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 Review

Press Review

The Cabinet of Ministers Committee for State and Social Affairs has adopted the draft regulations for submission and review of application for naturalization. It is expected that the regulations will be adopted on Tuesday during the meeting of the Government. According to the rules the applicants will have to pass a test in the Latvian language, the Satversme, Latvia's history, and the Constitutional Law on the Rights and Obligations of an Individual. Applications will be received by the Naturalization Department regional offices. Decision on naturalization will be approved by the Minister of Interior. Applicants will be informed about final decisions within the term of one year starting from the date of the submission of their applications.

The Cabinet of Ministers Committee for State and Social Affairs has adopted the draft regulations for submission and review of application for naturalization. It is expected that the regulations will be adopted on Tuesday during the meeting of the Government. According to the rules the applicants will have to pass a test in the Latvian language, the Satversme, Latvia's history, and the Constitutional Law on the Rights and Obligations of an Individual. Applications will be received by the Naturalization Department regional offices. Decision on naturalization will be approved by the Minister of Interior. Applicants will be informed about final decisions within the term of one year starting from the date of the submission of their applications. Diena

Upon the recommendation by the Saeima Commission for Foreign Affairs the document "On the Agreement between the Government of Latvia and the Government of Russia on the Process of Repatriation and the Rights of Repatriates" will be reviewed separately from the agreement package. The document has been signed by both parties and ratified by Russia earlier than other agreements under discussion

Upon the recommendation by the Saeima Commission for Foreign Affairs the document "On the Agreement between the Government of Latvia and the Government of Russia on the Process of Repatriation and the Rights of Repatriates" will be reviewed separately from the agreement package. The document has been signed by both parties and ratified by Russia earlier than other agreements under discussion. Labrit

Yesterday around 11:00 a.m. an unidentified person phoned the police and informed of the bombs planted in the building of the Supreme Court and in the building of the Central District Court. No explosives were discovered. The police connect the incident with the 77-th anniversary of October revolution in Russia. A railroad bridge was blown up in Lithuania yesterday. Fortunately there were no casualties as the train that was to cross the bridge at the time of explosion was late. The police believe that the terrorists could be former OMON troopers or Lithuanian right-wing nationalists.

Yesterday around 11:00 a.m. an unidentified person phoned the police and informed of the bombs planted in the building of the Supreme Court and in the building of the Central District Court. No explosives were discovered. The police connect the incident with the 77-th anniversary of October revolution in Russia. A railroad bridge was blown up in Lithuania yesterday. Fortunately there were no casualties as the train that was to cross the bridge at the time of explosion was late. The police believe that the terrorists could be former OMON troopers or Lithuanian right-wing nationalists. Diena

Mr.Dobelis' idea to negotiate Riga racket bosses has been criticized and opposed by both City Council members and the Saeima Deputies.

Mr.Dobelis' idea to negotiate Riga racket bosses has been criticized and opposed by both City Council members and the Saeima Deputies. Diena

"SM SEVODNYA" reported about the meeting of Head of the CSCE Mission Mr.Magee and officials of the social security department of the Russian Embassy. On top of the agenda were the "round stamp" problems and the KECH houses. A Russian spokesman stressed that according to the Latvian laws it was a tenant who determined whether a rent contract was a temporary or a permanent one. Still, local authorities tried to impose 3-year contracts on KECH house dwellers. Russian spokesmen also mentioned repatriation accounts that had been opened by the Latvian side. They had no information about such accounts, said Russia's representative. SM Segodnya