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

“Fokuss” publishes an interview with the Head of the OSCE Mission to Latvia R.Samuel. Asked about the implementation of OSCE recommendations in Latvia, Mr. Samuel answered that considerable part of them had already been implemented and, if “window” mechanism is abolished and citizenship granted to children born in the independent Latvia, it would be a major step forwards. OSCE hoped that these amendments would be implemented as soon as possible. Speaking about the use of the state language in private businesses, Mr. Samuel voiced an opinion that it was not desirable to insist that private enterprise meetings, with no state language speakers present, had to be conducted in the state language. It could just slow down foreign businesses’ coming to Latvia. Commenting on the proposals of the CBSS Commissioner O.Espersen the Head of the Mission said that the Commissioner had not announced them as binding for Latvia. Proposing of such a system had never been neither on the OSCE agenda nor in the proposals of Mr. van der Stoel.

Fokuss publishes an interview with the Head of the OSCE Mission to Latvia R.Samuel. Asked about the implementation of OSCE recommendations in Latvia, Mr. Samuel answered that considerable part of them had already been implemented and, if window mechanism is abolished and citizenship granted to children born in the independent Latvia, it would be a major step forwards. OSCE hoped that these amendments would be implemented as soon as possible. Speaking about the use of the state language in private businesses, Mr. Samuel voiced an opinion that it was not desirable to insist that private enterprise meetings, with no state language speakers present, had to be conducted in the state language. It could just slow down foreign businesses coming to Latvia. Commenting on the proposals of the CBSS Commissioner O.Espersen the Head of the Mission said that the Commissioner had not announced them as binding for Latvia. Proposing of such a system had never been neither on the OSCE agenda nor in the proposals of Mr. van der Stoel.

Latvian Ambassador to Russia I.Daudiss, when talking to President Ulmanis, expressed an opinion that for improving Latvian - Russian relations there would be necessary a meeting with the officials of Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and B.Jeltsin’s councillors.

Latvian Ambassador to Russia I.Daudiss, when talking to President Ulmanis, expressed an opinion that for improving Latvian - Russian relations there would be necessary a meeting with the officials of Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and B.Jeltsins councillors. Neatkariga

The director of the NHRO O.Bruveris and several officials went to Valka to meet with local people and learn about their problems with border crossing. The majority of visitors were non-citizens who did not know the state language. They stressed the major problem - difficult border crossing system. People wanted the Riga guests to raise their problem to the highest levels and help to find a solution. At the end of this meeting O.Bruveris said that he would meet the State Minister of Municipal Affairs J.Bunkss who was the leader of working group dealing with Valka - Valga issue. The aim of this meeting would be to find out the most effective way for NHRO to be involved in the solution of this problem.

The director of the NHRO O.Bruveris and several officials went to Valka to meet with local people and learn about their problems with border crossing. The majority of visitors were non-citizens who did not know the state language. They stressed the major problem - difficult border crossing system. People wanted the Riga guests to raise their problem to the highest levels and help to find a solution. At the end of this meeting O.Bruveris said that he would meet the State Minister of Municipal Affairs J.Bunkss who was the leader of working group dealing with Valka - Valga issue. The aim of this meeting would be to find out the most effective way for NHRO to be involved in the solution of this problem. Neatkariga

Information received from Latvian diplomatic representatives shows that Latvians living abroad are not very active in signing the proposal for a referendum, yet. Three persons have signed the proposal in Minsk, one in Vitebsk. In other countries nobody has signed yet. All together 20 Latvian embassies, general consulates and honorary consulates are available for signing the proposal.

Information received from Latvian diplomatic representatives shows that Latvians living abroad are not very active in signing the proposal for a referendum, yet. Three persons have signed the proposal in Minsk, one in Vitebsk. In other countries nobody has signed yet. All together 20 Latvian embassies, general consulates and honorary consulates are available for signing the proposal. Diena

The newspaper

The newspaper Lauku Avize published the speech of EU Commisione Hans van den Broek in Latvia where he also touched upon the problem of integration of non-citizens in Latvia expressing a hope that the amendments to the Law on Citizenship would speed up the process of naturalisation and formation of integrated society.

After the last meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers, the Minister of Education and Science J.Gaigals told the press that the government had formed a team of 23 experts to prepare a program for formation of a civic society right at schools to prevent formation of two community society.

After the last meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers, the Minister of Education and Science J.Gaigals told the press that the government had formed a team of 23 experts to prepare a program for formation of a civic society right at schools to prevent formation of two community society. SM