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

Latvian and Estonian working groups on Valka - Valga problem have come the to an agreement to establish a joint border control point. It is planned that Estonians will construct the point but both countries will use it.

Latvian and Estonian working groups on Valka - Valga problem have come the to an agreement to establish a joint border control point. It is planned that Estonians will construct the point but both countries will use it. Neatkariga

Russia admits a possibility to abolish the status of the most favoured nation in trade for Latvia if Latvia does not follow the demands concerning citizenship and other issues. This opinion was voiced by the Chairman of central union

Russia admits a possibility to abolish the status of the most favoured nation in trade for Latvia if Latvia does not follow the demands concerning citizenship and other issues. This opinion was voiced by the Chairman of central union Turiba Ivars Strautins after returning from his visit to Moscow together with A.Rubiks. Neatkariga

National Security commission of the Saeima will invite to its regular meeting on August 17 Minister of Foreign Affairs V.Birkavs and the Satversme Defence Office Director A.Kamaldins to give explanations concerning the operation of Skrunda Radar station. This topic on the agenda was included upon the request of MP O.Grigs because the Saeima should know what institutions were maintained by the tax-payers money. O.Grigs refused to comment his information on the things happening in Skrunda Radar station. Some other sources inform that about 40 families of Russia military personnel do not want to leave Latvia. Meanwhile the head of Skrunda Radar station A.Nikitin informed that Russia, in accordance with the agreement between Latvia and Russia planned to close down the station on August 31 but in September 3 a OSCE comission would come to Latvia to state the fact of closing down the station.

National Security commission of the Saeima will invite to its regular meeting on August 17 Minister of Foreign Affairs V.Birkavs and the Satversme Defence Office Director A.Kamaldins to give explanations concerning the operation of Skrunda Radar station. This topic on the agenda was included upon the request of MP O.Grigs because the Saeima should know what institutions were maintained by the tax-payers money. O.Grigs refused to comment his information on the things happening in Skrunda Radar station. Some other sources inform that about 40 families of Russia military personnel do not want to leave Latvia. Meanwhile the head of Skrunda Radar station A.Nikitin informed that Russia, in accordance with the agreement between Latvia and Russia planned to close down the station on August 31 but in September 3 a OSCE comission would come to Latvia to state the fact of closing down the station. Neatkariga

NA “Novosti” announced yesterday that lack of the necessary financing would not allow Russia to compensate the closure down of Skrunda Radar station in the nearest future. V.Muravyov, the First deputy of the Commander-in-Chief of the Strategic Missile Troops told the news agency that closing down of Skrunda Radar station according to the Russian Latvian agreement caused a problem for Russia to cover the missile dangerous North-west direction.

NA Novosti announced yesterday that lack of the necessary financing would not allow Russia to compensate the closure down of Skrunda Radar station in the nearest future. V.Muravyov, the First deputy of the Commander-in-Chief of the Strategic Missile Troops told the news agency that closing down of Skrunda Radar station according to the Russian Latvian agreement caused a problem for Russia to cover the missile dangerous North-west direction. Chas, Panorama Latvii

The current Estonian government and former Cabinets of Ministers have permitted one exception to the state language law in Narva, but no more exceptions will be made. It was announced yesterday during a seminar of municipalities in Finland by the Estonian Minister of National Affairs A.Veidemane. “ In reality the Estonia government accepts Narva as an language enclave, and it is the only one Estonian society is ready to accept.

The current Estonian government and former Cabinets of Ministers have permitted one exception to the state language law in Narva, but no more exceptions will be made. It was announced yesterday during a seminar of municipalities in Finland by the Estonian Minister of National Affairs A.Veidemane. In reality the Estonia government accepts Narva as an language enclave, and it is the only one Estonian society is ready to accept. Neatkariga

Tevzemei un Brivibai/LNNK

is indignant about the informational material Think before you sign or vote! published by the Human Rights and Ethnic Studies Centre and considers it as distorting the essence of the signature collection campaign. is indignant about the informational material “ Think before you sign or vote!” published by the Human Rights and Ethnic Studies Centre and considers it as distorting the essence of the signature collection campaign. Tevzemei un Brivibai/LNNK Tevzemei un Brivibai/LNNK stresses that the campaign is not directed against the non-citizens children born in the independent Latvia but against the possibility to receive the Latvian citizenship without knowing the Latvian language. stresses that the campaign is not directed against the non-citizens’ children born in the independent Latvia but against the possibility to receive the Latvian citizenship without knowing the Latvian language. DienaDiena

The improvement of the quality of non-citizens passports is going on. The fifth page of the passport, containing personal identification marks, is put in a plastic coating to preserve the notes from smearing out or going out. About 450 passports already have this coating. This service is free of charge but rendered only in Riga, therefore people submitting their passports for this service in regions, have to wait a bit longer that a day or two. DCMA Passport Department receives about 100 such passports a week, and it has exchanged this year about 500 passports with damaged information page. If this page is damaged, the holder of such a passport may not cross the state border.

The improvement of the quality of non-citizens passports is going on. The fifth page of the passport, containing personal identification marks, is put in a plastic coating to preserve the notes from smearing out or going out. About 450 passports already have this coating. This service is free of charge but rendered only in Riga, therefore people submitting their passports for this service in regions, have to wait a bit longer that a day or two. DCMA Passport Department receives about 100 such passports a week, and it has exchanged this year about 500 passports with damaged information page. If this page is damaged, the holder of such a passport may not cross the state border. Rigas Balss

NGOs further the formation of a civic society and functional democracy in Latvia. Such an opinion was voiced during the informal discussion with participation of UNDP official representative to Latvia S.Sorensen, Executive Director of Soros Foundation in Latvia V.Terauda and Director of NGOs Centre E.Leits. During this discussion they talked about the role of NGOs in the society, problems of these organisations and the attitude of state institutions and the society towards these organisations.

NGOs further the formation of a civic society and functional democracy in Latvia. Such an opinion was voiced during the informal discussion with participation of UNDP official representative to Latvia S.Sorensen, Executive Director of Soros Foundation in Latvia V.Terauda and Director of NGOs Centre E.Leits. During this discussion they talked about the role of NGOs in the society, problems of these organisations and the attitude of state institutions and the society towards these organisations. Jauna Avize, Neatkariga

The Interior Minister A.Krastins was accepted yesterday to the union

Tevzemei un Brivibai/LNNK. By now the Minister was a member of the National Reforms Party and some time ago was against Tevzemei un Brivibai/LNNK .

From well informed sources there is information that the Deputy Chairman of the Board of Party Our Home - Russia Yu.Sizov has visited Riga. He had meetings with the leader of Peoples Party A.Skele and the Minister of Foreign Affairs V.Birkavs. There is also a not confirmed information that Russian ex-Prime Minister V.Chernomirdin plans to visit Riga. Bizness & Baltiya