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

Diena runs an article by Ilmars Mezs about the situation in the Eastern part of Latvia where in 15 towns there are no schools with the Latvian language of instruction. Latvian children who live there either attend the local Russian school or go to the Latvian schools in neighboring towns. Government members will not take part in the Legion commemoration events on March 16 but a special decision was not be passed to avoid unnecessary attention. As reported, also other state officials will not participate in the events stressing that March 16 as the Latvian Soldiers Commemoration Day is deleted from the list of official commemoration days.

As every year, the procession organized by the National Soldiers Association will go from the Dome cathedral through Riga’s Old Town to the Freedom Monument. Foreign Ministry predicted that on March 16 Latvia again will be in the focus of foreign mass media but there was no information about the possible provocations.

As every year, the procession organized by the National Soldiers Association will go from the Dome cathedral through Rigas Old Town to the Freedom Monument. Foreign Ministry predicted that on March 16 Latvia again will be in the focus of foreign mass media but there was no information about the possible provocations. Diena, Neatkariga

Saeima’s Commission for Implementation of the Citizenship Law in a closed meeting will hear reports from the Foreign and Defense Ministries to find out the number of non-citizens illegally serving in Latvia’s army and interior units. The commission has fully accepted the practice of the Naturalization Board which according to the law does not allow to grant citizenship to persons who right after the service in Soviet army got demobilized in Latvia before that did not permanently live there.

Saeimas Commission for Implementation of the Citizenship Law in a closed meeting will hear reports from the Foreign and Defense Ministries to find out the number of non-citizens illegally serving in Latvias army and interior units. The commission has fully accepted the practice of the Naturalization Board which according to the law does not allow to grant citizenship to persons who right after the service in Soviet army got demobilized in Latvia before that did not permanently live there. Diena, Vesti

Persons who have applied for Latvian citizenship through naturalization in Rezekne department of Naturalization Board this week can sign up for free Latvian language classes.

Persons who have applied for Latvian citizenship through naturalization in Rezekne department of Naturalization Board this week can sign up for free Latvian language classes. Panorama Latvii

Chas, Vesti, Jauna Avize report on the article published by The Guardian with a title In this country Nazis walk as heroes about the attitude toward people who served in Soviet and German forces during the WW2.

After his visit in the US the Latvian Foreign Minister Indulis Berzins said that the American officials have expressed their wish to see modern European-like history books including facts and explanations about Holocaust.

After his visit in the US the Latvian Foreign Minister Indulis Berzins said that the American officials have expressed their wish to see modern European-like history books including facts and explanations about Holocaust. Jauna Avize

Experts and mass media representatives met at the facilities of the State Language Training program to discuss the socio-linguistic aspects of forming of a political nation in Latvia and answer the question of what is the right way to say “Latvian nation” or “Latvia’s people”.

Experts and mass media representatives met at the facilities of the State Language Training program to discuss the socio-linguistic aspects of forming of a political nation in Latvia and answer the question of what is the right way to say Latvian nation or Latvias people. Respublika

Yesterday the Latvian government after the suggestion of the European commission passed a decision to give up the temporary agreement with Russia about favorable order of border crossing for inhabitants of border areas.

Yesterday the Latvian government after the suggestion of the European commission passed a decision to give up the temporary agreement with Russia about favorable order of border crossing for inhabitants of border areas. Vesti

Latvijas Vestnesis of 14.03.00 reports on the meetings of the president of Latvia and the prime minister with Mr. Max van der Stoel.