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

Russian State Duma, the Lower House of parliament, international affairs committee head Dmitry Rogozin is expected arriving in Latvia Friday to join the National Harmony Party congress on Saturday. Duma international affairs committee reported that Rogozin has been invited to the congress as an honorary guest. Rogozin also is set to meet members of Latvian parliament faction of the opposition leftist alliance For Human Rights in United Latvia, attend Russian embassy in Latvia and hold a press conference.

Russian State Duma, the Lower House of parliament, international affairs committee head Dmitry Rogozin is expected arriving in Latvia Friday to join the National Harmony Party congress on Saturday. Duma international affairs committee reported that Rogozin has been invited to the congress as an honorary guest. Rogozin also is set to meet members of Latvian parliament faction of the opposition leftist alliance For Human Rights in United Latvia, attend Russian embassy in Latvia and hold a press conference. BNS, Telegraf, Vesti Segodnya

Latvian daily newspaper

Latvian daily newspaper Neatkariga Rita Avize reported on Thursday that the former Latvian communist leader Alfreds Rubiks has signed an associative agreement with the Russian radical Communist Party Union - Soviet Union Communist Party (CPU-SUCP) without informing the fellow members of his Latvian Socialist Party. In a conversation with BNS, Rubiks completely denied the claim.

The Latvian Socialist Party (LSP), a part of the political union For Human Rights In A United Latvia (PCTVL), has not singed an association agreement with the radical Russia's Union of Communist Parties - the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (UCP-CPSU),

The Latvian Socialist Party (LSP), a part of the political union For Human Rights In A United Latvia (PCTVL), has not singed an association agreement with the radical Russia's Union of Communist Parties - the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (UCP-CPSU), LETA was told by National Harmony Party (TSP) Chairman Janis Jurkans. " In Jurkans' view, this is again an attempt to make PTCVL appear "completely red". He forecasts that discrediting of PCTVL will continue until the Saeima elections. LETA

Newspaper

Newspaper Diena journalists inquired about the existence of such a co-operation agreement in the office of the Union of Communist Parties in Moscow, and they were told that such an agreement existed.

Newspaper

Newspaper Latvijas Vestnesis published the text of the interview the Head of the Naturalisation Board E.Aldermane gave to the Latvian TV. E.Aldermane told journalists about her trip to Daugavpils for a seminar on integration issues. When speaking about the planned transition to the tuition in the Latvian language in 2004, she said that the situation was not so tragic as it was described in the Russian-speaking mass media. E.Aldermane also spoke about the information campaign two Latvian institutions had started together with OSCE and UNDP.

Also the newspaper

Also the newspaper Telegraf writes about this information campaign saying that yesterday in Imanta suburb at the supermarket Mego was opened the first information tent where the interested were offered leaflets with information on naturalisation.

Panorama Latvii

and and Vesti SegodnyaVesti Segodnya write about the Association for Support of the Russian Language Schools in Latvia and the conference of parents of Russian-speaking school students the association is going to hold this Saturday. write about the Association for Support of the Russian Language Schools in Latvia and the conference of parents of Russian-speaking school students the association is going to hold this Saturday. Newspaper

Newspaper Chas published an interview with the Russian Ambassador to Latvia I.Studennikov. Explaining Russias position on the problem of non-citizens in Latvia, the Ambassador said that Russias position was that those people were former USSR citizens and most of them – Russian compatriots. This large number of non-citizenship worries Russia, and it finds this situation as non-complying with international standards. Answering the question what citizenship the Russian government would suggest people here to choose – Russian or Latvian, I.Studennikov said that he himself had suggested people, who decided to stay here, to become naturalised. Speaking about the influence of international society on Latvia the Ambassador said that they felt this influence on Latvia to solve the problem with national minorities here. In general Russia finds this influence to be a positive one. Also the influence made by the OSCE Mission to Latvia.

Chas

asked several Latvian politicians a question whether Latvia should be on friendly terms with Russia and how. J.Jurkans (FHRUL) said that Russia should not be compared with the USSR and accused of the violations of Stalin. R.Pauls (New Party) – if the situation is that all countries are seeking for contacts with Russia, Latvia must not neglect this. J.Dobelis (FF/LNNK) – we do not need any friendship with Russia. You may be friends with somebody who understands you. Unfortunately Russia is our geographical neighbour and you have to take this into consideration. asked several Latvian politicians a question whether Latvia should be on friendly terms with Russia and how. J.Jurkans (FHRUL) said that Russia should not be compared with the USSR and accused of the violations of Stalin. R.Pauls (New Party) – if the situation is that all countries are seeking for contacts with Russia, Latvia must not neglect this. J.Dobelis (FF/LNNK) – we do not need any friendship with Russia. You may be friends with somebody who understands you. Unfortunately Russia is our geographical neighbour and you have to take this into consideration. MP from the FF/LNNK faction J.Vidins announced from the Saeima platform about starting a campaign of collecting money to assist voluntary repatriates, i.e. those Russians and non-Latvians who want to leave Latvia but were not able due to shortage of money. The action will start on Monday.

MP from the FF/LNNK faction J.Vidins announced from the Saeima platform about starting a campaign of collecting money to assist voluntary repatriates, i.e. those Russians and non-Latvians who want to leave Latvia but were not able due to shortage of money. The action will start on Monday. Vesti Segodnya