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

The spokesmen for the Saema fractions have given their comments on the recommendations by the Council of Europe experts on the Draft Citizenship Law worked on by "Latvijas Cels" and Farmers' Union fractions. Aivars Endzins of "Latvijas Cels" points out that there are no categorical demands in the Recommendations. "The recommendations should not be perceived as an attempt to exercise pressure, and it is not mandatory for us to take them into consideration," he says. He believes that the most important matter is the quota problem. Mr.Endzins says that this problem should be carefully considered by the Saema. As for the objections against the idea of a single-community state he suggests that the problem has been caused by inaccurate translation into English. Speaking about the quota principle he says that it should be connected to a step-by-step approach to naturalization. The law should strictly define categories of persons entitled to receive citizenship at certain points. At the same time he suggests that Latvia should make it clear for the international community that ethnic situation in Latvia is quite different from what is common to international experience. Pauls Karnups of DNNL welcomed the conclusions made by the experts. He says that several items pointed out by the CE experts has also been included into the draft by his fractionbut excluded later by "Latvijas Cels". He points out that the experts do not have any serious objections against the quota principle. He also notes that the CE acknowledges the right of a state to adopt the laws that are considered to satisfy its internal demands in the best way possible. Still LNNK cannot agree to the CE approach to the idea of a single-community state in Latvia. Aigars Jurgens of "Tevzemei un Brivibai" expresses opinion that the CE experts do not fully understand the current situation in Latvia and the status of persons having arrived to the country during the occupation period. The suggested approach could be applicable in case those persons have arrived to Latvia legally according internationally accepted practice. Mr.Jurgens also believes that several international agreements, like Geneva Convention, were not taken into consideration by the experts. He stresses that a mass naturalization of immigrants may jeopardize the national identity of Latvians. Aivars Datavs of "Saskana Latvijai" says that currently the recommendations are manipulated with by nationalists. He believes that despite the attempts of the nationalists to prove that the recommendations coincide with their solutions of the problem there is a contradiction between the two approaches that can be plainly seen. He stresses that the recommendations are very similar to the ideas expressed by his fraction. He also agrees to the criticism against the quota principle. Olafs Bruvers of KDS (Christian Democrats) fully agrees to the recommendations though suggesting that certain points show that the international community does not understand the current situation in Latvia. He also suggests to substitute the quota principle by more strict demands towards naturalized persons.

The spokesmen for the Saema fractions have given their comments on the recommendations by the Council of Europe experts on the Draft Citizenship Law worked on by "Latvijas Cels" and Farmers' Union fractions. Aivars Endzins of "Latvijas Cels" points out that there are no categorical demands in the Recommendations. "The recommendations should not be perceived as an attempt to exercise pressure, and it is not mandatory for us to take them into consideration," he says. He believes that the most important matter is the quota problem. Mr.Endzins says that this problem should be carefully considered by the Saema. As for the objections against the idea of a single-community state he suggests that the problem has been caused by inaccurate translation into English. Speaking about the quota principle he says that it should be connected to a step-by-step approach to naturalization. The law should strictly define categories of persons entitled to receive citizenship at certain points. At the same time he suggests that Latvia should make it clear for the international community that ethnic situation in Latvia is quite different from what is common to international experience. Pauls Karnups of DNNL welcomed the conclusions made by the experts. He says that several items pointed out by the CE experts has also been included into the draft by his fractionbut excluded later by "Latvijas Cels". He points out that the experts do not have any serious objections against the quota principle. He also notes that the CE acknowledges the right of a state to adopt the laws that are considered to satisfy its internal demands in the best way possible. Still LNNK cannot agree to the CE approach to the idea of a single-community state in Latvia. Aigars Jurgens of "Tevzemei un Brivibai" expresses opinion that the CE experts do not fully understand the current situation in Latvia and the status of persons having arrived to the country during the occupation period. The suggested approach could be applicable in case those persons have arrived to Latvia legally according internationally accepted practice. Mr.Jurgens also believes that several international agreements, like Geneva Convention, were not taken into consideration by the experts. He stresses that a mass naturalization of immigrants may jeopardize the national identity of Latvians. Aivars Datavs of "Saskana Latvijai" says that currently the recommendations are manipulated with by nationalists. He believes that despite the attempts of the nationalists to prove that the recommendations coincide with their solutions of the problem there is a contradiction between the two approaches that can be plainly seen. He stresses that the recommendations are very similar to the ideas expressed by his fraction. He also agrees to the criticism against the quota principle. Olafs Bruvers of KDS (Christian Democrats) fully agrees to the recommendations though suggesting that certain points show that the international community does not understand the current situation in Latvia. He also suggests to substitute the quota principle by more strict demands towards naturalized persons. Labrit

The LNNK leaders have considered the problems faced by the Department of Citizenship and Immigration (DCI) and the Language Center. Mr. Budovskuis of LNNK referred to the DCI as "the filter to provide ethnic purity". The problem of corruption in the DCI was mentioned. It was also stressed that the problem of residence permits should be considered. Such permits as it was emphasized during the meeting create the impression among "permanent residents" that theyhave the right of staying in Latvia. It was suggested to persistently remind those to whom it may concern that Feb.5, 1995 is the deadline for applying for Russian citizenship.

The LNNK leaders have considered the problems faced by the Department of Citizenship and Immigration (DCI) and the Language Center. Mr. Budovskuis of LNNK referred to the DCI as "the filter to provide ethnic purity". The problem of corruption in the DCI was mentioned. It was also stressed that the problem of residence permits should be considered. Such permits as it was emphasized during the meeting create the impression among "permanent residents" that theyhave the right of staying in Latvia. It was suggested to persistently remind those to whom it may concern that Feb.5, 1995 is the deadline for applying for Russian citizenship. Labrit

On Feb.21 the President of the Republic of Latvia Mr. Ulmanis received an official letter by Mr. Boris Yeltsin informing him that the Russian President is ready to hold a meeting with Mr. Ulmanis in Moscow to discuss the issues of mutual interest and to evaluate the results of the talks on troops withdrawal. The letter also contains the President's opinion on the current Russian-speaking minority situation and suggests that there is a possibility for creating a new pattern for the relations between the two countries.

On Feb.21 the President of the Republic of Latvia Mr. Ulmanis received an official letter by Mr. Boris Yeltsin informing him that the Russian President is ready to hold a meeting with Mr. Ulmanis in Moscow to discuss the issues of mutual interest and to evaluate the results of the talks on troops withdrawal. The letter also contains the President's opinion on the current Russian-speaking minority situation and suggests that there is a possibility for creating a new pattern for the relations between the two countries. Neatkariga, Cina