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

President Ulmanis during his visit to Rezekne delivered a report at a conference on the problems of Latgalian Latvians. The President stressed the importance of a common sense of responsibility for the country's secure future. President Ulmanis said that Latvia was the only country in the world with 30% of its residents having no citizenship. "This is an inadmissible situation, and we should make naturalization results look different," said the President. He noted that successful naturalization of non-citizens was closely linked with national security. President Ulmanis suggested to consider the situation of ethnic minorities not only in terms of the Latvian legislation but also from an emotional point of view. He called upon ethnic Latvians to show more tolerance toward non-citizens and to make them feel that they were welcomed to the Latvian society.

President Ulmanis during his visit to Rezekne delivered a report at a conference on the problems of Latgalian Latvians. The President stressed the importance of a common sense of responsibility for the country's secure future. President Ulmanis said that Latvia was the only country in the world with 30% of its residents having no citizenship. "This is an inadmissible situation, and we should make naturalization results look different," said the President. He noted that successful naturalization of non-citizens was closely linked with national security. President Ulmanis suggested to consider the situation of ethnic minorities not only in terms of the Latvian legislation but also from an emotional point of view. He called upon ethnic Latvians to show more tolerance toward non-citizens and to make them feel that they were welcomed to the Latvian society. Diena

In an interview for

In an interview for "DIENA" President Ulmanis said that there were a sufficient amount of documents in favor of holding a discussion of a possibility of introducing universal presidential elections. Mr. Ulmanis believes that universal elections would maintain the President's sense of political responsibility. Diena, Neatkariga

President Ulmanis told

President Ulmanis told "DIENA" that he would keep insisting on discussing possible changes to the Citizenship Law and to the naturalization procedure. He believes citizenship problems to "require a thorough consideration". The President noted that sixty thousand potential applicants "were looking through the first window not willing to enter". He would be satisfied with at least four to six thousand non-citizens taking citizenship through naturalization annually. Mr. Ulmanis criticized Vladlen Dozortsev for expecting that "all non-citizens could receive citizenship one fine day" and for lacking a constructive approach to the problem. Tomorrow (May 20) the President will start talks with Saeima factions on citizenship issues. Diena

Saeima Speaker Alfreds Cepanis in an interview on his recent visit to Ukraine said that he would suggest the

Saeima Speaker Alfreds Cepanis in an interview on his recent visit to Ukraine said that he would suggest the Saeima to grant Latvian citizenship to ethnic Ukrainians and Poles. B&B

The Immigration Police detained Ms. Natalya Sivokon who entered Latvia in 1991 from Kirgizia. She was sentenced for 4.5 years for theft and was released in 1994. She could not leave Latvia immediately since her passport was lost by Ministry of the Interior authorities. She was settled down in Latvia with Mr. Vitaly Furtat. They have a one year-old son whom they could not register as Mr. Furtat's child. Mr. Furtat's family is afraid that the child may be taken to an orphanage.

The Immigration Police detained Ms. Natalya Sivokon who entered Latvia in 1991 from Kirgizia. She was sentenced for 4.5 years for theft and was released in 1994. She could not leave Latvia immediately since her passport was lost by Ministry of the Interior authorities. She was settled down in Latvia with Mr. Vitaly Furtat. They have a one year-old son whom they could not register as Mr. Furtat's child. Mr. Furtat's family is afraid that the child may be taken to an orphanage. SM