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 Report

Press Report

Yesterday at about 4 am. an attack on the Latvian Embassy in Moscow took place. One window was broken, walls sprayed with black paint. The suspected for carrying out this attack are National Bolsheviks.

Yesterday at about 4 am. an attack on the Latvian Embassy in Moscow took place. One window was broken, walls sprayed with black paint. The suspected for carrying out this attack are National Bolsheviks. Neatkariga, Diena, Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Jauna Avize

The faction of Latvian Social Democratic Workers Party consider a possibility to ask for resignation of the Minister of Finances E.Krastins connecting it with his refusal to give state guarantees for Venspils Free Port to get a credit from European Investment Bank.

The faction of Latvian Social Democratic Workers Party consider a possibility to ask for resignation of the Minister of Finances E.Krastins connecting it with his refusal to give state guarantees for Venspils Free Port to get a credit from European Investment Bank. Neatkariga

Latvian Human Rights and Ethnic Studies Centre finds that attempts to limit freedom of speech, long detention of underage people and disability of the Government to grant enough financing for integration programs were the most essential human rights violations in Latvia last year. It was stated in the report on the most actual human rights problems, prepared by this centre.

Latvian Human Rights and Ethnic Studies Centre finds that attempts to limit freedom of speech, long detention of underage people and disability of the Government to grant enough financing for integration programs were the most essential human rights violations in Latvia last year. It was stated in the report on the most actual human rights problems, prepared by this centre. Neatkariga, Diena

Riga City Mayor A.Berzins stated that municipality election was too close to take a hasty decision on the necessity to change the coalition in the City Council.

Riga City Mayor A.Berzins stated that municipality election was too close to take a hasty decision on the necessity to change the coalition in the City Council. Neatkariga, Diena (06.03.2000)

In the publication of the Jamestown Foundation Monitor a conclusion is made that in the current Latvian – Russian relations one could feel influence of KGB. The conclusion was made basing on the sharp reaction of Moscow to the trials of V.Kononov and Ye.Savenko.

In the publication of the Jamestown Foundation Monitor a conclusion is made that in the current Latvian – Russian relations one could feel influence of KGB. The conclusion was made basing on the sharp reaction of Moscow to the trials of V.Kononov and Ye.Savenko. Neatkariga, Diena (06.03.2000)

Only one month is left until the validity term of non-citizen passports expires in Latvia. According the DCMA estimation about 30 000 non-citizens could stay without any valid ID. To further the exchange of these passports, the DCMA requested a help also from local governments. At this week sitting of the Cabinet of Ministers the Minister of Interior M.Seglins was charged to call city, regional and local governments to help the non-citizens to submit the documents for exchanging their passports and receive non-citizen passports.

Only one month is left until the validity term of non-citizen passports expires in Latvia. According the DCMA estimation about 30 000 non-citizens could stay without any valid ID. To further the exchange of these passports, the DCMA requested a help also from local governments. At this week sitting of the Cabinet of Ministers the Minister of Interior M.Seglins was charged to call city, regional and local governments to help the non-citizens to submit the documents for exchanging their passports and receive non-citizen passports. Neatkariga

Despite a heavy snowstorm several hundred non-citizens gathered in Riga centre in a protest action demanding the election right in municipal election. This action was officially announced as the meeting of MPs from the Saeima faction For Human Rights in United Latvia.

Despite a heavy snowstorm several hundred non-citizens gathered in Riga centre in a protest action demanding the election right in municipal election. This action was officially announced as the meeting of MPs from the Saeima faction For Human Rights in United Latvia. Diena, Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Panorama Latvii

Vesti Segodnya

published the last part of the article about the Soviet guerrilla man V.Kononov who is now under a trial for war crimes, He is characterised as a brave fighter during WW II and good militia man in the after war period. published the last part of the article about the Soviet guerrilla man V.Kononov who is now under a trial for war crimes, He is characterised as a brave fighter during WW II and good militia man in the after war period. At the conference

At the conference LC and regional reform in Latvia the party formulated their policy concerning the territorial reform in Latvia. They think that regional governments should be elected according to the international charters binding for Latvia, and the authoritarian attempts of Peoples Party to establish appointed regional governments are not acceptable. Neatkariga, Chas, Vesti Segodnya

Latvijas Cels is going to change their tactics and the position in the Government because they do not want to be just “ forest attendants”. This statement was made by the Party Chairman A.Pantelejevs. LC considers the present coalition an optimal one at this Saeima, but it is not an end in itself.

Latvijas Cels is going to change their tactics and the position in the Government because they do not want to be just forest attendants. This statement was made by the Party Chairman A.Pantelejevs. LC considers the present coalition an optimal one at this Saeima, but it is not an end in itself. Neatkariga, Diena, Chas, Vesti Segodnya

M.Krautmanis, commenting this statement, writes that LC is seriously worried because they feel that they are remaining losers more and more. Now they plan to start a “new life” and demand their share of power.

M.Krautmanis, commenting this statement, writes that LC is seriously worried because they feel that they are remaining losers more and more. Now they plan to start a new life and demand their share of power. Neatkariga

LC Chairman A.Pantelejevs said that the Party would not take any decisions about the membership of E.Inkens and V.Birkavs while the court proceedings were not completed.

LC Chairman A.Pantelejevs said that the Party would not take any decisions about the membership of E.Inkens and V.Birkavs while the court proceedings were not completed. Diena

While visiting the Russian folk tradition day the Latvian President V.V.Freiberga pointed out the Latvia was concerned not only about the Latvian nation but also about the national minorities residing in Latvia.

While visiting the Russian folk tradition day the Latvian President V.V.Freiberga pointed out the Latvia was concerned not only about the Latvian nation but also about the national minorities residing in Latvia. Diena, Chas, Vesti Segodnya

An official opening ceremony of the Japanese Embassy in Riga will take place on March 8. Unofficially it started its activities on January 20.

An official opening ceremony of the Japanese Embassy in Riga will take place on March 8. Unofficially it started its activities on January 20. Jauna Avize

PACE President L.R.Johnson is coming on an introductory visit to Latvia this week. During the visit he will have meeting with the President, Prime Minister, the Saeima Speaker and other high officials. Jauna Avize

PACE President L.R.Johnson is coming on an introductory visit to Latvia this week. During the visit he will have meeting with the President, Prime Minister, the Saeima Speaker and other high officials. Jauna Avize

During the meeting of foreign ministers of EU countries and Russian Federation, Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs I.Ivanov accused Latvia of persecuting Soviet guerrilla man Kononov. B.Frank in

During the meeting of foreign ministers of EU countries and Russian Federation, Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs I.Ivanov accused Latvia of persecuting Soviet guerrilla man Kononov. B.Frank in Vesti Segodnya, analysing this situation, writes that the revision of the consequences of the WW II could become the most important obstacle to improving Russian – Latvian relations.

Quite recently the Saeima sent to Commissions for consideration an amendment to the law “On the Status of former USSR citizens”. The essence of this amendment is to create conditions under which it would be possible to deprive a non-citizen of his/her “violet” passport of a non-citizen. One of the articles stipulates that, if a non-citizen provided false information for receiving a passport, the passport should be taken away, and the procedure of depriving shall be elaborated by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Quite recently the Saeima sent to Commissions for consideration an amendment to the law On the Status of former USSR citizens. The essence of this amendment is to create conditions under which it would be possible to deprive a non-citizen of his/her violet passport of a non-citizen. One of the articles stipulates that, if a non-citizen provided false information for receiving a passport, the passport should be taken away, and the procedure of depriving shall be elaborated by the Cabinet of Ministers. Vesti Segodnya

The Head of the DCMA Passport Section Dz.Peneze and Acting Head of the DCMA confirmed that due to the low activity of the holders of former USSR passports, about 6 – 7 % of those people would not exchange their passports. Some of them are not physically able to go to a DCMA office to exchange their passport. There are about 1300 such people in Riga and a lot in the province. To solve this problem the Government granted some money to allow officials to visit these people at their homes. One more problem for the DCMA is the exchange of citizen passports. It is necessary within one month to announce a tender for printing the new citizen passports.

The Head of the DCMA Passport Section Dz.Peneze and Acting Head of the DCMA confirmed that due to the low activity of the holders of former USSR passports, about 6 – 7 % of those people would not exchange their passports. Some of them are not physically able to go to a DCMA office to exchange their passport. There are about 1300 such people in Riga and a lot in the province. To solve this problem the Government granted some money to allow officials to visit these people at their homes. One more problem for the DCMA is the exchange of citizen passports. It is necessary within one month to announce a tender for printing the new citizen passports. Panorama Latvii