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 Report

State President G.Ulmanis acknowledged to the press agency

State President G.Ulmanis acknowledged to the press agency BNS that Russia pressure concerning Latvian citizenship had decreased lately. The President thought that the non-citizen issue was also being solved due to inner necessity, not only due to foreign pressure. He found the announcement of B.Yeltsin on a possible meeting with G.Ulmanis a wish to form better relations. Neatkariga, Diena, Rita Zinas, Bizness & Baltiya

Latvian and Byelorussian Prime Ministers met in Daugavpils. (

Latvian and Byelorussian Prime Ministers met in Daugavpils. (Neatkariga 98.05.16) During this meeting they signed several important documents - on co-operation to fight organised crime, co-operation in customs, principles of co-operation, etc. Diena, Jauna Avize

Continuing the series of articles on revival of Russian nationalism,

Continuing the series of articles on revival of Russian nationalism, Diena publishes an article analysing a national radical organisation Russian National Union led by 20 year old Yevgeniy Osipov. It was established, as its leader explained, because Russian people could not longer stay quit observing as Russians were killed morally and mentally. Similar organisation have been founded also in Estonia, Ukraine, and Byelorussia. Diena

Press Secretary of B.Yeltsin S.Yastrzhemsky announced at a press briefing in Birmingham on Saturday that a meting of Russian and Latvian presidents was possible only on the grounds of Latvian request. He stressed that was difficult to expect any progress in Russian - Latvian relations if there were no changes in Latvian legislation concerning citizenship. Press Secretary of G.Ulmanis said that Latvian President was expecting any explanatory information from Moscow.

Press Secretary of B.Yeltsin S.Yastrzhemsky announced at a press briefing in Birmingham on Saturday that a meting of Russian and Latvian presidents was possible only on the grounds of Latvian request. He stressed that was difficult to expect any progress in Russian - Latvian relations if there were no changes in Latvian legislation concerning citizenship. Press Secretary of G.Ulmanis said that Latvian President was expecting any explanatory information from Moscow. Jauna Avize

SM publishes comments of N.Kabanov on the appeal Russian intelligence in Latvia to become naturalised in order to gain political influence. He is quite negative about it and give his argumentation (e.g. Latvians understand integration as integration under one language). According to Mr. Kabanov Russian people just elementary do not want to bend down. He writes about his own experience of Naturalisation process because his grandfather was a Latvian). And one more important aspect is that the credit of confidence of Russian people towards the state is almost on zero level.

SM publishes comments of N.Kabanov on the appeal Russian intelligence in Latvia to become naturalised in order to gain political influence. He is quite negative about it and give his argumentation (e.g. Latvians understand integration as integration under one language). According to Mr. Kabanov Russian people just elementary do not want to bend down. He writes about his own experience of Naturalisation process because his grandfather was a Latvian). And one more important aspect is that the credit of confidence of Russian people towards the state is almost on zero level. SM.

Last weekend a conference “The Baltic Region in the new system of geopolitical co-ordinates” took place in Novgorod.

Last weekend a conference The Baltic Region in the new system of geopolitical co-ordinates took place in Novgorod. Panorama Latvii correspondent interviewed two Latvian representatives: Riga City Council Deputy Boris Celevichs and the Saeima Deputy Yuris Vidins. B.Celevichs thinks that Russian position on the situation of Russian speakers in Latvia is rather contradictory. It is strict and aggressive towards the Latvian government and sometimes also the Latvian nation, and it does not favour a dialogue. But in genera, this Russian position is the major factor that this issue is being discussed and started to be solved. But in general, there was much body movements and little sense. Y.Vidins had not noticed any pressure from Russia, but was a serious one from the West. And Vidins reminds the recent population request. According to its data, 70 % of Russian speaking population would stay aside of even side Russia in a case of a military conflict between Russia and Latvia. How dangerous the situation could be if we start persuade these people to become Latvian citizens. It is clear what they will vote for. Panorama Latvii