of the Dpt. of Citizenship and Immigration to set up a commission to evaluate its activities and investigate the legality of court decrees.Vakara Zinas

"NATIONALITY AND POLITICS IN LATVIA" (by Nils Muiznieks)

(DIENA, Feb.15- 16)

Demographical situation in Latvia is normalizing gradually. This was stated by both by officials and journalists. Non-Latvians are leaving the country though the current emigration rate is lower as compared to 1993. The author believes that the Government should do more to assist people to emigrate. Still it looks like the Saema hopes that the West and Russia will lend their help in this connection. The article suggests the the Government could allow people that are willing to emigrate to sell their apartments in order to raise the money necessary.

The author stresses the necessity of a constructive approach from the both sides towards the army withdrawal. It is also noted that the citizenship and immigration problem is aggravated by the fact that there is quite a numerous community of Russian citizens who are connected to the army by contracts or otherwise.

According to the author's calculations citizens currently constitute 67.04% of the total number of residents (both registered and not registered) and 71.4% of the total number of registered residents. The percentage of Latvians among citizens is 78.7%. According to the DNNL concept as well as according to the views expressed by certain other political groups the persentage of Latvians among the population must not be less than 75%. The author sees such approach as an attempt to guarantee that citizenship will mean the loyalty towards the Latvian nation. Still, he expresses the opinion that such approach will not guarantee that all the citizens will prove such loyalty since the nation is a political notion but not the ethnic one.

It is also underlined that the naturalization process will be slow and there will be a large number of non-citizens. This may lead to some additional social and ethnic tension since this cathegory of residents is restricted not only in their political but also in their social and economical rights. The author also mentions the fact that currently the ethnic proportions among the unemployed statistically correspond to the general ethnic composition of the population. But this situation may change soon due to the bankrupcy of large factories which might lead to additional ethnic tension. The author also suggests that the basic criteria for naturalization should not be the quota principle but the knowledge of the Latvian language.

Press Review

The talks between Latvia and Russia were resumed in Jurmala yesterday. Sais Mr. Zotov, the head of the Russian delegation: "The Russian party perceives all the components (troops withdrawal, Skrunde radar issue, social security for retired army officers, social guarantees for Russian military personnel) to be united. In case there is no understanding achieved regarding one of these issues the agreement will not be signed." He also noted that the agreement would help to fill in the "diplomatic vacuum" currently existing between the two countries. The Latvian party mentioned the fact that Russia is ready to start the dismanteling of the Skrunde radar station still problems may arise due to the lack of financial means for dismantelling and reimbursment of losses suffered by the local population.

Press Review

The author (Aigars Jirgens) criticizes the US approach to the troops withdrawal saying that the American pressure on Latvia to make agree to the demands put forward by Russia contradicts the UN and CSCE acts. He believes that all that is done to make it possible for Russia to join the Big 7 as soon as possible and the withdrawal of troops even with the Skrunde radar remaining on the Latvian soil will make it possible.

Press Review

 

The open letter by the officials of the Dpt. of Citizenship and Immigration states that there are contradictions between the laws in force and court decrees on complaints submitted by individuals. In this connection it is suggested in the letter to create a commission to objectively evaluate the activities of the Dpt. and to adopt ammendments in the existing laws that would " exclude the possibilty of interpretation of laws in favour of foreigners." Vakara Zinas

The Democratic Party has announced that it would support the Latvijas Cels draft Citizenship Law. Previously it has been supporting the LNNK draft, still after the Saema has approved of the LC draft in its first reading the DP had to choose between voting against the LC draft and suggesting its own ammendments to it. The party has decided upon the latter. It has already made certain recommendations mostly of a technical nature. One of the recommendations lies outside technical framework and suggests that the quota principle should be replaced by the introduction of "priority groups" which will give the persons that "have the closest links with Latvia" the opportunity to be the first ones to receive citizenship. It was also suggested to build the rerstrictions regarding the annual number of persons naturalized into the law without linking such number to the birth rate among citizens during previous year. Labrit

On Feb.2 the US Ministry of Foreign Affairs published a report on the international human rights situation. The report does not mention any violations of human rights of the Russian-speaking minority and reminds of the fact that Latvia has been extensively russified during Soviet rule. The report sais that there are certain problems in connection with the ethnic minorities and citizenship issue. The report also mentions the unsatisfactory conditions in Latvian prisons.