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

Prime Minister V.Kristopans thinks that the Director of the NHRO O.Bruveris should be exchanged. He expressed this opinion during a discussion with journalists, answering to a question why the faction

Prime Minister V.Kristopans thinks that the Director of the NHRO O.Bruveris should be exchanged. He expressed this opinion during a discussion with journalists, answering to a question why the faction Latvijas Cels had not supported a proposal to grant additional 24 000 Ls from the budget to the NHRO . Neatkariga

V.Kristopans considers the idea to turn March 16 into the commemoration day of Latvian soldiers not a very successful one because this date is a day of “strange uniforms” and it is difficult to combine it with the fight for Latvia’s independence. The government will decide about its position in this respect during the next few days after having listened to the opinions of security officers on the situation in the state. V.Kristopans refused to make any comments on the decision of the Interior Minister G.Kristovskis not to impose any restrictions for participation of military personnel in the commemoration events.

V.Kristopans considers the idea to turn March 16 into the commemoration day of Latvian soldiers not a very successful one because this date is a day of strange uniforms and it is difficult to combine it with the fight for Latvias independence. The government will decide about its position in this respect during the next few days after having listened to the opinions of security officers on the situation in the state. V.Kristopans refused to make any comments on the decision of the Interior Minister G.Kristovskis not to impose any restrictions for participation of military personnel in the commemoration events. Neatkariga, Diena, Jauna Avize, Chas

Officials of the Interior Ministry and security services consider that situation in the state is under control and no extraordinary events take place. But the journalists of the Russian speaking newspaper

Officials of the Interior Ministry and security services consider that situation in the state is under control and no extraordinary events take place. But the journalists of the Russian speaking newspaper Chas have a different opinion. They compare the current situation, when almost every day there is a bomb explosion in Riga, with the one a year ago and find common features, thus hinting the future development of the situation. Chas

Liepaja City Council has granted a credit of 30 000 Ls to the enterprise Liepajas siltums (Liepaja Heat), which is the fourth credit during last two years, to provide heat to the low income people living in Karaosta (former Soviet military naval base) and Tosmare.

Liepaja City Council has granted a credit of 30 000 Ls to the enterprise Liepajas siltums (Liepaja Heat), which is the fourth credit during last two years, to provide heat to the low income people living in Karaosta (former Soviet military naval base) and Tosmare. Neatkariga

Yesterday the Riga Regional Court passed a decision that the Riga City Council deputy T.Zdanok was the subject of the law prohibiting former

Yesterday the Riga Regional Court passed a decision that the Riga City Council deputy T.Zdanok was the subject of the law prohibiting former Communist Party members (after January 13,1991) to be elected to the Saeima and municipalities. With this decree taking effect, the City Council will have to annul Zdanoks deputy mandate. There were pickets in Riga and Liepaja supporting T.Zdanok and demanding to stop witch hunts. Neatkariga, Diena, Chas, SM, Panorama Latvii, Bizness & Baltiya

Russian government considers a project to introduce a sticker in Russian citizen passport, stating persons belonging to some of the republics - subjects of the Russian Federation. This was announced by the first Deputy Chairman of Russian government V.Gustov. He explained that this sticker would be filled in the national language of the corresponding republic and would have the coat of arms of this republic on it.

SM

Panorama Latvii

published an interview with Marina Shabalina who recently had passed the naturalisation exams. Marina tells the journalist about her impressions during the process of naturalisation and finds the exams to be very easy. The newspaper asks other claimants for naturalisation to write about their experiences. published an interview with Marina Shabalina who recently had passed the naturalisation exams. Marina tells the journalist about her impressions during the process of naturalisation and finds the exams to be very easy. The newspaper asks other claimants for naturalisation to write about their experiences.

Bizness & Baltiya

writes about the 15 Estonian MPs accusing the OSCE High Commissioner Max van der Stoel in escalating tension in Estonia. writes about the 15 Estonian MPs accusing the OSCE High Commissioner Max van der Stoel in escalating tension in Estonia.