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

Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga and Prime Minister Andris Berzins on Wednesday issued a joint directive about forming a state language commission to see to Latvian language protection and to open a debate on problems faced by small languages. Latvian poetess Mara Zalite was appointed as the commission head. Zalite together with Vike-Freiberga will pick commission members by late January, the Latvian president told reporters. The commission chairwoman also has time by late February to work with the State Chancellery on the commission's by-laws and funding required by the entity for next three years. Latvian premier told the press that the key reason behind the move was "recent public implications about inadequate performance of the state language law." Berzins said international experts should be invited to join the commission so that the body would work not only on the state language problems in Latvia but also initiate a debate on small languages problems on global scale. According to the premier, "the commission could generate proposals" for Latvian language protection and look into compliance of activities to this end with international standards. The commission will handle issues concerning the state language protection and development. Its tasks will include development of the state language policy and informing the public and the government about the language status and situation in the country, said a presidential spokeswoman.

Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga and Prime Minister Andris Berzins on Wednesday issued a joint directive about forming a state language commission to see to Latvian language protection and to open a debate on problems faced by small languages. Latvian poetess Mara Zalite was appointed as the commission head. Zalite together with Vike-Freiberga will pick commission members by late January, the Latvian president told reporters. The commission chairwoman also has time by late February to work with the State Chancellery on the commission's by-laws and funding required by the entity for next three years. Latvian premier told the press that the key reason behind the move was "recent public implications about inadequate performance of the state language law." Berzins said international experts should be invited to join the commission so that the body would work not only on the state language problems in Latvia but also initiate a debate on small languages problems on global scale. According to the premier, "the commission could generate proposals" for Latvian language protection and look into compliance of activities to this end with international standards. The commission will handle issues concerning the state language protection and development. Its tasks will include development of the state language policy and informing the public and the government about the language status and situation in the country, said a presidential spokeswoman. BNS, Diena, Neatkariga, Latvijas Vestnesis, Telegraf, Chas,

Vesti Segodnya characterises the President’s choice of poetess Mara Zalite as a strange one because she is famous for her Russo-phobic statements. One just can imagine what those guys will “cook” under the leadership of this lady.

Vesti Segodnya characterises the Presidents choice of poetess Mara Zalite as a strange one because she is famous for her Russo-phobic statements. One just can imagine what those guys will cook under the leadership of this lady.

During the meeting today in Riga between President Vaira Vike-Freiberga and visiting Estonian President Arnold Ruutel, both officials agreed on the necessity to co-operate in tackling important and similar issues. As Vike-Freiberga said after the meeting, Latvia and Estonia have to deal with similar issues pertaining to the integration of non-citizens, the status of the state language and curbing unemployment. The Latvian president believes that joint work in solving these issues would have a positive effect. Ruutel also admitted that both countries have numerous similar problems that could be solved jointly.

During the meeting today in Riga between President Vaira Vike-Freiberga and visiting Estonian President Arnold Ruutel, both officials agreed on the necessity to co-operate in tackling important and similar issues. As Vike-Freiberga said after the meeting, Latvia and Estonia have to deal with similar issues pertaining to the integration of non-citizens, the status of the state language and curbing unemployment. The Latvian president believes that joint work in solving these issues would have a positive effect. Ruutel also admitted that both countries have numerous similar problems that could be solved jointly. LETA

Newspaper

Newspaper Chas adds that Estonian President suggested Vaira Vike-Freiberga to abolish the language proficiency norm in the election laws.

President Vaira Vike-Freiberga plans to meet with Saeima deputies next week in order to discuss expected amendments to Saeima and municipal election laws that would lift the requirement for deputy candidates on the required knowledge of the state language in conducting professional duties. The president told reporters today that she is going to discuss election laws with Saeima deputies from all factions. Vike-Freiberga added that she would willingly hear the individual stance of every deputy and Saeima faction in this matter.

President Vaira Vike-Freiberga plans to meet with Saeima deputies next week in order to discuss expected amendments to Saeima and municipal election laws that would lift the requirement for deputy candidates on the required knowledge of the state language in conducting professional duties. The president told reporters today that she is going to discuss election laws with Saeima deputies from all factions. Vike-Freiberga added that she would willingly hear the individual stance of every deputy and Saeima faction in this matter. LETA, Neatkariga

Latvia's Social Democratic Workers Party's council resolved in a meeting Wednesday the party should close a co-operation agreement with Russia's Social Democratic Party whose leaders are Mikhail Gorbachev and "perestroika" period ideologist Alexander Yakovlev.

Latvia's Social Democratic Workers Party's council resolved in a meeting Wednesday the party should close a co-operation agreement with Russia's Social Democratic Party whose leaders are Mikhail Gorbachev and "perestroika" period ideologist Alexander Yakovlev. BNS, Chas

Dmitry Rogozin, chairman of international relations committee at Russian Duma, believes that the topic of Russia entering NATO should be dropped, while the inclusion of the Baltic States in the alliance is still unacceptable. "We should be interested in developing relations with the West in the sphere of joint security, but we should not have joint defence. Therefore, Russia should not enter NATO," Rogozin told the agency "Interfax" on Tuesday. Rogozin stressed that Russia still thinks NATO should not expand to the East, especially now that the main problems are arising in the south. "One should expand to the south together with Russia, not to the east towards Russia," Rogozin said.

Dmitry Rogozin, chairman of international relations committee at Russian Duma, believes that the topic of Russia entering NATO should be dropped, while the inclusion of the Baltic States in the alliance is still unacceptable. "We should be interested in developing relations with the West in the sphere of joint security, but we should not have joint defence. Therefore, Russia should not enter NATO," Rogozin told the agency "Interfax" on Tuesday. Rogozin stressed that Russia still thinks NATO should not expand to the East, especially now that the main problems are arising in the south. "One should expand to the south together with Russia, not to the east towards Russia," Rogozin said. LETA, Neatkariga

Serious test awaits coalition of Social Democrats and PCTVL at Riga City Council – electing Zhdanok chair of the Riga Housing Privatisation Commission, say newspapers. If the Social Democrats will not vote to appoint Zhdanok in the post, they "will have to look for other partners", said Janis Jurkans, chairman of the PCTVL Saeima faction. Jurkans also noted that Zhdanok, the leader of the "Equal Rights" party, previously did not get the post of the executive director of Riga’s Vidzeme District.

Serious test awaits coalition of Social Democrats and PCTVL at Riga City Council – electing Zhdanok chair of the Riga Housing Privatisation Commission, say newspapers. If the Social Democrats will not vote to appoint Zhdanok in the post, they "will have to look for other partners", said Janis Jurkans, chairman of the PCTVL Saeima faction. Jurkans also noted that Zhdanok, the leader of the "Equal Rights" party, previously did not get the post of the executive director of Rigas Vidzeme District. Diena, Neatkariga, Telegraf

Lauku Avize

columnist E.Licitis speaks ironically about the latest direction of the President on the necessity to amend the election law – he states it has brought light for many our professors, associated professors, etc. Mr.Licitis attacks the article of Dr.hist. I.Mezs where the author stands for a realistic usage of the Latvian language not just for certificates. Let us burn down this temple of bureaucracy – all language inspections, institution of Ms.Hirsa and abolish the language requirement norm in the Saeima and local governments. In no time non-Latvians not only in taxis and barbershops will say hello and good-bye in Latvian but also long speeches from the Saeima rostrum, at Riga City Council, and many Russian-writing newspapers will not call for to grant the Russian language the state language status. columnist E.Licitis speaks ironically about the latest direction of the President on the necessity to amend the election law – he states “it has brought light for many our professors, associated professors, etc”. Mr.Licitis attacks the article of Dr.hist. I.Mezs where the author stands for a realistic usage of the Latvian language not just for certificates. “Let us burn down this temple of bureaucracy – all language inspections, institution of Ms.Hirsa and abolish the language requirement norm in the Saeima and local governments. In no time non-Latvians not only in taxis and barbershops will say “hello” and “good-bye” in Latvian but also long speeches from the Saeima rostrum, at Riga City Council, and many Russian-writing newspapers will not call for to grant the Russian language the state language status. Saeima faction For Human Rights in United Latvia MP A.Klementyev turned to the Prosecutor General’s Office with an application concerning the public anti-Russian expressions of former Riga Mayor A.Argalis.

Saeima faction For Human Rights in United Latvia MP A.Klementyev turned to the Prosecutor Generals Office with an application concerning the public anti-Russian expressions of former Riga Mayor A.Argalis. Panorama Latvii

Venspils City Mayor Lembergs in a TV show “From the position of authorities” once more expressed his opinion that Russian schools should not be closed under compulsion. Mr.Lembergs said that he was not for Russian education but against collective-farm methods in politics. It is clear that Russian schools will have to transfer to the tuition in the Latvian language but it should take place naturally, not upon a command of deputies.

Venspils City Mayor Lembergs in a TV show From the position of authorities once more expressed his opinion that Russian schools should not be closed under compulsion. Mr.Lembergs said that he was not for Russian education but against collective-farm methods in politics. It is clear that Russian schools will have to transfer to the tuition in the Latvian language but it should take place naturally, not upon a command of deputies. Chas, Vesti Segodnya