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

On 23 May the

On 23 May the Diena (Russian and Latvian versions) publishes a document On Implementation of the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minority Recommendations prepared by the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The document lists the recommendations which are implemented and the recommendations which are not implemented, yet.

The Council of the

The Council of the Christian Democratic Union supported joining of the Green Party, the National Reform Party and the Work Party to make a political union for the elections of the 7th Saeima. Diena

Janis Urbanovics, member of the

Janis Urbanovics, member of the People's Harmony Union, states that he does not see a possibility to have Russian-Latvian relationship considerably stabilized this year, since the roots of the discord are very deep. He blames Tevzemei un Brivibai/ LNNK for destructivism concerning the citizenship law. Janis Urbanovics points out that the intention of TB/LNNK is not to amend the Citizenship Law, but to start a discussion in the Saeima. Besides, according to the TB/LNNK, these amendments might be adopted only by the next Saeima and come into force at the end of 1999, at its earliest. Diena

Last week the

Last week the B&B published an interview with the leader of the Union of Communists in Latvia Albert Lebedev in which he stated that the Union has its own security service, and that the Union of Communists in Latvia does not exclude methods of armed struggle for their justice. On Friday the Security Police brought a criminal action against him on charges of the call to overthrow the legal state power. B&B andChas questions the efficiency and motives of the security service in Latvia. According to the head of the Satversme Defence Bureau Lainis Kamaldins, the Bureau controls the activities of the Union , and until now there have not been anything criminal detected. SM, B&B

Diena(Russian version) publishes an informative letter by the Deputy Head of the DCMA Juris Dombrovskis about the procedure of inviting relatives and friends from the CIS countries to Latvia for summer holidays. Diena

European Commission experts who evaluated the work of various structures of the Interior Ministry, approved the work of the Latvian Immigration police and plans for the development of the Latvia’s eastern borders. At the same they expressed a regret that there were still no border agreements signed between Latvia and Russia ,and between Latvia and Belorus.

European Commission experts who evaluated the work of various structures of the Interior Ministry, approved the work of the Latvian Immigration police and plans for the development of the Latvias eastern borders. At the same they expressed a regret that there were still no border agreements signed between Latvia and Russia ,and between Latvia and Belorus. Diena

In an interview for the press agency Interfax the Latvian Minister of Defence Talavs Jundzis said that the co-operation between Latvian and Russian Armed Forces might promote building of trust between two countries. Mr. Jundzis said that this subject will be included into the discussion of Ministers of Defence of the Baltic and Northern European countries at their meeting in Oslo on 25-26 May.

In an interview for the press agency Interfax the Latvian Minister of Defence Talavs Jundzis said that the co-operation between Latvian and Russian Armed Forces might promote building of trust between two countries. Mr. Jundzis said that this subject will be included into the discussion of Ministers of Defence of the Baltic and Northern European countries at their meeting in Oslo on 25-26 May. Chas

On 23 February the Cabinet of Ministers decreed to work out regulations on compensation for those who leave for the permanent residence in Russia by 15 May. Now the project has been reviewed by the Ministries and discussed at the meeting of the State Secretaries. Basically, the Ministries support the project. Still, the Ministry of Justice emphasizes that there is no law on which these regulations could be based. It would be logical if the Saeima adopts the law regulating the emigration process, although it is unlikely that it might happen before the end of this year. Draft regulations prepared by the DCMA work group state three instances when the compensation might be paid, first when leaving the apartment which is under the jurisdiction of the municipality and cannot be privatized; secondly, to cover travel expenses, and the third, to assist the settling down in a new place.

On 23 February the Cabinet of Ministers decreed to work out regulations on compensation for those who leave for the permanent residence in Russia by 15 May. Now the project has been reviewed by the Ministries and discussed at the meeting of the State Secretaries. Basically, the Ministries support the project. Still, the Ministry of Justice emphasizes that there is no law on which these regulations could be based. It would be logical if the Saeima adopts the law regulating the emigration process, although it is unlikely that it might happen before the end of this year. Draft regulations prepared by the DCMA work group state three instances when the compensation might be paid, first when leaving the apartment which is under the jurisdiction of the municipality and cannot be privatized; secondly, to cover travel expenses, and the third, to assist the settling down in a new place. Neatkariga

Panorama Latvii publishes an article about the situation with non-citizen passports in the DCMA division of the Kurzemes district of Riga. People who aply for the "fast passports and pay 25 Lats fee, have to wait for two weeks instead of 2 days as set by the law.

Sergey Zaletaev, a journalist of

Sergey Zaletaev, a journalist of Panorama Latvii, urges his "countryman and fellow-noncitizens" to apply for naturalization, since only by becoming citizens and being united, it would be possible to preserve culture and education.