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

The OSCE's mandate in Latvia will be extended by six months because the mission has not accomplished all goals under its mandate yet, OSCE mission's official representative in Latvia said. Peter Semneby did not rule out the mission in Latvia could be closed at the end of this year adding though "it is premature to discuss it as yet". Extension of the mandate which expires June 30 will be considered at the OSCE Permanent Council forum June 14 when Semneby will report on OSCE mission's work in Latvia, head of the Latvian delegation to OSCE, Edgars Skuja, told BNS. Skuja said the mission can be closed when most of the OSCE member countries approve that the mandate has been accomplished. "The fact that discussions on the mission closure in Latvia have began indicates the situation in Latvia has improved significantly," he said. It is not possible though to state concrete term for the mission closure yet. Semneby underscored that Latvia shows very positive development noting specifically that amendments to naturalisation regulations adopted recently indicate of "positive signals". Nevertheless, to accomplish the OSCE mandate "some things still should be completed". OSCE mission is focussing on naturalisation and citizenship issues and at this point also has taken involvement in the ombudsman institution formation process and strengthening of other human rights institutions, said Semneby. The mission head added that the mission's task currently also is monitoring introduction of the state language law in the country. Latvia hopes that in the wake of amendments to the naturalisation regulations, adopted last week envisaging lowering naturalisation fee, the OSCE mission will complete its work in Latvia at the end of this year together with OSCE mission in Estonia, Foreign Ministry state secretary Maris Riekstins told BNS. Currently the OSCE's presiding country is Romania. BNS has obtained information it is planned to close OSCE mission in Estonia at the end of this year too and this would coincide with expiry of Romania's presidency on the OSCE.

The OSCE's mandate in Latvia will be extended by six months because the mission has not accomplished all goals under its mandate yet, OSCE mission's official representative in Latvia said. Peter Semneby did not rule out the mission in Latvia could be closed at the end of this year adding though "it is premature to discuss it as yet". Extension of the mandate which expires June 30 will be considered at the OSCE Permanent Council forum June 14 when Semneby will report on OSCE mission's work in Latvia, head of the Latvian delegation to OSCE, Edgars Skuja, told BNS. Skuja said the mission can be closed when most of the OSCE member countries approve that the mandate has been accomplished. "The fact that discussions on the mission closure in Latvia have began indicates the situation in Latvia has improved significantly," he said. It is not possible though to state concrete term for the mission closure yet. Semneby underscored that Latvia shows very positive development noting specifically that amendments to naturalisation regulations adopted recently indicate of "positive signals". Nevertheless, to accomplish the OSCE mandate "some things still should be completed". OSCE mission is focussing on naturalisation and citizenship issues and at this point also has taken involvement in the ombudsman institution formation process and strengthening of other human rights institutions, said Semneby. The mission head added that the mission's task currently also is monitoring introduction of the state language law in the country. Latvia hopes that in the wake of amendments to the naturalisation regulations, adopted last week envisaging lowering naturalisation fee, the OSCE mission will complete its work in Latvia at the end of this year together with OSCE mission in Estonia, Foreign Ministry state secretary Maris Riekstins told BNS. Currently the OSCE's presiding country is Romania. BNS has obtained information it is planned to close OSCE mission in Estonia at the end of this year too and this would coincide with expiry of Romania's presidency on the OSCE. BNS, Diena, Vesti Segodnja

Diena publishes an article by political scientist A.Pabriks on civic integration. A.Pabriks gives an explanation to the terms “civic society” and “multi-cultural society” and what role integration has in them. In regard to the situation in Latvia he says “in Latvia the term “multi-culture” is more associated with alienated ethnic groups” and “what regards political integration in the context of the article the only thing is to invite Latvian non-citizens to be more active and exploit the possibilities provided by Latvian legislation to obtain citizenship”.

Diena publishes an article by political scientist A.Pabriks on civic integration. A.Pabriks gives an explanation to the terms civic society and multi-cultural society and what role integration has in them. In regard to the situation in Latvia he says in Latvia the term multi-culture is more associated with alienated ethnic groups and what regards political integration in the context of the article the only thing is to invite Latvian non-citizens to be more active and exploit the possibilities provided by Latvian legislation to obtain citizenship.

Last weekend the conference “Securing and Developing of Economic Relations among Latvia, Byelorussia and Russia under the Influence of Integration Processes of the Baltic States into the European Union and Byelorussia and Russia” organised by NGO Baltic Forum took place in Jurmala. Riga City Council deputy mayor S.Dolgopolovs, Jurmala mayor D.Urbanovich, Saeima deputy J.Urbanovich and V.Birkavs, Saeima vice-speaker R.Piks and a group of Latvian businesspeople represented Latvia, however, there were no representatives from Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Russia and Byelorussia were represented by their ambassadors to Latvia and big delegations of entrepreneurs, as well as deputies from Russian State Duma.

Last weekend the conference Securing and Developing of Economic Relations among Latvia, Byelorussia and Russia under the Influence of Integration Processes of the Baltic States into the European Union and Byelorussia and Russia organised by NGO Baltic Forum took place in Jurmala. Riga City Council deputy mayor S.Dolgopolovs, Jurmala mayor D.Urbanovich, Saeima deputy J.Urbanovich and V.Birkavs, Saeima vice-speaker R.Piks and a group of Latvian businesspeople represented Latvia, however, there were no representatives from Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Russia and Byelorussia were represented by their ambassadors to Latvia and big delegations of entrepreneurs, as well as deputies from Russian State Duma. Jauna, Chas, Vesti Segodnja, Panorama Latvii, Respublika

Rigas Balss

introduces the readers with the main facts from the biography of Riga City Council deputy mayor S.Dolgopolovs. Other politicians characterise him as completely different from his union members – he is very smart, never talks nonsense and is able to take decisions. Some of the City Council deputies even said that at the beginning it looked like the real head of Riga was Dolgopolovs and not G.Bojars. introduces the readers with the main facts from the biography of Riga City Council deputy mayor S.Dolgopolovs. Other politicians characterise him as completely different from his union members – “he is very smart, never talks nonsense and is able to take decisions”. Some of the City Council deputies even said that at the beginning it looked like the real head of Riga was Dolgopolovs and not G.Bojars.

Chas

interviews Latvias Way Saeima faction chairperson K.Libane. In her opinion the work of the current Government could be scored 4 out of 5. The same evaluation could be given to the relations between the Latvias Way and Peoples Party. The poor performance of her party at municipal election in her opinion will help the party to get ready for the next Saeima election. K.Libane does not exclude the possibility that a new party will be founded before 8th Saeima election, however, most likely that Social Democrats will try to play the main role. When asked about the situation in regard to FF/LNNK – in City Council they are in coalition with Social Democrats, but in Saeima they are in opposition - she says if political will of FF/LNNK grows into desire to overthrow the Government together with Social Democrats, they would succeed, however, we are doing our best to make FF/LNNK feel comfortable in this Government. interviews Latvia’s Way Saeima faction chairperson K.Libane. In her opinion the work of the current Government could be scored 4 out of 5. The same evaluation could be given to the relations between the Latvia’s Way and People’s Party. The poor performance of her party at municipal election in her opinion will help the party to get ready for the next Saeima election. K.Libane does not exclude the possibility that a new party will be founded before 8th Saeima election, however, most likely that Social Democrats will try to play the main role. When asked about the situation in regard to FF/LNNK – in City Council they are in coalition with Social Democrats, but in Saeima they are in opposition - she says “if political will of FF/LNNK grows into desire to overthrow the Government together with Social Democrats, they would succeed, however, we are doing our best to make FF/LNNK feel comfortable in this Government”. FHRUL deputies in City Council sent a letter to the State Language Centre, and letter’s main point was that “first, try to catch us and then you could examine us”. The administration of the Centre is preparing the response, which says “just give us a chance to examine your language and we will find mistakes anyway”.

FHRUL deputies in City Council sent a letter to the State Language Centre, and letters main point was that first, try to catch us and then you could examine us. The administration of the Centre is preparing the response, which says just give us a chance to examine your language and we will find mistakes anyway. Chas

The State Language Centre has established that during Hansa Days the organisers of the venue have violated the Law on the State Language – first, the names of Hansa cities were given in their original languages, second – the information on the uniforms of service people were written only in the English language.

The State Language Centre has established that during Hansa Days the organisers of the venue have violated the Law on the State Language – first, the names of Hansa cities were given in their original languages, second – the information on the uniforms of service people were written only in the English language. Respublika