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

The State President G.Ulmanis informed that the National Security Council on its Wednesday meeting had stated that relations with Russia were not dramatic, but co-operation should become closer. NSC listened to the MFA State Secretary M.Riekstins’s report on the situation in Latvian-Russian relations and decided what should be done in the future. Accent should be put on co-operation with international organisations, much closer co-operation with Russia, starting with the lowest levels, co-operation with regions of Russia. Work should be continued on border issues and preparation of agreements between those two countries.

The State President G.Ulmanis informed that the National Security Council on its Wednesday meeting had stated that relations with Russia were not dramatic, but co-operation should become closer. NSC listened to the MFA State Secretary M.Riekstinss report on the situation in Latvian-Russian relations and decided what should be done in the future. Accent should be put on co-operation with international organisations, much closer co-operation with Russia, starting with the lowest levels, co-operation with regions of Russia. Work should be continued on border issues and preparation of agreements between those two countries. Diena

Two pickets of about 200 people took place at the Russian Embassy in Riga, and about 30 people with slogans expressed their opinion at the Russian Consulate General in Liepaja.

Two pickets of about 200 people took place at the Russian Embassy in Riga, and about 30 people with slogans expressed their opinion at the Russian Consulate General in Liepaja.

From 12 to 1 p.m. there as a picket announced by the National Union Namejs. They asked the Embassy representatives to receive their petition and a book describing Communist atrocities against Latvian nation. The Russian Ambassador A.Udalcov received the delegation of those people. The discussion was proper. Mr.Udalcov agreed that repression against the nation should be condemned, both countries should co-operate more but disagreed that Russia should take responsibility for Communist terror. He also did not like slogans asking 700 000 non-citizens to go home. At 2 p.m. there was another picket of youth department of the Union

From 12 to 1 p.m. there as a picket announced by the National Union Namejs. They asked the Embassy representatives to receive their petition and a book describing Communist atrocities against Latvian nation. The Russian Ambassador A.Udalcov received the delegation of those people. The discussion was proper. Mr.Udalcov agreed that repression against the nation should be condemned, both countries should co-operate more but disagreed that Russia should take responsibility for Communist terror. He also did not like slogans asking 700 000 non-citizens to go home. At 2 p.m. there was another picket of youth department of the Union Tevzemei un Brivibai/LNNK. Press agency BNS informed that Russian Council General to Liepaja G.Kurockin found the slogans offensive, but the very picket proceeded peacefully. Diena, Neatkariga, Chas, B&B, SM

145 390 people have received non-citizen passports of the Republic of Latvia until March 19. It means that 22.3% of all non-citizens have received them. The largest numbers are in Preili - 34%, Rezekne - 33%, Daugavpils - 27.9% but in Riga - 20.6%. It turned out that people having received non-citizen passport have problems in Russia when they try to settle their civil matters. As Russia recognises these violet passports only as a travel document, the winners among people leaving Latvia are those who kept their former USSR internal passports.

145 390 people have received non-citizen passports of the Republic of Latvia until March 19. It means that 22.3% of all non-citizens have received them. The largest numbers are in Preili - 34%, Rezekne - 33%, Daugavpils - 27.9% but in Riga - 20.6%. It turned out that people having received non-citizen passport have problems in Russia when they try to settle their civil matters. As Russia recognises these violet passports only as a travel document, the winners among people leaving Latvia are those who kept their former USSR internal passports. Neatkariga. There is also a tendency observed that Russian citizens give up their citizenship in Latvia. The total number is 47 people who, knowing about their undetermined status in Latvia, still have given up their Russian citizenship. Neatkariga, Rita Zinas.

DCMA have started to draw up departure documents for Irma Tkeshelashvili who has already been residing illegally in Latvia for five years and currently even have no identification documents. As Ms. Tkeshelashvili informed the correspondent of

DCMA have started to draw up departure documents for Irma Tkeshelashvili who has already been residing illegally in Latvia for five years and currently even have no identification documents. As Ms. Tkeshelashvili informed the correspondent of Neatkariga, she did not manage to get documents permitting her to reside in Latvia legally although she studied at Riga International Institute of the Bible. She also could not register her marriage officially and get Resident Registers number for her child. As the result of lacking this number her daughter was refused free of charge treatment in several Riga policlinics as well as a vaccine against rabies. Neatkariga

Chas comments on the situation with the National Latvian language Training Program. The author of the article doubts the announcements of Latvian officials that knowledge of the Latvian language could solve many social problems and improve political situation in the country and points out that the real sponsors of the program will be UNDP and governments of foreign countries, not the Latvian government.

Chas comments on the situation with the National Latvian language Training Program. The author of the article doubts the announcements of Latvian officials that knowledge of the Latvian language could solve many social problems and improve political situation in the country and points out that the real sponsors of the program will be UNDP and governments of foreign countries, not the Latvian government.