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

Press Report

On Thursday about 100 non-citizens of Latvia gathered at the Russian Embassy in Riga to express their indignation about the last moment of the decision of the Russian government on the procedure how visa regime should be implemented. This delay caused Latvian non-citizens considerable problems. Russian Federation Consul to Latvia V.Polakov told

On Thursday about 100 non-citizens of Latvia gathered at the Russian Embassy in Riga to express their indignation about the last moment of the decision of the Russian government on the procedure how visa regime should be implemented. This delay caused Latvian non-citizens considerable problems. Russian Federation Consul to Latvia V.Polakov told Diena that the introduction of this visa regime was expected at the end of 1999 when the Latvian – Russian agreement lost its validity, but due to a public pressure Russian President V.Putin prolonged it until December 31, 2000. Diena

Yesterday the Saeima adopted in the second reading amendments to the Administrative Code in order to harmonise the Code with the State language law, establishing fines for ignoring the law and Regulations of the Cabinet of Ministers as well as showing open contempt. For such a violation the person guilty may be fined with up to 250 Ls. For violating the State language law, e.g. for signing an employment contract with an employee who doe not know the state language, the employer may be fined with 100 – 250 Ls. The institution responsible for considering and fining will be the State Language Centre.

Yesterday the Saeima adopted in the second reading amendments to the Administrative Code in order to harmonise the Code with the State language law, establishing fines for ignoring the law and Regulations of the Cabinet of Ministers as well as showing open contempt. For such a violation the person guilty may be fined with up to 250 Ls. For violating the State language law, e.g. for signing an employment contract with an employee who doe not know the state language, the employer may be fined with 100 – 250 Ls. The institution responsible for considering and fining will be the State Language Centre. Jauna Avize

Russian speaking newspapers comment this with the Soviet saying “My tongue - my enemy”. Luckily the capital punishment is not included in the list of penalties.

Russian speaking newspapers comment this with the Soviet saying My tongue - my enemy. Luckily the capital punishment is not included in the list of penalties. Vesti Segodnya, Chas, Panorama Latvii

Newspaper

Newspaper Respublika tells its readers about Gita Umanovska, a Latvian language instructor and her experiences while teaching the language to Russian speakers. Gita spoke about her two last students, who after living in Riga just for a few months passed the language test on the highest level. These people realised that this was Latvia and they would need the language. They did not even think that they could live without the Latvian language and manage everything only in Russian.

Although the procedure of receiving visas for Latvian non-citizens to go to Russia after December 31 is not adopted yet, it was announced yesterday that already by the end of this year non-citizens might receive at the consular departments of Russian Embassy one term visas with the validity term for three months. Fee for drawing up a visa within 6 days is 6 USD, within 3 days – 11 USD but in a day – 16 USD. Vesti

Although the procedure of receiving visas for Latvian non-citizens to go to Russia after December 31 is not adopted yet, it was announced yesterday that already by the end of this year non-citizens might receive at the consular departments of Russian Embassy one term visas with the validity term for three months. Fee for drawing up a visa within 6 days is 6 USD, within 3 days – 11 USD but in a day – 16 USD. Vesti Segodnya, Chas, Panorama Latvii

Yesterday the Deputy Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russian Federation S.Ordzhenikidze was informed about the last statements of the head of the Latvian Saeima Delegation to Moscow R.Piks about him. In his statement R.Piks accused the Deputy Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs of bad behaviour during their discussion. According to R.Piks, Mr. Ordzhenikidze showed lack of professionalism, even more “his tone and formulations made Latvians to wonder if he was still dwelling in the diplomacy of the time of Molotov – Ribbentrop Pact. According to unofficial information the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs will not react officially to the announcement of the Latvian MP.

Yesterday the Deputy Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russian Federation S.Ordzhenikidze was informed about the last statements of the head of the Latvian Saeima Delegation to Moscow R.Piks about him. In his statement R.Piks accused the Deputy Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs of bad behaviour during their discussion. According to R.Piks, Mr. Ordzhenikidze showed lack of professionalism, even more his tone and formulations made Latvians to wonder if he was still dwelling in the diplomacy of the time of Molotov – Ribbentrop Pact. According to unofficial information the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs will not react officially to the announcement of the Latvian MP. Panorama Latvii

Latvijas Vestnesis published a long interview with the Head of the Saeima delegation to Moscow about their experiences there.

Latvijas Vestnesis published a long interview with the Head of the Saeima delegation to Moscow about their experiences there.