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

The President's Advisor Armands Gutmanis told

The President's Advisor Armands Gutmanis told "DIENA" that Mr. Ulmanis in his statement on "the opening of naturalization windows" did not suggest amending the Citizenship Law. The purpose of the statement was to encourage a discussion of social and ethnic harmony in the country and to attract the attention of political parties to the issue. Head of the Naturalization Board Eizenija Aldermane believes that canceling the "window mechanism" would not bring about a dramatic increase in the number of applicants for citizenship. Only ten thousand Latvia's inhabitants out of 124 thousand having the right to undergo naturalization have applied for it. Mrs. Aldermane does not believe naturalization tests to be overcomplicated and criticizes "SM" for exaggerating the difficulties faced by applicants. Still, she thinks that the number of questions on the history of Latvia should be reduced along with canceling a written rendering of a Latvian text in the Latvian Language test. The current Saeima is unlikely to remove the "window mechanism" from the Citizenship Law since the Law can be amended only upon a decree by the Co-operation Council adopted upon a consensus principle. "Tevzemei un Brivibai" and the LNNK have already objected to canceling the "window mechanism" (see below). Diena

"Tevzemei un Brivibai" Chairman Maris Grinblats and "TB" Secretary General Aigars Kimenis held a press-conference on the steps taken recently by President Ulmanis and Prime-Minister Skele. The "TB" leaders criticized the President for his recent suggestion "to open naturalization windows" interpreting it as a proposal to amend the Citizenship Law. The "TB" Party Council circulated a statement claiming that there were no minority problems in Latvia and insisting that the country should overcome the consequences of occupation by resolving the problem of repatriating "the colonists". Mr. Kimenis believes that President Ulmanis' statements "are advantageous to Russian imperialists, who have intensified their efforts aimed at involving Latvia in the CIS by using the country's Russian-speaking population". Any attempts to amend the Citizenship Law would lead to a Government crisis, warned Mr. Kimenis. The "TB" leaders also criticized Prime-Minister Skele for interfering into the affairs of the Ministry of Economics headed by "TB" member Guntars Krasts. The Prime-Minister did not agree to replacing two of the four Directors of the Latvian Privatization Agency. B&B

EU Commissioner on Security Issues and Relations with East and Central European Countries van den Broek during his meeting with Minister for EU Affairs Kirsteins stressed that Latvia should accelerate harmonization of its legislation. According to the EU Commissioner, Latvia should pay special attention to legislation on foreign trade, customs, competition and illegal financial operations. Yesterday Mr. van den Broek visited the State Human Rights Bureau and had a meeting with members of the

EU Commissioner on Security Issues and Relations with East and Central European Countries van den Broek during his meeting with Minister for EU Affairs Kirsteins stressed that Latvia should accelerate harmonization of its legislation. According to the EU Commissioner, Latvia should pay special attention to legislation on foreign trade, customs, competition and illegal financial operations. Yesterday Mr. van den Broek visited the State Human Rights Bureau and had a meeting with members of the Saeima Committee on European Affairs. Diena