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

According to language experts, Latvia still has no state language policy, President Vaira Vike-Freiberga said in an interview on Latvian State Radio yesterday. The President stressed that Latvia not only has no policy for protection of the language, but not even a language policy. Vike-Freiberga added that the state language control service is not sufficiently provided with financing and human resources, which does not allow for it to follow the implementation of the state language law and protection of the state language. Taking into account the current situation, Saeima deputies and government officials should consider raising support for the language and allotting financing to protection of the Latvian language, the President underlined. Work on protection of the state language is insufficient, which is also proved by the fact that it is not unusual that goods can be purchased in stores, supplemented with instructions in various foreign languages but not in Latvian, believes the President. She said that she is to hold several more meetings with experts and language specialists in order to discuss the state policy concerning protection of the Latvian language. When asked whether “OSCE decision to close its Mission to Latvia would be positive for Latvia if the President had not come with the initiative to remove language requirement”, the President replied that “these are just empty guesses: what if…” In her interview Vaira Vike-Freiberga also said that serious consideration should be given to the possibility of introducing measures that would prevent lawmakers from changing their party affiliation during their term in the parliament. "Under our system, a lawmaker get elected to the parliament from a list of a political party. This political party presents itself to people with a certain platform, certain ideas, goals and activities... If this man, halfway trough his mandate, now turns to completely different directions, he in fact has betrayed the trust of voters," said the President.

According to language experts, Latvia still has no state language policy, President Vaira Vike-Freiberga said in an interview on Latvian State Radio yesterday. The President stressed that Latvia not only has no policy for protection of the language, but not even a language policy. Vike-Freiberga added that the state language control service is not sufficiently provided with financing and human resources, which does not allow for it to follow the implementation of the state language law and protection of the state language. Taking into account the current situation, Saeima deputies and government officials should consider raising support for the language and allotting financing to protection of the Latvian language, the President underlined. Work on protection of the state language is insufficient, which is also proved by the fact that it is not unusual that goods can be purchased in stores, supplemented with instructions in various foreign languages but not in Latvian, believes the President. She said that she is to hold several more meetings with experts and language specialists in order to discuss the state policy concerning protection of the Latvian language. When asked whether OSCE decision to close its Mission to Latvia would be positive for Latvia if the President had not come with the initiative to remove language requirement, the President replied that these are just empty guesses: what if… In her interview Vaira Vike-Freiberga also said that serious consideration should be given to the possibility of introducing measures that would prevent lawmakers from changing their party affiliation during their term in the parliament. "Under our system, a lawmaker get elected to the parliament from a list of a political party. This political party presents itself to people with a certain platform, certain ideas, goals and activities... If this man, halfway trough his mandate, now turns to completely different directions, he in fact has betrayed the trust of voters," said the President. Latvijas Vestnesis, Diena, Chas, Telegraf, Panorama Latvii

Foreign policy experts say that this year will be determining for meeting foreign policy goals – invitations to join the EU and NATO. Foreign affairs minister I.Berzins named involvement in anti-terrorism war, more active Latvia’s involvement in the processes where other European countries are involved, such as humanitarian aid to Afghanistan, as well as enhancing democratic values and history studies as the main foreign policy tasks. Political scientist N.Neilands considers planned American President’s visit to Russia as very important for Latvia. Foreign Affairs Institute director Atis Lejins thinks that the most important event will be 8th Saeima election. Latvian Institute director Ojars Kalnins says that the most important moment for Latvia next year will be NATO summit in Prague.

Foreign policy experts say that this year will be determining for meeting foreign policy goals – invitations to join the EU and NATO. Foreign affairs minister I.Berzins named involvement in anti-terrorism war, more active Latvias involvement in the processes where other European countries are involved, such as humanitarian aid to Afghanistan, as well as enhancing democratic values and history studies as the main foreign policy tasks. Political scientist N.Neilands considers planned American Presidents visit to Russia as very important for Latvia. Foreign Affairs Institute director Atis Lejins thinks that the most important event will be 8th Saeima election. Latvian Institute director Ojars Kalnins says that the most important moment for Latvia next year will be NATO summit in Prague. Neatkariga

Ventspils Mayor Aivars Lembergs’ letter to President Vaira Vike-Freiberga expresses support for education in Russian language. He says in the letter that bilingual education reform will endanger social integration and bring irreversible harm. In his opinion many problems, including integration and national minority education, are politicised in Latvia. The President has replied that the mentioned issues are not easy one, but she follows the situation and promises to pay very detailed attention to them also in the future. The President has also scheduled a meeting with education minister K.Greiškalns just after her Christmas holidays. The main subject of the meeting will be the course of education reform.

Ventspils Mayor Aivars Lembergs letter to President Vaira Vike-Freiberga expresses support for education in Russian language. He says in the letter that bilingual education reform will endanger social integration and bring irreversible harm. In his opinion many problems, including integration and national minority education, are politicised in Latvia. The President has replied that the mentioned issues are not easy one, but she follows the situation and promises to pay very detailed attention to them also in the future. The President has also scheduled a meeting with education minister K.Greiškalns just after her Christmas holidays. The main subject of the meeting will be the course of education reform. Chas

Chas

writes about the case of a naturalisation applicant. The applicant successfully passed naturalisation examinations, however, he was refused to issue citizens passport due to unpaid fine for driving drunk. The fine was imposed 4 years ago. According to Naturalisation Board Legal department head I.Poca the unpaid fine could not be the reason for declining to issue citizens passport, criminal penalty is the only legal reason for refusing Latvian citizenship through naturalisation. writes about the case of a naturalisation applicant. The applicant successfully passed naturalisation examinations, however, he was refused to issue citizen’s passport due to unpaid fine for driving drunk. The fine was imposed 4 years ago. According to Naturalisation Board Legal department head I.Poca the unpaid fine could not be the reason for declining to issue citizen’s passport, criminal penalty is the only legal reason for refusing Latvian citizenship through naturalisation. National Human Rights Office received 969 complaints in 2001. The main areas of problems for Latvia’s people are housing and social problems.

National Human Rights Office received 969 complaints in 2001. The main areas of problems for Latvias people are housing and social problems. Vesti Segodnja