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

“Co-operation between the OSCE and Latvian has developed successfully and the goals Mission in general have been achieved.” This acknowledgement was made by the Head of the OSCE Mission to Latvia during his meeting with Prime Minister A.Skele. In the next phase of co-operation special attention should be paid to facilitation of the public integration process and the Latvian language training, concluded the participants of the meeting. The Mission Head acknowledged that Latvia had achieved a considerable progress in the sphere of public integration, as well as in improving legislation to further the development of these processes. A.Skele pointed out that all Latvian governments since restoration of independence were consistent in implementing public integration policy. He voiced his conviction that the co-operation among the state institutions, Government and the OSCE Mission to Latvia would be successful also in the future.

Co-operation between the OSCE and Latvian has developed successfully and the goals Mission in general have been achieved. This acknowledgement was made by the Head of the OSCE Mission to Latvia during his meeting with Prime Minister A.Skele. In the next phase of co-operation special attention should be paid to facilitation of the public integration process and the Latvian language training, concluded the participants of the meeting. The Mission Head acknowledged that Latvia had achieved a considerable progress in the sphere of public integration, as well as in improving legislation to further the development of these processes. A.Skele pointed out that all Latvian governments since restoration of independence were consistent in implementing public integration policy. He voiced his conviction that the co-operation among the state institutions, Government and the OSCE Mission to Latvia would be successful also in the future. Neatkariga, Diena

Ther Union of Latvian Local Governments adopted a resolution where it is stated that, if the Government supported establishing of appointed regional governments, a referendum should be organised. The Union was categorically against the attempt of the Government forming factions to replace elected regional governments by appointed ones. Neatkariga

Ther Union of Latvian Local Governments adopted a resolution where it is stated that, if the Government supported establishing of appointed regional governments, a referendum should be organised. The Union was categorically against the attempt of the Government forming factions to replace elected regional governments by appointed ones. Neatkariga

Minister of Economics Makarovs announced yesterday that he did not support expansion of the Privatisation Agency by a representative of People’s Party. And he also sent an official warning to the present Director General J.Naglis that his contract would not be prolonged. As

Minister of Economics Makarovs announced yesterday that he did not support expansion of the Privatisation Agency by a representative of Peoples Party. And he also sent an official warning to the present Director General J.Naglis that his contract would not be prolonged. As Neatkariga wrote, there was an intensive discussion among the ruling parties on keeping Naglis in this position. Neatkariga

News agency BNS informs that Russian National Council will likely take the final decision on imposing economic sanctions on Latvia. According to the information received from the very legislators, this question is on the agenda in February.

Neatkariga, Chas, Vesti Segodnya

Russian special services assure that in some Latvian cities exist special posts where volunteers for fighting in Czechnya are recruited. The say that an assistant to a Saeima MP, who is managing the parliamentary support group for Czechnya, selects volunteers in Rezekne. Latvian MFA refused this information as groundless. Neatkariga, Diena, Chas

The newspaper

Respublika got hold of the text of a draft law On ceasing activities or abolishing the enterprises, institutions and organisations that served as cover for foreign secret services that was discussed in a Saeima Commission. Journalists found this draft law illiterate and lacking any logic. Strange as it is the only secret services named are the ones of the former USSR.

The Saeima faction For Human Rights in United Latvia circulated an announcement yesterday on the program Strategy on Integration in EU adopted by the Saeima. In their announcement MPs say that ruling Latvian politicians have at least two faces – one for internal use, second for showing abroad. So far this phenomenon expressed itself as hiding from the population what we were thought about and what the European Council, its commissioners and other international organisations expected us to do. When discussing the Program, the faction For Human Rights in United Latvia objected to Article 2.6 While creating an integrated society, the state has to ensure transition to the tuition in the state language in all state financed educational institutions. This thesis does not conform to any international standards. In the English translation this sentence was changed into Education should become one of priorities on the state policy. Panorama Latvii

The High Commissioner Max van der Stoel is visiting Moscow at the beginning of the next week. According to the information received by the newspaper Vesti Segodnya, Russian MFA plans to direct the attention of the Commissioner to the language situation in Latvia – language intervention of the state in private businesses, that contradicts to international standards binding to Latvia. Russian diplomats intend to speak about a whole system of discriminatory laws existing in Latvia and directed against Russian speakers. They will also speak about the trial of the Soviet guerrilla man V.Kononov.