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

Diena

publishes an analytical article on the relations between Latvia and Russia written by the member of USA programme Fulbright A.Gutmanis. In the authors opinion Russia is not a military threat to Latvia anymore, however, a dialogue on a political level is only apparent. About Russias attitude toward its compatriots in the Baltic countries the author writes Up till now Russia has not fostered the integration of Russians into Latvian society. Russia has not identified itself with the positive evaluation of public integration in Latvia given by the OSCE. Russia preserves its choice to use Latvia as an instrument in its policy. A.Gutmanis admits the attitude of the Latvian state changes toward Russians in Latvia and tolerance of society is high, which gives a privilege to be slow in improving a dialogue with national minorities. publishes an analytical article on the relations between Latvia and Russia written by the member of USA programme Fulbright A.Gutmanis. In the author’s opinion Russia is not a military threat to Latvia anymore, however, a dialogue on a political level is only apparent. About Russia’s attitude toward its compatriots in the Baltic countries the author writes “Up till now Russia has not fostered the integration of Russians into Latvian society. Russia has not identified itself with the positive evaluation of public integration in Latvia given by the OSCE. Russia preserves its choice to use Latvia as an instrument in its policy”. A.Gutmanis admits “the attitude of the Latvian state changes toward Russians in Latvia and tolerance of society is high, which gives a privilege to be slow in improving a dialogue with national minorities.” Thursday Latvian President V. Vike-Freiberga met with the teachers of the Latvian language who teach at Russian schools. The President and teachers together examined the written examination works in the Latvian language of 12 graders. The newspaper states that this venue has a political meaning because it is the first year when 12 graders of non-Latvian schools are able to use the results of the centralised examination in the state language for naturalisation purposes. And secondly, “the President demonstrated that she partly fulfils promises given to her Russian colleague at the meeting in Alps”.

Thursday Latvian President V. Vike-Freiberga met with the teachers of the Latvian language who teach at Russian schools. The President and teachers together examined the written examination works in the Latvian language of 12 graders. The newspaper states that this venue has a political meaning because it is the first year when 12 graders of non-Latvian schools are able to use the results of the centralised examination in the state language for naturalisation purposes. And secondly, the President demonstrated that she partly fulfils promises given to her Russian colleague at the meeting in Alps. Vesti Segodnja