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

During the meeting of G-8 countries in Birmingham, Russian President B.Yeltsin announced that he would meet Latvian President G.Ulmanis. G.Ulmanis finds this wish of Russian President to start a political dialogue between those two countries very positive.

During the meeting of G-8 countries in Birmingham, Russian President B.Yeltsin announced that he would meet Latvian President G.Ulmanis. G.Ulmanis finds this wish of Russian President to start a political dialogue between those two countries very positive. Neatkariga, Diena, Jauna Avize, Panorama Latvii

Several newspapers write about a rally of neo-fascists that took place in Vermanis garden to protest against the law on education and use of the Latvian language as the language of instruction. About 1000 youngsters gathered there led by the local leader of National Bolsheviks K.Mihailyuk. Most popular slogans among these people were “Lenin is with us, Stalin is with us!” “Give citizenship, do not ask the language!” Among speakers there was also a person representing the leader of Russian National Bolsheviks Limonov. Among the present there were men in black shirts with red arm bands with a sickle and hammer in a white circle.

Several newspapers write about a rally of neo-fascists that took place in Vermanis garden to protest against the law on education and use of the Latvian language as the language of instruction. About 1000 youngsters gathered there led by the local leader of National Bolsheviks K.Mihailyuk. Most popular slogans among these people were Lenin is with us, Stalin is with us! Give citizenship, do not ask the language! Among speakers there was also a person representing the leader of Russian National Bolsheviks Limonov. Among the present there were men in black shirts with red arm bands with a sickle and hammer in a white circle. Rigas Balss, Lauku Avize

Neatkariga

publishes an opinion of the student of Riga Secondary School No 34 Tengiz Popov on the latest events concerning the state language law in Latvia. He thinks that the rally of Russian speaking youth in Vermanis Garden against the Latvian language as the language of training in their schools is just the consequences of this normative act. You may not implement such things by pressure. It will just provoke students to further opposition. This opposition could even arise in Latvian orientated Russian schools. Tengiz himself has learned the language voluntarily. publishes an opinion of the student of Riga Secondary School No 34 Tengiz Popov on the latest events concerning the state language law in Latvia. He thinks that the rally of Russian speaking youth in Vermanis Garden against the Latvian language as the language of training in their schools is just the consequences of this normative act. You may not implement such things by pressure. It will just provoke students to further opposition. This opposition could even arise in “Latvian orientated” Russian schools. Tengiz himself has learned the language voluntarily. CE experts passed a declaration yesterday where they joined the opinion of the State President G.Ulmanis and the Minister of Foreign Affairs V.Birkavs regretting that the Saeima had decided not to annul the capital penalty in Latvia. It is said in the declaration that this decision opposed the common tendency in Europe to annul this penalty.

CE experts passed a declaration yesterday where they joined the opinion of the State President G.Ulmanis and the Minister of Foreign Affairs V.Birkavs regretting that the Saeima had decided not to annul the capital penalty in Latvia. It is said in the declaration that this decision opposed the common tendency in Europe to annul this penalty. Neatkariga, Diena 98.05.18, Jauna Avize 98.05.18

The working group has prepared a report on the national program for furthering public integration project. It is to be discussed by all ministers represented in the working group. The program has to be elaborate till June 30. In the report, there is information on the things done: sittings of the working group, meetings with foreign diplomats, studying of foreign experience, discussion of the first draft.

The working group has prepared a report on the national program for furthering public integration project. It is to be discussed by all ministers represented in the working group. The program has to be elaborate till June 30. In the report, there is information on the things done: sittings of the working group, meetings with foreign diplomats, studying of foreign experience, discussion of the first draft. Neatkariga

Diena comments on the open letter to Russian speakers of Latvia, published in Russian newspapers on Friday, to naturalise in order to gain political influence in Latvia. Politicians, questioned by

Diena comments on the open letter to Russian speakers of Latvia, published in Russian newspapers on Friday, to naturalise in order to gain political influence in Latvia. Politicians, questioned by Diena, were positive about his address. This announcement is an evidence to the change of tactics because there were former appeals to become citizens of Russia or not to naturalise at all in order to press authorities to amend the Law on Citizenship. Positive is the trend that this is an invitation to a discussion because integration of non-Latvians into the civic society would further strengthening of the Latvian language, said Tevzemei un Brivibai/LNNK Deputy Chairman J.Dobelis. The Chairman of Latvijas Cels A.Pantelejevs also had a positive opinion on this letter. The Managing Director of Soros Foundation Latvia V.Terauda informed Diena that this announcement is a beginning of a large scale project aiming to inform non-citizens with rights to be naturalised. The project would cost about 80 000 USD, half of this sum would come from the Foundation, the rest - from Norwegian and Swedish governments. Diena

Panorama Latvii organises a telephone action on this appeal to become naturalised to get political influence on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Last weekend there was a conference “Baltic states on their road to EU” organised by K.Adenauer Foundation in Berlin. Among other issues, they also discussed Latvian - Russian relations, and EU was criticised for lack of strict reaction. Latvian representatives stated that Latvia needed a clear signal that it belonged to EU, and lack of strict reaction would encourage Russia to continue with its policy of threats. EU representatives did not agree that Latvia had been left alone - EU opinion had been voiced through diplomatic channels. A representative of Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs A.Trofimov found this worsening of relations to be a logical result to the policy of Latvian government towards Russian speakers. He advised to open Naturalisation windows, grant citizenship to children of non-citizens born in Latvia, ease demands of Latvian and history knowledge test for applicants. H.Horstman pointed out that it was not Russia’s task to improve unilaterally OSCE recommendations on citizenship issue, and no country that is not a member of this organisation was given a right to vote on NATO expansion. When discussing the perspective of Latvian - Russian relations, H.Hoftman stressed that close co-operation of the Baltic states would make this region more attractive to EU, the USA and Russia. For the last he suggested to form its economic interests more clearly because 40% of all Russian foreign trade is with EU and most of it goes through the ports of the Baltic states.

Last weekend there was a conference Baltic states on their road to EU organised by K.Adenauer Foundation in Berlin. Among other issues, they also discussed Latvian - Russian relations, and EU was criticised for lack of strict reaction. Latvian representatives stated that Latvia needed a clear signal that it belonged to EU, and lack of strict reaction would encourage Russia to continue with its policy of threats. EU representatives did not agree that Latvia had been left alone - EU opinion had been voiced through diplomatic channels. A representative of Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs A.Trofimov found this worsening of relations to be a logical result to the policy of Latvian government towards Russian speakers. He advised to open Naturalisation windows, grant citizenship to children of non-citizens born in Latvia, ease demands of Latvian and history knowledge test for applicants. H.Horstman pointed out that it was not Russias task to improve unilaterally OSCE recommendations on citizenship issue, and no country that is not a member of this organisation was given a right to vote on NATO expansion. When discussing the perspective of Latvian - Russian relations, H.Hoftman stressed that close co-operation of the Baltic states would make this region more attractive to EU, the USA and Russia. For the last he suggested to form its economic interests more clearly because 40% of all Russian foreign trade is with EU and most of it goes through the ports of the Baltic states. Diena

SM

writes about a press conference given by one of the most respected Russian artist in Latvia Yuriy Fateyev. On May 13 he received a decree saying that he should leave Latvia during 7 days. His problems started when DCMA Jurmala office retroactively annulled his permanent residence stamp in his passport ( put there by the very office in 1993) and found him to be a Russian citizen illegally residing in Latvia. But according to a certificate issued by the Russia Embassy in Riga it is stated that Fateyev is not a Russian citizen. The artist plans to bring this case to the court. SM