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

Saeima

Deputy-Speaker Aigars Jirgens told Deputy-Speaker Aigars Jirgens told "DIENA"DIENA" that "Guntis Ulmanis could not be entrusted with the duties of the President and " that "Guntis Ulmanis could not be entrusted with the duties of the President and "Tevzemei un Brivibai"/LNNK"Tevzemei un Brivibai"/LNNK would discuss recalling Mr. Ulmanis." Mr. Jirgens' statement followed the President's suggestion on reconsidering the agreement between the governing factions that currently does not allow to amend the Citizenship Law. Mr. Jirgens stressed that during his 1996 election campaign President Ulmanis told would discuss recalling Mr. Ulmanis." Mr. Jirgens' statement followed the President's suggestion on reconsidering the agreement between the governing factions that currently does not allow to amend the Citizenship Law. Mr. Jirgens stressed that during his 1996 election campaign President Ulmanis told "TB""TB" representatives that the existing version of the Citizenship Law was the only possible compromise allowing the survival of the Latvian nation. Aigars Jirgens believes that representatives that the existing version of the Citizenship Law was the only possible compromise allowing the survival of the Latvian nation. Aigars Jirgens believes that "TB"/LNNK"TB"/LNNK may launch a campaign aimed at gaining the support of at least 50 may launch a campaign aimed at gaining the support of at least 50 SaeimaSaeima members. According to the members. According to the SatversmeSatversme, 50 votes of , 50 votes of Saeima Saeima members are required to hold a closed members are required to hold a closed Saeima Saeima session while recalling the President is to be supported by at least 67 session while recalling the President is to be supported by at least 67 SaeimaSaeima members. Acting Chairman of the members. Acting Chairman of the "TB"/LNNK"TB"/LNNK faction Karlis Leiskalns admitted that the President had the rights to express his own opinion. Head of the faction Karlis Leiskalns admitted that the President had the rights to express his own opinion. Head of the "Saimnieks""Saimnieks" faction Ernests Jurkans expressed a similar view and added that faction Ernests Jurkans expressed a similar view and added that "Saimnieks""Saimnieks" would draft its amendments to the Citizenship Law in December. According to would draft its amendments to the Citizenship Law in December. According to "CHAS""CHAS", the, the "TB"/LNNK "TB"/LNNK faction has already discussed Mr. Jirgens' statement. faction has already discussed Mr. Jirgens' statement. "TB"/LNNK"TB"/LNNK will hold a conference on November 29 to define a compromise that it could agree to. will hold a conference on November 29 to define a compromise that it could agree to. Diena, Chas, Neatkariga, panorama Latvii Diena, Chas, Neatkariga, panorama Latvii The

The "International Herald Tribune" in its yesterday's issue published a clarification on the article by "TB" member Aivars Slucis that appeared in the paper on November 13. The statement by the newspaper explains that the article being "a paid advertisement" should have been labeled so. The article by Aivars Slucis calls last twenty generations of Russians "the most aggressive, barbarian, treacherous and uncivilized in the world." The author also addressed OSCE High Commissioner van der Stoel saying that his "meanness was indescribable" and accusing him in assisting "the Russian genocide against Latvians and Estonians." Saeima member Juris Sinka ("TB") openly supported the article noting that Mr. Slucis' opinion "mostly coincided with the opinion of the party". Chas

The Russian State

The Russian State Duma Committee on CIS Affairs and Contacts with Compatriots Abroad has drafted a Federal Act on Relations with Compatriots Abroad. The draft Act applies to citizens of the Russian Federation residing outside Russia, persons having dual citizenship, former USSR citizens who do not have Russian citizenship, emigrants from the Russian Empire, the Russian Socialist Republic, the Russian Federation and to their descendants. The draft Act is prepared for the first reading by the State Duma. Panorama Latvii