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

The Latvian president's chancellery head Martins Bondars, who resigned from the office on the day following municipal elections in Riga, will return to his previous position in the presidential office, he told

The Latvian president's chancellery head Martins Bondars, who resigned from the office on the day following municipal elections in Riga, will return to his previous position in the presidential office, he told BNS after the meeting with Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga on Monday. Diena, Neatkariga, Jauna Avize

Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga on Monday called on political parties to pay more attention the electorate of new citizens or naturalised persons. "All Latvian parties should make it a serious task for themselves to turn to the electorate of new citizens, considering that many of them will vote for the first time, to introduce them to the situation in the country, to other parties and own programs," Vike-Freiberga said in her regular interview to the Latvian Radio.

Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga on Monday called on political parties to pay more attention the electorate of new citizens or naturalised persons. "All Latvian parties should make it a serious task for themselves to turn to the electorate of new citizens, considering that many of them will vote for the first time, to introduce them to the situation in the country, to other parties and own programs," Vike-Freiberga said in her regular interview to the Latvian Radio. BNS, Neatkariga

Latvian Foreign Minister Indulis Berzins will be visiting Yugoslavia from Monday till March 20 and Bosnia-Herzegovina on March 21-22, as part of Latvia's presidency on the Council of Europe. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Liga Bergmane said at a press conference that Berzins will visit the two Council of Europe candidate countries as the chairman of the Council of Europe's Committee of Ministers. During the visit Berzins is scheduled to meet top officials from both countries. Berzins will also meet with OSCE, United Nations and EU representatives.

Latvian Foreign Minister Indulis Berzins will be visiting Yugoslavia from Monday till March 20 and Bosnia-Herzegovina on March 21-22, as part of Latvia's presidency on the Council of Europe. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Liga Bergmane said at a press conference that Berzins will visit the two Council of Europe candidate countries as the chairman of the Council of Europe's Committee of Ministers. During the visit Berzins is scheduled to meet top officials from both countries. Berzins will also meet with OSCE, United Nations and EU representatives. BNS, Latvijas Vestnesis

During the first sitting of the newly elected Daugavpils City Council businessman R.Eigim was elected the new Mayor. Ten deputies voted for him but five were against. The new Mayor addressed deputies in a stumbling Latvian language. He agreed to take the state language test on April 6 because the local language inspectors did not manage to test his knowledge before the election.

During the first sitting of the newly elected Daugavpils City Council businessman R.Eigim was elected the new Mayor. Ten deputies voted for him but five were against. The new Mayor addressed deputies in a stumbling Latvian language. He agreed to take the state language test on April 6 because the local language inspectors did not manage to test his knowledge before the election. Diena

Among the supporters of the new Mayor were “Latgales Gaisma”, LSDWP and Union For Human Rights in United Latvia.

Among the supporters of the new Mayor were Latgales Gaisma, LSDWP and Union For Human Rights in United Latvia. Chas

The difference in opinions among Social Democrats, hidden from the electorate during the election, has become evident during the formation of Riga City Council. An exsample for that are the different opinions of Social Democrats’ leaders about the possible Riga Mayor. Part of Social Democrats do not agree with the manner how the Chairman J.Bojars conducts negotiations with the potential coalition partners. Some party members, also the Social Democrats faction leader E.Baldzens called J.Bojars to be more responsive in talks with FF/LNNK.

The difference in opinions among Social Democrats, hidden from the electorate during the election, has become evident during the formation of Riga City Council. An exsample for that are the different opinions of Social Democrats leaders about the possible Riga Mayor. Part of Social Democrats do not agree with the manner how the Chairman J.Bojars conducts negotiations with the potential coalition partners. Some party members, also the Social Democrats faction leader E.Baldzens called J.Bojars to be more responsive in talks with FF/LNNK. Diena

Yesterday Latvian Social Democratic Workers’ Party started negotiations with the Union For Human Rights in United Latvia in attempt to find a common position. Social Democrats Board member J.Dinevics said afterwards that it was not a talk on forming a coalition but just an attempt to harmonise basic positions. In her turn Co-chairman of For Human Rights in United Latvia T.Zdanok informed that they had discussed the possibilities of co-operation and future steps to draft a co-operation agreement.

Yesterday Latvian Social Democratic Workers Party started negotiations with the Union For Human Rights in United Latvia in attempt to find a common position. Social Democrats Board member J.Dinevics said afterwards that it was not a talk on forming a coalition but just an attempt to harmonise basic positions. In her turn Co-chairman of For Human Rights in United Latvia T.Zdanok informed that they had discussed the possibilities of co-operation and future steps to draft a co-operation agreement. Neatkariga

Also the leader of For Human Rights in United Latvia J.Jurkans said that they had started to work on a coalition agreement and that the Union would support Social Democrats’ candidate to the Mayor’s post.

Also the leader of For Human Rights in United Latvia J.Jurkans said that they had started to work on a coalition agreement and that the Union would support Social Democrats candidate to the Mayors post. Chas

Having received more than 200 mandates in Latvia Social Democrats won the local government election, leaving behind them such parties as Latvian Farmers Union, Latvian Way and People’s Party. But as the Union For Human Rights in United Latvia did not receive so much support the election results do not prove a general victory of left wingers. Although in some municipalities Social Democrats will have a possibility to work in the position and some places even to candidate for the post of Mayor, the majority of these posts will be occupied by the representatives of Latvian Way and People’s Party.

Having received more than 200 mandates in Latvia Social Democrats won the local government election, leaving behind them such parties as Latvian Farmers Union, Latvian Way and Peoples Party. But as the Union For Human Rights in United Latvia did not receive so much support the election results do not prove a general victory of left wingers. Although in some municipalities Social Democrats will have a possibility to work in the position and some places even to candidate for the post of Mayor, the majority of these posts will be occupied by the representatives of Latvian Way and Peoples Party. Diena

The new Russian Ambassador I.Studennikov arrived to Riga on Sunday evening and it is planned that he will hand his letter of accreditation to the Latvian President on March 27. On March 26 he will meet Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs I.Berzins.

The new Russian Ambassador I.Studennikov arrived to Riga on Sunday evening and it is planned that he will hand his letter of accreditation to the Latvian President on March 27. On March 26 he will meet Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs I.Berzins. Diena, Lauku Avize, Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Panorama Latvii

A.Lembergs was elected the Mayor of Venspils for the third time. Upon Lembergs’s proposal were re-elected his first deputy and deputy.

A.Lembergs was elected the Mayor of Venspils for the third time. Upon Lembergss proposal were re-elected his first deputy and deputy. Diena, Chas

Lauku Avize

interviewed some Latvian MPs about the considerable success of the Union For Human Rights in United Latvia. J.Snepsts from Peoples Party said that such an outcome of the election was closely linked with the naturalisation process. Latvia has so easy naturalisation norms that almost no country in the world. Therefore these norms should be made stricter. J.Vidins from FF/LNNK blames Latvian Way for its liberal citizenship law. K.Leiskalns (Latvian Way) says that naturalisation process in 97% works in favour of For Human Rights in United Latvia, and the electorate of this Union relies not on socialistic opinions but on the Russian speaking subculture. Mr.Leiskalns still thinks that the citizenship law should not be changed. Other parties just have to wait till people notice that these left-wingers may not fulfil their economic solutions. Responding to the letter of MP Dz.Abikis on the necessity to merge some Russian schools thus decreasing their number in order to optimise the school network,

Responding to the letter of MP Dz.Abikis on the necessity to merge some Russian schools thus decreasing their number in order to optimise the school network, Vesti Segodnya called the deputy and asked what was the reason to close those schools if according to the valid laws in 2004 they would transit to the Latvian language as the language of tuition. The answer was that it might not happen because there was a national minority school program and nobody had abolished it. Nevertheless, if optimisation succeeds Russian schools could not last until 2004 due to integration process. Mr.Abikiss colleague MP Y.Pliner from For Human Rights in United Latvia does not agree to such an interpretation of integration – he calls it assimilation. And he states that there are no objective reasons to reduce the number of Russian schools. Vesti Segodnya