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

At the summit meeting in Moscow, the three leaders among other matters also discussed the meeting of legionnaires in Latvia. According to Press Secretary S.Yastrzhemsky, when talking about the enlargement of NATO, the President of France Jacques Chirac had been against accepting Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia to NATO. German Chancellor Helmut Kohl announced at a briefing that he had always denounced meetings of extremists, but demonstrations of Nazis - even more. Answering to the question why EU countries did not react to that event, Mr. Kohl answered that it would be taken into consideration when accepting Latvia to EU.

At the summit meeting in Moscow, the three leaders among other matters also discussed the meeting of legionnaires in Latvia. According to Press Secretary S.Yastrzhemsky, when talking about the enlargement of NATO, the President of France Jacques Chirac had been against accepting Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia to NATO. German Chancellor Helmut Kohl announced at a briefing that he had always denounced meetings of extremists, but demonstrations of Nazis - even more. Answering to the question why EU countries did not react to that event, Mr. Kohl answered that it would be taken into consideration when accepting Latvia to EU. Diena, Neatkariga, Jauna Avize, B&B, Chas

The Saeima Education Commission has received OSCE High Commissioner van der Stoel’s letter with his conclusions that 19 articles of the draft State Language law do not correspond to the European Human Rights Declaration and International Pact on Civic and Political Rights. The High Commissioner considers that the state language law must not regulate the use of a language in organisations and enterprises as well as private radio stations and educational institutions.

The Saeima Education Commission has received OSCE High Commissioner van der Stoels letter with his conclusions that 19 articles of the draft State Language law do not correspond to the European Human Rights Declaration and International Pact on Civic and Political Rights. The High Commissioner considers that the state language law must not regulate the use of a language in organisations and enterprises as well as private radio stations and educational institutions. Diena

Diena writes about increasing talks on a governmental crisis. It is connected to amendments in the Law on Citizenship, to be considered at the next Co-operation Council meeting, as well as contradictions concerning privatisation process. The leader of Peoples Harmony Party J.Jurkans says that there is an authority and governmental crisis and a solution should come in the nearest future. The Chairman of the Union Tevzemei un Brivibai/LNNK M.Grinbergs confirmes that several influential persons have said that the government would step down in April. The Chairman of Latvijas Cels A.Pantelejevs hopes that it will not happen because there is no serious motivation for that. The changes in the government are connected with party ratings which, according to the opinion of some politicians, are too high for the Prime Minister and is party and unreasonably low for the rest of government forming factions.

DCMA Deputy Head A.J.Lejins gave a briefing on the extension of validity terms for former USSR internal and travel passports. He explained the reasons for this step and characterised current situation. “About 70 people leave Latvia every week, and they have problems with the documents, we have issued them, to integrate in Russia because due to their violet passport they are regarded as foreigners, strangers. ... We have agreed with Russia that they will be able to cross borders with a former USSR passport, get “propiska” and settle other formalities.” He pointed out that there were even greater problems with those permanent residents of Latvia who, having received Russian citizenship, had decided to give it up.

DCMA Deputy Head A.J.Lejins gave a briefing on the extension of validity terms for former USSR internal and travel passports. He explained the reasons for this step and characterised current situation. About 70 people leave Latvia every week, and they have problems with the documents, we have issued them, to integrate in Russia because due to their violet passport they are regarded as foreigners, strangers. ... We have agreed with Russia that they will be able to cross borders with a former USSR passport, get propiska and settle other formalities. He pointed out that there were even greater problems with those permanent residents of Latvia who, having received Russian citizenship, had decided to give it up. Diena

Russian TV days started in Riga on Thursday. They will last till March 30. More that 30 representatives of eleven Russia TV stations have come to Latvia. They have planned to film in Latvia but did not want to specify on the possible topics.

Russian TV days started in Riga on Thursday. They will last till March 30. More that 30 representatives of eleven Russia TV stations have come to Latvia. They have planned to film in Latvia but did not want to specify on the possible topics. Diena, Jauna Avize, SM, Chas

The Mayor of Moscow Yuriy Luzhkov came out with an announcement that economic sanctions should be imposed on Latvia for human rights violation of Russian-speakers. The Russian state should decrease its economic co-operation with Latvia, and the first step could be directing its goods flow from Latvia to Kaliningrad and Leningrad region.

The Mayor of Moscow Yuriy Luzhkov came out with an announcement that economic sanctions should be imposed on Latvia for human rights violation of Russian-speakers. The Russian state should decrease its economic co-operation with Latvia, and the first step could be directing its goods flow from Latvia to Kaliningrad and Leningrad region. B&B, SM