Friday—October
29, 2004
Emsis government falls
The Latvian parliament, or Saeima, rejected the 2005 national budget draft in its first reading. According to Saeima rules, if the Saeima votes against the cabinet of ministers' national budget draft in either its first or second reading, this is considered a vote of "no confidence" against the cabinet.
39 deputies voted for the budget in the first reading, 53 voted against, five abstained.
Aigars Kalvitis, the People's Party parliamentary group leader, said negotiations on setting up a new government would be held with all of the right-wing parties without delay, since the state needs to approve next year's budget and resolve urgent health care issues.
Despite Lukashenko, Ventspils Mayor favors business with Belarus
In an interview with the newspaper, Bizness & Baltija, Ventspils Mayor Aivars Lembergs says Belarus is becoming a major transit partner for the Baltic states. This is due, he cites, to the difficulty in predicting Russia's decisions toward the transit sector.
Lembergs says it would be improper for Latvia to criticize Lukashenko's regime, since Latvia has been a democratic state only 13 years. The mayor believes the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Artis Pabriks, lacks experience evaluating his own statements.
VP Market builds "green zone" in Vilnius
VP Market, the Baltic's largest retail grocery operator, will build a "green recreation zone" in Vilnius' Akropolis Centre. Their investment will reach 0.725 million euros and include a disabled-friendly park.
VP market has come under criticism for its WalMart-like tactics in the retail business in the three Baltic states.
The organization Zveryno Bendruomene has protested Akropolis' expansion since the beginning of October when the Akropolis cut down birch and evergreen trees in a nature reserve on its property. VP Market paid fines of over 57,000 euros for felling the trees.
Thursday—October
28, 2004
Latvia Health Ministry offers compromise to anesthetists
Uldis Likops, the Ministry of Health State Secretary, met with anesthetists at Gailezers Hospital and proposed to raise salaries for anesthetists and intensive care specialists beginning November 1. The ministry promises LVL 400 before taxes to physicians, LVL 200 to nurses, and LVL 150 to junior medical staff.
Beginning January 1, 2005, the ministry offers LVL 500 before taxes to physicians, LVL 300 to nurses, and LVL 200 to junior medical staff. Future raises would be in accordance with the much-talked-about Master Plan.
The Association of Latvian Anesthetists and Intensive Care Specialists will vote today on the proposal.
Just don't drink the water
The Estonian foreign ministry has recommended that travelers to the Russian city of Pskov vaccinate against hepatitis A.
The disease has spread via the water supply system of Pskov. Tap water analysis showed 68 percent of tested samples contained the hepatitis A virus. It has been recommended to city residents that they boil water before drinking it.
Savisaar has many job offers
Former mayor of Tallinn, Edgar Savisaar, reports that he has many job offers. Mr. Savisaar says that it cannot be ruled out that he may work as an advisor to a large company. Mr. Savisaar did not mention whether he might apply for work at CITY PAPER.
Wednesday—October
27, 2004
Barroso withdraws EC team before vote
Incoming European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso announced one hour before a scheduled investiture vote that he was withdrawing his proposed team.
"I have come to the conclusion that if the vote is taken today, the outcome will not be positive for EU institutions or for the European project," he said.
After refusing to replace controversial Italian nominee, Rocco Buttiglione, whose conservative views on marriage and homosexuality offended lawmakers, Barroso faced imminent defeat.
Tuesday—October
26, 2004
Estonian soldier dies in Iraq
Yesterday morning, one Estonian soldier was killed and five injured when their truck was exposed to an explosion implanted in a barricade. Two of the injured are in critical condition and are being treated at an international hospital in the US zone. The Estonian soldier, Arre Illenzeer, is the second Estonian killed in Iraq. Estonian press have used Illenzeer's death to raise the issue of whether Estonia should remove its troops from Iraq.
Latvia to double medical salaries in two years
Latvia's Prime Minister Indulis Emsis announced today that the government's target is to double salaries for medical professionals in two years.
The government will look for additional funds in next year's national budget, Emsis said. Additional funding would be provided through credit resources.
The prime minister stressed that in order to prevent a possible crisis in the health care system and bring it to order, a master plan must be introduced, adding that previous governments had failed to do this.
Latvia hospitals to ensure emergency medical assistance after November 1
Chiefs of staff of Latvian medical institutions promised Minister of Health Rinalds Mucins that emergency medical assistance will be guaranteed in leading hospitals after November 1, when anesthetists will begin working shorter hours.
Resulting from shorter working schedule, Clinical University Hospital will have two anesthetists on duty simultaneously, instead of the current six. The surgical workload will be reduced by half. The hospital's chairman of the board, Maris Plavins, admits it is difficult to predict the practical results of this action.
Monday—October
25, 2004
Lithuania parliamentary elections: Brazauskas may lead government
The Lithuanian Labor Party, led by Russian-born businessman Viktor Uspaskich, lost the second round of elections held yesterday. Mr. Uspakich's party won 39 seats of the 141 seats of the Seima. The Labor Party is the largest but is not guaranteed to lead the country's next government. A coalition of traditional parties could instead form the new government and keep Prime Minister Algirdas Brazauskas in office.
First estimates from the election commission in Vilnius gave the Social Democrats and New Union 31 seats, the Conservative Homeland Union 25 seats, and the Liberal Centre Union 18. Impeached former President Rolandas Paksas party took 11 seats, and the Peasants and New Democracy Party of former Prime Minister Kazimiera Prunskiene with received 10 mandates.
Only 40 percent of Lithuania's 2.4 million eligible voters voted in Sunday's election. The election's official results will be announced on October 31st. The
Seima convenes November 15th.
Monument to Finnish tourists? Send your ideas.
At an October 18th conference in Tallinn, head of the Hansabank Group, Indrek Neivelt, suggested building a monument to Finnish tourists in Tallinn's passenger port. Neivelt justified his suggestion, crediting the Finns for turning Tallinn into the fastest growing city in the region.
CITY PAPER takes Mr. Neivelt's suggestion to heart and asks readers to submit design
suggestions at citypaper@citypaper.ee. We will publish interesting ideas on our website and select a winning design. The winner will receive a certificate suitable for framing and a year's subscription to CITY PAPER. Deadline for entries is November 8th.
Send Kennedy Hoyt a postcard!
Hooray for the Americans who have finally decided to teach geography in their schools. This young man's class is learning geography through postcards, and you can help him out. Send him a postcard from your country.
Kennedy Hoyt
Ms. Hitchcock's Class
Lakeside Intermediate School
13750 Lake Blvd.
Lindstrom, MN 55045
USA
Friday—October
22, 2004
Ignalina to continue to operate?
The Lithuanian will apply to the EU to prolong the operation time of Ignalina atomic power plant at least six months. Prime Minister Algirdas Brazauskas intends to invite EU experts to assure them that pre-term shutdown of the power unit might threaten the stability and security of the region's energy system. CITY PAPER readers may visit the power plant at its website:
www.iae.lt
The whole story?
The Estonian daily Postimees reports that the number of university students will shrink markedly in the next five years.
Postimees writes that Asian students face obstacles in coming to Estonia to study, which include the slow processing of visas by the Estonian government. They also recognize that Estonia has few foreign representative offices in Asia-China, Japan, and Turkey. Estonian university representatives quoted in the article mentioned the inconveniences students suffer by traveling great distances to make visa applications. Unfortunately, CITY PAPER thinks, no comparative figures were offered to indicate whether visa processing was faster for students in other parts of the world who might wish to study in Estonia. Lacking any such context, it was unclear whether this problem was unique to Asian students.
Thursday—October
21, 2004
Latvian anesthetists go without raises
Prime Minister Indulis Emsis and Minister of Health Rinalds Mucins
meeting with anesthetist representatives and intensive care physicians
failed to reach agreement on raising salaries. Anesthetists plan on
working shorter hours as of November 1 and are considering further
protests. Emsis says demands for higher salaries will be met only after
structural reform is put in place in Latvia’s health care system.
Neighboring Lands Dept.: Belarus journalist murdered
Veronika Terkasova, who worked 15 years for independent newspapers in
Minsk, the capital of Belarus, was found stabbed to death in her own home
yesterday. Most recently she was employed by the newspaper Solidarnost.
The investigators have not yet announced possible motives.
City Paper regrets the amount of depressing news of late and vows
next week will be better.
Wednesday—October
20, 2004
Latvia wins corruption poll
According to Transparency International's Corruption Perception Index (CPI) Latvia is the second most corrupt European Union member after Poland. 146 countries were included in the survey.
Estonia is rated the least corrupt new EU member state. Estonia ranked 31st overall, an improvement over its 2003 ranking of 33.
Lithuania ranked 45th overall. Lithuania's ranking in the "new EU member" category was not available.
Of EU countries, Finland ranked as the least corrupt for a fourth consecutive year.
HIV in Estonia: spreading faster than in Africa
HIV is spreading ten times faster in Estonia than anywhere else in Europe, Africa, or Russia,
Helsingin Sanomat reported today. Experts believe the growth of HIV in Estonia is concentrated in the northeastern part of the country where unemployment and drug use are high. Officials worry that through prostitution HIV is making its way into other segments of society. Of the 1.5 million inhabitants of Estonia, 4,500 have tested positive for HIV. Experts believe the actual number of HIV-positive cases to be closer to 10,000.
Causes of fatal traffic accidents in Latvia
Latvia has reported figures for the first nine months of 2004.
Cause/Percent
Speeding 31
Drunk driving 20
Recklessness 7
Pedestrians 12
350 people were killed in traffic accidents in the past nine months, 119 of which were pedestrians.
Tuesday—October
19, 2004
"Lost" Europe and Spain
Spain knew nothing about Latvia in the time of the Iron Curtain, Spanish King Juan Carlos I said yesterday during his meeting with Latvian President Vike-Freiberga. The time has come for Spain to get to know about this once "lost" part of Europe, according to the president's press secretary. Vike-Freiberga extended an invitation to the Spanish king to pay a visit to Latvia, which he promised to do.
The G8 Image
Selected results of recent survey concerning international attitudes toward G8 countries
9% of Finns rated Russia positively
62% of Finns had a "very negative" or "fairly negative" view of Russia. Only Kosovo rated Russia worse (73%)
38% of Lithuanians felt Russia had a positive image
36% of Latvians felt Russia had a positive image
34% of Estonians felt Russia had a positive image
60% of Estonians felt Germany had a positive image
2% of Finns had a "very positive" view of the USA
56% of Finns had a "very negative" view of the USA
Greeks, Swiss, and Norwegians (63, 67, and 57 percent, respectively) had "very negative" views of the USA
"Hell has better roads"
The above comment about Tallinn roads has been attributed to a Canadian businessman. Eighteen road construction projects were outlined in a 2002 Center Party/Reform Party agreement. Three have been completed.
Monday—October
18, 2004
Latvia's Udre: "commissioner undesirable"?
The Baltic Times reported they have obtained a letter by Europarliament President Josep Borrell Fontelles to Europarliament in which he expresses doubt about the integrity of Latvia's commissioner-designate, Ingrida Udre. In the letter, a full investigation was recommended. European Parliament members cannot dismiss commissioner-designates, yet they may ask that President Jose Manuel Barroso replace commissioners they are dissatisfied with.
Vike-Freiberga strikes back
Last week, Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga called on historians and lawyers to gather information about pecuniary damages to Latvia during the 50 years of Soviet occupation. It is the president's hope that these claims may be taken to international court.
Vike-Freiberga cited the example of a German foundation that has made payments to former Nazi slave laborers. "Our case is more serious," said the president. She added she personally doubts Russia will recognize any claims.
Already, Lithuania and Estonia have submitted similar occupation claims to Russia. Recently Russia's Audit Chamber claimed the Baltic states owed Russia three billion USD for military and property-related losses after Soviet troops pulled out of the region.
US Embassy in Tallinn expands security zone
Eesti Päevaleht reported that the US embassy started construction today in its security zone. The paper's headline claimed that the embassy was making improvements to the security zone without a building permit. The text quoted a Tallinn official who said he was aware of no permit being issued for the construction. The article did not make it clear whether the work might be covered under the existing five-year agreement between the city and the embassy. An embassy spokesman said the project would be completed in the spring.
Friday—October
15, 2004
Tallinn removes Savisaar
The Tallinn city council relieved Mayor Edgar Savisaar from his post on Thursday. Of of the 60 councilors who were present, 34 voted for the no confidence motion, 24 did not vote and 2 voted against.
Before the city council meeting, a picket took place in front of the city council building, where Center Party youth organization and some older supporters demanded that Savisaar continue as mayor.
Tõnis Palts new mayor of Tallinn
Tallinn's city council elected Res Public member Tõnis Palts as the new mayor of the city Thursday. 38 members of the city council voted for him, 23 against him with one ballot disqualified. Palts proposed that Kaupo Reede, Peep Aaviksoo, Tatjana Muravjova, Diana Ingerainen, Ülle Rajasalu and Vladimir Maslov be appointed deputy mayors.
Palts (51) was formerly the mayor of Tallinn (June to December 2001).
Palts graduated the Tallinn Polytechnic Institute as a radio engineer in 1976 and has worked as a telecommunications businessman. He has been Estonia's finance minister and now is an MP.
Latvia to host 2006 Ice Hockey World Championship
The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) has reached an agreement with the Latvian Ice Hockey Federationto host the 2006 world championships. IIHF says it has every confidence in Latvia and believes that a new ice hockey arena in Riga will be built on time.
European Union citizens may buy land in Latvia
According to amendments passed in the Saeima on Thursday, during the next seven years, EU citizens will be permitted to buy land in Latvia if they have a business in Latvia. Foreigners will not, however, be allowed to purchase land for farming or forestry.
Thursday—October
14, 2004
Euro parliamentarians praise Grybauskaite
Dalia Grybauskaite, the European commissioner designate from Lithuania, has received a favorable assessment after her hearings at the European Parliament. In November, Grybauskaite will take charge of European budget and financial programming affairs.
In Lithuania, Grybauskaite served as finance minister for the present government.
Iraqis to get Hand-me-down Kalashnikovs?
After a request by the USA that member states of the anti-Hussein coalition send arms to the post-Hussein Iraq army, Estonian defense forces are taking inventory in their arms warehouses. Tallinn's military officials say Estonia could send Kalashnikov assault rifles of Romanian and Chinese origin that were bought at the beginning of 1990s. The Kalashnikovs exist from the period in Estonia's history when Western countries would not sell it NATO-standard arms.
Estonian defense forces, border guard and Defense League have stored around 20,000 Kalashnikovs in warehouses since Estonia modernized with Galil rifles from Israel, Ak4s from Sweden, and M14s from the USA.
Dead Latvians get prostheses
Latvian police officers have detained two executives from the firm Orto Pluss on suspicion of fraud. Latvia's Ministry of Welfare alleges the firm operated a scheme to provide ordinary shoes in instead of orthopedic and supplied prostheses for persons who were dead. These Orto Pluss products and services were purchased by the Latvian state.
Wednesday—October
13, 2004
Kallas faces Europarliament
Estonia's future European Commissioner Siim Kallas passed the three-hour cross-examination by the Europarliament budgetary committee, his final step before starting work as administrative affairs, audit and anti-corruption commissioner. Kallas should start work in that capacity on November 1.
Kallas promised modern security, an end to wasted money, no tolerance for corruption, openness in official proceedings and better protection to those who reveal corruption. MEPs showed the most interest in how Kallas plans to protect those who reveal corruption. Kallas said that he would create an atmosphere where critical remarks are welcome and officials who make their positions public are protected. Kallas was accused by some of being too vague in his answers.
Georgian President Saakasvili visits Baltic states
Georgian President Mihhail Saakasvili visiting Estonia yesterday thanked the country for its support and said Estonia's development in the past decade is a good example for Georgian reforms. Saakasvili is scheduled to visit Latvia today.
First Eurovision, now Euro-coin
The Bank of Estonia issued a reminder that the deadline for design entries for the national side of Estonia's future euro-coins is Tuesday, October 19th. Both individuals and groups may submit entries for the 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 eurocent coins and 1 and 2 euro coins.
A jury will select the 10 best designs and the winner, as in Eurovision, will then be chosen via phone voting. Winners will be announced by December 17th. The ten best designs will be awarded 20,000 kroons and the winner will receive 50,000 kroons. Estonia's transition to the euro will not take place before the first half of 2006.
Tuesday—October
12, 2004
Kinder, gentler Lithuanian politicians?
Political parties are using campaign language which no longer shows disdain toward rivals, Prime Minister Algirdas Brazauskas said after he cast his vote in the Sunday elections. "During each election campaign people behave more politely and avoid soiling a rival's good name. Our experience shows that those who spoke disdainfully about others were never winners. Victory comes to those who win trust by their deeds and actions," Brazauskas told journalists.
But will it bring cheaper Chinese food to Tallinn?
Estonian Prime Minister Juhan Parts met with Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao in the 5th ASEM meeting in Hanoi.
The prime ministers noted that that relations between China and Estonia are good but there is room for growth. Parts suggested the countries could better cooperate on transport, textile goods, tourism, timber and food industry as well as IT sphere. "Estonia is interested in being a transit channel for Chinese goods in the path to Western markets, especially to Northern Europe," Parts said. China is the fourth-largest trade partner of Estonia outside EU.
Monday—October
11, 2004
Lithuania elections: Labor Party short of overwhelming majority
In Lithuania Sunday, 20 political parties and 1,253 candidates vied for places in the 141-seat Lithuanian parliament.
The Labor Party, a year-old party organized by Russian-born business tycoon Viktoras Uspaskikh, did not succeed in winning an overwhelming majority in a new Lithuanian parliament. Results of Sunday voting from 90 percent of 2,031 constituencies indicate that Labor received 29.44 percent of the vote. Zenonas Vaigauskas, Lithuania's chief election officer, believes this may bring the party one third of the parliamentary seats
In second place with 20.68 percent of the votes was the coalition of ruling Social Democrats and Social Liberals, "We Work for Lithuania." Next was the Homeland's Union (Conservatives) with 13.89 percent of the vote. A new coalition "For Order and Justice", founded by the dismissed president Rolandas Paksas, followed with 11.66 percent.
Lithuania and Iraq: much in common?
Members of a 13-member Iraqi delegation visiting Lithuania said that the two countries have much in common and therefore Lithuanian experience may be of great use to the interim government of Iraq as it prepares for its first democratic elections. The Iraqi delegation arrived Sunday to observe the general elections on Sunday.
In talks with Seimas Speaker Arturas Paulauskas, the Iraqi guests were interested in the consolidation of the democracy, activities of the Seimas, political systems and the formation of coalitions, as well as structure of political parties
The Iraqi delegation mentioned that both Iraq and Lithuania lived long years under cruel regimes and noted that Iraq, in old times, was called the country of peace.
Friday—October
8, 2004
Male judges: CVs please!
All three of Latvia's candidates for a judge's position on the European Court of Human Rights are women. Latvia may be required to reopen competition for the post, given a condition that a country's candidates for the post should include both women and men.
Buying that "just right" ground-to-air missile
The Latvian army purchased ground-to-air missiles at a price of LVL 20 million. Top officials of Latvia will see a demonstration of the new armament in the Liepaja district on the 20th of October.
Eurolines bus drivers smuggle shoes
Estonian police yesterday found smuggled goods in the buses of Estonia's biggest coach firm Eurolines at the Estonian-Russian border. Two buses were stopped in Narva on their way from St Petersburg to Tallinn. Three hiding places were found in the first bus and the driver, a Russian citizen, is accused of smuggling 23 pairs of shoes and 17 cell phones. The second bus, also driven by a Russian citizen, was smuggling
locks.
Estonia to get additional cell operators
Bravocom has declared its intention of becoming the first virtual operator in Estonia beginning in January 2005. Bravocom estimates that after the portability of cell phone numbers is introduced, Estonia can expect 20 new operators. Estonia currently has three cell phone operators, each with its own network.
Latvia delegation in Kazakhstan
55 Latvian businessmen are accompanying President Vaira Vike-Freiberga on a visit to Kazakhstan. The businessmen represent more than 15 sectors: banking and finance, transport, food, manufacturing, metalwork, ports, logistics, IT, telecommunications, pharmaceutical, and tourism, to name some of them. It is not known whether representatives from Chicko Chicken were included in the delegation.
Thursday—October
7, 2004
Russians invite Estonian culture
Postimees writes that Tallinn Mayor Edgar Savisaar wants to create a 13-floor culture and business center in Moscow to hold exhibitions, help Estonian entrepreneurs, and show Estonian movies.
The idea was initially proposed by authorities in the City of Moscow, which would own 51% of the company set up to manage the venture. Estonian investors would own the balance. To interest investors, Mayor Savisaar sent a letter last week to Estonian companies.
Hooray, we're not the worst!
Four European Union member states registered higher August unemployment than Latvia says the European Community statistical office, Eurostat. The august average seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate in Latvia was 10.6 percent. Lithuania, Spain, Slovakia and Poland registered higher unemployment rates.
What? You don't want to be an assistant machine gunner?
Eesti Päevaleht writes that Estonia's demand for professional military is increasing, yet its only fully professional defense unit is the
Scoutsbattalion. The battalion has been running a recruiting campaign, but is having a hard time recruiting new members.
"Not everyone has the aspiration to be an assistant machine gunner," one defense force member was quoted as saying. Defense force staff members admit that becoming professional military is not a desire of many Estonian young people.
Reasons for the lack of enthusiasm include the absence of military pay increases during the last few years and Estonia's presence in Iraq, although it has been stressed all Estonian soldiers in Iraq are there voluntarily.
British advisors are working with the Estonian defense forces on a recruitment effort which should be completed by the end of the year. The British efforts focus on sourcing future professional military from young men serving their obligatory conscript service.
CITY PAPER regrets it has no news today concerning
Chicko Chicken.
Wednesday—October
6, 2004
Doctors' salaries to double?
Doubling monthly salaries of Latvian anesthetists and physicians from the current LVL 260 and raising salaries of all healthcare workers requires additional LVL 90 million, according to the Ministry of Health estimates. Anesthetists have threatened to strike if salaries are not doubled. The Ministry of Health has claimed that the government simply does not have the money.
Stressed Estonians
While the number one fear of Americans may be fear of public speaking,
Estonians' stress is work-related. The social ministry reports 38% of Estonians suffer from work-related stress versus 28% in Europe. Tallinn Technical University professor Mare Teichmann identifies constant social change as the cause.
"'Old EU states haven't had to go through those," Teichmann says.
New chain stores to expand into Latvia.
Lithuania's second biggest retailer Iki has announced plans to expand into the Latvian market. The company will open its first stores in Latvia in 2005. Iki is not related to Chicko Chicken, Porko Pork, Beefy Beef, or the Fishy Fish businesses.
Tuesday—October
5, 2004
Lithuania and Estonia to Russia: It's you who owe us
"It is unfair from Russia to submit such claims. I think, it is a political propaganda," said Estonian President Arnold Rüütel about the debt Russia claims Estonia owes during a news conference in Vilnius on Monday.
Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus emphasized that the Baltic states could make claims that Russia owed them considerably bigger sums for damage done during the years of the Soviet occupation. "If someone was to make a claim over paying the debts, it would be Lithuania, without no doubt, since it might ask to pay the bill for the entire occupation period," Adamkus said.
Last week the Russian Account Chamber issued a statement saying that Baltic states' share of the USSR's liabilities that the Russian Federation assumed as external debt stands at USD 3.06 billion. This sum is estimated by the Bank of Russia.
Parts approves of memorial to German soldiers in Sõrve
Estonian Prime Minister Juhan Parts hopes that a memorial stone, dedicated on Monday in Sõrve, Saaremaa, in the memory of around a thousand German soldiers who died 60 years ago in the Sõrve battles, won't hurt anyone's feelings.
The memorial stone carries the following inscription: "To the memory of German soldiers who died in Sõrve in the autumn of 1944."
Raul Salumäe from the Saaremaa museum, the Estonian coordinator of the memorial opening, said that by no means is it an ideological monument, it is a memorial to men who died who could not choose their own fates.
Chicko Chicken coming to Latvia, Estonia
The owners of the Double Coffee cafes will open 15 Chicko Chicken restaurants in Latvia and ten Chicko Chickens in Estonia before the end of 2007. About LVL 4 million will be invested into development of the 25 Chicko Chicken restaurants. Chicko Chicken is not related to the Porko Pork, Beefy Beef, Fishy Fish restaurants.
Monday—October
4, 2004
Baltic Debt to Russia 3.06 billion USD
The Bank of Russia estimates that Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia's total debt to Russia for the USSR's currency liabilities totals USD 3.06 billion. This is part of the amount that the Russian Federation assumed as external debts after the collapse of the USSR. By October 1, 2003, Russia has paid over one billion USD of the total amount of former external liabilities.
Talbergs to Represent Latvia in Junior Eurovision
The most telephone votes were cast for Ventspils's own Martins Talbergs' song "Balts vai melns" (Black or White). The Junior Eurovision Contest will take place in Norway's Lillehammer on November 20.
Aging Lithuanian Farmers
Statistics Lithuania reported that more than half of the 520,000 Lithuanians engaged in agriculture are people over 50 years of age. Most (58 percent) are small farmers, working small farms of up to five hectares. One-third of the country's farmers have farms of 5 to 20 hectares. Women comprise 53 percent of farmers and farm-related workers.
Monday—July
19, 2004
VILNIUS-RIGA-TALLINN (CITY PAPER) CITY PAPER Acquired by Soprano
Group Oy.
The 13-year-old CITY PAPER has been sold to a new owner, the
Finnish-based Soprano Group, which announced today that it would expand
the business content of CITY PAPER, the leading pan-Baltic,
English-language magazine.
“We consistently have over 100,000 readers of each issue, and many of
them are businessmen,” said Pekka Hyvärinen, CITY PAPER’s new
publisher. “We want to expand our dialogue with those readers.” Of the
over nine million travelers in the Baltic each year, more than two million
are businessmen. In addition, more than 30,000 foreigners reside full-time
in the Baltic States. “These people are active readers of CITY PAPER,”
added Hyvärinen.
Scott Diel has assumed the post of Editor-in-Chief/Manager of CITY PAPER.
He was most recently a freelance writer in the United States. He
previously worked in advertising agencies in New York, St. Louis, as well
as the Baltic States.
The previous owners, Eve and Michael Tarm, are moving to Chicago, USA,
where Michael is a writer for the Associated Press.
CITY PAPER is distributed in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Finland, and to
subscribers around the world.
More on Soprano
Group.
