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

Yesterday actually began Latvia’s EU accession negotiations. Leader of the negotiations from the Latvian side deputy state secretary of the Foreign Ministry Andris Kesteris submitted the first nine accession positions.

Yesterday actually began Latvias EU accession negotiations. Leader of the negotiations from the Latvian side deputy state secretary of the Foreign Ministry Andris Kesteris submitted the first nine accession positions. Diena

Trade Unions and the opposition will ask the Saeima to stop restructurization and privatization of Latvenergo, the state electricity facility till the time when the final decision in this matter is adopted in a public referendum.

Trade Unions and the opposition will ask the Saeima to stop restructurization and privatization of Latvenergo, the state electricity facility till the time when the final decision in this matter is adopted in a public referendum. Diena

The government yesterday adopted changes in the order of employment of foreigners. Starting April 1 work permits will be issued by the DCMA together with residence permits and visas.

The government yesterday adopted changes in the order of employment of foreigners. Starting April 1 work permits will be issued by the DCMA together with residence permits and visas. Diena

Head of the Center of Documenting the Consequences of Totalitarianism Indulis Zalite admitted that the draft law on lustration requiring the former officers of special services of the USSR and Russia to declare their involvement in the services as well as providing for restrictions for such people to take posts, has no provisions regarding the former officers of SS, SD and Gestapo. The author of the law J. Vidins answered that by the title of the law it clear that the law speaks about the former USSR special services. He was ready to support a law about the former officers of the German special services if somebody comes up with the initiative.

Head of the Center of Documenting the Consequences of Totalitarianism Indulis Zalite admitted that the draft law on lustration requiring the former officers of special services of the USSR and Russia to declare their involvement in the services as well as providing for restrictions for such people to take posts, has no provisions regarding the former officers of SS, SD and Gestapo. The author of the law J. Vidins answered that by the title of the law it clear that the law speaks about the former USSR special services. He was ready to support a law about the former officers of the German special services if somebody comes up with the initiative. Jauna Avize

Delegation from the Saeima faction For Human Rights in United Latvia visited Moscow yesterday to meet Boris Pastuhov, chairman of the committee for CIS affairs and contacts with compatriates. Today the delegation will attend the Russian Duma session sheduled to discuss the economic sanctions against Latvia. Head of the delegation Janis Urbanovics commented that the delegation will do everything to prevent passing of the law. He was ready to address the Duma session and try to convince them that the sanctions will only harm the same Russian community which Moscow is trying to protect.

Delegation from the Saeima faction For Human Rights in United Latvia visited Moscow yesterday to meet Boris Pastuhov, chairman of the committee for CIS affairs and contacts with compatriates. Today the delegation will attend the Russian Duma session sheduled to discuss the economic sanctions against Latvia. Head of the delegation Janis Urbanovics commented that the delegation will do everything to prevent passing of the law. He was ready to address the Duma session and try to convince them that the sanctions will only harm the same Russian community which Moscow is trying to protect. Chas, Respublika, Panorama Latvii

Riga city authorities gave the permission for a rally tomorrow at 8:30 by the Saeima building. The rally will demand municipal election rights for non-citizens.

Riga city authorities gave the permission for a rally tomorrow at 8:30 by the Saeima building. The rally will demand municipal election rights for non-citizens. Chas, Vesti

Vesti interview Victor Alksnis, once an active leader of the Interfront in Latvia who is now elected to the Russian Duma from Moscow oblasty. In the interview he stresses his new possibilities to help his compatriates in Latvia. He predicted tough domestic and foreign policy in Russia under the rule of the new president. Alksnis himself promised to make the life harder for Latvian authorities unless they change their policy.

Vesti interview Victor Alksnis, once an active leader of the Interfront in Latvia who is now elected to the Russian Duma from Moscow oblasty. In the interview he stresses his new possibilities to help his compatriates in Latvia. He predicted tough domestic and foreign policy in Russia under the rule of the new president. Alksnis himself promised to make the life harder for Latvian authorities unless they change their policy.

Commenting on the reaction in other countries to Putin’s election, Nezavisimaja Gazeta has noted that the reserved responses increased on the direction from East to the West. The most “ if” s were in the reactions of Washington and Riga.

Commenting on the reaction in other countries to Putins election, Nezavisimaja Gazeta has noted that the reserved responses increased on the direction from East to the West. The most if s were in the reactions of Washington and Riga. Panorama Latvii