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

Press Review

According to the data of the Social Research Centre 48% of all Latvian citizens, when asked about their opinion about a referendum on the amendments to the Law on Citizenship, think a national voting is necessary, 31% do not agree with this idea and 16.1% have not made their minds. Among the supporters 52.8% are Latvians and 36.4% non-Latvians. If there were a referendum, the greatest activity would be in Riga - 56.6%, the least - in Zemgale - 42.6%.

According to the data of the Social Research Centre 48% of all Latvian citizens, when asked about their opinion about a referendum on the amendments to the Law on Citizenship, think a national voting is necessary, 31% do not agree with this idea and 16.1% have not made their minds. Among the supporters 52.8% are Latvians and 36.4% non-Latvians. If there were a referendum, the greatest activity would be in Riga - 56.6%, the least - in Zemgale - 42.6%. Diena

It seems possible that UNDP could stop its financial support to the NHRO. A UNDP representative neither confirmed nor affirmed this information and said that there would be no comments until the Head of the UNDP J.Sorensen were back from his vacation. NHRO Director O.Bruveris told

It seems possible that UNDP could stop its financial support to the NHRO. A UNDP representative neither confirmed nor affirmed this information and said that there would be no comments until the Head of the UNDP J.Sorensen were back from his vacation. NHRO Director O.Bruveris told Neatkariga that he had no information about such a decision, but he would not be surprised if there were one. Neatkariga, Jauna Avize

Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs V.Birkavs announced yesterday that Russia’s reproaches about Latvia starting a unilateral demarcation of its Eastern border did not correspond to the truth: according to Latvian - Russian border delimitation maps, Russia was the first to install the first boundary post, thus starting a unilateral demarcation of its border. The Minister wanted to stress once more that the announcement on a unilateral border demarcation should be understood not as an immediate start of the process but as a consideration of such a possibility. At the same time MFA had requested Byelorussia to renew talks on establishing a demarcation border between those two countries.

Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs V.Birkavs announced yesterday that Russias reproaches about Latvia starting a unilateral demarcation of its Eastern border did not correspond to the truth: according to Latvian - Russian border delimitation maps, Russia was the first to install the first boundary post, thus starting a unilateral demarcation of its border. The Minister wanted to stress once more that the announcement on a unilateral border demarcation should be understood not as an immediate start of the process but as a consideration of such a possibility. At the same time MFA had requested Byelorussia to renew talks on establishing a demarcation border between those two countries. Neatkariga, SM, Bizness & Baltiya

EU and the USA have achieved a compromise in their different approach to liberalisation of audio - visual market that was an obstacle to Latvia’s joining the World Trade Organisation. Therefore it is planned that Latvia would be accepted to WTO on October 14.

EU and the USA have achieved a compromise in their different approach to liberalisation of audio - visual market that was an obstacle to Latvias joining the World Trade Organisation. Therefore it is planned that Latvia would be accepted to WTO on October 14. Neatkariga, Diena, Bizness & Baltiya

About 70% of Russian military pensioners or their widows, residing in Latvia, have not received their pensions for July,

About 70% of Russian military pensioners or their widows, residing in Latvia, have not received their pensions for July, Diena was informed by O.Shchepkin, the Chairman of Liepaja branch of the Association of Military pensioners. There are about 20 000 people that would have to receive monthly pensions from the budget of Russia. In July only pensioners residing in Jelgava Region and Riga City Centre Region have received their pensions, there was no money for the rest. Diena

One year after the law on the status of a refugee was adopted in Lithuania, fifteen persons have received such a status. From nine present refugees, five are from Afghanistan, two - from Iraq, one from Russian and one is a stateless person. This year the Migration Department has received 77 applications with a request for a refugee status, last year there were 186 applications, and 59 have already been considered by the Interior Ministry.

One year after the law on the status of a refugee was adopted in Lithuania, fifteen persons have received such a status. From nine present refugees, five are from Afghanistan, two - from Iraq, one from Russian and one is a stateless person. This year the Migration Department has received 77 applications with a request for a refugee status, last year there were 186 applications, and 59 have already been considered by the Interior Ministry. Diena

Latvian President G.Ulmanis is leaving for the Crimea tomorrow to celebrate the 60th anniversary of his Ukrainian colleague L.Kuchma. During the celebration both officials will have discussions, the topics of which are not made public.

Latvian President G.Ulmanis is leaving for the Crimea tomorrow to celebrate the 60th anniversary of his Ukrainian colleague L.Kuchma. During the celebration both officials will have discussions, the topics of which are not made public. Bizness & Baltiya