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

At a briefing on Monday, Latvian MFA representative A.Pildegovics informed ambassadors of EU member and associate states, USA and OSCE Mission to Latvia head on the events that took place at the Riga City Council on March 3. Russian party would be informed on Latvian attitude towards these events and comments made by Russian officials through diplomatic channels. Mr.Pildegovics said that that ambassadors were informed all together because it was a practical possibility to prepare for a common foreign and security policy, as it was planned in EU. In his turn, the Saeima Speaker A.Cepanis announced on Monday that he planned to send a letter to Russian State Duma Speaker G.Seleznov on his opinion towards this event and the inadequate reaction of Russian officials. At a briefing on Monday, Latvian MFA representative A.Pildegovics informed ambassadors of EU member and associate states, USA and OSCE Mission to Latvia head on the events that took place at the Riga City Council on March 3. Russian party would be informed on Latvian attitude towards these events and comments made by Russian officials through diplomatic channels. Mr.Pildegovics said that that ambassadors were informed all together because it was a practical possibility to prepare for a common foreign and security policy, as it was planned in EU. In his turn, the Saeima Speaker A.Cepanis announced on Monday that he planned to send a letter to Russian State Duma Speaker G.Seleznov on his opinion towards this event and the inadequate reaction of Russian officials. Diena, NeatkarigaDiena, Neatkariga Minister of Communications V.Kristopans does not think that the announcements of Russian officials on imposing economic sanctions against Latvia should not be taken seriously. He thinks that the picket at the Riga City council is an ordinary thing.

Minister of Communications V.Kristopans does not think that the announcements of Russian officials on imposing economic sanctions against Latvia should not be taken seriously. He thinks that the picket at the Riga City council is an ordinary thing. (Diena, Rita Zinas) SM correspondent has different information. He writes that several administration institutions of Russian are elaborating strategy to put economic pressure on Latvia.

Atis Lejins, Director of Latvian Foreign Affairs Institute publishes his ideas on the current Latvian - Russian relations. When analysing the situation, he comes to a conclusion that these activities of Russian officials could arise from the need to divert public attention from their internal matters - bad social economic situation in Russia. Mr.Lejins also analyses some other possible reasons for this reaction.

Atis Lejins, Director of Latvian Foreign Affairs Institute publishes his ideas on the current Latvian - Russian relations. When analysing the situation, he comes to a conclusion that these activities of Russian officials could arise from the need to divert public attention from their internal matters - bad social economic situation in Russia. Mr.Lejins also analyses some other possible reasons for this reaction. Bizness & Baltija writes about the possible schedule of Russias future actions.

Weekly newspaper

Weekly newspaper Segodnya published several letters of people, who participated in the picket at Riga City Council.

Diena - Russian version: Solving the border dispute between Russia and Latvia depends on the situation of national minorities in Latvia. This statement was made by Deputy Chairman of State Duma Vladimir Rizhkov to the radio station Eho Moskvi. He stressed that Russian - Latvian relations were getting colder in all aspects.

Several newspapers inform about the rally of several political parties of Russia that was held in Pskow on Monday. About 1000 people gathered in front of the Latvian Consulate, burned Latvian flag and submitted an announcement where they characterised Riga event as a very cruel one and asked for economic sanctions against Latvian, resignation of Latvian Prime Minister and international isolation of Latvia.

Several newspapers inform about the rally of several political parties of Russia that was held in Pskow on Monday. About 1000 people gathered in front of the Latvian Consulate, burned Latvian flag and submitted an announcement where they characterised Riga event as a very cruel one and asked for economic sanctions against Latvian, resignation of Latvian Prime Minister and international isolation of Latvia. Neatkariga, Jauna Avize, Chas andBiznes I Baltiya analyses the possible situation if such economic sanctions were imposed.

On Monday Faction Tevzemei un Brivibai/LNNK adopted a draft human rights part of the Satversme and their proposals for amendments to the Law on Citizenship. They plan to include in the General part of the Satversme to include a provision the Latvian language being the state language and that this article could be amended only through a public referendum. They also propose to include a separate part on human rights but Chapter 8 under the title Basic Rights and offer their definition of a stateless person - “a person who does not belong to any state or has no right to such a belonging according to the valid laws”.

On Monday Faction Tevzemei un Brivibai/LNNK adopted a draft human rights part of the Satversme and their proposals for amendments to the Law on Citizenship. They plan to include in the General part of the Satversme to include a provision the Latvian language being the state language and that this article could be amended only through a public referendum. They also propose to include a separate part on human rights but Chapter 8 under the title Basic Rights and offer their definition of a stateless person - a person who does not belong to any state or has no right to such a belonging according to the valid laws. Neatkariga, Biznes I Baltiya, Chas

To speed up issuing of non-citizen passports, the Citizenship and Migration Affairs Board (CMAB) will work in three shifts all 24 hours. They plan to hire 30 more employees. Until February 19, there have been issued 119 375 non-citizen passports, but all together there are 650 800 non-citizens registered in the Resident Register. Currently, the CMAB can issue 16 800 passport a month. Internal Minister Z.Cevers has asked the Minster of Finances to allow the Board to use those 250 000 Ls they have collected as fees. This sum is necessary to finish issuing till January 1, 2000 what is the deadline.

To speed up issuing of non-citizen passports, the Citizenship and Migration Affairs Board (CMAB) will work in three shifts all 24 hours. They plan to hire 30 more employees. Until February 19, there have been issued 119 375 non-citizen passports, but all together there are 650 800 non-citizens registered in the Resident Register. Currently, the CMAB can issue 16 800 passport a month. Internal Minister Z.Cevers has asked the Minster of Finances to allow the Board to use those 250 000 Ls they have collected as fees. This sum is necessary to finish issuing till January 1, 2000 what is the deadline. Neatkariga

Panorama Latvii writes about the situation in Jekabpils where the local judge refuses to accept cases written in the Russian language from police inspectors. So, instead of starting to investigate the next case, an inspector has to interpret the filled in documents into Latvian himself thus extending the detention term of the suspect.