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

Social Democrats and Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK have agreed the two parties should form the base of the ruling coalition on Riga city council and can also take up Latvia's Way and the small parties as coalition partners avoiding from Cupertino with the People's Party, Social Democrat leader said. Juris Bojars told reporters Wednesday that a member of FF/LNNK whose name he declined to reveal had reported to Social Democrat board member Maris Tralmaks that FF/LNNK agrees that the "main axis of power" of the coalition in Riga city council will be Social Democrats and FF/LNNK and will also include the small parties. "The raft should be made of as many timbers as possible so it is stable," said Bojars.

Social Democrats and Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK have agreed the two parties should form the base of the ruling coalition on Riga city council and can also take up Latvia's Way and the small parties as coalition partners avoiding from Cupertino with the People's Party, Social Democrat leader said. Juris Bojars told reporters Wednesday that a member of FF/LNNK whose name he declined to reveal had reported to Social Democrat board member Maris Tralmaks that FF/LNNK agrees that the "main axis of power" of the coalition in Riga city council will be Social Democrats and FF/LNNK and will also include the small parties. "The raft should be made of as many timbers as possible so it is stable," said Bojars. BNS, Diena

Social Democrats board Wednesday decided to approve Gundars Bojars as party's candidate for Riga mayor. Bojars was nominated as candidate for Riga mayor with 12 votes against five.

Social Democrats board Wednesday decided to approve Gundars Bojars as party's candidate for Riga mayor. Bojars was nominated as candidate for Riga mayor with 12 votes against five. BNS, Diena, Jauna Avize, Panorama Latvii

OSCE High Commissioner for National Minorities Max van der Stoel will be on a farewell visit in Latvia March 22-23, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman told reporters Wednesday. Liga Bergmane said the commissioner is attending most Eastern European countries, as his mandate in July will be taken over by Rolf Ekeus. During his visit in Latvia Stoel will meet Prime Minister Andris Berzins, Foreign Minister Indulis Berzins, Justice Minister Ingrida Labucka, Naturalisation Department Head Eizenija Aldermane and other officials. Bergmane said Stoel, while fulfilling his mandate in Latvia, has helped a lot in developing the state language law and on human rights issues. He also took active involvement in attracting international donors who supported developing and implementation of Latvian language teaching program.

OSCE High Commissioner for National Minorities Max van der Stoel will be on a farewell visit in Latvia March 22-23, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman told reporters Wednesday. Liga Bergmane said the commissioner is attending most Eastern European countries, as his mandate in July will be taken over by Rolf Ekeus. During his visit in Latvia Stoel will meet Prime Minister Andris Berzins, Foreign Minister Indulis Berzins, Justice Minister Ingrida Labucka, Naturalisation Department Head Eizenija Aldermane and other officials. Bergmane said Stoel, while fulfilling his mandate in Latvia, has helped a lot in developing the state language law and on human rights issues. He also took active involvement in attracting international donors who supported developing and implementation of Latvian language teaching program. BNS, Diena, Chas

The newspaper

The newspaper Respublika interviewed several well-known people in Latvia about their opinion on the High Commissioner and his successor. A.Borovkovs, Chairman of Association of Latvian Lawyers said that the High Commissioner was no authority for him and he did not care who would replace him. T.Zhdanok from For Human Rights in United Latvia answered that the High Commissioner had a very strong apparatus and she believed that it would help the new Commissioner to understand the essence of problems. N.Muiznieks Director of Human rights and ethnic studies Research Centre stated that the High Commissioner and his team demonstrated high professionalism in national minority affairs. The new Commissioner is a good diplomat but he lacks understanding of national minority problems. At least so far. Respublika

A.Stroy writes about the attitude towards Max van der Stoel. And she starts with a statement that one of her Latvian acquaintances even named his dog Max van der Dog. But Latvian newspapers called the High Commissioner himself in different names and “Angel of Death of Latvian nation” was one of the mildest. MP B.Cilevich states that input of the High Commissioner in the development of democracy in Latvia is extremely high. In general his tactics of “keeping silent” B.Cilevich finds a success, although concerning Latvia the High Commissioner often lowered the level of his demands. N.Muiznieks adds that the High Commissioner is not popular in Eastern Europe because anybody would be treated in the same why because of the things he has to say.

A.Stroy writes about the attitude towards Max van der Stoel. And she starts with a statement that one of her Latvian acquaintances even named his dog Max van der Dog. But Latvian newspapers called the High Commissioner himself in different names and Angel of Death of Latvian nation was one of the mildest. MP B.Cilevich states that input of the High Commissioner in the development of democracy in Latvia is extremely high. In general his tactics of keeping silent B.Cilevich finds a success, although concerning Latvia the High Commissioner often lowered the level of his demands. N.Muiznieks adds that the High Commissioner is not popular in Eastern Europe because anybody would be treated in the same why because of the things he has to say. Chas

Latvian-Russian inter governmental commission will meet on March 27 in Moscow to agree on resumption of talks about agreements concerning social and economic issues, Latvian co-chairman of the commission told reporters Wednesday following the parliament foreign affairs committee meeting. Anatolijs Gorbunovs, who also is Latvian transport minister, said negotiations on signing of inter governmental agreements, which have been suspended for some time, could resume after the meeting with the Russian task force in Moscow.

Latvian-Russian inter governmental commission will meet on March 27 in Moscow to agree on resumption of talks about agreements concerning social and economic issues, Latvian co-chairman of the commission told reporters Wednesday following the parliament foreign affairs committee meeting. Anatolijs Gorbunovs, who also is Latvian transport minister, said negotiations on signing of inter governmental agreements, which have been suspended for some time, could resume after the meeting with the Russian task force in Moscow. BNS, Diena, Panorama Latvii, Vesti Segodnya

Repeated local elections will be held in central Latvian district Viesturi and eastern district Preili in accordance with respective court rulings passed on Wednesday. Bauska District Court Wednesday resolved to annul the district election commission decision on approving election results in Viesturi, Bauska county, as, the court ruled, the election commission there had permitted gross violations that had probably affected the outcome of the poll. The court ruling is final and cannot be appealed against. Concerning Preili meanwhile the ruling, passed by Preili District Court, was due to four odd bulletins found during the counting of votes. The odd bulletins could influence the election results. The court ruling takes immediate effect and can not be appealed.

Repeated local elections will be held in central Latvian district Viesturi and eastern district Preili in accordance with respective court rulings passed on Wednesday. Bauska District Court Wednesday resolved to annul the district election commission decision on approving election results in Viesturi, Bauska county, as, the court ruled, the election commission there had permitted gross violations that had probably affected the outcome of the poll. The court ruling is final and cannot be appealed against. Concerning Preili meanwhile the ruling, passed by Preili District Court, was due to four odd bulletins found during the counting of votes. The odd bulletins could influence the election results. The court ruling takes immediate effect and can not be appealed. BNS, Diena, Neatkariga

In the competition between Latvian Way and People’s Party, which of those will receive more posts of city mayor, Latvian Way is starting to lead. According to the information received on Wednesday from 10 elected mayors 6 represented Latvian Way.

In the competition between Latvian Way and Peoples Party, which of those will receive more posts of city mayor, Latvian Way is starting to lead. According to the information received on Wednesday from 10 elected mayors 6 represented Latvian Way. Diena

The Union For Human Rights in United Latvia received 13 seats at the Riga City Council although the most optimistic forecast spoke about 6 – 7. The newspaper

The Union For Human Rights in United Latvia received 13 seats at the Riga City Council although the most optimistic forecast spoke about 6 – 7. The newspaper Chas interviewed the person No 1 on their list S.Dolgopolov. He agreed that this election was an election of protest during which people expressed their attitude towards the ruling coalition. Speaking about their possible co-operation partners, S.Dolgopolov said that they were ready to co-operate with all political forces because people had elected all of them, so they had to co-operate. But their faction is ready to work also in the opposition.

Only few residents of Eastern Latvia town Zilupe have used a possibility to submit application documents for naturalisation in Zilupe. Naturalisation Board Rezekne Office organised a road trip to Zilupe to receive these document at the premises of Zilupe municipality but only two applicants arrived. The major obstacles for these people to apply for naturalisation is the comparatively high naturalisation fee and poor knowledge of the state language.

Only few residents of Eastern Latvia town Zilupe have used a possibility to submit application documents for naturalisation in Zilupe. Naturalisation Board Rezekne Office organised a road trip to Zilupe to receive these document at the premises of Zilupe municipality but only two applicants arrived. The major obstacles for these people to apply for naturalisation is the comparatively high naturalisation fee and poor knowledge of the state language. Diena

Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga will be on an official visit in Denmark March 28-30 to meet Danish Queen Margrethe II, Prime Minister Paul Nyrup Rasmussen and other officials.

Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga will be on an official visit in Denmark March 28-30 to meet Danish Queen Margrethe II, Prime Minister Paul Nyrup Rasmussen and other officials. BNS

A journalist from

A journalist from Vesti Segodnya interviewed the President of the Public Union of Citizens and Non-citizens V.Sokolov about the situation of non-citizens in Latvia. Speaking about the last local government election V.Sokolov says that this was not a liberal election. The very idea of liberalism is discredited in Latvia. The question of the right of vote for non-citizens – it is a mater of citizens. Why it is not solved? The argument is that non-citizens are not ready, unworthy, not loyal. It means – fear. Authorities are afraid of their own people. Latvia is an independent country and it is irreversible process. Therefore all problems should be solved within this country. Not looking either to the East or West.