Integration monitor is a daily Latvian press digest on ethnic minority and society integration issues. The Monitor reviews the biggest Latvian dailies: Diena, Latvijas Avize, Neatkariga (in Latvian language), Vesti Segodnya (in Russian language). In specific cases other information sources are used. Latvian Centre for Human Rights is not responsible for information published by the media.

Press Report

The number of non-citizens in Latvia is decreasing slowly but steadily and the Naturalisation Board foresees that at the end of this year their number could be less than 550 000. One of the main reasons for this decrease is acquiring of citizenship, but in order to make non-citizens more active in this respect the Naturalisation Board will organise on December 6 an Information Day. During this day all interested will be able to consult specialists on the process on naturalisation, a ceremony of the solemn oath of receiving Latvian citizenship will take place and there will be also a possibility to test one’s knowledge in a naturalisation exam to find out its content and level of difficulty. Diena

The number of non-citizens in Latvia is decreasing slowly but steadily and the Naturalisation Board foresees that at the end of this year their number could be less than 550 000. One of the main reasons for this decrease is acquiring of citizenship, but in order to make non-citizens more active in this respect the Naturalisation Board will organise on December 6 an Information Day. During this day all interested will be able to consult specialists on the process on naturalisation, a ceremony of the solemn oath of receiving Latvian citizenship will take place and there will be also a possibility to test ones knowledge in a naturalisation exam to find out its content and level of difficulty. Diena

On Saturday evening National Bolsheviks Party organised a picket at the Latvian Embassy in Moscow. About 60 members put up a slogan with the main demand of this picket “Freedom to the heroes” – those party members who had been arrested in Latvia for illegal crossing of Latvian border and hooliganism on the St. Peter’s tower in Riga.

On Saturday evening National Bolsheviks Party organised a picket at the Latvian Embassy in Moscow. About 60 members put up a slogan with the main demand of this picket Freedom to the heroes – those party members who had been arrested in Latvia for illegal crossing of Latvian border and hooliganism on the St. Peters tower in Riga. Diena, Vesti Segodnya

At the regular congress of Latvian Socialist Party A.Rubiks was re-elected the Chairman of the party. The Party plans to make A.Rubiks more politically active nominating him to the post of the Managing Director of Riga City Council. Socialists together with People’s Harmony Party and Movement Equality agreed to support S.Dimanis as a candidate for the post of Riga Mayor.

At the regular congress of Latvian Socialist Party A.Rubiks was re-elected the Chairman of the party. The Party plans to make A.Rubiks more politically active nominating him to the post of the Managing Director of Riga City Council. Socialists together with Peoples Harmony Party and Movement Equality agreed to support S.Dimanis as a candidate for the post of Riga Mayor. Diena, Jauna Avize, Panorama Latvii

The Council of the Union FF/LNNK in a closed meeting adopted their list for local government election in Riga, Jelgava and Rezekne and nominated their representative A.Argalis to the post of Riga Mayor.

The Council of the Union FF/LNNK in a closed meeting adopted their list for local government election in Riga, Jelgava and Rezekne and nominated their representative A.Argalis to the post of Riga Mayor. Neatkariga, Jauna Avize, Chas, Vesti Segodnya

Lm Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs I.Berzins will go on a working visit to Italy on December 3-6. He has planned meetings with the Italian Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of EU Affairs.

Lm Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs I.Berzins will go on a working visit to Italy on December 3-6. He has planned meetings with the Italian Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of EU Affairs. Neatkariga, Vesti Segodnya

The newspaper Neatkariga interviewed Russian National Council deputy, Russian Federation Communist Party member V.Nikitin who is active in the Council’s Committee on CIS and Compatriots’ Affairs and leads the deputies’ group for co-operation with Latvian Saeima. V.Nikitin told the journalist about establishing this group. The group stands for the idea that relations should be established on mutual respect and profit, forgetting old offences. The group has showed an initiative inviting their Latvian colleagues to visit Russia in 2001.

The newspaper Neatkariga interviewed Russian National Council deputy, Russian Federation Communist Party member V.Nikitin who is active in the Councils Committee on CIS and Compatriots Affairs and leads the deputies group for co-operation with Latvian Saeima. V.Nikitin told the journalist about establishing this group. The group stands for the idea that relations should be established on mutual respect and profit, forgetting old offences. The group has showed an initiative inviting their Latvian colleagues to visit Russia in 2001. Neatkariga

International Affairs Committee of the Russian National Council in a closed meeting discussed Russia’s relations with the Baltic States. Journalists were not allowed to this meeting. Several days before this meeting the leader of the Council’s Committee on CIS and Compatriots’ Affairs B.Pastuhov announced that Russia should stop exporting goods through Latvia and construct its own ports on the Baltic Sea.

International Affairs Committee of the Russian National Council in a closed meeting discussed Russias relations with the Baltic States. Journalists were not allowed to this meeting. Several days before this meeting the leader of the Councils Committee on CIS and Compatriots Affairs B.Pastuhov announced that Russia should stop exporting goods through Latvia and construct its own ports on the Baltic Sea. Jauna Avize

On December 31, 2000 expires the validity term of Latvian – Russian agreement on non-visa regime for Latvian non-citizens but here is no information on the future arrangement of this procedure. The newspaper

On December 31, 2000 expires the validity term of Latvian – Russian agreement on non-visa regime for Latvian non-citizens but here is no information on the future arrangement of this procedure. The newspaper Respublika tried to contact Russian Embassy in Riga but in vein.

This week the National Council on TV and Radio has to send to court a request to stop broadcasting of radio station Biznes & Baltiya that retranslates the popular Russian radio station “Russkoye Radio”. The official reason for it is serious violations of the Law on TV and radio broadcasting.” Mainly – violations of the Latvian language law, violations in the procedure of changing the format of broadcasting and hidden advertisement of alcoholic beverages. The Council members informed that they would pay serious attention also to other radio stations broadcasting in the Russian language. The newspaper explains these attacks with “big money” because B & B thanks to a cunning idea to retranslate one of the most popular Russian radio stations spoiled plans of major Latvian radio stations.

This week the National Council on TV and Radio has to send to court a request to stop broadcasting of radio station Biznes & Baltiya that retranslates the popular Russian radio station Russkoye Radio. The official reason for it is serious violations of the Law on TV and radio broadcasting. Mainly – violations of the Latvian language law, violations in the procedure of changing the format of broadcasting and hidden advertisement of alcoholic beverages. The Council members informed that they would pay serious attention also to other radio stations broadcasting in the Russian language. The newspaper explains these attacks with big money because B & B thanks to a cunning idea to retranslate one of the most popular Russian radio stations spoiled plans of major Latvian radio stations. Respublika