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

On Tuesday after a long lingering the government adopted the National Integration Program. The program was submitted for public discussion already in spring of 1999 but due to a discord among politicians its adoption was delayed.

On Tuesday after a long lingering the government adopted the National Integration Program. The program was submitted for public discussion already in spring of 1999 but due to a discord among politicians its adoption was delayed. Diena

Vesti Segodnya

comments that this program was adopted secretly as a modern medicine for alcohol addicts – hiding this news from the very addicts. The subjects of this program will not know that they have been started to integrate because firstly - there is no effective mechanism for implementing this program, secondly – lack of political will to do a real integration, and thirdly – according to the opinion of the opposition, from the very beginning the program was developed just for show-off and receiving financial support from the West. The Cabinet of Ministers accepted the procedure according to which persons were deprived of their non-citizen status. The regulations stipulate that a decision of depriving a person of his/her non-citizen status shall be taken by the DCMA Head or his authorized official. DCMA is authorized to start verification itself and also basing on an application of another state or local government institution, as well as a physical and juridical person if there is grounds to consider that a person has no legal right for this status. Person’s avoiding or refusal to provide explanation may not serve as an excuse for not taking a decision of depriving him/her of non-citizen status. Check-up may last for three months, in some special cases – four months. A DCMA decision may be appealed within one month since it has taken effect.

The Cabinet of Ministers accepted the procedure according to which persons were deprived of their non-citizen status. The regulations stipulate that a decision of depriving a person of his/her non-citizen status shall be taken by the DCMA Head or his authorized official. DCMA is authorized to start verification itself and also basing on an application of another state or local government institution, as well as a physical and juridical person if there is grounds to consider that a person has no legal right for this status. Persons avoiding or refusal to provide explanation may not serve as an excuse for not taking a decision of depriving him/her of non-citizen status. Check-up may last for three months, in some special cases – four months. A DCMA decision may be appealed within one month since it has taken effect. Neatkariga

After leaving the ruling coalition, the New Faction became very active in opposition. As a proof for that may serve the calculation of the faction’s leader I.Udre who has calculated possibilities for falling of the government. I.Udre foresaw that some coalition partner could leave the coalition with an excuse that the government did not fulfill its pre-election promises in order to use this trick for the local government election. And as the most likely candidate for such an action she mentioned People’s Party.

After leaving the ruling coalition, the New Faction became very active in opposition. As a proof for that may serve the calculation of the factions leader I.Udre who has calculated possibilities for falling of the government. I.Udre foresaw that some coalition partner could leave the coalition with an excuse that the government did not fulfill its pre-election promises in order to use this trick for the local government election. And as the most likely candidate for such an action she mentioned Peoples Party. Neatkariga, Respublika

The leader of Social Democrats E.Baldzens is sure that a governmental crisis is approaching, and it is linked with privatization of Latvian Shipping Company.

The leader of Social Democrats E.Baldzens is sure that a governmental crisis is approaching, and it is linked with privatization of Latvian Shipping Company. Jauna Avize

For long time Russia has been ignoring Latvia and Russian speakers residing here. Intergovernmental Commission acts only on paper. But now at the meeting of the highest state officials Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs I.Berzins, after his visit to Moscow, was sure about forthcoming changes in the nearest future. And Latvian representatives are frequenting to Moscow, mostly for business related issues, but they all speak about the possible changes in Russia’s policy concerning Latvia.

For long time Russia has been ignoring Latvia and Russian speakers residing here. Intergovernmental Commission acts only on paper. But now at the meeting of the highest state officials Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs I.Berzins, after his visit to Moscow, was sure about forthcoming changes in the nearest future. And Latvian representatives are frequenting to Moscow, mostly for business related issues, but they all speak about the possible changes in Russias policy concerning Latvia. Respublika