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 Review

CID Deputy-Director Andris Leins told the press that non-citizens holding former USSR passports would be able to return to Latvia after January 1, 1998, only with former USSR travel passports and return visas. According to the information distributed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs earlier, non-citizens could return to Latvia holding old internal Soviet passports before July 1, 1998. Deputy-Head of the CID Passport Division Ms. Sprince confirmed that non-citizens should hold former USSR travel passports and return visas to return to Latvia before July 1, 1998. According to Ms. Sprince, that was the official standpoint of the CID based on the fact that the provisional agreement between Latvia and Russia on the crossing of the border expired on January 1998. Still, she added that non-citizens holding former USSR internal passports will be allowed to return to Latvia. "But it is better not to take risks," added Ms. Sprince. Meanwhile, Head of the Russian Consular Department in Latvia Alexander Rylov told

CID Deputy-Director Andris Leins told the press that non-citizens holding former USSR passports would be able to return to Latvia after January 1, 1998, only with former USSR travel passports and return visas. According to the information distributed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs earlier, non-citizens could return to Latvia holding old internal Soviet passports before July 1, 1998. Deputy-Head of the CID Passport Division Ms. Sprince confirmed that non-citizens should hold former USSR travel passports and return visas to return to Latvia before July 1, 1998. According to Ms. Sprince, that was the official standpoint of the CID based on the fact that the provisional agreement between Latvia and Russia on the crossing of the border expired on January 1998. Still, she added that non-citizens holding former USSR internal passports will be allowed to return to Latvia. "But it is better not to take risks," added Ms. Sprince. Meanwhile, Head of the Russian Consular Department in Latvia Alexander Rylov told "PANORAMA LATVII" that Russia had not changed its regulations in connection with the expiration of the agreement. The Russian side has already suggested to discuss the situation while the Latvian authorities postponed the meeting until January 1998. Director of the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Consular Department Ms. Solvita Mellupe says that non-citizens holding former USSR passports will be able to leave Latvia before January 1, 1998, and to return to Latvia before July 1, 1998. She stressed that the regulations were not changed in any manner and that the expiration of the provisional agreement would not influence the existing regulations. PL

Prime-Minister Guntars Krasts told the press that he allowed the possibility of excluding

Prime-Minister Guntars Krasts told the press that he allowed the possibility of excluding "Saimnieks" from the governing coalition. The statement followed the voting on the state budget last Thursday when Minister of the Interior Cevers and Minister of Education Celmins insisted on the drawing of a deficit budget. The governing coalition has 66 seats in the Saeima and will not constitute a parliamentary majority if 20 "Saimnieks" deputies are forced to leave it. President Ulmanis said last Friday that he "did not believe the current Saeima to be able to form a new Cabinet" if the governing coalition split.

Last Friday President Ulmanis received an official invitation to visit Washington on January 16, 1998. The Latvian President will sign a Charter of Partnership between the US and the Baltic states. The letter of invitation signed by President Clinton marks Mr. Ulmanis' contribution to the establishment of the state "where representatives of all nationalities speaking different languages...enjoy peace and equality."

Last Friday President Ulmanis received an official invitation to visit Washington on January 16, 1998. The Latvian President will sign a Charter of Partnership between the US and the Baltic states. The letter of invitation signed by President Clinton marks Mr. Ulmanis' contribution to the establishment of the state "where representatives of all nationalities speaking different languages...enjoy peace and equality."

Estonian President Meri did not accept the amendments to the Language Law. The Estonian President called upon the Parliament to review the amendments and pointed to their noncompliance with the Constitution. His objections were caused by the provision authorizing the Government to set requirements to Parliament members' command of the Estonian language. The President also criticized the amendments for intervening with private businesses by requiring that all entrepreneurs had a command of Estonian.

Estonian President Meri did not accept the amendments to the Language Law. The Estonian President called upon the Parliament to review the amendments and pointed to their noncompliance with the Constitution. His objections were caused by the provision authorizing the Government to set requirements to Parliament members' command of the Estonian language. The President also criticized the amendments for intervening with private businesses by requiring that all entrepreneurs had a command of Estonian. Diena

Philosopher Dzintars Buss in an article for

Philosopher Dzintars Buss in an article for "DIENA" ironically complains about the lack of the identity among Latvians. While Estonians can identify themselves with Nordic nations and Lithuanians can feel strong links to Central Europe, Latvians cannot find a suitable image. The author believes that the real identity in the modern world should be "based on economics and politics."