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

The Vice Speaker of the Russian Duma Sergey Baburin believes that after the elections and the referendum in Latvia there are grounds for positive developments in the Latvian-Russian relations, and in the future it might lead to elimination of the economic and political obstacles. The Chair of the Saeima Human Rights Commission Antons Seiksts, after the meeting with Mr. Baburin, said that this is the first time when such high ranking Russian official expresses readiness to develop the neighbourly relations with Latvia as an equal partner. Still, Mr. Baburin criticised the situation of the Russian speaking population in Latvia. According to him, the Citizenship Law contains “many bombs which can blast the Latvian-Russian relations.” He called the conclusion of the OSCE High Commissioner Max van der Stoel concerning the citizenship in Latvia, hasty.

The Vice Speaker of the Russian Duma Sergey Baburin believes that after the elections and the referendum in Latvia there are grounds for positive developments in the Latvian-Russian relations, and in the future it might lead to elimination of the economic and political obstacles. The Chair of the Saeima Human Rights Commission Antons Seiksts, after the meeting with Mr. Baburin, said that this is the first time when such high ranking Russian official expresses readiness to develop the neighbourly relations with Latvia as an equal partner. Still, Mr. Baburin criticised the situation of the Russian speaking population in Latvia. According to him, the Citizenship Law contains many bombs which can blast the Latvian-Russian relations. He called the conclusion of the OSCE High Commissioner Max van der Stoel concerning the citizenship in Latvia, hasty. SM quotes Mr. Baburin saying that in Latvia there are contradictions not only with the European conventions but also with the Universal Human Rights Declaration. The shortcomings in the language and education policy were also stressed. Diena, Neatkariga

Quotations from Mr. Baburin’s statements concerning the citizenship, language and education issues, the 16th of March, the Russian-Latvian relations, are published by

Quotations from Mr. Baburins statements concerning the citizenship, language and education issues, the 16th of March, the Russian-Latvian relations, are published by Chas.

Yesterday the Prime Minister Vilis Kristopans met with the Head of the Naturalisation Board Eizenija Aldermane to discuss the naturalisation process. Ms Aldermane informed that since the elimination of the naturalisation windows the number of the applications for naturalisation has increased considerably. For example, persons who come to the Riga NB divisions now, are put on the waiting list for submitting the necessary documents at the end of April or even in May. Ms. Aldermane warned that certain forces may interpret this situation as a deliberate hindering of the naturalisation. The NB has asked the Cabinet of Ministers to allocate additional 48.5 thousand Lats for creating additional staff units.

Yesterday the Prime Minister Vilis Kristopans met with the Head of the Naturalisation Board Eizenija Aldermane to discuss the naturalisation process. Ms Aldermane informed that since the elimination of the naturalisation windows the number of the applications for naturalisation has increased considerably. For example, persons who come to the Riga NB divisions now, are put on the waiting list for submitting the necessary documents at the end of April or even in May. Ms. Aldermane warned that certain forces may interpret this situation as a deliberate hindering of the naturalisation. The NB has asked the Cabinet of Ministers to allocate additional 48.5 thousand Lats for creating additional staff units. Diena, Neatkariga, Panorama Latvii, Chas

The State President Guntis Ulmanis will not call off the moratorium on the death penalty after the yesterday’s tragedy in a kindergarten in Gulbene where three children and the kindergarten teacher were killed by a 20-year old, the Press Secretary of the State President told the BNS.

The State President Guntis Ulmanis will not call off the moratorium on the death penalty after the yesterdays tragedy in a kindergarten in Gulbene where three children and the kindergarten teacher were killed by a 20-year old, the Press Secretary of the State President told the BNS. Neatkariga

Yesterday in an interview for the Latvian Radio, the State President Guntis Ulmanis said that the government and the Saeima will have to review the decision of the previous Saeima concerning the 16th of March Commemoration Day. According to Mr. Ulmanis, representatives of the Soldiers’ Associations with whom he had met to discuss the issue, have expressed incomprehension about the previous Saeima decision to declare the 16th of March as the Commemoration Day of the Latvian Soldiers, while there are 11 November - Lacplesa Day, 18 November - Independence Day, 8 May - Commemoration Day of Victims of the Second World War.

Yesterday in an interview for the Latvian Radio, the State President Guntis Ulmanis said that the government and the Saeima will have to review the decision of the previous Saeima concerning the 16th of March Commemoration Day. According to Mr. Ulmanis, representatives of the Soldiers Associations with whom he had met to discuss the issue, have expressed incomprehension about the previous Saeima decision to declare the 16th of March as the Commemoration Day of the Latvian Soldiers, while there are 11 November - Lacplesa Day, 18 November - Independence Day, 8 May - Commemoration Day of Victims of the Second World War. Neatkariga

Panorama Latvii publishes the answers to the readers question about the naturalisation provided by Mr. Vitaly Rutkovsky, the head of the Legal Division of the Naturalisation Board.

Panorama Latvii publishes a story of Mr. Balykovski who successfully passed the naturalisation exams. According to him, the exams were easy and the attitude of the NB officials welcoming.