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

The government has considered the question of the financing necessary for exchanging citizen passports - in 1999 it should be 2 240 800 Ls, but in 2000 - 1.8 million Ls. It is planned that the question of financing will be discussed together with the program of state investments for 1999 and that the new citizen passports would be made by laser engraving method.

The government has considered the question of the financing necessary for exchanging citizen passports - in 1999 it should be 2 240 800 Ls, but in 2000 - 1.8 million Ls. It is planned that the question of financing will be discussed together with the program of state investments for 1999 and that the new citizen passports would be made by laser engraving method. Neatkariga, Jauna Avize

The illegal immigrants to Latvia, kept at the Centre for Illegal Immigrants on Gaizina St., continue their hunger strike they started on Monday demanding for better living conditions. Originally there were 52 people on strike but, after talks with the Head of Immigration Police I.Silantjevs, only 32 immigrants continue their strike. Police press centre informed that not all demands of these people were realistic, e.g. inspections in the cells were necessary because there had been cases when immigrants had used blade weapons.

The illegal immigrants to Latvia, kept at the Centre for Illegal Immigrants on Gaizina St., continue their hunger strike they started on Monday demanding for better living conditions. Originally there were 52 people on strike but, after talks with the Head of Immigration Police I.Silantjevs, only 32 immigrants continue their strike. Police press centre informed that not all demands of these people were realistic, e.g. inspections in the cells were necessary because there had been cases when immigrants had used blade weapons. Neatkariga, Chas

The Chancellery of the State President considers that the problem of border crossing in Valka - Valga needs more serious attitude from Latvian and Estonian governments. The Head of the Chancellery I.Miller in the answer letter to the NHRO says that the proposals on border crossing in these towns, made by NHRO, are constructive and the Chancellery has forwarded them to the Cabinet of Ministers. Meanwhile the NHRO has received an answer from Estonia on the problem of border crossing for children.

The Chancellery of the State President considers that the problem of border crossing in Valka - Valga needs more serious attitude from Latvian and Estonian governments. The Head of the Chancellery I.Miller in the answer letter to the NHRO says that the proposals on border crossing in these towns, made by NHRO, are constructive and the Chancellery has forwarded them to the Cabinet of Ministers. Meanwhile the NHRO has received an answer from Estonia on the problem of border crossing for children. Neatkariga

The coalition of

The coalition of Labour Party , the Union of Christian Democrats and Latvian Green Party made an announcement yesterday calling Latvian people to vote for abolishing the amendments to the Law on Citizenship but at the same they suggested the Saeima to adopt, by October 3, new amendments to this law that would abolish the window mechanism but would not deal with granting citizenship to children of non-citizens born in Latvia after 1991. The Head of this faction I.Kreituse commented it with the fact that, during the extraordinary Saeima sitting on June 22, when the current amendments to the Law on Citizenship were discussed, 51 deputies supported the idea to abolish the legal norm of so called window mechanism, and there was almost no objection to abolishment of the window mechanism in the society. Other factions of the Saeima did not seem very eager about this initiative, pointing out that new amendments would just cause confusion among people. Neatkariga, Diena, Jauna Avize, SM, Panorama Latvii

Diena

publishes an interview with one of the leaders of the publishes an interview with one of the leaders of the Labour Party Labour Party , A.Kreituss on the amendments to the Law on Citizenship. He speaks in the name of the coalition of , A.Kreituss on the amendments to the Law on Citizenship. He speaks in the name of the coalition of Labour Party Labour Party , , Coalition of Christian Democrats Coalition of Christian Democrats and and Latvian Green PartyLatvian Green Party and states that it has declared their firm position against amending the Law on Citizenship, and now they are busy elaborating their proposals for amending the law. He explains the announcement of the coalition and , answering to a question on the future of the process of integration, states that a careful evaluation of the situation is needed. Even, if the amendments were rejected, and it could happen, there will be a need to reconsider the Law on Citizenship and abolish the window mechanism. And the children problem might be solved only when the law on education has been adopted. and states that it has declared their firm position against amending the Law on Citizenship, and now they are busy elaborating their proposals for amending the law. He explains the announcement of the coalition and , answering to a question on the future of the process of integration, states that a careful evaluation of the situation is needed. Even, if the amendments were rejected, and it could happen, there will be a need to reconsider the Law on Citizenship and abolish the “window” mechanism. And the children problem might be solved only when the law on education has been adopted. The Saeima has adopted amendments to the law “On the status of former USSR citizens who are not citizens of Latvia or any other state”, anticipating that about 6000 permanent residents of Latvia who currently have no status here, would be able to receive a non-citizen passport. To this group of people belong:

The Saeima has adopted amendments to the law On the status of former USSR citizens who are not citizens of Latvia or any other state, anticipating that about 6000 permanent residents of Latvia who currently have no status here, would be able to receive a non-citizen passport. To this group of people belong:

1) those who on July 1, 1992 had a terminated residence permit in Latvia and have valid residence permit or a right to receive such a permit,

1) those who on July 1, 1992 had a terminated residence permit in Latvia and have valid residence permit or a right to receive such a permit,

2) those whose last registered domicile was in the Republic of Latvia and who, after having lost their domicile registration, continued to live permanently in Latvia.

2) those whose last registered domicile was in the Republic of Latvia and who, after having lost their domicile registration, continued to live permanently in Latvia.

About 4000 of the above mentioned persons are spouses of citizens of Latvia, non-citizens, foreigners or stateless persons, about 1000 are registered of personnel departments of different enterprises, but the rest - homeless persons.

About 4000 of the above mentioned persons are spouses of citizens of Latvia, non-citizens, foreigners or stateless persons, about 1000 are registered of personnel departments of different enterprises, but the rest - homeless persons. Neatkariga

Peoples Harmony Party

calls its supporters to take part in the referendum and vote against abolishment of the amendments to the Law on Citizenship The Board of the Party considers that further lingering to amend the Law on Citizenship just splits Latvian society even more, disturbs the process if integration, complicates relations with neighbouring states and endanger chances for Latvia to join EU. Diena

Jauna Avize

investigates how serious is the problem of Russian speaking teachers knowing the Latvian language. The Ministry of Education and Science has requested school boards to give their forecast for possible situation. Answers have been received from 26 boards and they plan that 443 teachers could have problems, but 284 of them are over retirement age. In vocational schools there could be 26 teachers and 31 in pre-school education institutions. So about 3% of all Russian speaking teachers might to fired after January 1, 1999. An opinion poll on the popularity rate of political parties, made by the research Centre “Socially Correlative Data System”, shows that

An opinion poll on the popularity rate of political parties, made by the research Centre Socially Correlative Data System, shows that Tevzemei un Brivibai/LNNK with its 16.7% is coming close to Peoples Party - 19.4%. Latvijas Cels is running third with 10.6%, fourth is the Union of Social Democrats - 10.3%, next is Peoples Harmony Party - 6.1% followed by the New Party - 5.2%. Rigas Balss

SM

writes about the town of Skrunda Radar station after the radar station has been closed down, about the feelings of its military personnel and their family members who know that they have to leave Latvia. writes about the town of Skrunda Radar station after the radar station has been closed down, about the feelings of its military personnel and their family members who know that they have to leave Latvia. Yesterday Minister of Foreign Affairs V.Birkavs gave an interview to Latvijas Radio where he spoke about the crisis in Russia. On the one hand it is profitable for Latvia because Russia would be forced to export more raw materials and Latvia could profit on it, but on the other hand Latvia was more interested in the solution of this crisis because Latvia would still need Russian market.

Yesterday Minister of Foreign Affairs V.Birkavs gave an interview to Latvijas Radio where he spoke about the crisis in Russia. On the one hand it is profitable for Latvia because Russia would be forced to export more raw materials and Latvia could profit on it, but on the other hand Latvia was more interested in the solution of this crisis because Latvia would still need Russian market. Chas