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

On June 16, OSCE High Commissioner Max van der Stoel circulated an announcement denying the worries voiced repeatedly by Prime Minister G.Krasts on possible additional OSCE demands after the already adopted amendments to the Law on Citizenship would be implemented. High Commissioner has not changed his opinion and does not plan to put forward any additional recommendations.

On June 16, OSCE High Commissioner Max van der Stoel circulated an announcement denying the worries voiced repeatedly by Prime Minister G.Krasts on possible additional OSCE demands after the already adopted amendments to the Law on Citizenship would be implemented. High Commissioner has not changed his opinion and does not plan to put forward any additional recommendations. Neatkariga, Chas, Panorama Latvii - July 20, Bizness & Baltiya - July 20

Diena published full text of this announcement

Diena published full text of this announcement

Neatkariga

published an article about the recommendations of OSCE High Commissioner on Minorities Max van der Stoel, stating that the original letters were available just for some officials. Latvian institutions dealing with popularisation or implementation of OSCE recommendations receive al information necessary from the Minister of Foreign Affairs. The author of this article addressed the Press Secretary of the Minister of Foreign Affairs A.Pildegovics who explained that Max van der Stoels letters had been forwarded to Latvia via the Minister of Foreign Affairs and according to the diplomatic etiquette they were confidential. published an article about the recommendations of OSCE High Commissioner on Minorities Max van der Stoel, stating that the original letters were available just for some officials. Latvian institutions dealing with popularisation or implementation of OSCE recommendations receive al information necessary from the Minister of Foreign Affairs. The author of this article addressed the Press Secretary of the Minister of Foreign Affairs A.Pildegovics who explained that Max van der Stoel’s letters had been forwarded to Latvia via the Minister of Foreign Affairs and according to the diplomatic etiquette they were confidential. OSCE representatives in Latvia, when asked about this, explained that letters to the Minister of Foreign Affairs were the main but not the only means how the society was informed about OSCE opinion on citizenship issue. During Max van der Stoel’s visits there were press conferences organised where Mr.Stoel had voiced his opinion in public and he had also meetings with high state officials where High Commissioner not only informed about his opinion but also listened to the opinion of Latvian officials.

OSCE representatives in Latvia, when asked about this, explained that letters to the Minister of Foreign Affairs were the main but not the only means how the society was informed about OSCE opinion on citizenship issue. During Max van der Stoels visits there were press conferences organised where Mr.Stoel had voiced his opinion in public and he had also meetings with high state officials where High Commissioner not only informed about his opinion but also listened to the opinion of Latvian officials.

On Friday during the meeting withPresident G.Ulmanis, Deputy Head of USAID Harriet Babit who is also a representative of the American government in the Board of Baltic American Partnership Foundation (BAPF) said that the USA supported adopted amendments to the Law on Citizenship. USAID started its activities in Latvia in 1991 and since that time it has infested in Latvia 40 million USD. Now it has allocated 500 000 USD for Naturalisation process in Latvia to render technical assistance to the Naturalisation Board, to pay salaries to American experts, to organise a new Social Integration Information Centre.

On Friday during the meeting withPresident G.Ulmanis, Deputy Head of USAID Harriet Babit who is also a representative of the American government in the Board of Baltic American Partnership Foundation (BAPF) said that the USA supported adopted amendments to the Law on Citizenship. USAID started its activities in Latvia in 1991 and since that time it has infested in Latvia 40 million USD. Now it has allocated 500 000 USD for Naturalisation process in Latvia to render technical assistance to the Naturalisation Board, to pay salaries to American experts, to organise a new Social Integration Information Centre. Diena (Russian version)

Newspaper “Fokuss” interviewed Prime Minister G.Krasts to find out an explanation to the fact that from the very beginning he supported OSCE recommendations and then suddenly gave it up and called for a referendum. G.Krasts answered that a referendum was a very logical thing to do to find out the opinion of the nation.

Newspaper Fokuss interviewed Prime Minister G.Krasts to find out an explanation to the fact that from the very beginning he supported OSCE recommendations and then suddenly gave it up and called for a referendum. G.Krasts answered that a referendum was a very logical thing to do to find out the opinion of the nation. SM