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

News No 1 in all newspapers - the Democratic Party

News No 1 in all newspapers - the Democratic Party Saimnieks announced its withdrawal from the government forming coalition and recalls its ministers from the government. The Chairman of the party Z.Cevers is ready to form the next government. DPS accuse TB/LNNK and the Prime Minister G.Krasts personally for policy that has cased tension within the country, created a negative image for Latvia abroad and authoritarian and selfish behaviour. The Prime Minister said that he was of very low opinion of that action and characterised this step as a cowardice. G.Krasts does not intend to resign, but plans to exchange the missing ministers and thinks that it is possible to work as a minority government. Diena, Neatkariga, Bizness & Baltiya, Chas, Panorama Latvii

The State President allowed a possibility to propose a dismissal of the Saeima. G.Ulmanis thinks that DPS, leaving the government forming coalition, has acted cowardly and the state is in a critical situation because neither the Parliament nor government are stable and promises to take actions during Easter to stabilise the situation.

The State President allowed a possibility to propose a dismissal of the Saeima. G.Ulmanis thinks that DPS, leaving the government forming coalition, has acted cowardly and the state is in a critical situation because neither the Parliament nor government are stable and promises to take actions during Easter to stabilise the situation. Diena

Russian President B.Yeltsin announced on Wednesday his support to the proposal of several regional governors and high ranking state officials to impose economical pressure on Latvia. Due to the fact that there was continued “a discriminative policy towards 700 000 Russian-speakers residing in Latvia, the President advised seriously the government to pay attention to the need to diverse Russian oil export directions,” said the Speaker of the President S.Yastrzhembsky. Yeltsin also supported the proposal to boycott Latvian goods and an appeal to Russian businessmen to avoid co-operation with Latvian entrepreneurs.

Russian President B.Yeltsin announced on Wednesday his support to the proposal of several regional governors and high ranking state officials to impose economical pressure on Latvia. Due to the fact that there was continued a discriminative policy towards 700 000 Russian-speakers residing in Latvia, the President advised seriously the government to pay attention to the need to diverse Russian oil export directions, said the Speaker of the President S.Yastrzhembsky. Yeltsin also supported the proposal to boycott Latvian goods and an appeal to Russian businessmen to avoid co-operation with Latvian entrepreneurs. Diena, Neatkariga, Bizness & Baltiya, Chas, SM

“The government must be ready to support businessmen to find other markets if Russia imposes economic sanctions against Latvia,” announced the Minister of Foreign Affairs V.Birkavs at a press briefing. At the same time he invited Russian officials and entrepreneurs to a dialogue. When commenting on Yeltsin’s announcement on making economic pressure on Latvia, he said that everybody should be calm, continue the things started, while directing attention of the world to the inadmissible development of Latvian - Russian relations. This announcement means real economic sanctions. Latvia has made several proposals to start talks, but they were rejected.

The government must be ready to support businessmen to find other markets if Russia imposes economic sanctions against Latvia, announced the Minister of Foreign Affairs V.Birkavs at a press briefing. At the same time he invited Russian officials and entrepreneurs to a dialogue. When commenting on Yeltsins announcement on making economic pressure on Latvia, he said that everybody should be calm, continue the things started, while directing attention of the world to the inadmissible development of Latvian - Russian relations. This announcement means real economic sanctions. Latvia has made several proposals to start talks, but they were rejected. Diena

The Deputy Prime Minister J.Kaksitis informed the press that the working group for preparation of public integration project has agreed on the plan to elaborate this program and on experts to be involved in this project. On March 31, the Prime Minister G.Krasts issued a decree to establish such a working group, and the program should be submitted to the Cabinet of Ministers till June 30. Kaksitis also told the press that the first working group report would be ready on May 15. The list of experts would be agreed upon on April 14. The group plans discussions with ambassadors of EU member states, OSCE, representatives of UN Development Program.

The Deputy Prime Minister J.Kaksitis informed the press that the working group for preparation of public integration project has agreed on the plan to elaborate this program and on experts to be involved in this project. On March 31, the Prime Minister G.Krasts issued a decree to establish such a working group, and the program should be submitted to the Cabinet of Ministers till June 30. Kaksitis also told the press that the first working group report would be ready on May 15. The list of experts would be agreed upon on April 14. The group plans discussions with ambassadors of EU member states, OSCE, representatives of UN Development Program. Diena

During a meeting with heads of traditional confessions represented in Latvia, the State President G.Ulmanis said that he and those people were the only remaining in their places till the end, and that Latvian politicians were irresponsible, so there was no other way to stabilise the situation as to summon the nation and the church for help. He asked the clergymen to explain the situation to their parish members and brothers-in-belief in other countries.

During a meeting with heads of traditional confessions represented in Latvia, the State President G.Ulmanis said that he and those people were the only remaining in their places till the end, and that Latvian politicians were irresponsible, so there was no other way to stabilise the situation as to summon the nation and the church for help. He asked the clergymen to explain the situation to their parish members and brothers-in-belief in other countries. Diena

The faction of the DPS has formulated its opinion on the amendments that should be made to the Law on Citizenship. It acknowledge that citizenship should be granted to children born in Latvia after August 21, 1991 if families of non-citizens. The faction is for modification of Naturalisation windows - it means to put no restrictions for naturalisation to all persons born in Latvia. “

The faction of the DPS has formulated its opinion on the amendments that should be made to the Law on Citizenship. It acknowledge that citizenship should be granted to children born in Latvia after August 21, 1991 if families of non-citizens. The faction is for modification of Naturalisation windows - it means to put no restrictions for naturalisation to all persons born in Latvia. Saimnieks also support the idea that Latvian citizenship should be granted extraordinary to persons who were citizens of Poland on September 17, 1939. They supported the proposal to ease the language knowledge test for pension age persons willing to naturalise making it as an interview. Neatkariga