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

In the official Latvian MFA answer it is said that it appreciates the interest of Russia to start practical activities to renew the work of Latvian - Russian iter-governmental commission. The Ministry considers that renewal of Commission’s activities in a full scale would favourred by appointing the co-chairman from the Russian side and organising a meeting of this bilateral Commission. At the same time Latvia supports the idea to renew the activities of the experts groups. Latvian Ministry MFA repeats that along with social and humanitarian issues there are many more problems to be considered. If this proposal is accepted, the meeting time of the experts groups could be agreed through diplomatic channels.

In the official Latvian MFA answer it is said that it appreciates the interest of Russia to start practical activities to renew the work of Latvian - Russian iter-governmental commission. The Ministry considers that renewal of Commissions activities in a full scale would favourred by appointing the co-chairman from the Russian side and organising a meeting of this bilateral Commission. At the same time Latvia supports the idea to renew the activities of the experts groups. Latvian Ministry MFA repeats that along with social and humanitarian issues there are many more problems to be considered. If this proposal is accepted, the meeting time of the experts groups could be agreed through diplomatic channels. Neatkariga

On 16 of March, the Saeima established commemoration day, 22 MPs, several ministers and State President G.Ulmanis will be outside the country. Politicians themselves do not consider it as an escape from this day, but newspapers have a different opinion.

On 16 of March, the Saeima established commemoration day, 22 MPs, several ministers and State President G.Ulmanis will be outside the country. Politicians themselves do not consider it as an escape from this day, but newspapers have a different opinion. Neatkariga, Diena, Jauna Avize (15.03.99)

After the concept of the program“Public integration in Latvia” had been presented for public discussion, yesterday there was the first discussion about this concept. Among the present there were the Head of the Naturalisation Board E.Aldermane, several other authors of this document and mass media representatives.

After the concept of the programPublic integration in Latvia had been presented for public discussion, yesterday there was the first discussion about this concept. Among the present there were the Head of the Naturalisation Board E.Aldermane, several other authors of this document and mass media representatives. Neatkariga

Panorama Latvii, when writing about this concept, is very negative and see a very clear distinction between us - citizens and them - national minorities.

A.Stroy in Russian version of

A.Stroy in Russian version of Diena considers this process too late and accuses the authors of the concept that no representatives of the to be integrated society had been asked to take part in the elaboration of this program.

Panorama Latvii of March 15 wonders whether this program is ment to integrate or assimilate.

The Saeima Speaker J.Straume discusses the importance of March 16 in the history of Latvia and thinks that the importance of this day should not be overestimated. If the Saeima has announced this to be a commemoration day, it is a duty of the nation to commemorate its heroes, especially knowing that these people had not been members of National Socialist Party.

The Saeima Speaker J.Straume discusses the importance of March 16 in the history of Latvia and thinks that the importance of this day should not be overestimated. If the Saeima has announced this to be a commemoration day, it is a duty of the nation to commemorate its heroes, especially knowing that these people had not been members of National Socialist Party. Neatkariga

State President considers that parties should discuss more about political values not arithmetic calculations. This statement was said about the Saeima decision to increase the mandatory number of a party’s members to establish a new party.

State President considers that parties should discuss more about political values not arithmetic calculations. This statement was said about the Saeima decision to increase the mandatory number of a partys members to establish a new party. Diena

Interior Ministry has no information that any of the parties that will take part in the events of the Latvian Soldiers commemoration days are preparing “Molotov cocktails” or palnning any violent actions.

Interior Ministry has no information that any of the parties that will take part in the events of the Latvian Soldiers commemoration days are preparing Molotov cocktails or palnning any violent actions. Diena , Chas (15.03.99)