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

Latvia has not received the reply to the diplomatic note submitted to the Russian Embassy regarding the events of the 3rd March as well as to the proposal of the Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs to meet with the Russian counterpart, Press Secretary of the Latvian MFA Andrejs Pildegovics said. Although there are some unclear statements in press that Russia has not officially received the Minister's proposal, Mr. Pildegovics confirmed that the Latvian Ambassador in Russian has orally informed the Russian Ministry of the Foreign Affairs about the proposal. On Wednesday the Russian Duma (Parliament) considered drafts of three documents regarding the situation in Latvia: On vandalism act against the memorial of the Soldiers in Liepaja, On undertakings to eliminate the violations of rights and freedoms of the Russia's countrymen residing in Latvia, and On Humanitarian Assistance to Russia's countrymen residing in Latvia. The Duma adopted only the first document, while the other two were not even considered.

Latvia has not received the reply to the diplomatic note submitted to the Russian Embassy regarding the events of the 3rd March as well as to the proposal of the Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs to meet with the Russian counterpart, Press Secretary of the Latvian MFA Andrejs Pildegovics said. Although there are some unclear statements in press that Russia has not officially received the Minister's proposal, Mr. Pildegovics confirmed that the Latvian Ambassador in Russian has orally informed the Russian Ministry of the Foreign Affairs about the proposal. On Wednesday the Russian Duma (Parliament) considered drafts of three documents regarding the situation in Latvia: On vandalism act against the memorial of the Soldiers in Liepaja, On undertakings to eliminate the violations of rights and freedoms of the Russia's countrymen residing in Latvia, and On Humanitarian Assistance to Russia's countrymen residing in Latvia. The Duma adopted only the first document, while the other two were not even considered. Diena, Chas

On Wednesday the Deputy Head of the DCMA Andris Lejins informed journalists that the DCMA has decided to organize its work in three shifts. According to Lejins, starting April approximately 1600 might be issued per day. Besides, the Ministry of the Interior has prepared the draft of the amendments to the Cabinet of Minister Regulations that would allow non-citizens to travel to Russia with the former USSR external passports until the end of the year.

On Wednesday the Deputy Head of the DCMA Andris Lejins informed journalists that the DCMA has decided to organize its work in three shifts. According to Lejins, starting April approximately 1600 might be issued per day. Besides, the Ministry of the Interior has prepared the draft of the amendments to the Cabinet of Minister Regulations that would allow non-citizens to travel to Russia with the former USSR external passports until the end of the year. Diena

Elizabete Terbata in her analysis of the Russia's reaction to the 3rd March events points out that this would be the occasion when the OSCE Mission to Latvia and other international organizations could give an "independent and objective evaluation , thus, to refute the Russian propaganda."

Elizabete Terbata in her analysis of the Russia's reaction to the 3rd March events points out that this would be the occasion when the OSCE Mission to Latvia and other international organizations could give an "independent and objective evaluation , thus, to refute the Russian propaganda." Diena

The Riga City Council allows the movement "Lidztiesiba” and the Socialist Party to organize a demonstration on 17 March 1998. Participants will protest against the slow process of the passport issuance.

The Riga City Council allows the movement "Lidztiesiba and the Socialist Party to organize a demonstration on 17 March 1998. Participants will protest against the slow process of the passport issuance. Diena

Yesterday the Co-ordination Council of government forming factions supported the submitting of the draft of the Second Part of the Constitution on Human Rights prepared by the

Yesterday the Co-ordination Council of government forming factions supported the submitting of the draft of the Second Part of the Constitution on Human Rights prepared by the Tevzemei un Brivibai/LNNK to the Saeima. The Saeima has already received another draft from the special commission. If the Legal Commission of the Saeima is able to co-ordinate these two versions of the draft law, the Second Part of the Constitution might be adopted during the mandate of the 6th Saeima. The TB/LNNK version contains three issues radically different from the version of the special commission. First, the TB/LNNK does not support the abolishing of the death penalty. Secondly, it wants to determine the status of the state language in Article 4 of the Constitution and to state that it can be changed only by a referendum. And, finally, it supports a provision that only citizens have guaranteed rights to return to Latvia and have protection of the state in abroad. Diena

On Friday in Daugavpils there will be a round table concerning the language issues and the integration process in Latvia. Among the participants there are Ina Druviete, Co-ordinator of Work group on the Draft Language Law, Nils Muiznieks, Head of the Human Rights Center , Eizenija Aldermane, Head of the Nturailzation Board.

On Friday in Daugavpils there will be a round table concerning the language issues and the integration process in Latvia. Among the participants there are Ina Druviete, Co-ordinator of Work group on the Draft Language Law, Nils Muiznieks, Head of the Human Rights Center , Eizenija Aldermane, Head of the Nturailzation Board. Chas

By initiative of Russia the Permanent Council of the OSCE has agreed to consider the situation in Latvia regarding the 3rd March events today.

By initiative of Russia the Permanent Council of the OSCE has agreed to consider the situation in Latvia regarding the 3rd March events today. B&B