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

Head of the Naturalization Board Eizenija Aldermane believes that potential applicants for naturalization often exaggerate the complexity of the naturalization history test. Young people offered standard test questions managed to give a required minimum of correct answers. Mrs. Aldermane interviewed young non-citizens during a youth seminar. Most of them said that their skeptical attitude toward naturalization was to a great extend influenced by their parents most of whom could apply for naturalization only after up to four years. Non-citizens questioned by the Naturalization Board named several reasons for not applying for naturalization. Among those is a bad command of the Latvian language, poor knowledge of the Latvian history, a high naturalization fee and a possibility to travel to Russia without entrance visas with former USSR passports. Mrs. Aldermane believes that political parties should develop a definite viewpoint on the issue of citizenship.

Head of the Naturalization Board Eizenija Aldermane believes that potential applicants for naturalization often exaggerate the complexity of the naturalization history test. Young people offered standard test questions managed to give a required minimum of correct answers. Mrs. Aldermane interviewed young non-citizens during a youth seminar. Most of them said that their skeptical attitude toward naturalization was to a great extend influenced by their parents most of whom could apply for naturalization only after up to four years. Non-citizens questioned by the Naturalization Board named several reasons for not applying for naturalization. Among those is a bad command of the Latvian language, poor knowledge of the Latvian history, a high naturalization fee and a possibility to travel to Russia without entrance visas with former USSR passports. Mrs. Aldermane believes that political parties should develop a definite viewpoint on the issue of citizenship. Diena

The

The LNNK Party Council expelled Juris Karlsons, Janis Rupkus, Mirdza Vitola, Maris Purgailis and Aleksandrs Kirsteins from the party. Mr. Kirsteins will retain his office of LNNK/the Latvian Green Party faction Chairman. Among the reasons for Kirsteins' expulsion is his opposition to several decisions of the Party Council including his objections to a referendum by "Tevzemei un Brivibai" on the Citizenship Law. Former Riga Mayor Purgailis was accused by the Council of failing to implement the policy of the party while holding Mayor's office. Diena, Neatkariga

Minister of Defense Andrejs Krastins (

Minister of Defense Andrejs Krastins (LNNK) resigned upon Prime-Minister Skele's demand. His duties will be performed by minister of Justice Dzintars Rasnacs. The contract with "Man-Tess" company on the purchase of fuel for the Navy that was the reason for the Minister's resignation is canceled. According to the agreement between the governing factions, candidate for Minister of Defense should be nominated by the LNNK/the Greens. One of the possible candidates is Juris Dobelis. Diena

Head of the CID Passport Office Vaira Sprince told

Head of the CID Passport Office Vaira Sprince told "SM" that two thousand non-citizens have received new alien passports. The new passports have been officially recognized by twenty-two countries. Mrs. Sprince hopes that Russia will recognize the new passports later this year. Currently, Latvian non-citizens can enter Russia with either former USSR passports or "brown" non-citizens' passports.SM

Press-Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Andrejs Pildegovics told

Press-Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Andrejs Pildegovics told BNS that the Ministry believed the criticism expressed by the Russian Parliamentary Delegation to be groundless. Delegation members accused Latvia of ignoring the OSCE High Commissioner's recommendations on non-citizens. Mr. Pildegovics said that Latvia had received fifteen recommendations. Nine of those were fully implemented while three were implemented partly. Latvia did not accept recommendations on canceling "the nationality column" in passports, on abolishing "the window mechanism" and on simplifying naturalization tests in the Latvian language for elderly applicants. Mr. Pildegovics explained that the agreement between the governing factions did not allow to amend the Citizenship Law making the implementation of recommendations on "the window mechanism" and the language tests impossible. SM