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

Yesterday the European Parliament voted for starting admission talks with all potential EU members simultaneously. Still, "intensive talks" will be started only with the countries that achieved the progress. The European Parliament marked successful economic reforms in Latvia and named the status of a Russian minority among the problems to be resolved by the country.

Yesterday the European Parliament voted for starting admission talks with all potential EU members simultaneously. Still, "intensive talks" will be started only with the countries that achieved the progress. The European Parliament marked successful economic reforms in Latvia and named the status of a Russian minority among the problems to be resolved by the country. Diena

Swedish linguist Ens Olwud held a discussion of the language situation in Latvia. He characterized the draft Language Law as a tool of shock therapy. He compared the language situation in Latvia to the situation in Malaysia where Chinese ad Indian immigrants still do not speak the local language after having lived in the country for many years. The Swedish linguist agrees that the Russian-speaking inhabitants of Latvia should master the Latvian language. Participants of the discussion supported the opening of "naturalization windows" as an impetus for studying the Latvian language.

Swedish linguist Ens Olwud held a discussion of the language situation in Latvia. He characterized the draft Language Law as a tool of shock therapy. He compared the language situation in Latvia to the situation in Malaysia where Chinese ad Indian immigrants still do not speak the local language after having lived in the country for many years. The Swedish linguist agrees that the Russian-speaking inhabitants of Latvia should master the Latvian language. Participants of the discussion supported the opening of "naturalization windows" as an impetus for studying the Latvian language. Diena

The Latvian Association of teachers of the Russian Language and Literature points to several drawbacks of the draft Language Law. The Law does not give a precise definition of the state language. It classifies all Languages other than Latvian as "foreign" without giving the languages spoken by non-Latvians the status of minority languages.

The Latvian Association of teachers of the Russian Language and Literature points to several drawbacks of the draft Language Law. The Law does not give a precise definition of the state language. It classifies all Languages other than Latvian as "foreign" without giving the languages spoken by non-Latvians the status of minority languages. Chas

Only 65 thousand non-citizens have received new alien passports. CID Deputy-Director Janis Leins says that the CID can issue new passports to all non-citizens (over 600 thousand) before the New Year. 50 thousand citizens still have not exchanged their old Soviet identification documents for citizens' passports.

Only 65 thousand non-citizens have received new alien passports. CID Deputy-Director Janis Leins says that the CID can issue new passports to all non-citizens (over 600 thousand) before the New Year. 50 thousand citizens still have not exchanged their old Soviet identification documents for citizens' passports. SM