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 Saeima declined the amendments to the Citizenship Law suggested by the "People's Harmony" faction. The amendments provide for the abolishment of "window" naturalization mechanism, simplified naturalization tests for elderly persons and an "automatic" granting of citizenship to children born in Latvia after May 4, 1990. Twenty-one Saeima members supported the amendments, thirty-four voted against them while seventeen parliament members abstained. "Tevzemei un Brivibai"/LNNK opposed the amendments stressing that the party would rather leave the Cabinet than agree to any changes in the Citizenship Law. The discussion of the amendments may be resumed after some time since "Saimnieks" is planning to draft its own naturalization-related amendments to the Latvian legislation.

Yesterday the Saeima declined the amendments to the Citizenship Law suggested by the "People's Harmony" faction. The amendments provide for the abolishment of "window" naturalization mechanism, simplified naturalization tests for elderly persons and an "automatic" granting of citizenship to children born in Latvia after May 4, 1990. Twenty-one Saeima members supported the amendments, thirty-four voted against them while seventeen parliament members abstained. "Tevzemei un Brivibai"/LNNK opposed the amendments stressing that the party would rather leave the Cabinet than agree to any changes in the Citizenship Law. The discussion of the amendments may be resumed after some time since "Saimnieks" is planning to draft its own naturalization-related amendments to the Latvian legislation. Diena

Member of the "People's Harmony" faction Vladlen Dozortsev was interviewed by "PANORAMA LATVII" on yesterday's voting in the Saeima. Mr. Dozortsev noted that abolishing the "window mechanism" would not lead to a dramatic increase in the number of non-citizens applying for naturalization. He quoted Head of the Naturalization Board Eizenija Aldermane who forecast that only forty to forty-five thousand non-citizens would have applied for citizenship if the mechanism was canceled. Mr. Dozortsev believes that the absence of clear ethnic policy accounts for lack of interest toward citizenship among non-citizens. Although President Ulmanis speaks about Latvia's achievements in solving minority issues, his statements remain plain political rhetoric. Dozortsev stressed that the situation would not change under the current Government while "Europe was making definite conclusions" about the situation in Latvia.

Member of the "People's Harmony" faction Vladlen Dozortsev was interviewed by "PANORAMA LATVII" on yesterday's voting in the Saeima. Mr. Dozortsev noted that abolishing the "window mechanism" would not lead to a dramatic increase in the number of non-citizens applying for naturalization. He quoted Head of the Naturalization Board Eizenija Aldermane who forecast that only forty to forty-five thousand non-citizens would have applied for citizenship if the mechanism was canceled. Mr. Dozortsev believes that the absence of clear ethnic policy accounts for lack of interest toward citizenship among non-citizens. Although President Ulmanis speaks about Latvia's achievements in solving minority issues, his statements remain plain political rhetoric. Dozortsev stressed that the situation would not change under the current Government while "Europe was making definite conclusions" about the situation in Latvia. Panorama Latvii

Excerpts for Prime-Minister Guntars Krasts' interview for

Excerpts for Prime-Minister Guntars Krasts' interview for SM (October 17, 1997)

- It is often said that there is "Tevzemei un Brivibai", a radical nationalistic party one the one hand and pragmatic politicians Krasts and Zile on the other. Such statements suggest that you adhere to a different ideology. Have you felt a contradiction between state interests and your party program?"TB" follows the principles of a realistic policy. Its conservatism lies only in following the principle of continuity of the First Republic. We have a more liberal economic program than the one pursued by "Latvijas Cels". As for radical nationalism, people in Latvia have become very pragmatic, hence there are no radical nationalistic parties in the country at least among those known to me. "TB" radicalism cannot be even compared to the policies of nationalist parties represented in West European parliaments.- You declared two antithetical principles during last "TB" conference. As a Prime-Minister your spoke about the importance of the border agreement with Russia. But then you said that you would do everything you can to reserve a reference to the 1920 Treaty. Is it a polite gesture to your party?

- It is often said that there is "Tevzemei un Brivibai", a radical nationalistic party one the one hand and pragmatic politicians Krasts and Zile on the other. Such statements suggest that you adhere to a different ideology. Have you felt a contradiction between state interests and your party program?"TB" follows the principles of a realistic policy. Its conservatism lies only in following the principle of continuity of the First Republic. We have a more liberal economic program than the one pursued by "Latvijas Cels". As for radical nationalism, people in Latvia have become very pragmatic, hence there are no radical nationalistic parties in the country at least among those known to me. "TB" radicalism cannot be even compared to the policies of nationalist parties represented in West European parliaments.- You declared two antithetical principles during last "TB" conference. As a Prime-Minister your spoke about the importance of the border agreement with Russia. But then you said that you would do everything you can to reserve a reference to the 1920 Treaty. Is it a polite gesture to your party?
Still, "TB" is not the only party willing to refer to 1920! This can be done without damaging the Agreement itself. The reference is of great importance to Latvia, since Latvia's independence was guaranteed once and for all in 1920 and Russia has voluntarily recognized itself a successor of the USSR.- During your recent visit to Valmiera you forecast a notable improvement of economic relations with Russia. Russian Government officials stress that no improvement is possible until the situation of Russian-speakers in Latvia is improved. What is the basis of your optimism?
Integration to the European Union, closer co-operation with the OSCE, and, most of all, the "open doors" policy promoted by Yeltsin show that political reasons started prevailing over ideological "cover" in Russia. Russia will become involved in international economic activities. A huge economic system is seeking to enter the world which makes impossible a selective approach to certain regions. Let's not forget property forms have change in Russia as well. Private business will act according to its profit and not under instructions by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.- Does this mean that you do nor see any problem in non-citizens' situation?
The European Union does not take into consideration "the Russian opinion" on this aspect. Latvia's policy toward national minorities is evaluated quite positively by the EU that places Latvia's minority policy among most democratic approaches to the problem in Europe. The problem of non-citizens should be viewed in a broader sense and many observers have already agreed to such an approach. Merely granting citizenship to all non-citizens will only create new problems. - What are these problems?
Let us not forget Bosnia. A dual-community society. Language problems will arise immediately. First, there should be a real intention to receive citizenship. Still there is no such intention since only 5% of those who could undergo naturalization have used the right.- Are you, being a state leader, concerned about such alienation of a vast part of the people from its country?
The thing is that in Europe a wish to live in a country not being its citizen brings about serious difficulties as well. In our case it is ten employment restrictions. I believe that the list should be shortened. Restrictions for pharmacists, firemen, lawyers seem to be a result of lobbying by professional groups attempting to eliminate competition. Being a consumer, I support competition.
Still, there is no other incentives to applying for citizenship apart from the ten restrictions. All other rights are almost equal. In other European countries the incentives embrace economic domain while we are lacking economic motivation. It is easier to do business in Russia, Byelorussia and other former USSR countries (apart from Ukraine) holding a former USSR passport. It makes life easier in all respects, starting with hotel accommodation and ending with concluding of contracts. Certainly, there is still another part of non-citizens that does not consider Latvia an independent state.- What do you think about Mr. Soros' opinion who said that this is a result of the state policy, since normally integration should become faster under economic stabilization processes?
I talked with him personally and explained that the coming couple of years will be a decisive period for non-citizens to make up their minds on whether it is worth to connect their lives with Latvia and to take the country's citizenship. Economic stabilization will show that Latvia is viable while approaching the EU will make citizenship even more desirable.- Still, your party always believed that it would be better for the country if "colonists" and "occupants" left it? Is it a contradiction? The Citizenship Law has been adopted. We act in compliance with the Law and we recognize it.- Still, what is your personal opinion. Would it be better for the state if these people left the country? I support individual freedom allowing everyone to decide for himself or herself on where to live. The rules are known and I am confident that prosperity awaits Latvia.- You were one of the founders of the Congress of Citizens. The Congress registered candidates for citizenship even before the country regained its independence and promised to grant citizenship to registered candidates after it takes power in the country. Isn't it time to fulfill the promises? I think that the promise has been fulfilled. As you know 37% of Russian-speakers received citizenship and I guess they are those who registered themselves with the Committee. SM