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

Yesterday the new Cabinet of Ministers met for its first meeting. In opening of the meeting the State President Guntis Ulmanis said that the first serious challenge for the new Cabinet will be adoption of the state budget for the year of 1999. As important tasks for the new government, Mr. Ulmanis named completion of privatisation, promotion of small and medium businesses, integration into the EU, and social integration in Latvia.

Yesterday the new Cabinet of Ministers met for its first meeting. In opening of the meeting the State President Guntis Ulmanis said that the first serious challenge for the new Cabinet will be adoption of the state budget for the year of 1999. As important tasks for the new government, Mr. Ulmanis named completion of privatisation, promotion of small and medium businesses, integration into the EU, and social integration in Latvia. B&B, Diena

Yesterday the Latvian Prime Minister Vilis Kristopans met with the Russian Ambassador in Latvia Alexander Udaltsov. Both parties supported the idea to resume the work of the Russian- Latvian intergovernmental commission. According to Vilis Kristopans, the commission could prepare grounds for a meeting of Latvian and Russian Prime Ministers. Mr. Udaltsov acknowledged a possibility to change atmosphere of Russian-Latvian relations. The Latvian Foreign Affairs Minister Valdis Birkavs was sceptical about the results of the meeting. According to Mr. Birkavs, Russia has lot of problems, therefore one should not hope for immediate changes in the Latvian - Russian relations. The Latvian State President Guntis Ulmanis said that a meeting of Prime Ministers of both countries depend on good will of both parties. In a telephone interview for the SM, the Russian Ambassador named factors which hinder development of relations between Russia and Latvia. He said that Russia negatively evaluated the Law on Education which violates rights of national minorities. Besides, Russia will carefully follow the adoption process of the State Language Law.

Yesterday the Latvian Prime Minister Vilis Kristopans met with the Russian Ambassador in Latvia Alexander Udaltsov. Both parties supported the idea to resume the work of the Russian- Latvian intergovernmental commission. According to Vilis Kristopans, the commission could prepare grounds for a meeting of Latvian and Russian Prime Ministers. Mr. Udaltsov acknowledged a possibility to change atmosphere of Russian-Latvian relations. The Latvian Foreign Affairs Minister Valdis Birkavs was sceptical about the results of the meeting. According to Mr. Birkavs, Russia has lot of problems, therefore one should not hope for immediate changes in the Latvian - Russian relations. The Latvian State President Guntis Ulmanis said that a meeting of Prime Ministers of both countries depend on good will of both parties. In a telephone interview for the SM, the Russian Ambassador named factors which hinder development of relations between Russia and Latvia. He said that Russia negatively evaluated the Law on Education which violates rights of national minorities. Besides, Russia will carefully follow the adoption process of the State Language Law. Chas, B&B

Jauna Avize publishes an article by the Foreign Affairs Minister Valdis Birkavs in which he discusses four foreign affairs priorities of the new government - enlargement of the NATO and the EU, regional co-operation and relations with Russia. Jauna Avize

Appellate Council of Refugee Affairs decided to grant refugee status to a person from Egypt where he was persecuted on the grounds of nationality and social origin. This is the second person who has received an official status of refugee in Latvia. According to Baiba Kozule, Director of the DCMA Refugee Affairs Centre, this year the Refugee Affairs Centre has received 32 application from 55 persons who would like to receive refugee status in Latvia.

Appellate Council of Refugee Affairs decided to grant refugee status to a person from Egypt where he was persecuted on the grounds of nationality and social origin. This is the second person who has received an official status of refugee in Latvia. According to Baiba Kozule, Director of the DCMA Refugee Affairs Centre, this year the Refugee Affairs Centre has received 32 application from 55 persons who would like to receive refugee status in Latvia. Neatkariga

In an express-interview for the CHAS, ex-Prime Minister Guntars Krasts said that economic interests of such Russian companies “Lukoil” and “Gazprom” hindered improvement of Latvian-Russian relations during his presidency.

In an express-interview for the CHAS, ex-Prime Minister Guntars Krasts said that economic interests of such Russian companies Lukoil and Gazprom hindered improvement of Latvian-Russian relations during his presidency. Chas

SM publishes an article about Irma Tkeshelashvili who during last 5 years tries to get a favourable court decision in a dispute with the DCMA for issuing her a residence permit. The Court of Centre District of Riga kept the decision of the DCMA to issue Ms. Irma Tkeshelashvili a deportation order.

Rigas Balss publishes an article about the Association of National Cultural Societies which was founded ten years ago and currently is headed by Rafi Haradzanjan. Although the Association is an cultural organisation, it also participates in political discussions, such as a debate about adoption of the amendments to the Citizenship Law. The biggest achievement of the association is establishment of the a Consultative Council at the LR State Presidents Office. Rigas Balss

A professor Janis Freimanis in an article criticises the amendments to the Citizenship Law. Mr. Freimanis argues that until adoption of the amendments the major problem was “integration of non-citizens into citizens”, trying to convince them to learn the Latvian language. Now when citizenship is granted to those who do not know Latvian (here the author means children born after 21 January 1991, and elderly people), the problem will be ”how to integrate citizens who do not know the Latvian language into Latvian speaking citizens.” The state will be forced to spend millions of Lats to teach the Latvian language to “these non-Latvian citizens.”

A professor Janis Freimanis in an article criticises the amendments to the Citizenship Law. Mr. Freimanis argues that until adoption of the amendments the major problem was integration of non-citizens into citizens, trying to convince them to learn the Latvian language. Now when citizenship is granted to those who do not know Latvian (here the author means children born after 21 January 1991, and elderly people), the problem will be how to integrate citizens who do not know the Latvian language into Latvian speaking citizens. The state will be forced to spend millions of Lats to teach the Latvian language to these non-Latvian citizens. Diena