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

Today the Saeima is goimg to consider the amendments to the Law on Citizenship. The State President G.Ulmanis appealed to the Saeima on Tuesday to adopt these amendments till June 19. This possibility is endangered by the negative attitude of the Prime Minister and

Today the Saeima is goimg to consider the amendments to the Law on Citizenship. The State President G.Ulmanis appealed to the Saeima on Tuesday to adopt these amendments till June 19. This possibility is endangered by the negative attitude of the Prime Minister and Tevzemei un Brivibai/LNNK. But the amendments could still be adopted with the help of opposition deputies. The Juridical Commission of the Saeima combined all these amendments in one draft that would be possible to adopt through urgent procedure today, but the Commission on Implementation of the Law on Citizenship proposed to take away the status of urgency from this draft and consider it in the third reading. The faction Tevzemei un Brivibai/LNNK will not support the amendments proposed by the government, thus giving up its promise to support the adoption of these amendments. Diena, Bizness & Baltiya, SM, Panorama Latvii

The State President G.Ulmanis published an announcement where he addressed the Saeima to adopt the amendments to the Law on Citizenship. He warned of the danger letting the matters of integration of non-citizens to themselves and asks the Saeima to think of the future of Latvia.

The State President G.Ulmanis published an announcement where he addressed the Saeima to adopt the amendments to the Law on Citizenship. He warned of the danger letting the matters of integration of non-citizens to themselves and asks the Saeima to think of the future of Latvia. Diena

GB Prime Minister T.Blair sent a letter to his Latvian counterpart G.Krasts expressing EU concern about the slow speed of the Latvian legislation concerning the issue of children with no citizenship. EU greeted the position of the Latvian government to annul the “window” mechanism and grant citizenship to children born in Latvia after August 21, 1991. Bearing in the mind Latvian future participation in EU, this organisation finds it very essential that Latvian legislation would correspond to the recommendations of OSCE High Commissioner Max van der Stoel. EU offers practical help for Latvian attempts to further integration of Russian speakers. EU would have a negative opinion if consideration of these legal acts would be postponed or these legal norms would be changed for another ones, not corresponding to Max van der Stoel’s recommendations. EU also addresses the Russia government, asking it to establish better relations with Latvia, especially to create an atmosphere furthering implementation of legislation concerning “window” mechanism and children with no citizenship. EU has expressed its negative attitude towards any economic sanctions of Russia against Latvia. British Prime Minister expresses his hope that G.Krasts will do his utmost to harmonise Latvian legislation with international standards.

GB Prime Minister T.Blair sent a letter to his Latvian counterpart G.Krasts expressing EU concern about the slow speed of the Latvian legislation concerning the issue of children with no citizenship. EU greeted the position of the Latvian government to annul the window mechanism and grant citizenship to children born in Latvia after August 21, 1991. Bearing in the mind Latvian future participation in EU, this organisation finds it very essential that Latvian legislation would correspond to the recommendations of OSCE High Commissioner Max van der Stoel. EU offers practical help for Latvian attempts to further integration of Russian speakers. EU would have a negative opinion if consideration of these legal acts would be postponed or these legal norms would be changed for another ones, not corresponding to Max van der Stoels recommendations. EU also addresses the Russia government, asking it to establish better relations with Latvia, especially to create an atmosphere furthering implementation of legislation concerning window mechanism and children with no citizenship. EU has expressed its negative attitude towards any economic sanctions of Russia against Latvia. British Prime Minister expresses his hope that G.Krasts will do his utmost to harmonise Latvian legislation with international standards. Diena, Neatkariga, Jauna Avize, SM

Describing G.Krasts’s position,

Describing G.Krastss position, Chas says that he is between two fires - Tevzemei un Brivibai/LNNK could recall him from his post he does not obey their opinion, Latvijas Cels will just announce their distrust to the whole Cabinet of Ministers if he does the opposite.

Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs V.Birkavs publishes an article where he explains his opinion on the current situation. Latvians must not be hostages of the past, they have to look in the future. It is time to understand that integration of non-Latvians is the only favourable solution. When speaking about the slow speed of integration process, he says that nobody wants to force Latvia to make it faster. EU just puts it straight, “Solve your problems before you come to us.”

Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs V.Birkavs publishes an article where he explains his opinion on the current situation. Latvians must not be hostages of the past, they have to look in the future. It is time to understand that integration of non-Latvians is the only favourable solution. When speaking about the slow speed of integration process, he says that nobody wants to force Latvia to make it faster. EU just puts it straight, Solve your problems before you come to us. Diena

The editor of

The editor of Jauna Avize A.Dimants considers that by postponing adoption of the amendments to the Law on Citizenship Latvia is leaving Europe. It is still possible to achieve a positive decision to include Latvia in the first round of talks on joining EU. It Latvia fails, the EU east border will be that of Latvia and Estonia for quite a time because the new EU countries such as Poland will be a hard problem and their integration will take a long time. Now it is up to G.Krastss government to manage that he majority of the Saeima to adopt the governments amendments to the Law on Citizenship immediately.

EU parliamentarians appeal to Latvia to adopt OSCE recommendations during the final session of EU and Latvia joined parliamentary commission. The Head of Parliament of Europe delegation A.Gomolka pointed out that a compromise should be found. The sooner OSCE recommendations would be fulfilled, the clearer would be the perspective for Latvia to start talks on joining EU.

EU parliamentarians appeal to Latvia to adopt OSCE recommendations during the final session of EU and Latvia joined parliamentary commission. The Head of Parliament of Europe delegation A.Gomolka pointed out that a compromise should be found. The sooner OSCE recommendations would be fulfilled, the clearer would be the perspective for Latvia to start talks on joining EU. Jauna Avize, SM, Panorama Latvii

The Saeima Commission on Implementation of the Law on Citizenship voted against granting citizenship for special merits to Director General of firm “Skonto” B.Medvedev and football player of team “Skonto” M.Miholap. The reason for both was lack of knowledge of the Latvian language and the later still was a Russian citizen.

The Saeima Commission on Implementation of the Law on Citizenship voted against granting citizenship for special merits to Director General of firm Skonto B.Medvedev and football player of team Skonto M.Miholap. The reason for both was lack of knowledge of the Latvian language and the later still was a Russian citizen.

The Valka - Valga border problem will be considered, at last. Latvia has made a concession and issued 35 Estonian citizens residing on the territory of Latvia (Savienibas street special certificates allowing them to cross the border with no restrictions. When an agreement on border-crossing for people residing near the border will be signed, these people will be given a special status.

The Valka - Valga border problem will be considered, at last. Latvia has made a concession and issued 35 Estonian citizens residing on the territory of Latvia (Savienibas street special certificates allowing them to cross the border with no restrictions. When an agreement on border-crossing for people residing near the border will be signed, these people will be given a special status. Neatkariga, Bizness & Baltiya

Chas correspondent describes a Latvian language naturalisation test and is very positive about the procedure and content of it.

Chas correspondent describes a Latvian language naturalisation test and is very positive about the procedure and content of it.

The Russia language - the state language? This was a questionnaire circulated among the population by the Naturalisation Board and Baltic Data House. And the results were surprising - 19% of Latvians - citizens did not see anything terrible in such a possibility but 81% rejected the very idea of this questionnaire. Concerning non-citizens - 10% were against such a proposal, 13% of Russian citizens and 38% of citizens of other nationalities have the same opinion.

The Russia language - the state language? This was a questionnaire circulated among the population by the Naturalisation Board and Baltic Data House. And the results were surprising - 19% of Latvians - citizens did not see anything terrible in such a possibility but 81% rejected the very idea of this questionnaire. Concerning non-citizens - 10% were against such a proposal, 13% of Russian citizens and 38% of citizens of other nationalities have the same opinion. Chas

Panorama Latvii

publishes an open letter of Yakov Pliner, a Riga City Council deputy where he describes the situation at schools after the decree of the former Minister of Education and Science M.Grinblats that starting from September 1, 1998 all teachers in Latvian schools must know the Latvian language on the highest level. Many school directors, being afraid of possible repression against themselves, have warned their teaching staff, lacking this certificate of knowledge, of the possible dismissal. He addresses the directors not to dismiss teachers - professionals just for this reason and asks the present Minister of Education and Science J.Gaigals to annul or stop this decree.