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

Press Centre of the Latvian Foreign Affairs Ministry informs that the talks about Latvia’s joining the World Trade Organisation were completed on Tuesday, and the formal voting of the WTO General Council will take place on 14 October. Latvia is the first of three Baltic countries to complete the entrance talks.

Press Centre of the Latvian Foreign Affairs Ministry informs that the talks about Latvias joining the World Trade Organisation were completed on Tuesday, and the formal voting of the WTO General Council will take place on 14 October. Latvia is the first of three Baltic countries to complete the entrance talks. Diena

On Tuesday the court ruled an amicable settlement between the former deputy director of the National Human Rights Office Kaija Gertnere and the National Human Rights Office. Accordingly, a resolution of the NHRO director about the dismissal of Kaija Gertnere was annulled and Kaija Gertnere was released from duties at her request.

On Tuesday the court ruled an amicable settlement between the former deputy director of the National Human Rights Office Kaija Gertnere and the National Human Rights Office. Accordingly, a resolution of the NHRO director about the dismissal of Kaija Gertnere was annulled and Kaija Gertnere was released from duties at her request. Diena

On Wednesday or Thursday of this week Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs will officially express its opinion about a ceremony of re-burial of Latvian legionnaires in Listene last Sunday, a representative of the Russian MFA Vladimir Rahmanin told BNS.

On Wednesday or Thursday of this week Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs will officially express its opinion about a ceremony of re-burial of Latvian legionnaires in Listene last Sunday, a representative of the Russian MFA Vladimir Rahmanin told BNS. Diena

Yesterday at a press briefing Mr. Vladimir Rahmanin, representative of Russian MFA, expressed a hope that Latvian parliamentarians will take international legal norms into account, when adopting the Language Law in the final reading. he also stated that the existing draft Language Law considerably limits the use of the Russian language in Latvia, and it has caused serious objections from international organisations.

Yesterday at a press briefing Mr. Vladimir Rahmanin, representative of Russian MFA, expressed a hope that Latvian parliamentarians will take international legal norms into account, when adopting the Language Law in the final reading. he also stated that the existing draft Language Law considerably limits the use of the Russian language in Latvia, and it has caused serious objections from international organisations. Jauna Avize, Panorama Latvii

Yesterday the Cabinet of Ministers reviewed a report of an expert commission on the control of crisis situation concerning the influence of the Russia’ s economic crises on Latvia. According to the report, a crisis in Russia will affect the Latvian export and, correspondingly, the balance of trade, and it also will negatively influence Latvian commercial banks and insurance companies which have investments in Russia’s or CIS financial markets.

Yesterday the Cabinet of Ministers reviewed a report of an expert commission on the control of crisis situation concerning the influence of the Russia s economic crises on Latvia. According to the report, a crisis in Russia will affect the Latvian export and, correspondingly, the balance of trade, and it also will negatively influence Latvian commercial banks and insurance companies which have investments in Russias or CIS financial markets. Diena

The Swedish government anticipates to allocate approximately 392, 000 LVL for the Latvian Language Training State Program. Such resolution may be passed on Thursday, office of Swedish government informed

The Swedish government anticipates to allocate approximately 392, 000 LVL for the Latvian Language Training State Program. Such resolution may be passed on Thursday, office of Swedish government informed Diena. In 1997 and 1998 the Swedish government allotted 5, 6 million SEK (approximately 392, 000 LVL) and the same amount of money will be allotted for next two years. According to the director of the program Aija Priedite, this financing would be very important for the program.

On Thursday a delegation of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe will arrive in Riga to monitor the Saeima elections and the referendum on 3 October. The delegation will consist of representatives from Switzerland, Italy, Turkey, Spain, Croatia, Great Britain, Sweden, Estonia and Russia, and will be headed by Mikko Elo a delegate from Finland. Evaluation of election process will be included in a general report on how Latvia as a member of the Council of Europe fulfils its obligations and commitments.

On Thursday a delegation of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe will arrive in Riga to monitor the Saeima elections and the referendum on 3 October. The delegation will consist of representatives from Switzerland, Italy, Turkey, Spain, Croatia, Great Britain, Sweden, Estonia and Russia, and will be headed by Mikko Elo a delegate from Finland. Evaluation of election process will be included in a general report on how Latvia as a member of the Council of Europe fulfils its obligations and commitments. Diena

Dienapublishes Paul Gobles analysis of perspective Latvian -Russian and Latvian-West relations in the context of the upcoming referendum on the Citizenship Law amendments. In order to avoid further straining of Latvia-Russian relations, and possible alienation from the Western countries Mr.Goble suggests to support the amendments.The newspaper also publishes an interview with Mr. Goble in which he once more emphasises his theses that Russia wants to see Latvia weak and dependant. In a case amendments to the Citizenship Law are rejected, Russia will renew its demands for the automatic granting of citizenship to all residents, and Mr. Goble is afraid that this requirement will find more and more supporters in the West. Implementation of zero version , in turn, would destroy a fundamental principle of the Latvian statehood - legal continuance of 1918 Republic of Latvia, Mr. Goble argues.

Diena continues inquiry of major political parties - People s Party, For Fatherland and Freedom, Latvian Way, Union of Latvian Social Democrats, New Party, Peoples Conformity Party, Democratic Party Saimnieks, Coalition of Labour Party, Christian Democratic Union and Green Party, and Farmers Union. This time parties are asked to describe a model of ethnic relations they want to see in Latvia, as well as to give their attitude towards the referendum. Diena

Latvian news agency LETA informs that only one family of a Russian military person previously residing in Skrunda, has already left Latvia. The Department of Citizenship and Migration Affairs has reviewed applications of 12 families and stated that these families have legal grounds to stay in Latvia(a spouse is either a Latvian citizen or has status of a repatriate). The DCMA still has to review applications of 17 more families.

Latvian news agency LETA informs that only one family of a Russian military person previously residing in Skrunda, has already left Latvia. The Department of Citizenship and Migration Affairs has reviewed applications of 12 families and stated that these families have legal grounds to stay in Latvia(a spouse is either a Latvian citizen or has status of a repatriate). The DCMA still has to review applications of 17 more families. Neatkariga

By 31 October the first stage of building of the Mucinieki refugee centre will be completed, but the government still has not approved regulations of the centre and the allocation of 160,000 LVL for the centre operation. It is planned that under normal circumstances the refugee centre will be able to host 150-180 refugees.

By 31 October the first stage of building of the Mucinieki refugee centre will be completed, but the government still has not approved regulations of the centre and the allocation of 160,000 LVL for the centre operation. It is planned that under normal circumstances the refugee centre will be able to host 150-180 refugees. Neatkariga

Oleg Denisov, a president of Youth Social Assistance Fund, states that textbooks received from Russia as a present, do not have ideological contradiction with Latvia’ s independence, although Minister of Education and Science Janis Gaigals is of different opinion, LETA informs.

Oleg Denisov, a president of Youth Social Assistance Fund, states that textbooks received from Russia as a present, do not have ideological contradiction with Latvia s independence, although Minister of Education and Science Janis Gaigals is of different opinion, LETA informs. Neatkariga

Latvian Foreign Affairs Ministry expressed regret about the broadcasting of a documentary “Chronicle of Latvia: Thirties to nineties” shown by Russian TV channel RTR on Monday. The film is biased and distorts historical facts. The film unmistakably makes audience understand that history of independent Latvia can be characterised as fascist. It is worth to note that there are no history experts among the film makers. Latvian MFA hopes that the audience distinguishes between the truth and lies, and that it cannot be affected by methods of the Soviet propaganda.

Latvian Foreign Affairs Ministry expressed regret about the broadcasting of a documentary Chronicle of Latvia: Thirties to nineties shown by Russian TV channel RTR on Monday. The film is biased and distorts historical facts. The film unmistakably makes audience understand that history of independent Latvia can be characterised as fascist. It is worth to note that there are no history experts among the film makers. Latvian MFA hopes that the audience distinguishes between the truth and lies, and that it cannot be affected by methods of the Soviet propaganda. Jauna Avize

Yesterday the director of the National Human Rights Office Olafs Bruvers met with the deputy director of Immigration Police Janis Zeps and director of the Centre for illegal immigrants Igor Silantjev to discuss the problems of illegal immigrants . During the discussion it was decided that “many of them will have to leave Latvia.”

Yesterday the director of the National Human Rights Office Olafs Bruvers met with the deputy director of Immigration Police Janis Zeps and director of the Centre for illegal immigrants Igor Silantjev to discuss the problems of illegal immigrants . During the discussion it was decided that many of them will have to leave Latvia. Chas

Yesterday leaders of

Yesterday leaders of New Party met with representatives of the Tevzemei un Brivibai/LNNK and Social Democratic Union to discuss basic principles of co-operation in the next Saeima. Today the New Party has planned to meet with the Latvijas Cels.Chas

B&B publishes interview with the Russian Ambassador to Latvia Alexander Udalcov. Evaluating prospects of the Latvian-Russian relations, Mr. Udalcov said that the situation will start improving when Latvia fulfils the OSCE recommendations concerning citizenship, language, education and labour laws. Without real advance in this sphere Latvia should count on enlarging of economic relations.