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

Latvian and Estonian presidents met in Latvian border town Valka on May 7. They discussed relations of the Baltic states with Russia, integration into EU and NATO and problems of Valka and Valga population. When asked about his expression concerning visas for Latvians, Estonia President L.Meri answered that the very fact of him being in Valka proves the wish of Estonia to establish between those two countries an European border crossing system that would be easy and effective. G.Ulmanis acknowledged that solution of Valka - Valga problem would be an answer to this question and, speaking about Latvia’s problems with Russia, he said that Latvia should help Russia to overcome its internal problems.

Latvian and Estonian presidents met in Latvian border town Valka on May 7. They discussed relations of the Baltic states with Russia, integration into EU and NATO and problems of Valka and Valga population. When asked about his expression concerning visas for Latvians, Estonia President L.Meri answered that the very fact of him being in Valka proves the wish of Estonia to establish between those two countries an European border crossing system that would be easy and effective. G.Ulmanis acknowledged that solution of Valka - Valga problem would be an answer to this question and, speaking about Latvias problems with Russia, he said that Latvia should help Russia to overcome its internal problems. Diena, Neatkariga, Rita Zinas, Bizness & Baltiya, Chas

Foreign Commission of German Bundestag supported the proposal of several deputies from ruling and opposition parties for a draft project to start talks with the Baltic states on establising of no visa regime with these countries.

Foreign Commission of German Bundestag supported the proposal of several deputies from ruling and opposition parties for a draft project to start talks with the Baltic states on establising of no visa regime with these countries. Diena

The Saeima adopted in the first reading the amendment to the law “On the status of former USSR citizens who are not citizens of Latvia or any other state” anticipating that about 6000 RL residents having no status at all, might receive a non-citizen passport.

The Saeima adopted in the first reading the amendment to the law On the status of former USSR citizens who are not citizens of Latvia or any other state anticipating that about 6000 RL residents having no status at all, might receive a non-citizen passport. Neatkariga

Dobele region newspaper has received a letter where it was said that all responsibility for the explosion at the Dobele Common Graveyard took upon itself Wappen SS. Similar letter have been signed before by a mentally ill person from Jelgava. He has already promised to blow up a building in Jelgava and throw an incendiary bomb on participants of May 1 event in Riga, standing up for legionnaires and the Commander-in-Chief of Latvian Armed Forces J.Dalbins.

Dobele region newspaper has received a letter where it was said that all responsibility for the explosion at the Dobele Common Graveyard took upon itself Wappen SS. Similar letter have been signed before by a mentally ill person from Jelgava. He has already promised to blow up a building in Jelgava and throw an incendiary bomb on participants of May 1 event in Riga, standing up for legionnaires and the Commander-in-Chief of Latvian Armed Forces J.Dalbins. Neatkariga, Jauna Avize, Bizness & Baltiya, Chas, Panorama Latvii

Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Estonia and Latvia met in Tartu yesterday to discuss relation of both countries with Russia. No further information was given, yet.

Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Estonia and Latvia met in Tartu yesterday to discuss relation of both countries with Russia. No further information was given, yet. Neatkariga

Members of Parliament, when discussing amendments to the draft law “On National Holidays and Commemoration Days” did not support the proposal of

Members of Parliament, when discussing amendments to the draft law On National Holidays and Commemoration Days did not support the proposal of Tevzemei un Brivibai/LNNK to establish the Latvian Legion Day. Rita Zinas, Panorama Latvii, Chas

At the press conference dedicated to the integration program in EU, the Prime Minister G.Krasts announced that Latvia planned to fulfil all the criteria necessary for Latvia to join EU till 2002. It was not possible to do it now due to the lack of financing.

At the press conference dedicated to the integration program in EU, the Prime Minister G.Krasts announced that Latvia planned to fulfil all the criteria necessary for Latvia to join EU till 2002. It was not possible to do it now due to the lack of financing. Bizness & Baltiya

In the “Declaration on Government Activities” there is a task to put in order the Resident Register of the Republic of Latvia. Latvian officials understand this as the creation of a new law. According to government specialists, the main problem with the Resident Register is that there must be recorded also children born in the families of people residing on the territory of Latvia illegally and these children have to receive a personal code thus making them into “legally born”. There are also planned some changes in providing information to physical and legal persons. It seems that the new draft could cause additional problems to the OSCE Mission to Latvia.

In the Declaration on Government Activities there is a task to put in order the Resident Register of the Republic of Latvia. Latvian officials understand this as the creation of a new law. According to government specialists, the main problem with the Resident Register is that there must be recorded also children born in the families of people residing on the territory of Latvia illegally and these children have to receive a personal code thus making them into legally born. There are also planned some changes in providing information to physical and legal persons. It seems that the new draft could cause additional problems to the OSCE Mission to Latvia. Panorama Latvii