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.

LATVIAN MEDIA REVIEW

LATVIAN MEDIA REVIEW

At 2 p.m. today, formation of a new social democratic faction at Saeima will be announced. Egils Baldzens, the current chairman of the Latvian Social Democratic Workers Party's (LSDSP) Saeima faction, told LETA that he and Peteris Salkazanovs, Risards Labanovskis, Janis Leja and Imants Burvis would become members of the new faction. Baldzens did not exclude that the faction could be joined by several other Saeima deputies in the near future.

At 2 p.m. today, formation of a new social democratic faction at Saeima will be announced. Egils Baldzens, the current chairman of the Latvian Social Democratic Workers Party's (LSDSP) Saeima faction, told LETA that he and Peteris Salkazanovs, Risards Labanovskis, Janis Leja and Imants Burvis would become members of the new faction. Baldzens did not exclude that the faction could be joined by several other Saeima deputies in the near future. LETA

The Constitutional Protection Bureau has reported French law enforcement authorities about a scheme for selling Latvian citizenship in France, newspaper "Neatkariga Rita Avize" reports today, citing the Constitutional Protection Bureau's deputy director Uldis Dzenitis. The Constitutional Protection Bureau has established that all illegal actions linked with selling Latvian citizenship take place in France and decided to inform French authorities about it. "Latvian citizenship can only be obtained according to a set procedure, it cannot be bought. Nevertheless, further development of the case depends on France's actions," said Dzenitis. Philippe Merlin, Press Attaché at the French Embassy in Latvia, is away on vacation currently, which is why the newspaper failed to learn France's stance on the matter.

The Constitutional Protection Bureau has reported French law enforcement authorities about a scheme for selling Latvian citizenship in France, newspaper "Neatkariga Rita Avize" reports today, citing the Constitutional Protection Bureau's deputy director Uldis Dzenitis. The Constitutional Protection Bureau has established that all illegal actions linked with selling Latvian citizenship take place in France and decided to inform French authorities about it. "Latvian citizenship can only be obtained according to a set procedure, it cannot be bought. Nevertheless, further development of the case depends on France's actions," said Dzenitis. Philippe Merlin, Press Attaché at the French Embassy in Latvia, is away on vacation currently, which is why the newspaper failed to learn France's stance on the matter. LETA

The DCMA has taken disciplinary proceedings against the Head of Department’s Visa Section A.Kalnins for informing mass media about the suspicious activities of mediator companies that draw up visas and residence permits. Mr.Kalnins voiced an opinion that these companies were able to operate only if they had established some connections with the corresponding state authorities and did business with the help of their officials.

The DCMA has taken disciplinary proceedings against the Head of Departments Visa Section A.Kalnins for informing mass media about the suspicious activities of mediator companies that draw up visas and residence permits. Mr.Kalnins voiced an opinion that these companies were able to operate only if they had established some connections with the corresponding state authorities and did business with the help of their officials. Neatkariga

"Latvia's press is managed by KGB operatives," Linards Mucins, the head of the Saeima Legal Commission, said in the Latvian State Television's broadcast "No varas pozicijam" (The Stance of the Power), newspaper "Chas" reports today. "There are no independent newspapers in Latvia. The larger the newspaper, the more apparent its political sympathy," said Mucins. He said that many former KGB operatives still live and "flourish" in Latvia, they also influence the work of mass media.

"Latvia's press is managed by KGB operatives," Linards Mucins, the head of the Saeima Legal Commission, said in the Latvian State Television's broadcast "No varas pozicijam" (The Stance of the Power), newspaper "Chas" reports today. "There are no independent newspapers in Latvia. The larger the newspaper, the more apparent its political sympathy," said Mucins. He said that many former KGB operatives still live and "flourish" in Latvia, they also influence the work of mass media. LETA

Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a policy initiative December 24 last year, designed to create a controllable level of ethno-linguistic tension in the Baltic States, the U.S.'s Jamestown Foundation writes in its "Monitor". In a live phone-in show, broadcast on all Russian state television and radio channels, Putin urged Russians and "Russian-speakers" in the Baltic States to demand official status for the Russian language and numerical quotas for representation in government bodies. Parallel to Putin's move, Russian diplomacy delivered a series of snubs to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), for instance, for the OSCE's recent decision to close its monitoring missions in Estonia and Latvia. From now on, Russia will defend the interests of Russian-speakers more vigorously, primarily on the territory of the former USSR, Putin said in answering phoned-in questions from television viewers.

Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a policy initiative December 24 last year, designed to create a controllable level of ethno-linguistic tension in the Baltic States, the U.S.'s Jamestown Foundation writes in its "Monitor". In a live phone-in show, broadcast on all Russian state television and radio channels, Putin urged Russians and "Russian-speakers" in the Baltic States to demand official status for the Russian language and numerical quotas for representation in government bodies. Parallel to Putin's move, Russian diplomacy delivered a series of snubs to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), for instance, for the OSCE's recent decision to close its monitoring missions in Estonia and Latvia. From now on, Russia will defend the interests of Russian-speakers more vigorously, primarily on the territory of the former USSR, Putin said in answering phoned-in questions from television viewers. LETA, Diena, Neatkariga

Political elite does not promise any essential changes in the internal policy of Latvia, but it will continue approaching EU and NATO, supporting privatisation, taking care of entrepreneurs and some already started reforms. Political stability may be endangered only by the next election, privatisation of large state enterprises and, possibly, international court proceedings against the Latvian State.

Political elite does not promise any essential changes in the internal policy of Latvia, but it will continue approaching EU and NATO, supporting privatisation, taking care of entrepreneurs and some already started reforms. Political stability may be endangered only by the next election, privatisation of large state enterprises and, possibly, international court proceedings against the Latvian State. Neatkariga

Recently Prime Minister A.Berzins during a TV show, when speaking a Russian-speaking journalist, used the Russian language instead of the state language. Newspaper

Recently Prime Minister A.Berzins during a TV show, when speaking a Russian-speaking journalist, used the Russian language instead of the state language. Newspaper Lauku Avize asked their readers what they thought about it. Most of the respondents said that the Prime Minister should not do this.

Academician Janis Stazdins shares his future vision of Latvia with the newspaper

Academician Janis Stazdins shares his future vision of Latvia with the newspaper Lauku Avize. Mr.Strazdins envisages that by improving of its economic situation Latvia could become a sedimentation place for migrants from East to the EU countries. Concerning Russian President Putins call to compatriots to return to their motherland, Academician said that Latvian Russians would prefer to go to Pskow and Nowgorod Regions, Moscow and St.Petersburg but not to the Siberia where Russians had become a minority.