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

The Latvijas Cels Party conference is scheduled for Saturday, April 18 in which it is planned to formulate the party's attitude towards the government of Guntars Krasts, as well as to discuss the terms of the nomination of new candidates for vacant ministerial posts. In a statement distributed by the Tevzemei un Brivibai/LNNK board and fraction it is said that the Krasts' government should continue working in order to prepare and adopt the program for the stabilization of the situation in the country. Yesterday Ziedonis Cevers, leader of the Democratic Party Saimnieks, told press that the party is ready to take a political responsibility for the formation of a new government. Diena, Dienas Bizness

Yesterday the government forming fraction agreed on the amendments to the Citizenship Law which will be submitted to the Saeima next week. If approved, the amendments will come into force not earlier than one year after their adoption in accordance with the paragraph 4 of Article 14 of the Citizenship Law. The government forming fraction could not agree on complete "opening of the naturalization windows" which is advocated by ambassadors and experts of the EU countries. Instead, they agreed on opening naturalization windows for residents born in Latvia, while the rest of non-citizens will be eligible to naturalization starting the year of 2001. Kristiana Libane, Chair of the

Yesterday the government forming fraction agreed on the amendments to the Citizenship Law which will be submitted to the Saeima next week. If approved, the amendments will come into force not earlier than one year after their adoption in accordance with the paragraph 4 of Article 14 of the Citizenship Law. The government forming fraction could not agree on complete "opening of the naturalization windows" which is advocated by ambassadors and experts of the EU countries. Instead, they agreed on opening naturalization windows for residents born in Latvia, while the rest of non-citizens will be eligible to naturalization starting the year of 2001. Kristiana Libane, Chair of the Latvijas Cels fraction, said that the Latvijas Cels could support the complete opening of naturalization windows, if such a proposal comes from the Prime Minister. All four fractions agreed on the provision granting citizenship to children born in Latvia after 21 August 1991, if one of the parents is the citizen of the former USSR who has no citizenship of any other country, and if he/she after 21 August 1991 permanently resided in Latvia. These children will have rights to obtain the citizenship when they are 16 to 18 years old by submitting an application and proving the Latvian language knowledge. The parties agreed to grant citizenship to persons who Polish citizens on June 17, 1940 and to their descendants, if they have permanently resided in Latvia for not less than five years as of the submission date of their application for naturalization. Andrejs Pantelejevs told press that after adopting the amendment in the first reading in the Saeima, they will be submitted to the European institutions for an expertise. Diena, SM

State Secretary of the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Maris Riekstins will meet with the representatives of the United States government, State Department and the National Security Council to discuss the Latvian-Russian relations during his visit to Washington D.C., Press Secretary of the MFA Andrejs Pildegovics told press.

State Secretary of the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Maris Riekstins will meet with the representatives of the United States government, State Department and the National Security Council to discuss the Latvian-Russian relations during his visit to Washington D.C., Press Secretary of the MFA Andrejs Pildegovics told press. Diena

The Latvian-Russian relations might be discussed at the meeting of the Russian and EU Co-operation Council in Brussels next week.

The Latvian-Russian relations might be discussed at the meeting of the Russian and EU Co-operation Council in Brussels next week. Diena

Yesterday the news agency Interfax reported that the planned visit of the Latvian Prime Minister Guntars Krasts to the United States on 15 -25 April was cancelled upon the initiative of the White House which regards the Latvian government’s position as "noticeably Russophobic." Besides, the American side did not believe that Krasts’ government survive, Interfax informed.

Yesterday the news agency Interfax reported that the planned visit of the Latvian Prime Minister Guntars Krasts to the United States on 15 -25 April was cancelled upon the initiative of the White House which regards the Latvian governments position as "noticeably Russophobic." Besides, the American side did not believe that Krasts government survive, Interfax informed. Chas

Referring to the comments of the Latvian authorities about the effects of the economic sanctions on the Russian speaking population in Latvia, Representative of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Valerie Nesterushkin said that the Russian government cannot comment how these sanctions would affect Latvian population, since “it is the internal affair of Latvia to estimate the gains and losses.”

Referring to the comments of the Latvian authorities about the effects of the economic sanctions on the Russian speaking population in Latvia, Representative of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Valerie Nesterushkin said that the Russian government cannot comment how these sanctions would affect Latvian population, since it is the internal affair of Latvia to estimate the gains and losses. SM

Jauna Avize publishes an open letter of employees of the company "VEF - KT" to the State President in which they urge politicians start a constructive dialogue with Russia. Jauna Avize