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

The speeches on the first day of the conference УLatvia-Russia in United Europe. Who are we: friends, enemies or partners?Ф in Jыrmala were devoted to the security policy of both countries. A Moscow professor Aleksey Arbatov who represents the liberal Yabloko faction in Duma stated that in his mind the war in Chechnya followed like a continuation of the war in Balkans and the consequences could be even worse if the Baltics join NATO. The audience showed discontent when the speaker from Latvia Aivars Stranga mentioned that naturalization process and the human rights situation of ethnic minorities are satisfactory. The report by one of the organizers of the conference, Head of RussiaТs Foreign and Defense Policy Council Sergey Karaganov on RussiaТs new foreign policy attracted the attention of several foreign ambassadors to Latvia. At the conference, Latvia is mainly represented by the politicians from For Human Rights in united Latvia but there are very few from the ruling coalition. In an interview to Panorama Latvii Deputy Speaker of the Russian Duma Irina Hakamada stresses that RussiaТs priority is not waving guns Ц the priority is to present itself as a reliable long-term business partner.

The speeches on the first day of the conference УLatvia-Russia in United Europe. Who are we: friends, enemies or partners?Ф in Jыrmala were devoted to the security policy of both countries. A Moscow professor Aleksey Arbatov who represents the liberal Yabloko faction in Duma stated that in his mind the war in Chechnya followed like a continuation of the war in Balkans and the consequences could be even worse if the Baltics join NATO. The audience showed discontent when the speaker from Latvia Aivars Stranga mentioned that naturalization process and the human rights situation of ethnic minorities are satisfactory. The report by one of the organizers of the conference, Head of RussiaТs Foreign and Defense Policy Council Sergey Karaganov on RussiaТs new foreign policy attracted the attention of several foreign ambassadors to Latvia. At the conference, Latvia is mainly represented by the politicians from For Human Rights in united Latvia but there are very few from the ruling coalition. In an interview to Panorama Latvii Deputy Speaker of the Russian Duma Irina Hakamada stresses that RussiaТs priority is not waving guns Ц the priority is to present itself as a reliable long-term business partner. Neatkariga, Vesti, Chas, Panorama Latvii, Respublika

As commented by the Latvian Foreign Minister Indulis Bзrziтр, Latvia sees the visit of the German Chancellor Schroder as important for reaching its foreign policy goals Ц EU and NATO accession as well as hopes for making more active the bilateral relations of the countries. Diena

As commented by the Latvian Foreign Minister Indulis Bзrziтр, Latvia sees the visit of the German Chancellor Schroder as important for reaching its foreign policy goals Ц EU and NATO accession as well as hopes for making more active the bilateral relations of the countries. Diena

Latvian Foreign Minister Indulis Berzins met Deputy Speaker of the Russian Duma Irina Hakamada. At the meeting, the importance of economic cooperation was stressed. Latvian party expressed support for RussiaТs accession to the WTO.

Latvian Foreign Minister Indulis Berzins met Deputy Speaker of the Russian Duma Irina Hakamada. At the meeting, the importance of economic cooperation was stressed. Latvian party expressed support for RussiaТs accession to the WTO. Neatkariga, Respublika

Draft recommendations being considered by the Russian Duma this week state that Russia does not ensure a sufficiently active policy in relations with the CIS and Baltics to protect the Russian language and rights for education.

Draft recommendations being considered by the Russian Duma this week state that Russia does not ensure a sufficiently active policy in relations with the CIS and Baltics to protect the Russian language and rights for education. Diena, Respublika

In an interview to the national radio Latvian President Freiberga expressed her belief that non-citizens should acquire the rights to vote through naturalization Ц then they could vote both in municipal and parliament elections. She added that currently only two countries in Europe allow non-citizens to vote in municipal elections.

In an interview to the national radio Latvian President Freiberga expressed her belief that non-citizens should acquire the rights to vote through naturalization Ц then they could vote both in municipal and parliament elections. She added that currently only two countries in Europe allow non-citizens to vote in municipal elections. Neatkariga, Panorama Latvii, Respublika, Lauku Avize

The Baltic-American Partnership Program will provide $170,000 funding for the best NGO projects aimed at solving socially important issues or protecting the interests of certain groups of society in their dialogue with the state authorities.

The Baltic-American Partnership Program will provide $170,000 funding for the best NGO projects aimed at solving socially important issues or protecting the interests of certain groups of society in their dialogue with the state authorities. Diena, Neatkariga

June 10, a scientific conference УThe Latvian Legion in Latvian HistoryФ will take place in the Latvian Society House in Riga. The conference was organized in order to start a discussion Уon the unfair attitude in the society towards legionaries, the fact that they are called Nazis and FascistsФ.

June 10, a scientific conference УThe Latvian Legion in Latvian HistoryФ will take place in the Latvian Society House in Riga. The conference was organized in order to start a discussion Уon the unfair attitude in the society towards legionaries, the fact that they are called Nazis and FascistsФ. Chas, Panorama Latvii, Vesti