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

Press Report

UK Parliament House of Commons Speaker visited Latvia and met with the Saeima Speaker J.Straume. The high guest was positive about the speed of changes taking place in Latvia. Both speakers also discussed Latvian – Russian relations.

UK Parliament House of Commons Speaker visited Latvia and met with the Saeima Speaker J.Straume. The high guest was positive about the speed of changes taking place in Latvia. Both speakers also discussed Latvian – Russian relations. Neatkariga, Jauna Avize, Respublika

From October 8 to October 11 the President of Greece is arriving on a visit to Latvia upon an invitation of Latvian President V.Vike-Freiberga.

From October 8 to October 11 the President of Greece is arriving on a visit to Latvia upon an invitation of Latvian President V.Vike-Freiberga. Neatkariga, Respublika

Next week ministers of foreign affairs from eight countries – Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Iceland, as well co-operation ministers from Greenland, Aland Islands and Faeroes will meet in Riga. They will discuss the started co-operation projects, actual events and future co-operation.

Next week ministers of foreign affairs from eight countries – Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Iceland, as well co-operation ministers from Greenland, Aland Islands and Faeroes will meet in Riga. They will discuss the started co-operation projects, actual events and future co-operation. Neatkariga

US State Secretary Assistant on Security Affairs D.Hamilton thinks that Latvia has successfully used the given financial and political possibilities to move forwards to joining EU and NATO. He came to Riga yesterday and explained his visit with a necessity to keep regular contacts between the governments.

US State Secretary Assistant on Security Affairs D.Hamilton thinks that Latvia has successfully used the given financial and political possibilities to move forwards to joining EU and NATO. He came to Riga yesterday and explained his visit with a necessity to keep regular contacts between the governments. Neatkariga

Political scientists point out that during the last two years more negative tendencies are observed in the Saeima activities. E.g. G.Grube says that the Saeima investigation commissions have turned the Saeima activities into something relative, thus perverting the parliamentarian idea. A.Runcis says that 7th Saeima adopts not properly worked out laws that have to be amended afterwards, there are more discrepancies in voting and the Parliament has prepared less requests to ministers that means less control on government activities.

Political scientists point out that during the last two years more negative tendencies are observed in the Saeima activities. E.g. G.Grube says that the Saeima investigation commissions have turned the Saeima activities into something relative, thus perverting the parliamentarian idea. A.Runcis says that 7th Saeima adopts not properly worked out laws that have to be amended afterwards, there are more discrepancies in voting and the Parliament has prepared less requests to ministers that means less control on government activities. Rigas Balss

The Naturalisation Board Information Centre informed that about 150 residents of Riga were still waiting for naturalisation. Queues for naturalisation are in only two Naturalisation Board offices Vidzeme and Latgale Suburbs. These people will have to wait for about one month and the queues originate not only due to insufficient capacity of these offices but also due to the fact that applicants themselves do not show up for examinations.

The Naturalisation Board Information Centre informed that about 150 residents of Riga were still waiting for naturalisation. Queues for naturalisation are in only two Naturalisation Board offices Vidzeme and Latgale Suburbs. These people will have to wait for about one month and the queues originate not only due to insufficient capacity of these offices but also due to the fact that applicants themselves do not show up for examinations. Rigas Balss

In the future to receive a Latvian visa foreigners will be able to submit the necessary documents not only in the state language but also in the English, Russian or German languages. It is envisaged in the amendments to the Law on Entry and Residence of Foreign Citizens…, developed by the Saeima Juridical Commission. The Ministry of Interior also supports these amendments.

In the future to receive a Latvian visa foreigners will be able to submit the necessary documents not only in the state language but also in the English, Russian or German languages. It is envisaged in the amendments to the Law on Entry and Residence of Foreign Citizens…, developed by the Saeima Juridical Commission. The Ministry of Interior also supports these amendments. Respublika

The faction FF/LNNK prepared a draft law on demanding Russia to compensate losses made to Latvia during the years of Soviet occupation. The draft law will be submitted to the Saeima next week. The draft law envisages three steps. The first will be establishing a working group that will sum up all damages made by the USSR and Russian Federation, second – to select the delegation for negotiations, third – to establish a special fund to collect all payments from Russia. The leader of the Union For Human Rights in United Latvia J.Jurkans thinks that this is pure provocation meant for the next municipal election.

The faction FF/LNNK prepared a draft law on demanding Russia to compensate losses made to Latvia during the years of Soviet occupation. The draft law will be submitted to the Saeima next week. The draft law envisages three steps. The first will be establishing a working group that will sum up all damages made by the USSR and Russian Federation, second – to select the delegation for negotiations, third – to establish a special fund to collect all payments from Russia. The leader of the Union For Human Rights in United Latvia J.Jurkans thinks that this is pure provocation meant for the next municipal election. Respublika

Vesti Segodnya asks “how much Latvia will demand for 50 years of “milking” Soviet economics”.

Vesti Segodnya asks how much Latvia will demand for 50 years of milking Soviet economics.

Former Latvian Way member and Minister of Defence D.Turlais, describing the situation in Latvia, states, that the state is approaching a catastrophe – both concerning the criminal situation, corruption and integration because the authorities just imitate actions – organise different commissions, structures, adopts programs but do not take any concrete steps and allocate the necessary financing for these aims. Now D.Turlais is busy organising a new party that would represent interests of small and medium size businesses and employees.

Former Latvian Way member and Minister of Defence D.Turlais, describing the situation in Latvia, states, that the state is approaching a catastrophe – both concerning the criminal situation, corruption and integration because the authorities just imitate actions – organise different commissions, structures, adopts programs but do not take any concrete steps and allocate the necessary financing for these aims. Now D.Turlais is busy organising a new party that would represent interests of small and medium size businesses and employees. Vesti Segodnya