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

There are diametrically opposed opinions in Latvian society about the President’s decision to return the Language Law to the Saeima. By the end of July 19 the President’s Office received 30 letters expressing their attitude toward the President’s decision. Those who disagree with the decision write that this move would mean giving in to the foreign pressure. The supporters mention that the legal inaccuracies in the law would allow for inadequate interpretation and the following possibility to manipulate with this law.

There are diametrically opposed opinions in Latvian society about the Presidents decision to return the Language Law to the Saeima. By the end of July 19 the Presidents Office received 30 letters expressing their attitude toward the Presidents decision. Those who disagree with the decision write that this move would mean giving in to the foreign pressure. The supporters mention that the legal inaccuracies in the law would allow for inadequate interpretation and the following possibility to manipulate with this law. Jauna Avize

July 20, in a radio interview the new Latvian Foreign Minister Indulis Berzins announced that Latvia does not intend to create any obstacles for the development of relations with Russia. He informed the audience that Latvia has not received any official signals from Russia about improvement of the relations between the two countries, however, representatives from the Russian embassy to Latvia during informal talks had mentioned that the positive development started during the rule of the previous government will be continued. The minister added that Latvia’s strategic partners would like to see good relations between Latvia and Russia. The relations with the neighbouring country are planned to based on regional co-operation as well as co-operation between the Baltic Sea countries and within the project Northern Dimensions. The interstate commission headed by Anatolijs Gorbunovs will continue its work.

July 20, in a radio interview the new Latvian Foreign Minister Indulis Berzins announced that Latvia does not intend to create any obstacles for the development of relations with Russia. He informed the audience that Latvia has not received any official signals from Russia about improvement of the relations between the two countries, however, representatives from the Russian embassy to Latvia during informal talks had mentioned that the positive development started during the rule of the previous government will be continued. The minister added that Latvias strategic partners would like to see good relations between Latvia and Russia. The relations with the neighbouring country are planned to based on regional co-operation as well as co-operation between the Baltic Sea countries and within the project Northern Dimensions. The interstate commission headed by Anatolijs Gorbunovs will continue its work. Neatkariga, Chas, Panorama Latvii, CM

28 more non-citizen children born after August 21, 1991 were granted Latvian citizenship July 20. They all reside in Riga, ages between 1 and 8. In total parents of 190 children have requested Latvian citizenship for their children. In total, the Cabinet of Minsters July 20 granted Latvian citizenship through naturalization to 447 persons, 91 of them are younger than 18. 68% of them were Russians, 11% Belorussians, 7% Ukrainians, also, Lithuanians, Poles, people of other ethnic origin. 16,367 people have been granted citizenship through naturalization so far.

28 more non-citizen children born after August 21, 1991 were granted Latvian citizenship July 20. They all reside in Riga, ages between 1 and 8. In total parents of 190 children have requested Latvian citizenship for their children. In total, the Cabinet of Minsters July 20 granted Latvian citizenship through naturalization to 447 persons, 91 of them are younger than 18. 68% of them were Russians, 11% Belorussians, 7% Ukrainians, also, Lithuanians, Poles, people of other ethnic origin. 16,367 people have been granted citizenship through naturalization so far. Diena, Panorama Latvii

Panorama Latvii runs an article about the future of the military town in Skrunda called In A Half Year A Town Will Die expressing pitty for the fact that some objects slated for dismantling could be still used by the local residents, for instance, as a sportscenter or a metal workshop, the apartment buildings are suggested to be given to Latvians repatriating from Russia.