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.

LATVIAN MEDIA REVIEW

LATVIAN MEDIA REVIEW

After arresting two NA employees and four others, the Constitutional Protection Bureau (CPB) said that it has no cause to believe that any more corrupt officials are working at the NB. Still, Saeima deputies are preparing to call for an investigation into operations at the NB. Naturalization Board head Eizenija Aldermane supports a financial inspection as “only then will we be able to remove the veil of suspicion here.” CPB assistant director Uldis Dzenitis reported that on charges of granting citizenship illegally, the detained are two current and one former NB employee, a border guard and two non-officials. The border guard had allowed a wanted man leave Latvia,

After arresting two NA employees and four others, the Constitutional Protection Bureau (CPB) said that it has no cause to believe that any more corrupt officials are working at the NB. Still, Saeima deputies are preparing to call for an investigation into operations at the NB. Naturalization Board head Eizenija Aldermane supports a financial inspection as only then will we be able to remove the veil of suspicion here. CPB assistant director Uldis Dzenitis reported that on charges of granting citizenship illegally, the detained are two current and one former NB employee, a border guard and two non-officials. The border guard had allowed a wanted man leave Latvia, Neatkarîgâ reports. Those detained had supposedly organized the scheme and the others were accomplices, but Dzenitis declined to delve into their specific roles. The applicants were to go through all of the usual formalities but for USD 1,500, they were guaranteed no snags in receiving citizenship. No more than 100 people had received citizenship in this manner, and CPB says that it knows who most of them are. NRA points out that parliament deputies had expressed their dissatisfaction with Aldermanes work while TB/LNNK has requested Aldermane be temporarily released from her post during the investigation. Diena, Neatkariga, Vesti Segodnja

Chas publishes the statement of Aldermane where she says “certain political forces can use this incident to compromise the naturalization process itsel.” The newspaper also comments that the incident let the Latvian authorities doubt naturalization as such.

Chas publishes the statement of Aldermane where she says certain political forces can use this incident to compromise the naturalization process itsel. The newspaper also comments that the incident let the Latvian authorities doubt naturalization as such.

Yesterday the Integration Fund had a press conference where it released information about the chosen areas for integration projects and the amounts of money allotted for the projects. Among the projects targeted to ethnic integration there are “Latvian language Courses for Persons Who Want to Naturalize,” “Support Program for NGOs’ Projects in the Sphere of Ethnic Integration,” “Means of Mass Media as Promoters of Society Integration” and others.

Yesterdaythe Integration Fund had a press conference where it released information about the chosen areas for integration projects and the amounts of money allotted for the projects. Among the projects targeted to ethnic integration there are Latvian language Courses for Persons Who Want to Naturalize, Support Program for NGOs Projects in the Sphere of Ethnic Integration, Means of Mass Media as Promoters of Society Integration and others. Latvijas Vestnesis

The Latvian parliament Feb. 7 upheld in the first reading amendments to the law on funding of political organizations. The bill proposed by Latvia's Way party from the ruling coalition suggests to form a pre-election fund separate from other money in the party treasury and to ban parties from taking loans. For greater transparency it is also proposed that parties should file financial reports on semi-annual basis. In addition, maximum amount that a party is allowed to receive from a single individual or corporate supporter may be reduced from current 25,000 lats to 10,000 lats.

The Latvian parliament Feb. 7 upheld in the first reading amendments to the law on funding of political organizations. The bill proposed by Latvia's Way party from the ruling coalition suggests to form a pre-election fund separate from other money in the party treasury and to ban parties from taking loans. For greater transparency it is also proposed that parties should file financial reports on semi-annual basis. In addition, maximum amount that a party is allowed to receive from a single individual or corporate supporter may be reduced from current 25,000 lats to 10,000 lats. Diena, Neatkariga, Chas

State Language Commission is going to establish 6 subcommittees, which will deal with specific areas. They are the following: legal, education, research and language development, international practice and computer linguistic committee.

State Language Commission is going to establish 6 subcommittees, which will deal with specific areas. They are the following: legal, education, research and language development, international practice and computer linguistic committee. Vesti Segodnja, Chas

Latvian Human Rights Committee Head Genady Kotov writes about the rights of national minorities to speak their languages. He concludes that in Latvia there are not so many positively stimulating measures to learn the state language and that the strict measures provided for by the Latvian legislation just cause reverse effect on people.

Latvian Human Rights Committee Head Genady Kotov writes about the rights of national minorities to speak their languages. He concludes that in Latvia there are not so many positively stimulating measures to learn the state language and that the strict measures provided for by the Latvian legislation just cause reverse effect on people. Vesti Segodnja