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

Dienapublishes a translation of the analysis by the Jamestown Foundation, USA, What is the course of the Latvian Way?

Diena'scommentator Aivars Ozolins argues that the US analysts state an obvious fact - Russias goal is to isolate Latvia from the West and to block the accession of Lithuania and Estonia into the NATO.

Dienaalso publishes excerpts from interviews of several Russian newspapers such as Izvestiya, Nezavisimaya Gazeta, with the Latvian Prime Minister Vilis Kristopans in which he had stated that the Latvias goal is to join the NATO. Diena

The Prime Minister Vilis Kristopans denies the arguments by the Jamestown Foundation stating that there are certain groups within

The Prime Minister Vilis Kristopans denies the arguments by the Jamestown Foundation stating that there are certain groups within the Latvian Way which want to change the course of the Latvian foreign policy towards the NATO. He described these statements as inaccurate and false. The Peoples Party is the only party represented in the parliament which considers the statements by the Jamestown Foundation valid. Diena, B&B

The news agency LETA informs that the Latvian State President Guntis Ulmanis in an interview for the Russian newspaper Nezavisimaya Gazeta said that within five to seven years Latvia will solve the issue of citizenship. According to Guntis Ulmanis, the citizenship issue is closely related with the language and education. Mr. Ulmanis told that no assimilation of persons of other nationalities is permissible.

The news agency LETA informs that the Latvian State President Guntis Ulmanis in an interview for the Russian newspaper Nezavisimaya Gazeta said that within five to seven years Latvia will solve the issue of citizenship. According to Guntis Ulmanis, the citizenship issue is closely related with the language and education. Mr. Ulmanis told that no assimilation of persons of other nationalities is permissible. Neatkariga

The State Secretary of the Foreign Affairs Ministry Maris Riekstins leaves for the United State where he will have meetings with the Deputy State Secretary Mr.Talbout and other officials responsible for the Baltic region, the Press Centre of the Latvian MFA informs.

The State Secretary of the Foreign Affairs Ministry Maris Riekstins leaves for the United State where he will have meetings with the Deputy State Secretary Mr.Talbout and other officials responsible for the Baltic region, the Press Centre of the Latvian MFA informs. Neatkariga

Next week a public organisation “ Union of Citizens and Non-Citizens” will submit to all fraction of the Saeima a draft of Amendments to the Law on Municipal Elections prepared by the organisation. According to these amendments, all residents of Latvia would be able to vote in the municipal elections. Mr. Dolgopolov, a member of the

Next week a public organisation Union of Citizens and Non-Citizens will submit to all fraction of the Saeima a draft of Amendments to the Law on Municipal Elections prepared by the organisation. According to these amendments, all residents of Latvia would be able to vote in the municipal elections. Mr. Dolgopolov, a member of the Peoples Harmony Party and initiator of the amendments, believes that the draft law will be supported not only by the fraction For Human Rights, but also by the New party, the Latvian Way and Social Democrats. B&B, Chas

SM publishes excerpts from a presentation by the Latvian Foreign Affairs Minister Valdis Birkavs in a press briefing, published by the Russian newspaper Nezavisimaya Gazeta. Speaking about the Latvian-Russian relations, the Foreign Affairs Minister said that Latvia wants the currently existing pause in the Latvian -Russian relations to be turned into the active co-operation. With regard to the Citizenship Law, Mr. Birkavs argued that Latvia, in fact, has the most liberal law on Citizenship in Europe, and there is no need to make any new amendments.

SM publishes excerpts from a presentation by the Latvian Foreign Affairs Minister Valdis Birkavs in a press briefing, published by the Russian newspaper Nezavisimaya Gazeta. Speaking about the Latvian-Russian relations, the Foreign Affairs Minister said that Latvia wants the currently existing pause in the Latvian -Russian relations to be turned into the active co-operation. With regard to the Citizenship Law, Mr. Birkavs argued that Latvia, in fact, has the most liberal law on Citizenship in Europe, and there is no need to make any new amendments. SM

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A SM journalist Y.Akishina thinks that after four years of studying in a higher educational institutions in Latvia where the language of instruction is Latvian, it is difficult for a Russian student to feel himself/herself Russian. The will to survive is needed, the journalist concludes.

Panorama Latvii publishes a story of Mrs. Gapeeva who encountered difficulties related with the Latvian spelling of her last name when exchanging her former USSR passport to the Aliens passport. Panorama Latvii

Winners of a competition “ Traffic ABC” for pupils in Daugavpils received diploma in the Russian language. The diploma were signed by officials of the Daugavpils Traffic Security Department. The MP Juris Dobelis (

Winners of a competition Traffic ABC for pupils in Daugavpils received diploma in the Russian language. The diploma were signed by officials of the Daugavpils Traffic Security Department. The MP Juris Dobelis (For Fatherland and Freedom) submitted a request to assess this incident which qualifies as violation of the State Language law providing that all official documents signed by the state officials should be in the state language. Diena

Rigas Balss' journalist Anita Daukste blames For Fatherland and Freedom for the delay of the adoption of the Regulations on the procedure for granting citizenship to children of non-citizens. The party wants to limit the number of document which would be valid to certify the period of a persons residence in Latvia. According to the journalist, it will increase the influence of the DCMA on the naturalisation process. In the recent past the DCMA was known for its exaggerated care for the cleanness of the race and it still has problems with issuing of non-citizens passports, the journalist argues. In conclusion, Ms. Daukste states that this delay gives a bad signal to people who hoped that the outcome of the referendum indicated the readiness of the Latvian society for the co-operation and integration.