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

State President G.Ulmanis and representatives of major political parties consider that amendments to the Law on Citizenship based on OSCE recommendations should be adopted in the nearest future. It could be done till Jani (June 24). It was said during a meeting that took place on Tuesday.

State President G.Ulmanis and representatives of major political parties consider that amendments to the Law on Citizenship based on OSCE recommendations should be adopted in the nearest future. It could be done till Jani (June 24). It was said during a meeting that took place on Tuesday. Neatkariga, Diena, Jauna Avize, Chas

Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has informed Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs about the wish of G.Ulmanis to have a telephone conversation with B.Yeltsin. Latvian MFA representative E.Skuja said that now they just had to wait for the possible date of this conversation. For all that there was information in the mass media that in B.Yeltsin’s time table meeting with G.Ulmanis was not planned untill the end of this year. Nevertheless Skuja added, that if such a conversation was to take place, the presidents could themselves fix the date of this meeting.

Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has informed Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs about the wish of G.Ulmanis to have a telephone conversation with B.Yeltsin. Latvian MFA representative E.Skuja said that now they just had to wait for the possible date of this conversation. For all that there was information in the mass media that in B.Yeltsins time table meeting with G.Ulmanis was not planned untill the end of this year. Nevertheless Skuja added, that if such a conversation was to take place, the presidents could themselves fix the date of this meeting. Neatkariga

B.Yelstsin’s Press Secretary S.Yastrzhemsky announced on Tuesday that there were no changes in Russia’s policy concerning Latvia. According to his opinion, Russia will strictly stand on its position and support OSCE recommendations to make 18 amendments to the Law on Citizenship. He refused to comment on Yeltsin’s words about the possible meeting with G.Ulmanis. S.Yastrzhemsky thinks that such a meeting could only take place when Latvia would fulfil all recommendations. They have received requests for such a meeting several times, but Russian part has done nothing yet.

B.Yelstsins Press Secretary S.Yastrzhemsky announced on Tuesday that there were no changes in Russias policy concerning Latvia. According to his opinion, Russia will strictly stand on its position and support OSCE recommendations to make 18 amendments to the Law on Citizenship. He refused to comment on Yeltsins words about the possible meeting with G.Ulmanis. S.Yastrzhemsky thinks that such a meeting could only take place when Latvia would fulfil all recommendations. They have received requests for such a meeting several times, but Russian part has done nothing yet. Diena

Several officials, questioned by

Several officials, questioned by Diena, were negative concerning the critics of NHRO Director O.Bruveris, and it is expected that Prime Minister G.Krasts will express his distrust to O.Bruveris at the end of this week. Diena

Practical Latvian language Chair of Latvian University conducted a research test for those students who had graduated from Russian speaking schools. 59% of these students failed it. So the conclusion, made in this article, is that 59% of all Russian speaking school students do not know the Latvian language.

Practical Latvian language Chair of Latvian University conducted a research test for those students who had graduated from Russian speaking schools. 59% of these students failed it. So the conclusion, made in this article, is that 59% of all Russian speaking school students do not know the Latvian language. Neatkariga

Social opinion research centre Socially Correlative Data System conducted a research on the future of national situation of Latvia. The society does not have a common opinion whether there will be any contradictions between Latvians and other nationalities living in Latvia. 11.8% are sure for such contradictions to exist.

Social opinion research centre Socially Correlative Data System conducted a research on the future of national situation of Latvia. The society does not have a common opinion whether there will be any contradictions between Latvians and other nationalities living in Latvia. 11.8% are sure for such contradictions to exist. Neatkariga

The deputies of the Parliamentary Assembly of Council of Europe who are preparing a report on Latvia presented to the Survey Committee a proposal that could further improvement of Latvian - Russian relations. It was acceptable also for Russia. But they did not want to go into details. Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs could not make any comments on this.

The deputies of the Parliamentary Assembly of Council of Europe who are preparing a report on Latvia presented to the Survey Committee a proposal that could further improvement of Latvian - Russian relations. It was acceptable also for Russia. But they did not want to go into details. Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs could not make any comments on this. Neatkariga, Jauna Avize

Russian TV company ORT has acknowledged that behind so called campaign for protecting the rights of Russian speakers in Latvia are corporate interests of Russian industry groups. When reporting on Byelorussian Prime Minister S.Lingas visit to Latvia they voiced their lack of understanding for such a position of Byelorussian Prime Minister, especially about his meeting with G.Krasts. They offered two versions of this. One could be a treason of interests of Byelorussian - Russian union. The other could be a smart political move by the Kremlin to use A.Lukashenko administration of in their interests.

Dienas Bizness

Panorama Latvii

informs about the results of the hot line organised after the publication of Russian intelligentsia appeal to Russian speakers to naturalise in order to gain political influence in Latvia. Journalists asked the respondents to express their opinion on all matters connected to Naturalisation process in Latvia. Most of these people fell offended and humiliated and do not want Latvian citizenship at all. informs about the results of the “hot line” organised after the publication of Russian intelligentsia appeal to Russian speakers to naturalise in order to gain political influence in Latvia. Journalists asked the respondents to express their opinion on all matters connected to Naturalisation process in Latvia. Most of these people fell offended and humiliated and do not want Latvian citizenship at all.

SM

writes about the frequent visits of European experts to Latvia in order to understand why Latvia, despite its attempt to enter EU, simultaneously does just the opposite to EU and OSCE recommendations, e.g., annulment of death penalty, not increasing the number of persons with no citizenship, etc. The Saeima deputies A.Seiksts and V.Dozorcevs give their explanations of this problem. writes about the frequent visits of European experts to Latvia in order to understand why Latvia, despite its attempt to enter EU, simultaneously does just the opposite to EU and OSCE recommendations, e.g., annulment of death penalty, not increasing the number of persons with no citizenship, etc. The Saeima deputies A.Seiksts and V.Dozorcevs give their explanations of this problem.