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

Several members of the radical organisation, led by Lemonov, were detained for provocative actions during the commemoration event of May 9 at the Victory Monument.

Several members of the radical organisation, led by Lemonov, were detained for provocative actions during the commemoration event of May 9 at the Victory Monument. Neatkariga, Diena

During the four months of this year about 50 persons have exchanged their nationality in Latvia. Most of them had a very good command of the Latvian language and exchanged their Russian nationality for Latvian. This procedure lasts for one month and the state fee is 20 Ls.

During the four months of this year about 50 persons have exchanged their nationality in Latvia. Most of them had a very good command of the Latvian language and exchanged their Russian nationality for Latvian. This procedure lasts for one month and the state fee is 20 Ls. Neatkariga

Latvian truck drivers were surprised when a new so called “preserve tax” was introduced for crossing Latvian Byelorussian border in Braslava Region because this region was announced to be a protected area. Neither Byelorussian Consulate General, accredited in Daugavpils, nor Consul General V.Sisoyev had made any comments on it. The amount of tax for foreign cars is 5 USD and 10 USD for trucks.

Latvian truck drivers were surprised when a new so called preserve tax was introduced for crossing Latvian Byelorussian border in Braslava Region because this region was announced to be a protected area. Neither Byelorussian Consulate General, accredited in Daugavpils, nor Consul General V.Sisoyev had made any comments on it. The amount of tax for foreign cars is 5 USD and 10 USD for trucks. Neatkariga

The Chairman of

The Chairman of Peoples Party faction G.Berzins announced that if there would be no change of the government, their faction could increase by some five of six deputies from the government forming factions. He refused to give any names not to cause problems for them. The Chairman of New Party faction S.Dreimane thinks this to be just another trick of the opposition to attract attention. Diena

A delegation from Poland has arrived to Latvia to learn about the activities of the Naturalisation Board, experiences in solving citizenship issues and the situation of Polish minority in Latvia.

A delegation from Poland has arrived to Latvia to learn about the activities of the Naturalisation Board, experiences in solving citizenship issues and the situation of Polish minority in Latvia. Jauna Avize

OSCE High Commissioner Max van der Stoel might come to Latvia at the end of May to discuss the conformity of the draft language law to the international standards.

Jauna Avize According to the Finance Minister I.Godmanis, the most difficult times for Latvia are over, and no major crises are to be expected in the future. He was a bit more pessimistic when speaking about tax revenues.

According to the Finance Minister I.Godmanis, the most difficult times for Latvia are over, and no major crises are to be expected in the future. He was a bit more pessimistic when speaking about tax revenues. Jauna Avize

The Head of the Language Inspection M.Birznieks, commenting Prime Minister V.Kristopans’s proposals for amending the language law, said that the seven last years of Inspection’s work had been in vain. At the end of April, V.Kristopans submitted to the Saeima his version of the amendments to the language law to ease the life of private businesses. According to Mr. Birzgalis, local businessmen have not many problems with the existing law, there were only 10 statements of case on violating the language law in book keeping last year.

The Head of the Language Inspection M.Birznieks, commenting Prime Minister V.Kristopanss proposals for amending the language law, said that the seven last years of Inspections work had been in vain. At the end of April, V.Kristopans submitted to the Saeima his version of the amendments to the language law to ease the life of private businesses. According to Mr. Birzgalis, local businessmen have not many problems with the existing law, there were only 10 statements of case on violating the language law in book keeping last year. Chas

An analogous list to the Latvian Union

An analogous list to the Latvian Union For Human Rights in United Latvia was prepared for municipal election in Estonia. The only difference is that this Russian list contains names of 23 political parties. Among the top priorities of this Union is to legalise the use of the Russian language in all spheres of human activities in the regions where Russian speakers constitute at least 1/3 of the population. Chas

A discussion “The concept of public integration in Latvia - national minorities’ point of view” took place on May 4. One of the speakers, A.Gilman compared this discussion to a plan to grow oranges in Latvia - people were discussing methods how to improve the process disregarding the fact of severe winters here. Also an MP Cilevich was pessimistic about it, stating that an opinion was being cultivated here as if the existence of Russian intellectual elite endangered the statehood of the Republic of Latvia, and it was the reason for attempts to exterminate an education on the Russian language.

A discussion The concept of public integration in Latvia - national minorities point of view took place on May 4. One of the speakers, A.Gilman compared this discussion to a plan to grow oranges in Latvia - people were discussing methods how to improve the process disregarding the fact of severe winters here. Also an MP Cilevich was pessimistic about it, stating that an opinion was being cultivated here as if the existence of Russian intellectual elite endangered the statehood of the Republic of Latvia, and it was the reason for attempts to exterminate an education on the Russian language. Panorama Latvii

OSCE High Commissioner Max van der Stoel, while visiting Estonia last week, met Estonian President L.Meri who proposed to close the Mission in Estonia. According to the President, the Mission had fulfilled all its tasks. As there were no problems with human rights issues in Estonia, the resources allocated for the Mission could be used for other needs. For example - opening a conflict prevention centre.

OSCE High Commissioner Max van der Stoel, while visiting Estonia last week, met Estonian President L.Meri who proposed to close the Mission in Estonia. According to the President, the Mission had fulfilled all its tasks. As there were no problems with human rights issues in Estonia, the resources allocated for the Mission could be used for other needs. For example - opening a conflict prevention centre. Bizness & Baltiya