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

Latvia agreed to recognize its current border with Russia. According to Head of the Latvian Delegation to the border talks Aivars Vovers, Latvia would not demand a reference to the 1920 Riga Peace Treaty in the border agreement. Mr. Vovers told the press that the delegation would not discuss the property rights of former inhabitants of the Abrene district. The next round of the talks will be held on March 20-21 in Riga. Minister for European Union Affairs Aleksandrs Kirstens said the outcome of the talks was the only possible solution to the border problem.

Latvia agreed to recognize its current border with Russia. According to Head of the Latvian Delegation to the border talks Aivars Vovers, Latvia would not demand a reference to the 1920 Riga Peace Treaty in the border agreement. Mr. Vovers told the press that the delegation would not discuss the property rights of former inhabitants of the Abrene district. The next round of the talks will be held on March 20-21 in Riga. Minister for European Union Affairs Aleksandrs Kirstens said the outcome of the talks was the only possible solution to the border problem. "Tevzemei un Brivibai" representatives told the press that the party would further insist on considering Abrene a part of Latvia's territory. Diena, Neatkariga

Today the governing factions are to vote on Roberts Zile's candidature for Minister of Finance. All governing factions support the candidate. After Zile's appointment,

Today the governing factions are to vote on Roberts Zile's candidature for Minister of Finance. All governing factions support the candidate. After Zile's appointment, "Tevzemei un Brivibai" will have the largest number of seats in the Cabinet (four Ministers and one State Minister). Diena

The Cabinet of Ministers adopted amendments to the regulations for determining the procedure of naturalization tests. The amendments give applicants the right to chose between a verbal test and a multiple choice test in Latvian history and constitutional principles.

The Cabinet of Ministers adopted amendments to the regulations for determining the procedure of naturalization tests. The amendments give applicants the right to chose between a verbal test and a multiple choice test in Latvian history and constitutional principles. PL

Kotov, Buzayev and Raihman of the Latvian Human Rights Committee in their survey of the human rights situation in Latvia in 1996 point at the indifference displayed by the Latvian authorities to the problem of illegal residents. Most of these people have lost their "propiska" after temporary absence from Latvia or, even, without leaving the country. The human rights activists criticize amendments to the Law "On Foreigners' and Stateless Persons' Entrance to and Stay in the Republic of Latvia" adopted by the Cabinet of Ministers last August. The amendments require that all foreign citizens permanently residing in Latvia should apply for permanent residence permits. The requirement is a threat to foreigners' status in Latvia, since it does not set any difference between a temporary residence permit and a permanent residence permit as for the possibility of annulling. Both types of residence permits can be annulled in fifteen cases, including the loss of a legal source of income. The Latvian Human Rights Committee members point at misinterpretation of the Law "On the Status of Former USSR Citizens who are not Citizens of Latvia or of any other State". Courts and the Procurator's Office still insist that only individuals who had "propiska" in Latvia

Kotov, Buzayev and Raihman of the Latvian Human Rights Committee in their survey of the human rights situation in Latvia in 1996 point at the indifference displayed by the Latvian authorities to the problem of illegal residents. Most of these people have lost their "propiska" after temporary absence from Latvia or, even, without leaving the country. The human rights activists criticize amendments to the Law "On Foreigners' and Stateless Persons' Entrance to and Stay in the Republic of Latvia" adopted by the Cabinet of Ministers last August. The amendments require that all foreign citizens permanently residing in Latvia should apply for permanent residence permits. The requirement is a threat to foreigners' status in Latvia, since it does not set any difference between a temporary residence permit and a permanent residence permit as for the possibility of annulling. Both types of residence permits can be annulled in fifteen cases, including the loss of a legal source of income. The Latvian Human Rights Committee members point at misinterpretation of the Law "On the Status of Former USSR Citizens who are not Citizens of Latvia or of any other State". Courts and the Procurator's Office still insist that only individuals who had "propiska" in Latvia ON July 1, 1992, can be included in the Register of Inhabitants. Still, the OSCE and the Council of Europe, according to the authors of the article, insist on using "BEFORE July 1, 1992" when defining the category of residents entitled to registration.SM