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

If the current dynamics of applying for citizenship through naturalization remains till the end of the year, a record-big number of people will get naturalized this year since the beginning of naturalization process in 1995. Head of the Naturalization Board Eiţenija Aldermane forecasts that the number will continue to grow for four or five years and then a decline will follow. Out of the total of 580 thousand of non-citizens there could be 200 more who would apply for citizenship.

If the current dynamics of applying for citizenship through naturalization remains till the end of the year, a record-big number of people will get naturalized this year since the beginning of naturalization process in 1995. Head of the Naturalization Board Eiţenija Aldermane forecasts that the number will continue to grow for four or five years and then a decline will follow. Out of the total of 580 thousand of non-citizens there could be 200 more who would apply for citizenship. Neatkariga

Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK in its council meeting strictly condemned the strengthening of two-community society and called to actively express the opinion against the protest activities organized by the left-wing forces against language regulations.

Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK in its council meeting strictly condemned the strengthening of two-community society and called to actively express the opinion against the protest activities organized by the left-wing forces against language regulations. Neatkariga

Indian authorities last Saturday officially informed the Russian General Consulate in Calcutta about the decision to release the five pilots from Latvia who were sentenced to life imprisonment for smuggling of weapons.

Indian authorities last Saturday officially informed the Russian General Consulate in Calcutta about the decision to release the five pilots from Latvia who were sentenced to life imprisonment for smuggling of weapons. Neatkariga, Vesti, Chas, Diena

Chas interviews the Head of the State Language Training Program Aija Priedite about the language situation, new text-books for teaching Latvian, bi-lingual education, the possibility to get free Latvian language training in future. The interview is completed with statistics from the survey carried out this May and April by the Baltic Institute of Social Sciences: where and how much Latvian is spoken by non-Latvians (just like stated by the survey carried out in 1996, also this year 77% of non-Latvians use Russian to communicate in public places like shops, on the streets, etc.) ; what is the knowledge of Latvian among non-Latvians (only 9% (22% in 1996) speak no Latvian) , the readiness to improve language proficiency (70% would like to improve).

Russian Ambassador to Lithuania announced that following the new foreign policy concept Russia is aimed to carry out separate, nuanced policy with each of the Baltic countries instead of treating the Baltics as one region.

Russian Ambassador to Lithuania announced that following the new foreign policy concept Russia is aimed to carry out separate, nuanced policy with each of the Baltic countries instead of treating the Baltics as one region. Chas, Panorama Latvii

In the TV discussion on the Russian channel RTR about the Russian-Baltic relations with participation of journalists, politicians and experts from both sides it seemed that the parties did not manage to have a normal dialogue. Things went even so far that a deputy of the Russian State Duma Aleksey Mitrofanov announced that they have nothing to discuss with representatives of fascist countries parasiting on Russian economy. He threatened that in case the anti-Russian policy continued, Russian landing forces may be put ashore on the banks of the river Daugava.

In the TV discussion on the Russian channel RTR about the Russian-Baltic relations with participation of journalists, politicians and experts from both sides it seemed that the parties did not manage to have a normal dialogue. Things went even so far that a deputy of the Russian State Duma Aleksey Mitrofanov announced that they have nothing to discuss with representatives of fascist countries parasiting on Russian economy. He threatened that in case the anti-Russian policy continued, Russian landing forces may be put ashore on the banks of the river Daugava. Vesti, Panorama Latvii