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 Review

Press Review

The Latvian Security Police has detained two young men who, according to Head of the Bureau for Protection of the

The Latvian Security Police has detained two young men who, according to Head of the Bureau for Protection of the Satversme Lainis Kamaldins, participated in organizing the act of terrorism against the Monument to the Liberators of Riga. The Police will not reveal any further details until the investigation is completed. The Monument was seriously damaged on July 6 when a bomb planted by unidentified terrorists exploded killing two men (who presumably planted it). Diena

Prime-Minister Krasts in his interview for the German business newspaper

Prime-Minister Krasts in his interview for the German business newspaper "Handelsblatt" stressed the role that could be played by Germany in persuading the EU to start talks with all three Baltic states simultaneously. The Latvian Premier believes that the admission of Estonia would create "dramatic inequality" and would increase Moscow's pressure on Latvia and Lithuania. Mr. Krasts, while touching upon the problem of the large number of non-citizens, said that many of them had no intention to take Latvian citizenship. For many of them Latvia is only a convenient place of residence and they would rather take citizenship of a Western country. According to Mr. Krasts, many Russian-speakers still did not consider Latvia to be an independent state. Diena

Yesterday President Ulmanis had a meeting with leaders of the governing coalition parties. The agenda of the meeting included possible compromise with Russia on the border issue and on the problem of the large number of non-citizens. Mr. Cevers (

Yesterday President Ulmanis had a meeting with leaders of the governing coalition parties. The agenda of the meeting included possible compromise with Russia on the border issue and on the problem of the large number of non-citizens. Mr. Cevers ("Saimnieks") told "SM" that the parties agreed to authorize the President to inform the Russian side about its plans for reducing the number of employment restrictions for non-citizens. The President will also speak about the possibility of simplifying the process of naturalization. President Ulmanis is expected to meet Russian Premier Chernomyrdin in Vilnius this week during the summit that will be attended by leaders of twelve countries. SM

Director of the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Solvita Mellupe told 

Director of the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Solvita Mellupe toldDiena that Latvia should improve "the safety of its Eastern border" to establish a non-visa regime with European countries. Finland is among the European countries ready to establish such a regime for Latvian citizens. Still, the Finnish side is expecting Latvia to apply the Refugee Convention to all asylum seekers and not only to residents of European countries. Finland also expects Latvia to improve the quality of citizens' passports to make them suitable for computer processing. Germany has suspended its talks with Latvia on the subject explaining that Latvian passports are easily forged. The German authorities also point at the lack of a uniform information network in Latvia. Diena