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

To start a wide, open discussion on integration issues, the draft concept of the Public Integration Program was put for public discussion yesterday. The discussion on these issues was appreciated by the Russian MFA. Prime Minister V.Kristopans acknowledged that the concept was formed so it could be referred to the integration of the whole society. V.Kristopans invited everybody to take part in this discussion.

To start a wide, open discussion on integration issues, the draft concept of the Public Integration Program was put for public discussion yesterday. The discussion on these issues was appreciated by the Russian MFA. Prime Minister V.Kristopans acknowledged that the concept was formed so it could be referred to the integration of the whole society. V.Kristopans invited everybody to take part in this discussion. Neatkariga, Diena, Panorama Latvii

Latvia is ready to start discussions in the working group on human and social issues should Russia agree in principle to renew the activities of the whole intergovernmental commission. This was announced yesterday by Latvian MFA Press Secretary T.Baumanis. It is planned to send the answer letter to Russia today.

Latvia is ready to start discussions in the working group on human and social issues should Russia agree in principle to renew the activities of the whole intergovernmental commission. This was announced yesterday by Latvian MFA Press Secretary T.Baumanis. It is planned to send the answer letter to Russia today. Neatkariga

Latvian State President finds inappropriate the wish of Russia to discuss only social and human aspects during intergovernmental discussions, but the Minister of Foreign Affairs doubts the reality of this wish.

Latvian State President finds inappropriate the wish of Russia to discuss only social and human aspects during intergovernmental discussions, but the Minister of Foreign Affairs doubts the reality of this wish. Diena

Several Latvian citizens have faced problems to receive a visa for going to the Benelux countries. Now Latvian diplomats are trying to solve this problem with foreign affairs institutions of these countries.

Several Latvian citizens have faced problems to receive a visa for going to the Benelux countries. Now Latvian diplomats are trying to solve this problem with foreign affairs institutions of these countries. Neatkariga, SM

Latvian MFA considers that the Saeima faction

Latvian MFA considers that the Saeima faction For Human Rights in United Latvia has not answered in its announcement to four questions important for implementing a unique foreign policy. And these questions are whether Russia should or should not sign the prepared border agreement and other documents, does she prevents or not prevent the development of a high level inter-governmental dialogue and renewing the activities of the intergovernmental commission. There is no answer also to the question if Russia should cancell economic sanctions against Latvia and pay her debts to Latvian entrepreneurs and if she has or does not have the right to demand from some countries more than it is stipulated by international standards. By answering to these questions the faction could support establishing of good neighbour relations with Russia. Neatkariga

Liepaja City Council will not permit any pickets and rallies on March 16. Such events could increase splitting of the society and kindle hatred between Russians and Latvians. In his turn the Riga City Mayor A.Berzins asked people not to participate in the events of March 16 but just commemorate soldiers by laying flowers on their graveyards.

Liepaja City Council will not permit any pickets and rallies on March 16. Such events could increase splitting of the society and kindle hatred between Russians and Latvians. In his turn the Riga City Mayor A.Berzins asked people not to participate in the events of March 16 but just commemorate soldiers by laying flowers on their graveyards. Diena

Majority in the Saeima could support the proposal of

Majority in the Saeima could support the proposal of Peoples Party that no less than 1000 Latvian citizens could form a party. The Saeima administration and Self-government Commission voted against this proposal, but on Thursday when the Saeima was going to vote on the amendments to the law on public organisations and their unions, TB/LNNK, Peoples Party and Social Democrats had decided to support it. Diena, Jauna Avize

None of the Saeima factions has expressed its readiness to propose the dismissal of O.Bruveris from the post of the Director of the NHRO, but within the factions they discuss possible candidates to this post.

Social Democrats propose I.Vebers but only on the condition if all the government forming factions would support their proposal. Also the New Party is planning to put forward their candidate, but it does not intend to propose dismissal of O.Bruveris . Jauna Avize Yesterday Russian MFA warned that Estonians should not expect a fast ratification of the border agreement in the new Estonian government did not behave. At the yesterday briefing the official representative of the Russian MFA refused to comment the election results in Estonia but said that the ratification would depend on the future development of Estonian - Russian relations.

Yesterday Russian MFA warned that Estonians should not expect a fast ratification of the border agreement in the new Estonian government did not behave. At the yesterday briefing the official representative of the Russian MFA refused to comment the election results in Estonia but said that the ratification would depend on the future development of Estonian - Russian relations. Bizness & Baltiya

M.Mitrofanov from the Saeima faction

For Human Rights in United Latvia informs the readers of the newspaper Panorama Latvii about their request on discrepancy of the Regulations of the Cabinet of Ministers on the procedure of Naturalisation to the citizenship law. According to the law, a claimant of citizenship is to receive an answer within one year from the day of handing in the necessary documents. In the Regulations it is stated that an answer shall be given within one year after passing the naturalisation exams. The Commission of Requests considered this request and refused it. Panorama Latvii

Panorama Latvii

dedicates a whole page to its telephone opinion poll about March 16 commemoration day, and all the respondents were very negative about this decision of the Saeima. dedicates a whole page to its telephone opinion poll about March 16 commemoration day, and all the respondents were very negative about this decision of the Saeima.