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

Only 639 sixteen to twenty year-old young people used their right to obtain citizenship through naturalization in 1996. This year slightly more than one hundred applicants between 21 and 26 years of age used this right. The only social group displaying interest toward Latvian citizenship is the so-called yuppies. They see Latvian citizenship as part of establishing their careers. Still, they cannot explain in what way they would benefit from obtaining Latvian citizenship. Many young people would not take citizenship because of the mandatory army service. A large portion of young people does not see any sense in becoming citizens and believe naturalization tests to be a useless waste of time. The Naturalization Board is planning to investigate the reasons of non-citizens' indifference toward naturalization. Last year's research by the Board showed that 63% of young non-citizens would like to take citizenship. Still, most of them remain passive and are not planning to apply for naturalization. According to Head of the Naturalization Board Eizenija Aldermane, the Board is ready to change the naturalization test program in the way that would not contradict the law. Currently, the Board is accomplishing the work on the new program for history tests. The program will focus on modern history and will consist of 150 question with only 18 questions on Latvia's ancient history.

Only 639 sixteen to twenty year-old young people used their right to obtain citizenship through naturalization in 1996. This year slightly more than one hundred applicants between 21 and 26 years of age used this right. The only social group displaying interest toward Latvian citizenship is the so-called yuppies. They see Latvian citizenship as part of establishing their careers. Still, they cannot explain in what way they would benefit from obtaining Latvian citizenship. Many young people would not take citizenship because of the mandatory army service. A large portion of young people does not see any sense in becoming citizens and believe naturalization tests to be a useless waste of time. The Naturalization Board is planning to investigate the reasons of non-citizens' indifference toward naturalization. Last year's research by the Board showed that 63% of young non-citizens would like to take citizenship. Still, most of them remain passive and are not planning to apply for naturalization. According to Head of the Naturalization Board Eizenija Aldermane, the Board is ready to change the naturalization test program in the way that would not contradict the law. Currently, the Board is accomplishing the work on the new program for history tests. The program will focus on modern history and will consist of 150 question with only 18 questions on Latvia's ancient history. Diena

"Tevzemei un Brivibai"

Chairman Maris Grinblats said in a TV interview that his party would never agree to granting Latvian citizenship to Poles residing in Latvia. Mr. Vladlen Dozortsev ("People's Harmony") told Chairman Maris Grinblats said in a TV interview that his party would never agree to granting Latvian citizenship to Poles residing in Latvia. Mr. Vladlen Dozortsev ("People's Harmony") told "SM""SM" that Mr. Grinblats deliberately distorted the very essence of the issue. No-one have suggested granting citizenship to Poles without any exams. The suggestion provided was to grant them the right for extraordinary naturalization. Mr. Grinblats claimed that granting the right for citizenship to a peculiar ethnic group would lead to other ethnic groups demanding the similar advantages. Still, the suggestion supported by the President and the Saeima Human Rights Committee concerned all former citizens of Poland and their descendants irrespective of their ethic origin. Mr. Dozortsev does not believe that the Saeima will be able to adopt any amendments to the Citizenship Law. Amending the Law may lead to another Government crisis. Dozortsev criticizes the President for trying to meet the interests of all parties in his statements. Still, Latvia has no other choice than to change its policy toward non-citizens. Otherwise, it will not be able to join the European Union and will become isolated from the rest of Europe. This, according to Dozortsev, has been proved by EU Commissioner van den Broek's statements made during his recent visit to Latvia. that Mr. Grinblats deliberately distorted the very essence of the issue. No-one have suggested granting citizenship to Poles without any exams. The suggestion provided was to grant them the right for extraordinary naturalization. Mr. Grinblats claimed that granting the right for citizenship to a peculiar ethnic group would lead to other ethnic groups demanding the similar advantages. Still, the suggestion supported by the President and the Saeima Human Rights Committee concerned all former citizens of Poland and their descendants irrespective of their ethic origin. Mr. Dozortsev does not believe that the Saeima will be able to adopt any amendments to the Citizenship Law. Amending the Law may lead to another Government crisis. Dozortsev criticizes the President for trying to meet the interests of all parties in his statements. Still, Latvia has no other choice than to change its policy toward non-citizens. Otherwise, it will not be able to join the European Union and will become isolated from the rest of Europe. This, according to Dozortsev, has been proved by EU Commissioner van den Broek's statements made during his recent visit to Latvia. SMSM Yesterday the Saeima passed draft amendments to the Law on Elections to the Saeima committees. The draft amendments provide for increasing "the barrier" to be passed by coalitions to enter the Saeima in next elections from 5% to 7%. According to the amendments, only the parties registered at least one year before the elections will be allowed to run for seats in the next Saeima. The term may be increased to three years after 2000. Observers believe the amendments to be an attempt to press out smaller parties and show the concern of the major political parties about their political future. New parties are expected to appear this summer, a party established by famous composer Raimonds Pauls and current Ambassador to Russia Janis Peters among them. B&B;

Yesterday the Saeima passed draft amendments to the Law on Elections to the Saeima committees. The draft amendments provide for increasing "the barrier" to be passed by coalitions to enter the Saeima in next elections from 5% to 7%. According to the amendments, only the parties registered at least one year before the elections will be allowed to run for seats in the next Saeima. The term may be increased to three years after 2000. Observers believe the amendments to be an attempt to press out smaller parties and show the concern of the major political parties about their political future. New parties are expected to appear this summer, a party established by famous composer Raimonds Pauls and current Ambassador to Russia Janis Peters among them. B&B