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

Yesterday President Ulmanis opened the working meeting of the heads of the Latvian diplomatic missions on Latvia's integration into the European Union. The President spoke in support of establishing the Institute of Latvia and launching the "Latvia as a Future EU Member" program. Mr. Ulmanis stressed that the UN and other international organizations stopped their criticism of Latvia in connection with human rights violations. That, according to the President, was a major achievement of the Latvian diplomacy. Still, the international community was not informed sufficiently well about the real situation of minorities, admitted the President. He noted that sometimes Latvia was still accused of failing to resolve minority problems.

Yesterday President Ulmanis opened the working meeting of the heads of the Latvian diplomatic missions on Latvia's integration into the European Union. The President spoke in support of establishing the Institute of Latvia and launching the "Latvia as a Future EU Member" program. Mr. Ulmanis stressed that the UN and other international organizations stopped their criticism of Latvia in connection with human rights violations. That, according to the President, was a major achievement of the Latvian diplomacy. Still, the international community was not informed sufficiently well about the real situation of minorities, admitted the President. He noted that sometimes Latvia was still accused of failing to resolve minority problems. "Tevzemei un Brivibai"/LNNK supported President Ulmanis' suggestion to focus on informing the international community of the peculiar situation in Latvia and suggested to publish "The White Book of Latvia" describing the condition of ethnic Latvians during the occupation and showing the cause of a large inflow of immigrants to the country. Diena, B&B

"Tevzemei un Brivibai"/LNNK

are expected to suggest their own draft version of the Memorandum on the European Commission document on Latvia. The draft is a compromise decision suggesting to analyze thoroughly the reasons of slow naturalization instead of simply trying to facilitate the process. Other points of the draft include analyzing employment restrictions for non-citizens (instead of canceling the restrictions) and reducing the naturalization fee for certain social groups (but not for all applicants). are expected to suggest their own draft version of the Memorandum on the European Commission document on Latvia. The draft is a compromise decision suggesting to analyze thoroughly the reasons of slow naturalization instead of simply trying to facilitate the process. Other points of the draft include analyzing employment restrictions for non-citizens (instead of canceling the restrictions) and reducing the naturalization fee for certain social groups (but not for all applicants). DienaDiena

"PANORAMA LATVII"

quoted Co-chairman of the Latvian Human Rights Committee Mr. Buzayev who criticized the OSCE Mission and its member Falk Lange for not taking adequate steps after being informed about A.Tsimbalyuk's case. The article also points at a slow reaction of the Russian Embassy to Tsimbalyuk's problem. Mr. Tsimbalyuk, a retired Russian officer, was given an expulsion order by the CID. The decision was supported by the Supreme Court. The Russian Embassy is said to prepare a diplomatic note on the case while its Social Department will contact Latvian Plenipotentiary for the implementation of the Agreement on Demobilized Servicemen Mr. Ikvilds. PL quoted Co-chairman of the Latvian Human Rights Committee Mr. Buzayev who criticized the OSCE Mission and its member Falk Lange for not taking adequate steps after being informed about A.Tsimbalyuk's case. The article also points at a slow reaction of the Russian Embassy to Tsimbalyuk's problem. Mr. Tsimbalyuk, a retired Russian officer, was given an expulsion order by the CID. The decision was supported by the Supreme Court. The Russian Embassy is said to prepare a diplomatic note on the case while its Social Department will contact Latvian Plenipotentiary for the implementation of the Agreement on Demobilized Servicemen Mr. Ikvilds. PL