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

Press Review

“Integration of non-citizens is the main and irrevocable precondition for Latvia to be accepted to EU.” This is the opinion of the European Parliament concerning candidate states to EU. “Therefore EU has to include in the short term priority list for Latvia reconsideration of its Naturalisation procedures.” EP adopted this document in Strasbourg on Wednesday. Till the end of March, when the EU expansion process is officially opened, the Council of EU has to adopt the pre-admission priorities prepared by the European Commission. At the same time every candidate state has to prepare and submit to EU till March 30 their national legislation harmonisation program.

Integration of non-citizens is the main and irrevocable precondition for Latvia to be accepted to EU. This is the opinion of the European Parliament concerning candidate states to EU. Therefore EU has to include in the short term priority list for Latvia reconsideration of its Naturalisation procedures. EP adopted this document in Strasbourg on Wednesday. Till the end of March, when the EU expansion process is officially opened, the Council of EU has to adopt the pre-admission priorities prepared by the European Commission. At the same time every candidate state has to prepare and submit to EU till March 30 their national legislation harmonisation program. Diena 13.03.98

G.Tarasov, a representative of Russian MFA announced that Moscow did not support the intention of Latvian MFA Birkavs to visit the capital of Russia because it was doubtful that this visit could add anything new to the relations between these two countries.

G.Tarasov, a representative of Russian MFA announced that Moscow did not support the intention of Latvian MFA Birkavs to visit the capital of Russia because it was doubtful that this visit could add anything new to the relations between these two countries.

As we understand, the Latvian party has proposed to discuss the event of March 3 and future economic co-operation. We think that these topics are outside the basic problem - generally unfair situation of Russian speaking population, and we consider that V.Birkavss visit would give little result in such a situation. Moscow is waiting not for discussion and promises, but real steps made to harmonise Latvian legislation with international human rights standards, Said G.Tarasov. “As we understand, the Latvian party has proposed to discuss the event of March 3 and future economic co-operation. We think that these topics are outside the basic problem - generally unfair situation of Russian speaking population, and we consider that V.Birkavs’s visit would give little result in such a situation. Moscow is waiting not for discussion and promises, but real steps made to harmonise Latvian legislation with international human rights standards,” Said G.Tarasov. Neatkariga, Diena, Bizness I BaltiyaNeatkariga, Diena, Bizness I Baltiya

SM interviewed Deputy Director of the Department of MFA of Russia Valery Nestryushkin. Russia not only did not change its attitude to the happening in Latvia, but it is possible that it would be forced to harden its position because new and new details come up, causing deep concern in Russia. Russian diplomat stressed that Russia had no intention to change its attitude.

Latvian MFA expressed its regret on Russia’s not willingness to have an open dialogue with Latvia. Great Britain, the current presiding state of EU, has spread an announcement that confrontation oriented announcements and threat would not encourage integration process in Latvia. Press secretary of Latvian MFA A.Pildegovics told

Latvian MFA expressed its regret on Russias not willingness to have an open dialogue with Latvia. Great Britain, the current presiding state of EU, has spread an announcement that confrontation oriented announcements and threat would not encourage integration process in Latvia. Press secretary of Latvian MFA A.Pildegovics told Diena that Moscows refusal to this visit was one more evidence that Russia was not interested in an open dialogue to find out the real facts about the things happened and situation in Latvia. Latvia has also received an answer to its note with the explanation of Russias position concerning the events of March 3. In this answer Russia just repeated its acquisitions and voided its opinion that the comments and the reaction had been adequate. A.Pildegovics also said that the statement circulated by several Russian agencies did not correspond to the truth that OSCE at its Council meeting planned to examine Riga events upon a request made by Russia. OSCE Mission Head had stated that the event should be considered from the point of view of public order because one of the major thoroughfares of Riga had been blocked. He also stated that those events should not be over dramatised. The only OSCE member countries disagreeing to this opinion were Russia and Byelorussia.

OSCE pointed in its statement out that the participants of this events and also policemen had been both Latvians and Russians. It would help the integration process if the incident would be reflected properly.

OSCE pointed in its statement out that the participants of this events and also policemen had been both Latvians and Russians. It would help the integration process if the incident would be reflected properly. Diena

The Council of government forming factions has made a decision to postpone the consideration of the law on State language till conclusions of European experts would be received. Also US Ambassador L. Napper has asked to do so. Faction

The Council of government forming factions has made a decision to postpone the consideration of the law on State language till conclusions of European experts would be received. Also US Ambassador L. Napper has asked to do so. Faction Tevzemei un Brivibai/LNNK has voiced its anxiety about such an interference in the internal affairs of Latvia. Nevertheless, the faction agreed to postpone the consideration till March 26 when all conclusion would have been received. On Thursday, there was a picket of several dozens of people protesting against the new language law. Some of them demanded the Russian language to be give the status of the state language, others demanded to strengthen the Latvian language. Diena, Chas, Panorama Latvii

Diena publishes its correspondent in Brussels Kristine Plamses opinion about one aspect of integration of non-citizens in Latvia - granting Latvian citizenship to children born after 1991. She thinks that children born here could not be blamed for crimes committed during those 50 years of Soviet power, and Latvia should take sample of the steps Estonia has made on its way to joining EU.

Bizness I Baltiya

publishes an article with an analysis of possible situation if Russia would impose economic sanctions against Latvia and comments of several politicians on this issue. Most of them think that such a situation would not be permissible although it could happen. publishes an article with an analysis of possible situation if Russia would impose economic sanctions against Latvia and comments of several politicians on this issue. Most of them think that such a situation would not be permissible although it could happen.