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 Review

People’s Party has expressed support for the New Party’s initiative to have a survey on Latvia’s residents’ opinion on Latvia joining the EU. The survey is suggested to be carried out along with the census planned to take place in March. With the recent negotiations the People’s Party and the New Party is said to come closer to each other.

Peoples Party has expressed support for the New Partys initiative to have a survey on Latvias residents opinion on Latvia joining the EU. The survey is suggested to be carried out along with the census planned to take place in March. With the recent negotiations the Peoples Party and the New Party is said to come closer to each other. Neatkariga

The Saeima today in an extraordinary session will pass Latvia’s strategy for integration into EU to mark the visit of the President of the European Commission Romano Prodi. A group of Eurosceptic youth will rally outside the parliament building to protest Latvia’s plans to join the EU.

The Saeima today in an extraordinary session will pass Latvias strategy for integration into EU to mark the visit of the President of the European Commission Romano Prodi. A group of Eurosceptic youth will rally outside the parliament building to protest Latvias plans to join the EU. Diena

Diena

publishes an interview with Gunter Verheugen where he assures the readers that the EU wants to see Latvia as a member state in future. publishes an interview with Gunter Verheugen where he assures the readers that the EU wants to see Latvia as a member state in future. The first formal meeting between the accession negotiators from Latvia and the EU is planned for March 28. Starting of the negotiations will be announced February 15.

The first formal meeting between the accession negotiators from Latvia and the EU is planned for March 28. Starting of the negotiations will be announced February 15. Neatkariga, Diena

Chas

and and Panorama LatviiPanorama Latvii comment on a provision in the draft strategy to be passed by the Saeima saying that at creating an integrated society the state should ensure shift to the state language in all state funded schools. comment on a provision in the draft strategy to be passed by the Saeima saying that at creating an integrated society the state should ensure shift to the state language in all state funded schools.

Vesti

interview the secretary of ideology of Russias Communist Party. When asked about the popularity of the party among the Russian citizens living in Latvia he explains it by the activities of Latvian nationalist politicians – they help the communists in Russia. interview the secretary of ideology of Russia’s Communist Party. When asked about the popularity of the party among the Russian citizens living in Latvia he explains it by the activities of Latvian nationalist politicians – “they help the communists in Russia”. Deputy head of Israeli Foreign Ministry’ s Legal Department Claims Division will visit Riga to attend the next week’s international conference on holocaust and investigation in Konrads Kalejs case.

Deputy head of Israeli Foreign Ministry s Legal Department Claims Division will visit Riga to attend the next weeks international conference on holocaust and investigation in Konrads Kalejs case. Neatkariga, Diena, Jauna Avize, Vesti, Panorama Latvii

Diena prints an article by Andrievs Ezergailis about the misperceptions on Latvia’s role in holocaust against Jews during the Nazi occupation which arise from the book by Pauls Ducmanis “Who are Daugavas Vanagi” printed in 1962 with the support of the Latvian Socialist Republic Committee for Cultural Contacts.

Diena prints an article by Andrievs Ezergailis about the misperceptions on Latvias role in holocaust against Jews during the Nazi occupation which arise from the book by Pauls Ducmanis Who are Daugavas Vanagi printed in 1962 with the support of the Latvian Socialist Republic Committee for Cultural Contacts.

Russian Foreign Ministry has criticised the integration program developed in Estonia. Russia calls it one-sided and aiming at assimilation. The program currently is passed over for public hearing. Diena

Russian Foreign Ministry has criticised the integration program developed in Estonia. Russia calls it one-sided and aiming at assimilation. The program currently is passed over for public hearing. Diena

The Russian government has just passed the main directions of interstate human cooperation with the CIS and the Baltic countries. Vladimir Putin has assigned the Ministry of CIS Affairs to develop a program for the support for compatriates in the above countries. An article by Aris Jansons in

The Russian government has just passed the main directions of interstate human cooperation with the CIS and the Baltic countries. Vladimir Putin has assigned the Ministry of CIS Affairs to develop a program for the support for compatriates in the above countries. An article by Aris Jansons in Neatkariga looks at what has been the support to Russian nationals up until now.

Results of five researches on poverty in Latvia carried out by Latvian and foreign experts in cooperation with the Welfare Ministry, UNDP, World Bank and ILO were released yesterday. One of the researches looked at the relation of a person’s ethnic origin and social conditions. Deputy State Secretary of the Ministry Ruta Purina said that although there are no differences as to poverty in different ethnic groups “Latvians feel themselves a little more assured than Russians”. She explained that by the fact that majority of Russians live in towns and Latvians in rural territories.

Results of five researches on poverty in Latvia carried out by Latvian and foreign experts in cooperation with the Welfare Ministry, UNDP, World Bank and ILO were released yesterday. One of the researches looked at the relation of a persons ethnic origin and social conditions. Deputy State Secretary of the Ministry Ruta Purina said that although there are no differences as to poverty in different ethnic groups Latvians feel themselves a little more assured than Russians. She explained that by the fact that majority of Russians live in towns and Latvians in rural territories. Respublika

Vesti

publish a short statement that the survey has found that there are more poor people among Russians than among the people of the indigenous nation. The fate of Skrunda military town could be decided by the Cabinet of Ministers within three months. Currently the potential users of the facilities are not found.

The fate of Skrunda military town could be decided by the Cabinet of Ministers within three months. Currently the potential users of the facilities are not found. Neatkariga

Latvijas Vestnesis publishes the text of the EU integration strategy and the text of the alternative draft law submitted by the Saeima’s Legal Commission February 3 “Amendments to the law “On the status of the former USSR citizens who do not have Latvian or other citizenship””.

Latvijas Vestnesis publishes the text of the EU integration strategy and the text of the alternative draft law submitted by the Saeimas Legal Commission February 3 Amendments to the law On the status of the former USSR citizens who do not have Latvian or other citizenship.