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

On Monday President V.Vike-Freiberga had a meeting with the President of the EC R.Prodi and EU Commissioner on EU Enlargement Affairs G.Ferhoigen. G.Ferhoigen confirmed that Latvia is able to reach the same situation as countries, which were invited to start negotiation talks earlier.

On Monday President V.Vike-Freiberga had a meeting with the President of the EC R.Prodi and EU Commissioner on EU Enlargement Affairs G.Ferhoigen. G.Ferhoigen confirmed that Latvia is able to reach the same situation as countries, which were invited to start negotiation talks earlier. Diena, Neatkariga, Lauku Avize, Vesti Segodnja, Chas

According to the social poll Latvia’s Social Democratic Workers Party is holding its position of the most popular party, followed by FF/LNNK, Latvia’s Way (has dropped one place), People’s Party, FHRUL, New Party. Second month in a row the most popular person is the governor of Latvia’s Bank E.Repse, the President of Latvia is the next most popular person and then comes Riga Mayor A.Argalis. The most unpopular persons – People’s Party leader A.Skele, A.Rubiks, T.Zdanoka.

According to the social poll Latvias Social Democratic Workers Party is holding its position of the most popular party, followed by FF/LNNK, Latvias Way (has dropped one place), Peoples Party, FHRUL, New Party. Second month in a row the most popular person is the governor of Latvias Bank E.Repse, the President of Latvia is the next most popular person and then comes Riga Mayor A.Argalis. The most unpopular persons – Peoples Party leader A.Skele, A.Rubiks, T.Zdanoka. Diena, Neatkariga, Lauku Avize, Panorama Latvii

Saeima’s deputy A.Adamsons knew about the plans of national bolshevists prior Russia’s security service informed Latvia. Now National Security Committee will review the case on how and why J.Adamsons knew of these activities

Saeimas deputy A.Adamsons knew about the plans of national bolshevists prior Russias security service informed Latvia. Now National Security Committee will review the case on how and why J.Adamsons knew of these activities. Diena, Jauna, Lauku Avize, Panorama Latvii, Vesti Segodnja

Recent decision of the Head of President’s Chancellery M.Bondars to join FF/LNNK has caused some speculations about this step from members of other parties. Latvia’s Way chairman says that it makes to come to conclusion that “the President either intentionally or not takes steps toward providing support to FF/LNNK in municipal elections”.

Recent decision of the Head of Presidents Chancellery M.Bondars to join FF/LNNK has caused some speculations about this step from members of other parties. Latvias Way chairman says that it makes to come to conclusion that the President either intentionally or not takes steps toward providing support to FF/LNNK in municipal elections. Diena

The Minister of Foreign Affairs I.Berzins takes part in the session of the Council of Ministers of the OSCE. In the framework of this sitting I.Berzins has scheduled meetings with foreign affair ministers of Spain, Austria, Belgium and Ukraine.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs I.Berzins takes part in the session of the Council of Ministers of the OSCE. In the framework of this sitting I.Berzins has scheduled meetings with foreign affair ministers of Spain, Austria, Belgium and Ukraine. Neatkariga.

Teachers who work at Riga Vidzeme suburb minority schools and teach there Latvian or teach a subject in Latvian, have not received special allowance supposed for this category of teachers already for three months. Officials say that it is just a matter of a procedure “as it is an allowance, it is not said to be paid every month on regular basis”. The newspaper does not say anything in regard to the solution to the situation .

Teachers who work at Riga Vidzeme suburb minority schools and teach there Latvian or teach a subject in Latvian, have not received special allowance supposed for this category of teachers already for three months. Officials say that it is just a matter of a procedure as it is an allowance, it is not said to be paid every month on regular basis. The newspaper does not say anything in regard to the solution to the situation . Neatkariga.

The President and other politicians gave their judgements to Soviet regime pros and cons. The President says “..it should be fair to admit not only what we lost but also what we have gained out of it”. According to the President one profit is “more stronger people who have gone through lot of difficulties”. People’s Party member J.Lagzdins: “The only gain could be that during these times Latvian art and culture was financed from the state funds”. “Latvia’s Way” K.Libane does not agree with the formulation of the question in general, however, would agree with the profit named by the President. FF/LLNK and Latvian Social Democratic Workers Party members do not see any positive contribution of Soviet times for the state of Latvia. FHRUL M.Bekasovs sees losses brought by last ten years and not the Soviet times. Social Democrat J.Bojars considers that we have wasted “enormous wealth which Soviet regime left us in these 10 years of independence”.

The President and other politicians gave their judgements to Soviet regime pros and cons. The President says ..it should be fair to admit not only what we lost but also what we have gained out of it. According to the President one profit is more stronger people who have gone through lot of difficulties. Peoples Party member J.Lagzdins: The only gain could be that during these times Latvian art and culture was financed from the state funds. Latvias Way K.Libane does not agree with the formulation of the question in general, however, would agree with the profit named by the President. FF/LLNK and Latvian Social Democratic Workers Party members do not see any positive contribution of Soviet times for the state of Latvia. FHRUL M.Bekasovs sees losses brought by last ten years and not the Soviet times. Social Democrat J.Bojars considers that we have wasted enormous wealth which Soviet regime left us in these 10 years of independence. Lauku Avize, Vesti Segodnja

Lauku Avize

and and RespublikaRespublika give insight in the views of the Baltic Forum participants. give insight in the views of the Baltic Forum participants.

Vesti Segodnja

gives an article on invisible cliffs in naturalisation process and in this respect interviews Deputy Head of Naturalisation Board J.Kahanovics. In last 2 months almost 20% of the applicants could not pass the written test in Latvian, previously this rate was only 5-7%. J.Kahanovic denies the rumours that the requirements are set higher, according to his opinion it is because people think that these exams are very easy and they just give a try relying on luck. J.Kahanovic is also asked about objectivity of the judgement, technical aspects of taking an exam. When asked if he has experienced any political pressure, Deputy Head of Naturalisation Board says no. gives an article on “invisible cliffs” in naturalisation process and in this respect interviews Deputy Head of Naturalisation Board J.Kahanovics. In last 2 months almost 20% of the applicants could not pass the written test in Latvian, previously this rate was only 5-7%. J.Kahanovic denies the rumours that the requirements are set higher, according to his opinion it is because people think that these exams are very easy and they just give a try relying on luck. J.Kahanovic is also asked about objectivity of the judgement, technical aspects of taking an exam. When asked if he has experienced any political pressure, Deputy Head of Naturalisation Board says no. In Liepaja even the offer of the regional naturalisation department to non-citizens who doubt their command of Latvian take a “fake” language exam – it means that the language examination would be run by the same members of naturalisation examination committee , however, it would be free of charge and would not posses any legal power. Only 7 people wanted to have such examination.

In Liepaja even the offer of the regional naturalisation department to non-citizens who doubt their command of Latvian take a fake language exam – it means that the language examination would be run by the same members of naturalisation examination committee , however, it would be free of charge and would not posses any legal power. Only 7 people wanted to have such examination. Vesti Segodnja

Chas

interviews Latvias Way Party chairman A.Pantelejevs as recently some trends of splitting in partys leadership have been observed. A.Pantelejevs says that taking into consideration achievements and performance of the party I have moral rights to remain its leader. In regard to upcoming municipal elections he thinks that Latvias Way has good chances in Riga Council, Jelgava, Tukums, Kandava and not so good results in Liepaja, Rezekne, Jurmala. interviews Latvia’s Way Party chairman A.Pantelejevs as recently some trends of splitting in party’s leadership have been observed. A.Pantelejevs says that “taking into consideration achievements and performance of the party I have moral rights to remain its leader”. In regard to upcoming municipal elections he thinks that Latvia’s Way has good chances in Riga Council, Jelgava, Tukums, Kandava and not so good results in Liepaja, Rezekne, Jurmala.