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.

• Minister of Interior continues denying entry into Latvia for Vladimir Zhirinovky
• Upcoming official visit of the head of Russias Councils of Federation Committee on Foreign Affairs (Russia) Mihail Margelov
• Interview with the head of Saeima Foreign Affairs Committee Inese Vaidere
• Comments on the potential visit of Dmitry Rogozin to Latvia
• Article about the Latvian Nation and national minorities

Minister of Interior Maris Gulbis has decided against the suggestion by Deputy Prime Minister Ainars Slesers to take leader of Russia Liberal Democratic Party Vladimir Zhirinovky off the list of persons not allowed entry into Latvia.

Minister of Interior Maris Gulbis has decided against the suggestion by Deputy Prime Minister Ainars Slesers to take leader of Russia Liberal Democratic Party Vladimir Zhirinovky off the list of persons not allowed entry into Latvia. Diena, Neatkariga Rita Avize, Latvijas Avize, Chas, Vesti Segodnya

A Russian Parliament Upper House delegation under Mihail Margelov, the head of the Council’s of Federation Committee on Foreign Affairs, will be visiting Latvia. Mihail Margelov will meet with the President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga, the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of Saeima, the Deputy Prime Minister and other officials.

A Russian Parliament Upper House delegation under Mihail Margelov, the head of the Councils of Federation Committee on Foreign Affairs, will be visiting Latvia. Mihail Margelov will meet with the President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga, the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of Saeima, the Deputy Prime Minister and other officials. Vesti Segodnya, Chas

Latvijas Avize features an interview with the head of Saeima Foreign Affairs Committee Inese Vaidere (For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM) on the future discussions about relations between Latvia and Russia, the observation of minority rights in Latvia and the naturalization process. Inese Vaidere believes that FF/LNIM and all the governing coalition, with the possible exception of First Party Ainars Slesers, is not ready to agree with Russia on the issues of naturalization, language and education in Latvia. The head of the Saeima Committee also criticizes the head of Naturalization Board Eizenija Aldermane for her activities asking non-citizens to naturalize. According to Inese Vaidere, only politicians can issues such calls, not state officials such as Aldermane. Latvijas Avize

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs denies any knowledge of the plans reported in media of the deputy chairman of the Russian party Rodina Dmitry Rogozin to visit Latvia next month, allegedly to discuss the observation of minority rights in Latvia with the Prime Minister of Latvia and representatives of Saeima Committees. The commentator of

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs denies any knowledge of the plans reported in media of the deputy chairman of the Russian party Rodina Dmitry Rogozin to visit Latvia next month, allegedly to discuss the observation of minority rights in Latvia with the Prime Minister of Latvia and representatives of Saeima Committees. The commentator of Chas Anatoly Kamenev points to the inconsistency of Dmitry Rogozin, pointing out that he has not promoted the signing and ratification of economic, political agreements -- especially the agreement on social security -- between Latvia and Russia, which could improve the life condition of many non-citizens of Latvia. Diena, Chas

Diena publishes an article by Deniss Hanovs, who describes himself as a Russian Latvian and works at the Secretariat of the Special Task Minister for Societal Integration Affairs. The article discusses the definition of the Latvian Nation and the place of national minorities in it.