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 no reason to give optimistic forecasts that Latvia could enter the EU in 2004 and NATO in 2002, say the analysts of Economist Intelligence Unit of the magazine

There is no reason to give optimistic forecasts that Latvia could enter the EU in 2004 and NATO in 2002, say the analysts of Economist Intelligence Unit of the magazine Economist. Diena

As of 3 February every Saturday Latvia’s national radio will broadcast a programme in Russian "The Ways We Chose". The programme is prepared by Radio Free Europe/Radio Freedom and its aim is to inform about integration processes in Latvia.

As of 3 February every Saturday Latvias national radio will broadcast a programme in Russian "The Ways We Chose". The programme is prepared by Radio Free Europe/Radio Freedom and its aim is to inform about integration processes in Latvia. Diena, Jauna, Chas, Vesti Segodnja, Respublika

The President of Radio Free Europe/Radio Freedom T.Dine has arrived in Riga and gives couple interviews. In his interview to the newspaper

The President of Radio Free Europe/Radio Freedom T.Dine has arrived in Riga and gives couple interviews. In his interview to the newspaper Neatkariga T.Dine gives information about the activities of his radio on the territory of the East and Central Europe and talks about the aims of the radio in the Baltic States - to reduce the gap between Latvian and Russian communities. In his opinion Russian mass media in Latvia do not foster integration in Latvia.

On Thursday former employees of Russia's Embassy in Latvia organised a picket at the building of Russia's embassy. They protested against their illegitimate firing and indifference of Russia's ambassador to Latvia A.Udalcov as the ambassador was not able to find time for the audience with them for couple months. The attorney of the former employees says that the situation is very non-ethical, as Russia's authorities always say that Russians are offended in Latvia, but actually it turns out that they do not care for their own citizens. The agreement between the former employees and Russia's embassy was not reached.

On Thursday former employees of Russia's Embassy in Latvia organised a picket at the building of Russia's embassy. They protested against their illegitimate firing and indifference of Russia's ambassador to Latvia A.Udalcov as the ambassador was not able to find time for the audience with them for couple months. The attorney of the former employees says that the situation is very non-ethical, as Russia's authorities always say that Russians are offended in Latvia, but actually it turns out that they do not care for their own citizens. The agreement between the former employees and Russia's embassy was not reached. Jauna, Neatkariga, Chas, Vesti Segodnja, Respublika, Panorama Latvii

According to social poll data the most popular party among the citizens is Social Democrats (18,8 Latvia's citizens would vote for them), followed by FF/LNNK (11%) and Latvia's Way (10,8%). V.Vike-Freiberga remains the most popular person in the country, followed by Latvia's Bank Governor E.Repse and Riga's Mayor A.Argalis and the most unpopular persons are A.Skele (People's Party), T.Zhadonk (FHRUL) and A.Rubiks. Most trusted social institutions are church and mass media.

According to social poll data the most popular party among the citizens is Social Democrats (18,8 Latvia's citizens would vote for them), followed by FF/LNNK (11%) and Latvia's Way (10,8%). V.Vike-Freiberga remains the most popular person in the country, followed by Latvia's Bank Governor E.Repse and Riga's Mayor A.Argalis and the most unpopular persons are A.Skele (People's Party), T.Zhadonk (FHRUL) and A.Rubiks. Most trusted social institutions are church and mass media. Neatkariga, Diena, Vesti Segodnja, Respublika

Broadcast of Radio Station Biznes&Baltija; will be ceased again. As of 5 February broadcast of the radio station Biznes&Baltija; will be stopped for 4 days once again, as B&B; has exceeded the amount of the foreign language allowed to be aired by the Law on Radio and Television. The National Television and Radio Council adopted this decision on Thursday. Already last year broadcast of B&B; was stopped because the radio station violated language norms - B&B; mainly airs in Russian and broadcasts the programme of Russia's radio station. Last year B&B; aired hidden advertisement for alcohol promoting whiskey "Grant". After these violations NTRC filed the claim on B&B; to the court. The management of B&B; does not agree with the reproaches and is ready to defend its position at any court.

Broadcast of Radio Station Biznes&Baltija will be ceased again. As of 5 February broadcast of the radio station Biznes&Baltija will be stopped for 4 days once again, as B&B has exceeded the amount of the foreign language allowed to be aired by the Law on Radio and Television. The National Television and Radio Council adopted this decision on Thursday. Already last year broadcast of B&B was stopped because the radio station violated language norms - B&B mainly airs in Russian and broadcasts the programme of Russia's radio station. Last year B&B aired hidden advertisement for alcohol promoting whiskey "Grant". After these violations NTRC filed the claim on B&B to the court. The management of B&B does not agree with the reproaches and is ready to defend its position at any court. Diena

Chas informs that B&B; has not given any comments on NTRC decision yet.

Chas informs that B&B has not given any comments on NTRC decision yet. Vesti Segodnja informs that the usage of a foreign language has been measured very accurately – it is stated that form 7 -22 December 63% of broadcasting was in Russian.

Chas

talks with FHRUL deputy B.Cilevich. The Latvian language usage, ratification of the Framework Convention on National Minority Rights, Convention on Involvement of Immigrants and Non-citizens in Social and Political Activities in the Member-countries of the EU were the discussion subjects. He says, "For other countries Latvia mainly associates with the vast number of non-citizens". talks with FHRUL deputy B.Cilevich. The Latvian language usage, ratification of the Framework Convention on National Minority Rights, Convention on Involvement of Immigrants and Non-citizens in Social and Political Activities in the Member-countries of the EU were the discussion subjects. He says, "For other countries Latvia mainly associates with the vast number of non-citizens". Panorama LatviiPanorama Latvii

Chas

visits Naturalisation Board in Rezekne. The Head of Rezekne's Naturalisation Board says that the problem in Rezekne is a significant number of people who are Latvias citizens, but who do not speak Latvian as in this region Russians have been living since very old times, so they acquired citizenship automatically, however, they do not speak Latvian. visits Naturalisation Board in Rezekne. The Head of Rezekne's Naturalisation Board says that the problem in Rezekne is a significant number of people who are Latvia’s citizens, but who do not speak Latvian as in this region Russians have been living since very old times, so they acquired citizenship automatically, however, they do not speak Latvian. Yesterday the majority of Saeima deputies turned down the proposed amendments to the Law on the Procedure on Reviewing Applications, Complaints and Proposals at State and Municipal Institutions. FHRUL proposed that an applicant can receive a verbal response in his/her native tongue if a civil officer speaks the language.

Yesterday the majority of Saeima deputies turned down the proposed amendments to the Law on the Procedure on Reviewing Applications, Complaints and Proposals at State and Municipal Institutions. FHRUL proposed that an applicant can receive a verbal response in his/her native tongue if a civil officer speaks the language.

Latvian Committee on Human Rights co-chairman G.Kotov informs that the Committee will award those entrepreneurs who will be among the first ones establishing their companies' sign boards not only in Latvian, but also in Russian.

Latvian Committee on Human Rights co-chairman G.Kotov informs that the Committee will award those entrepreneurs who will be among the first ones establishing their companies' sign boards not only in Latvian, but also in Russian. Panorama Latvii.

Yesterday the amendments were entered to the Regulations of CoM No 296 "Regulations on State Language Proficiency Level Necessary to Carry Out Professional and Job Duties and on State Language Proficiency Examination Procedure", as well as the amendments were entered to CoM Regulations No 293 "The Statutes of the State Language Centre" and Regulations on Non- citizens Passports.

Yesterday the amendments were entered to the Regulations of CoM No 296 "Regulations on State Language Proficiency Level Necessary to Carry Out Professional and Job Duties and on State Language Proficiency Examination Procedure", as well as the amendments were entered to CoM Regulations No 293 "The Statutes of the State Language Centre" and Regulations on Non- citizens Passports. Latvijas Vestnesis