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.

• Russian Ambassador to Latvia Viktor Kaluznij pays a visit to the Occupation Museum of Latvia
• Seven persons sought asylum in Latvia last year
• President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga talks about Latvian Russian relations

In response to the invitation of the Latvian Foreign Affairs Minister Artis Pabriks, the Russian Ambassador to Latvia Viktor Kaluznij paid a visit to the Occupation Museum of Latvia. Although Latvian state officials hoped that the visit will help the Ambassador to look at the history from Latvia’s perspective, the Ambassador did not recognise occupation of Latvia and stated that in the Occupation Museum the history is presented in a ‘illiterate way.’ Viktor Kaluznij expressed his incomprehension about placement of the Adolf Hitler’s portrait  next to the portrait of Joseph Stalin. The Ambassador noted that ‘their activities are not comparable.’ Viktor Kaluznij is the first Russian ambassador who has visited the Occupation Museum.

In response to the invitation of the Latvian Foreign Affairs Minister Artis Pabriks, the Russian Ambassador to Latvia Viktor Kaluznij paid a visit to the Occupation Museum of Latvia. Although Latvian state officials hoped that the visit will help the Ambassador to look at the history from Latvias perspective, the Ambassador did not recognise occupation of Latvia and stated that in the Occupation Museum the history is presented in a ‘illiterate way. Viktor Kaluznij expressed his incomprehension about placement of the Adolf Hitlers portrait next to the portrait of Joseph Stalin. The Ambassador noted that ‘their activities are not comparable. Viktor Kaluznij is the first Russian ambassador who has visited the Occupation Museum. Diena, Neatkariga Rita Avize, Latvijas Avize, Vesti Segodnya, Chas

Seven persons coming from Egypt, Belorussia, Azerbaijan, Rumania and Georgia sought asylum in Latvia last year. Nobody has been granted a refugee status.

Seven persons coming from Egypt, Belorussia, Azerbaijan, Rumania and Georgia sought asylum in Latvia last year. Nobody has been granted a refugee status. Vesti Segodnya

Neatkariga Rita Avize reprints the excerpts of the interview of the President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga, published by the Austrian newspaper Die Presse. When commenting on Latvian Russian relations, the President states that now Latvian Russian relations are at the lowest possible point and nothing can be worse. The President categorically refuses a possibility to sign a border agreement with Russia on 10 May.