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

Yesterday the Third International Conference on Ombudsman and Human Rights Institutions was opened in Riga. President Ulmanis in his opening speech marked the contribution made by the UNDP to the forming of democratic society in Latvia and positively evaluated the activities of the State Human Rights Office. The President had a meeting with UN Deputy-Secretary General Rafiudin Ahmed who is participating in the Conference. The agenda of the meeting included UNDP assistance to Latvia in implementing the Latvian language training program and accomplishing social reforms. Mr. Ahmed also met Saeima Speaker Cepanis. The Deputy-Secretary General said that he was satisfied with Latvia's achievements in forming a harmonious multi-national society and offered UN expert assistance to

Yesterday the Third International Conference on Ombudsman and Human Rights Institutions was opened in Riga. President Ulmanis in his opening speech marked the contribution made by the UNDP to the forming of democratic society in Latvia and positively evaluated the activities of the State Human Rights Office. The President had a meeting with UN Deputy-Secretary General Rafiudin Ahmed who is participating in the Conference. The agenda of the meeting included UNDP assistance to Latvia in implementing the Latvian language training program and accomplishing social reforms. Mr. Ahmed also met Saeima Speaker Cepanis. The Deputy-Secretary General said that he was satisfied with Latvia's achievements in forming a harmonious multi-national society and offered UN expert assistance to Saeima Committees in drafting of relevant legal acts. Representative of the UN High Commissioner on Human Rights Brian Burdekin also stressed the role of the State Human Rights Office and laid a special emphasis on its educating and conflict preventing role. Diena, Neatkariga

Chairman of the Riga City Council Andris Berzins told the press yesterday that the Monument to the Liberators of Riga will not be dismantled although its restoration might demand restructuring of the city budget. According to

Chairman of the Riga City Council Andris Berzins told the press yesterday that the Monument to the Liberators of Riga will not be dismantled although its restoration might demand restructuring of the city budget. According to "BIZNES I BALTIYA", the police discovered the bodies of two persons killed during the explosion at the Monument to the Liberators of Riga last Friday. The paper refers to unofficial sources that claim both persons to belong to a paramilitary "Aizsargi" ("The Guards") organization. According to the same sources, the organization has contacts with the pro-"Tevzemei un Brivibai" wing of the LNNK. The investigation if the incident is supervised by the State Bureau for Protection of the Satversme. B&B, SM

The Russian Embassy to Latvia informed the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs that the Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Evgeny Primakov would not take part in the meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of eleven Baltic Council states. Russia will be represented by Mr. Primakov's deputy Mr. Alexander Avdeyev. According to the Russian Embassy, Minister of Foreign Affairs Primakov will visit Hong-Kong on June 2-3, the time when the Ministers' meeting will be held in Riga.

The Russian Embassy to Latvia informed the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs that the Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Evgeny Primakov would not take part in the meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of eleven Baltic Council states. Russia will be represented by Mr. Primakov's deputy Mr. Alexander Avdeyev. According to the Russian Embassy, Minister of Foreign Affairs Primakov will visit Hong-Kong on June 2-3, the time when the Ministers' meeting will be held in Riga. B&B

Saeima

deputy Dozortsev believes that the President's recommendation to reduce the naturalization fee has slowed down the naturalization process. Many applicants now are waiting for a Ls 3 fee suggested by the President to be introduced in the nearest future. Mr. Dozortsev referred to Head of the Naturalization Board Aldermane who said that the process of naturalization virtually halted. deputy Dozortsev believes that the President's recommendation to reduce the naturalization fee has slowed down the naturalization process. Many applicants now are waiting for a Ls 3 fee suggested by the President to be introduced in the nearest future. Mr. Dozortsev referred to Head of the Naturalization Board Aldermane who said that the process of naturalization virtually halted. SM SM Boris Tsilevich in an article for

Boris Tsilevich in an article for "SM" points at the prompt appointment of Human Rights Office Director, the ratification of the European Human Rights Convention and the President's recommendations on simplifying naturalization terms. He believes that these steps can be explained by the upcoming parliamentary vacations that will give the Cabinet and the Prime-Minister an opportunity to adopt legal acts independently in accordance with Article 81 of the Satversme. "Tevzemei un Brivibai" is more interested in retaining its seats in the Cabinet than in blocking the decisions taken by its coalition partners. None of "Latvijas Cels" and "Saimnieks" members voted against the new draft Language law. B.Tsilevich believes that the main purpose of the Law is creating new sources of income for Government officials since the draft Law requires translation of all documents submitted to the state institutions into Latvian. SM