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

According to Head of the Naturalisation Board Eiýenija Aldermane, 550,000 out of 700,000 noncitizens permanently residing in Latvia have no right to apply for citizenship. The figure was quoted by Mrs Aldermane during her meeting with President Ulmanis last Friday. The agenda of the meeting was focused on naturalisation issues. The President’s attention toward the issue is directly connected with his forthcoming participation in the CE Parliamentary Assembly. 400 noncitizens aged 16 to 20 obtained citizenship through naturalisation this year. The expected number of noncitizens to receive citizenship since the start of naturalisation process is around 4000. 33,000 Latvia’s inhabitants have the right to undergo naturalisation this year. Still, only 450 applied for naturalisation. According to the Naturalisation Board, around 250,000 noncitizens are not planning to apply for Latvian citizenship. Mrs Aldermane told the President about numerous suggestions submitted by the Board to the

According to Head of the Naturalisation Board Eiýenija Aldermane, 550,000 out of 700,000 noncitizens permanently residing in Latvia have no right to apply for citizenship. The figure was quoted by Mrs Aldermane during her meeting with President Ulmanis last Friday. The agenda of the meeting was focused on naturalisation issues. The Presidents attention toward the issue is directly connected with his forthcoming participation in the CE Parliamentary Assembly. 400 noncitizens aged 16 to 20 obtained citizenship through naturalisation this year. The expected number of noncitizens to receive citizenship since the start of naturalisation process is around 4000. 33,000 Latvias inhabitants have the right to undergo naturalisation this year. Still, only 450 applied for naturalisation. According to the Naturalisation Board, around 250,000 noncitizens are not planning to apply for Latvian citizenship. Mrs Aldermane told the President about numerous suggestions submitted by the Board to the Saeima committees. Most of the suggested amendments are connected with flaws found in the Citizenship Law. As an example Mrs Aldermane mentioned 17,000 ethnic Latvians and Livs who currently can neither register nor naturalise. The Saeima has not reacted to numerous suggestions and inquests coming from the Naturalisation Board. Diena

DIENA interviewed President Ulmanis on his report to be delivered at the CE Parliamentary Assembly in Strasbourg. Mr Ulmanis will lay a special emphasis on the importance of integrating ethnic communities into a countrys society. He will assure the Assembly that Latvia will ratify the Human Rights Convention by the end of this year. The President says he is ready to face a fair amount of criticism and will respond to all comments and questions. He believes ratifying the agreement with oil companies would be premature. Latvia and Lithuania should try their best to reach a diplomatic solution to the border dispute. Mr Ulmanis would not agree to those who belive a recent conflict in Saimnieks to be a symptom of instability. Still, he believes that the Cabinet members representing different parties could co-operate more closely. Diena

Russia’s Prime-Minister Chernomyrdin said Russia will accept no territorial claims from Latvia. The statement was made last Friday during Chernomyrdin’s meeting with the Governor of the Pskov Region. The Declaration on Occupation has caused concern among the population and the authorities of the Pskov Region that incorporates the Abrene district since 1944.

Russias Prime-Minister Chernomyrdin said Russia will accept no territorial claims from Latvia. The statement was made last Friday during Chernomyrdins meeting with the Governor of the Pskov Region. The Declaration on Occupation has caused concern among the population and the authorities of the Pskov Region that incorporates the Abrene district since 1944. Diena