Press Review

Mr. Janis Freimanis of the Christian Democratic Union faction analyzes the problem naturalization. He explains non-citizens' indifference toward naturalization by their fear of assimilation. He believes it to be quite a natural feeling and suggests that integration entails at least a certain degree of ethnic amalgamation. Mr. Freimanis does not believe assimilation of 44% of non-Latvian population to be possible. He stresses that two ethnic communities already exist in Latvia while the only plausible solution to the problem is to "make Latvia a civilized society" where non-citizens would not fear to lose their ethnic identity. Mr. Freimanis sees the Language Law as a factor required to protect the Latvian language. Diena

The latest UNDP overview of the situation in Latvia includes a chapter on political integration written by Mr. Boris Tsilevich and a chapter on education in Russian language schools by Ms. Tatyana Liguta. The report also contains a comprehensive analysis of naturalization, language policy and differences between the rights of citizens and non-citizens. The document will be circulated in the Saeima and in the Latvian Government. Diena