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

V.Rahmanin, official representative of Russian MFA announced yesterday that Russia called Latvia to give up one sided demarcation of its border. He said that the dialogue on concluding Latvian - Russian border agreement would be continued, but it was necessary for Latvia to give up one-sided border demarcation and solve Russian speakers’ problems in accordance with international norms by reconsidering the Law on Citizenship and restrictions to hold certain posts for persons not knowing the state language. V.Rahmanin explained that the border agreement had not been signed due to the Latvian party because it had not retracted its demand to mention Latvian - Russian peace treaty of 1920 in this agreement. Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs V.Birkavs announced yesterday that Latvia was ready to sing the agreement, establish a demarcation commission and start a joined demarcation of the border with Russia.

V.Rahmanin, official representative of Russian MFA announced yesterday that Russia called Latvia to give up one sided demarcation of its border. He said that the dialogue on concluding Latvian - Russian border agreement would be continued, but it was necessary for Latvia to give up one-sided border demarcation and solve Russian speakers problems in accordance with international norms by reconsidering the Law on Citizenship and restrictions to hold certain posts for persons not knowing the state language. V.Rahmanin explained that the border agreement had not been signed due to the Latvian party because it had not retracted its demand to mention Latvian - Russian peace treaty of 1920 in this agreement. Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs V.Birkavs announced yesterday that Latvia was ready to sing the agreement, establish a demarcation commission and start a joined demarcation of the border with Russia. Neatkariga, Jauna Avize

Representatives of The Youth Initiative Support Centre held a picket at the Latvian Embassy in Moscow demanding to stop genocide of Russian speakers in Latvia. One of the leaders of the Centre explained that this picket was not connected with any particular fact of genocide.

Representatives of The Youth Initiative Support Centre held a picket at the Latvian Embassy in Moscow demanding to stop genocide of Russian speakers in Latvia. One of the leaders of the Centre explained that this picket was not connected with any particular fact of genocide. Neatkariga, Diena, Chas

Latvian State Minister o Municipalities Affairs J.Bunkss, who is also leading the working group on solving Valka - Valga problem, said that Latvian party did not see any reason why a treaty on a simplified border crossing for people living next to the border could not be signed in September. Now there are two problems to be solved: one - social guaranties for residents of Savieniba Street; second - establishing a border crossing point on this street.

Latvian State Minister o Municipalities Affairs J.Bunkss, who is also leading the working group on solving Valka - Valga problem, said that Latvian party did not see any reason why a treaty on a simplified border crossing for people living next to the border could not be signed in September. Now there are two problems to be solved: one - social guaranties for residents of Savieniba Street; second - establishing a border crossing point on this street. Neatkariga

More than 20 000 signatures for the proposal have been collected till the beginning of this week. There are no data about the weekend, but the activity of people has increased during this time.

More than 20 000 signatures for the proposal have been collected till the beginning of this week. There are no data about the weekend, but the activity of people has increased during this time. Neatkariga, Diena

Director of the Consular Department of Latvian MFA S.Mellupe told

Director of the Consular Department of Latvian MFA S.Mellupe told Diena that German experts have introduced them with drawbacks of Latvian passports in connection with the possible introduction of no visa agreement with Germany. The main problem is with the first page of a passport and the photo. The photo is glued in but not scanned and therefor it can be exchanged. There are not so many forged passports discovers yet, but when the no visa agreement is signed with Germany, security of such a travel document will be very important because it allows you to travel freely in all Europe. Deputy Director of DCMA A.J.Lejins explained why Latvian passports were like this. When a tender on printing these passports was announced, Latvia had no experience, and the main criteria was cheapens. S.Mellupe informs that the Cabinet of Ministers has affirmed a working group that has to prepare terms of an international tender for passport printing firms. Still both those officials stress that there is no reason to worry that all citizens will be forced to exchange their passports. People holding passports issued for 50 years and who do not plan to go abroad will not need to exchange their passports. At least, is planned so. And there is no plan to exchange non-citizens passports. Diena