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

Giving speech at the 53rd session of the UN General Assembly in New York, the Latvian State President said that it is time to evaluate one of the most inhuman regimes of this century - the Soviet totalitarianism, the Press Service of the State President informs. Mr. Ulmanis acknowledged the positive role played by the international organisations in the successful implementation of the closure of the Skrunda Radar Station. Guntis Ulmanis informed about the integration processes in Latvia, amendments to the Citizenship Law and about the upcoming referendum. On Sunday the Latvian State President met with the US State Secretary Madelein Albright to talk about the Latvian internal situation, and the upcoming elections and the referendum.

Giving speech at the 53rd session of the UN General Assembly in New York, the Latvian State President said that it is time to evaluate one of the most inhuman regimes of this century - the Soviet totalitarianism, the Press Service of the State President informs. Mr. Ulmanis acknowledged the positive role played by the international organisations in the successful implementation of the closure of the Skrunda Radar Station. Guntis Ulmanis informed about the integration processes in Latvia, amendments to the Citizenship Law and about the upcoming referendum. On Sunday the Latvian State President met with the US State Secretary Madelein Albright to talk about the Latvian internal situation, and the upcoming elections and the referendum. Diena

On Monday the Prime Minister Guntars Krasts met with the representatives of cultural sphere to discuss the authority of the Latvian language in society, issues of the Latvian self - confidence and the social integration process. During the discussion it was acknowledged that the strengthening of the middle class and providing the rural population with job opportunities, would improve the language situation.

On Monday the Prime Minister Guntars Krasts met with the representatives of cultural sphere to discuss the authority of the Latvian language in society, issues of the Latvian self - confidence and the social integration process. During the discussion it was acknowledged that the strengthening of the middle class and providing the rural population with job opportunities, would improve the language situation. Diena

In September the number of voters who have not made up their mind yet, has decreased, while the popularity of the leftist forces has increased, the sociological research firm “Latvijas Fakti” informs. According to the survey, only 13.9% of voters have not decided for which party to cast their votes, but some 4.5% have decided not to participate in elections. If the elections were in September, 21.3% of voters will cast their votes for the

In September the number of voters who have not made up their mind yet, has decreased, while the popularity of the leftist forces has increased, the sociological research firm Latvijas Fakti informs. According to the survey, only 13.9% of voters have not decided for which party to cast their votes, but some 4.5% have decided not to participate in elections. If the elections were in September, 21.3% of voters will cast their votes for the People Party, 13.7% - for Fatherland and Freedom, 13.5% - for the Latvias Way, 9.1%, - Social Democratic Union; 7.6% - Peoples Harmony Party, and 6.1.% - the New Party. Other parties would not reach the 5% barrier. Diena

On Monday the Saeima Commission of Education, Culture and Science continued revision of the final draft of the State Language Law. The Chair of the Commission Dzintars Abikis told Diena that the commission approved the stipulation providing the free choice of language for people engaged in the enterpreneurship, except for cases when person is engaged in activities related with the protection of the employees rights an consumers rights, in the health care, as well as in the relations with the institutions of the state power, municipal institutions and law enforcement agencies. These exceptions, in general, are in conformity with the recommendations of the OSCE High Commissioner Max van der Stoel. However, the commission has not implemented the recommendation stating that the state can regulate the use of language at meetings only in those organisations in which the state hold more than 50% shares of the capital. Diena

Yesterday upon the invitation of the director of the Riga gymnasium No 1, representatives of various public organisations met to express the public support to the abolishing of the Citizenship Law amendments. They called all conscious citizens of Latvia, regardless of their belonging to parties, vote for the abolishing of the Citizenship Law amendments, because it is unacceptable to grant the citizenship without the language proficiency examination. Neatkariga

During the working visit in the Krasnoyarsk region, the Latvian Ambassador in Russia Imants Daudiss met with the governor of the region Alexander Lebed. According to Mr. Daudiss, the governor supported the economic co-operation between Latvia and the region and expressed distrust towards those mass media which started the campaign against Latvia after the events of the 3rd March. Chas

The dismantling of the Skrunda Radar Station goes as it should. Recently the communication and transmission appliances, as well as the emblem of the unit were brought to Russia. Along with the equipment, the personnel of the Skrunda Radar Station is also leaving Latvia, although the Russian Ministry of Defence still have no found possibilities to supply these people with apartments in Russia. It might be a reason why 98 former employees of the Skrunda Radar Station have addressed the Department of Citizenship and Migration Affairs with the request to issue residence permits. Chas

Sergey Zaletayev criticises the State Presidents speech at the 53rd session of the UN General Assembly. According to Mr. Zaletayev, the State President concealed several important aspects not only about the Latvias past, but also its present. Panorama Latvii

Jauna Avize publishes a story of Jelena Suvorova and her son who have illegally resided in Latvia for 7 years. Despite the fact that Ms. Suvorova and her son were born in Latvia, the DCMA is of the opinion that they do not have legal grounds to stay in the country. SM publishes an interview with Vladimir Averchev, a deputy of the Russian Duma, who last Saturday participated in the international conference on the national minorities and the international co-operation. According to Mr. Averchev, the most important thing for Latvia is to understand that internal conformity of the society is the obligatory pre-requisite for the countrys persistence and strength. At the moment Latvia stands on the cross-roads. But it still has a chance to become a unified society, and consequently, a strong country, Mr. Averchev said. SM

To inform the readers about the issue put on the upcoming referendum, Lauku Avize publishes the full text of the Law on Amendments to the Citizenship law adopted on 22 June 1998, and the sample of the ballot with the question to be answered during the referendum.

Lauku Avize publishes the interview with the Latvian State President Guntis Ulmanis. Referring to the upcoming referendum, Mr. Ulmanis said that the situation around the Citizenship Law amendments shows how uninformed the population is, and how short-sighted the politicians have been when using the language which incomprehensible to the people. Mr. Ulmanis refuses to predict the results of the referendum. Lauku Avize