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  

Press Report

There is information from Ludza, a regional centre in the Eastern part of Latvia, that the administration of the enterprise

There is information from Ludza, a regional centre in the Eastern part of Latvia, that the administration of the enterprise Ludzas piensaimnieks (Ludza milk refinery plant) have organised a meeting of their employees where they have threatened to fire those who would have the stamp of signing for the proposal for a referendum. The local newspaper informed that, according to the ststements of workers, the administration of the enterprise had always been negative towards their Latvian employees looking for any reason to dismiss them.

Meanwhile about 38 000 signatures have been collected in all Latvia and 16 000 from them in Riga.

Meanwhile about 38 000 signatures have been collected in all Latvia and 16 000 from them in Riga. Neatkariga

Mutual understanding has been finally achieved in the discussion between the Ministry of Education and Science and public organisations and deputies representing interests of Russian speaking teachers. It was decided to establish a working group that would consider cases when a contract could be signed with some of those 400 teachers which do not have a certificate on the highest level of the state language knowledge. The Ministry suggests teachers with the middle level knowledge to improve their Latvian language knowledge. Those teachers would have to produce a certificate that they attend the highest level Latvian language course. It is anticipated that from 3034 Russian teachers about 400

Mutual understanding has been finally achieved in the discussion between the Ministry of Education and Science and public organisations and deputies representing interests of Russian speaking teachers. It was decided to establish a working group that would consider cases when a contract could be signed with some of those 400 teachers which do not have a certificate on the highest level of the state language knowledge. The Ministry suggests teachers with the middle level knowledge to improve their Latvian language knowledge. Those teachers would have to produce a certificate that they attend the highest level Latvian language course. It is anticipated that from 3034 Russian teachers about 400 (numbers contradict. Transl.) could have the highest level of the Latvian language. Neatkariga, Diena, Bizness & Baltiya

DCMA Refugee Centre has received 15 and considered 13 requests for receiving the status of a refugee. There are 2 requests from citizens of Georgia, two from Armenia, one from Sudan, Egypt, Congo, India and Pakistan but three from citizens of Afghanistan and Vietnam. The most common motivation was the low living standard in the fatherland. None of the applicants has received the status, yet.

DCMA Refugee Centre has received 15 and considered 13 requests for receiving the status of a refugee. There are 2 requests from citizens of Georgia, two from Armenia, one from Sudan, Egypt, Congo, India and Pakistan but three from citizens of Afghanistan and Vietnam. The most common motivation was the low living standard in the fatherland. None of the applicants has received the status, yet. Neatkariga

The employees of Skrunda Radar station, Russian military specialists and their family members will leave Latvia in the nearest future, informs BNS. According to DCMA information, 599 Russian military specialists and their family members, as well as 199 civilians, working at this object, live in Skrunda. Latvian - Russian government agreement on Skrunda radar station states that several specialists will remain at the object till 2001 when the station is dismantled completely. Within one week the administration of the Radar station will submit detailed list of the employees to the DCMA that will be considered individually.

The employees of Skrunda Radar station, Russian military specialists and their family members will leave Latvia in the nearest future, informs BNS. According to DCMA information, 599 Russian military specialists and their family members, as well as 199 civilians, working at this object, live in Skrunda. Latvian - Russian government agreement on Skrunda radar station states that several specialists will remain at the object till 2001 when the station is dismantled completely. Within one week the administration of the Radar station will submit detailed list of the employees to the DCMA that will be considered individually. Neatkariga, Panorama Latvii

Jauna Avize, adding to this, writes about unofficial information that Russia would start to take away the military armour belonging to the radar station without informing officially neither state officials, nor security services, nor the local people. According to the agreement of Skrunda Radar station, the armour should be evacuated until August 31, it is not understandable why these evacuation activities have been started without a prior announcement. Although there was primary information that Latvian Defence Ministry had made an announcement on the fact of evacuation of this armour, the representatives of the DM Press Centre, National Armed Forces, and Skrunda Police neither confirmed nor denied this fact.

Jauna Avize, adding to this, writes about unofficial information that Russia would start to take away the military armour belonging to the radar station without informing officially neither state officials, nor security services, nor the local people. According to the agreement of Skrunda Radar station, the armour should be evacuated until August 31, it is not understandable why these evacuation activities have been started without a prior announcement. Although there was primary information that Latvian Defence Ministry had made an announcement on the fact of evacuation of this armour, the representatives of the DM Press Centre, National Armed Forces, and Skrunda Police neither confirmed nor denied this fact.

Unilateral border demarcation started by Latvia will cause no territorial losses and would not effect Russia’ s security, such an announcement was made yesterday RF Bordergard Service Director Colonel-general N.Bordyuzha. He considers that this border demarcation had changed nothing from the point of view of service or performing military tasks.

Unilateral border demarcation started by Latvia will cause no territorial losses and would not effect Russia s security, such an announcement was made yesterday RF Bordergard Service Director Colonel-general N.Bordyuzha. He considers that this border demarcation had changed nothing from the point of view of service or performing military tasks. Neatkariga, SM

It is possible that demarcation of Latvian Byelorussian border would repeat the same history as it was with Russia. Latvian party has twice in a written form invited Byelorussia to renew talks on border demarcation, but the agreement had not been signed yet. On its side, Latvia has conducted all necessary geodesic works and is ready to equip the border.

It is possible that demarcation of Latvian Byelorussian border would repeat the same history as it was with Russia. Latvian party has twice in a written form invited Byelorussia to renew talks on border demarcation, but the agreement had not been signed yet. On its side, Latvia has conducted all necessary geodesic works and is ready to equip the border. Respublika

The Chairman of

The Chairman of Tevzemei un Brivibai/LNNK J.Straume warned that within 10 - 15 years, should the amendments to the Law on Citizenship took effect, the regions where the majority of population constitute Russian speakers would split apart from Latvia and join Russia. As one of the possible regions he mentioned was Daugavpils. Rigas Balss, Respublika