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.

• Medical doctor of Arabic origin interviewed on integration issues
• The scenario of March 16th is still uncertain
• Low interest in Latvian citizenship

Lietiska Diena interviewed Housam Abu Merhi, a medical doctor practicing at twoprivate health institutions in Latvia and a chair of the Arabic Cultural Centrein Latvia. Mr.Mehri believes that what matters is not persons nationality,religious of political views, but the shared feelings towards this country, theshared love to Latvia. He is confident that if the authorities will try tointegrate the society, they will succeed. Unfortunately Latvian people donthave a common shoulder to lean on. He is also confident that his children willidentify themselves as Latvians, while acknowledging the fact that their fatheris a Lebanese.

Latvijas Avize asked Riga City Council whether it is ready to make decisionsregarding March 16th and May 9th. Press secretary of the Executive Director ofthe Riga City Council explained that before any decision is taken, the CityCouncil has to hear opinion of the state security institutions and opinions oforganizers. Organizations that traditionally organize events around these datessaid that they will organize some events but the plans are still uncertain.

Vesti Segodnya reports that the Naturalization Board (NB) received only 1847applications in 2009, which is the second lowest number of applications since1995 when the process begun. According to the newspaper, NB originallyprojected to receive around 12000 applications in 2009.