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

The newspaper

The newspaper Diena asked several experts about the proposal of Estonians for all three Baltic States to claim compensation from Russia together. Some experts say that it is unreal to hope for any compensation from Russia, but if Latvia still insists on it, then it should calculate the exact amount of damages, as well as explain the reason of this step to the Western countries. Other experts consider this idea senseless that could just spoil relations with Russia even more. Diena

Today the Saeima will vote on the case of Social Democrat J.Adamsons and decide whether it will allow starting criminal proceedings against him.

Today the Saeima will vote on the case of Social Democrat J.Adamsons and decide whether it will allow starting criminal proceedings against him. Diena, Neatkariga, Lauku Avize, Respublika, Vesti Segodnya

If a referendum on joining EU took place in August, 44.5% of all Latvia’s population would vote in favour of this step, that is 4.8% more than in May 2000.

If a referendum on joining EU took place in August, 44.5% of all Latvias population would vote in favour of this step, that is 4.8% more than in May 2000. Diena

Disregarding the fact that April 1, 2000 was the deadline for non-citizens in Latvia to exchange their old former USSR passports, on September 1 20 800 non-citizens have not done it. And the number of persons coming to exchange their passports reduced radically. From January 1 up to September 1 the DCMA had drawn up 477 administrative records for residing without a valid ID. Total number of persons registered in the Residents Register was - 1778 674 Latvian citizens and 499 239 non-citizens.

Disregarding the fact that April 1, 2000 was the deadline for non-citizens in Latvia to exchange their old former USSR passports, on September 1 20 800 non-citizens have not done it. And the number of persons coming to exchange their passports reduced radically. From January 1 up to September 1 the DCMA had drawn up 477 administrative records for residing without a valid ID. Total number of persons registered in the Residents Register was - 1778 674 Latvian citizens and 499 239 non-citizens. Diena

Jauna Avize

writes that 27 794 Latvian non-citizens have not exchanged their passports (Residents Registers data). Yesterday Prime Minister A.Berzins met tęte-ŕ-tęte with the leader of People’s Party A.Skele. According to official information this was an informative meeting, but news agency LETA informs that they discussed today’s Saeima vote on Social Democrat J.Adamsons.

Yesterday Prime Minister A.Berzins met tęte-ŕ-tęte with the leader of Peoples Party A.Skele. According to official information this was an informative meeting, but news agency LETA informs that they discussed todays Saeima vote on Social Democrat J.Adamsons. Neatkariga

During her visit to the UN Millennium Assembly Latvian President V.V.Freiberga met several high UN officials and the President of Kazakhstan N.Nazarbayev.

During her visit to the UN Millennium Assembly Latvian President V.V.Freiberga met several high UN officials and the President of Kazakhstan N.Nazarbayev. Neatkariga, Lauku Avize ,

More than half of Latvian population considers that corruption is a serious problem in Latvia but the fight of the Government against it is not very successful. 57.3% of residents grade the level of corruption up to 5 points from the 5-point scale. 32% of people consider that the Government not only does not fight corruption but also even aids it. 74.1% think that the most corrupted is politics, 66.8% state administration, 48.1 businesses, 38.7 – self-governments. Lauku Avize

More than half of Latvian population considers that corruption is a serious problem in Latvia but the fight of the Government against it is not very successful. 57.3% of residents grade the level of corruption up to 5 points from the 5-point scale. 32% of people consider that the Government not only does not fight corruption but also even aids it. 74.1% think that the most corrupted is politics, 66.8% state administration, 48.1 businesses, 38.7 – self-governments. Lauku Avize

Lauku Avize

asked politicians, state officials and simple people a question whether the call of the Union For Human Rights in United Latvia could be considered as an announcement of war to Latvia. Prime Minister A.Berzins thinks that one should not overestimate the influence of the Union For Human Rights in United Latvia and if Russian speakers followed this call they would just suffer themselves. Minister of Foreign Affairs I.Berzins states that this was one of those seldom cases then in the name of some tiny political aims is shuttered one of the most important processes in Latvia – integration. All speakers condemn this action and think that the left-wingers will fail. asked politicians, state officials and simple people a question whether the call of the Union For Human Rights in United Latvia could be considered as an announcement of war to Latvia. Prime Minister A.Berzins thinks that one should not overestimate the influence of the Union For Human Rights in United Latvia and if Russian speakers followed this call they would just suffer themselves. Minister of Foreign Affairs I.Berzins states that this was one of those seldom cases then in the name of some tiny political aims is shuttered one of the most important processes in Latvia – integration. All speakers condemn this action and think that the left-wingers will fail. The Head of the OSCE Mission to Latvia T.Örn met with the Minister of Education and Science K.Greiskalns and expressed his satisfaction with public integration process in Latvia. Both officials discussed the integration program and the role of the Ministry of Education and Science there. Respublika

The Head of the OSCE Mission to Latvia T.Örn met with the Minister of Education and Science K.Greiskalns and expressed his satisfaction with public integration process in Latvia. Both officials discussed the integration program and the role of the Ministry of Education and Science there. Respublika

Journalist S.Zaletayev from

Journalist S.Zaletayev from Panorama Latvii writes that the Union For Human Rights in United Latvia should thank Latvian Government and the Government forming factions for the wide advertising of their conference on non-violent methods of resistance against the State Language Law regulations. And the reaction of officials showed that they were afraid.

The residents who come to the Managers office of Kurzeme Region in principle refuse to speak in the Latvian language and ignore the norms of the state language. The Head of the Domicile Registry Department S.Apsite complained that after remarks of the municipal officials about violating the State Language Law, visitors expressed their dissatisfaction and named the officials as “Nazis”. Panorama Latvii

The residents who come to the Managers office of Kurzeme Region in principle refuse to speak in the Latvian language and ignore the norms of the state language. The Head of the Domicile Registry Department S.Apsite complained that after remarks of the municipal officials about violating the State Language Law, visitors expressed their dissatisfaction and named the officials as Nazis. Panorama Latvii

A.Stroy in

A.Stroy in Chas writes that if the MPs from the faction For Human Rights in United Latvia sticked to their words they should be the first to start speaking in the Russian language in the Saeima and resign from their parliamentarian seats. A.Stroy thinks that this call would finally turn the Russian faction into political outcasts because their 16 votes are not in high demand in the Saeima but politics is an art of compromises.

Latvijas Vestnesis

(06.09.00)(06.09.00) published the declaration of French Presidency in the name of EU about the regulations for implementing the State Language Law where EU expressed its satisfaction with the newly adopted State Language Law regulations. EU sides with the OSCE High Commissioner High Commissioner Max van der Stoel declaration on these Regulations where he pointed out the compliance of those regulations with international standards, published the declaration of French Presidency in the name of EU about the regulations for implementing the State Language Law where EU expressed its satisfaction with the newly adopted State Language Law regulations. EU sides with the OSCE High Commissioner High Commissioner Max van der Stoel declaration on these Regulations where he pointed out the compliance of those regulations with international standards, And the full text of the announcement of the Cabinet of Ministers of Latvia where it is stated that Latvia adopts its rules according to international standards and with the OSCE recommendations. The Cabinet of Ministers calls people not to submit to the call of the Union For Human Rights in United Latvia that aims to split the society of Latvia according their language or national belonging cause distrust and hatred among people of different nations.

And the full text of the announcement of the Cabinet of Ministers of Latvia where it is stated that Latvia adopts its rules according to international standards and with the OSCE recommendations. The Cabinet of Ministers calls people not to submit to the call of the Union For Human Rights in United Latvia that aims to split the society of Latvia according their language or national belonging cause distrust and hatred among people of different nations.