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 European Parliament in its most recent report on Latvia states that society integration issues and economic development gradually lose their topicality and the main problems for Latvia are court system shortcomings, corruption problems and lack of administrative capacity in several EU legislation spheres.

The European Parliament in its most recent report on Latvia states that society integration issues and economic development gradually lose their topicality and the main problems for Latvia are court system shortcomings, corruption problems and lack of administrative capacity in several EU legislation spheres. Diena

Diena

publishes analyses of Presidents term in the office. The political scientists say that both the strength and weakness of the President lies in one factor – she is not from Latvia, thus she is able to adopt independent decisions, but the shortcoming of that is that she does not have people to rely on. Latvian Foreign Policy director A.Lejinshs voices Freibergas visit to the USA as her main success. The meeting with Russian president was also of big importance, considers A.Lejinsh. In regard to domestic policy, the president has shown her own position toward some laws – during 2 years she returned 8 laws to the Saeima. BNS news editor S.Jemberga reproaches the President for the lack of initiative to change legislation. S.Jemberga voices that the only Presidents initiative to enter amendments to the legislation was in regard to pre-trial detention and nothing else – neither the Law on Legal Presumption, nor amendments to Children Right as she promised. Political scientist N.Muizhnieks thinks that Latvian President is rather independent, however, political scientist A.Pabriks points out that her connection with Social Democrats is obvious. N.Muizhnieks agrees that V.Vike-Freiberga had taken some inconsiderate decisions, especially, in regard to the choice of personnel. Also, as it is indicated in the article in the internet portal publishes analyses of President’s term in the office. The political scientists say that both the strength and weakness of the President lies in one factor – she is not from Latvia, thus she is able to adopt independent decisions, but the shortcoming of that is that she does not have people to rely on. Latvian Foreign Policy director A.Lejinshs voices Freiberga’s visit to the USA as her main success. The meeting with Russian president was also of big importance, considers A.Lejinsh. In regard to domestic policy, the president has shown her own position toward some laws – during 2 years she returned 8 laws to the Saeima. BNS news editor S.Jemberga reproaches the President for the lack of initiative to change legislation. S.Jemberga voices that the only President’s initiative to enter amendments to the legislation was in regard to pre-trial detention “and nothing else – neither the Law on Legal Presumption, nor amendments to Children Right as she promised”. Political scientist N.Muizhnieks thinks that Latvian President is “rather independent”, however, political scientist A.Pabriks points out that her connection with Social Democrats is obvious. N.Muizhnieks agrees that V.Vike-Freiberga had taken some inconsiderate decisions, especially, in regard to the choice of personnel. Also, as it is indicated in the article in the internet portal Delfi Delfi Give Evaluation to Vaira!, the President still owes Latvian society explanation about her decisions in regard to personnel, as well as about the decision to stay at very expensive hotel in New York and wish to have too expensive armoured car. “Give Evaluation to Vaira!”, the President still owes Latvian society explanation about her decisions in regard to personnel, as well as about the decision to stay at very expensive hotel in New York and wish to have too expensive armoured car. Although the Central Electorate chairman A.Cimdars stated that no violations were established at Preili municipal election, many voters, as well as deputy candidates have admitted that the sale and purchase of votes took place. General Prosecutor Office will react to that, the form of response the Office is going to announce today. However, Latvia’s Way again received the majority of votes, and the second came Social Democrats.

Although the Central Electorate chairman A.Cimdars stated that no violations were established at Preili municipal election, many voters, as well as deputy candidates have admitted that the sale and purchase of votes took place. General Prosecutor Office will react to that, the form of response the Office is going to announce today. However, Latvias Way again received the majority of votes, and the second came Social Democrats. Diena, Neatkariga, Respublika

Latvian top national security agency will check out on who and with what purpose has sent a letter of threats to a local Russian language newspaper in which an unknown organisation threatens to take Russian people from Latvia to Siberia by train in cattle cars. Constitution Protection Office (CPO) deputy director Uldis Dzenitis told BNS it could be guessed by the publication in the newspaper the typewritten "masterpiece" contains "phrases that can be perceived as threats". Dzenitis said the CPO will compare the samples the office possesses with the letter received by the newspaper and also will question persons that, possibly, are involved. He declined to predict when any decisions could be made in this case. Saturday

Latvian top national security agency will check out on who and with what purpose has sent a letter of threats to a local Russian language newspaper in which an unknown organisation threatens to take Russian people from Latvia to Siberia by train in cattle cars. Constitution Protection Office (CPO) deputy director Uldis Dzenitis told BNS it could be guessed by the publication in the newspaper the typewritten "masterpiece" contains "phrases that can be perceived as threats". Dzenitis said the CPO will compare the samples the office possesses with the letter received by the newspaper and also will question persons that, possibly, are involved. He declined to predict when any decisions could be made in this case. Saturday Chas published a letter in which one organisation calling itself Committee for Latvia Free of Russian Invaders says "it is the last time to provide cattle cars and carry You out of Latvia". "The deportations schedule is being drawn. At first those will be 25,000 of military personnel-demolition men hostile to Latvia. Then all de classed elements, war, [communist] party veterans and the rest 700,000", the letter reads. The letter also recommends Russia to at last "come to its senses" and begin paying compensations as Germany is already doing, as well as criticises Russian ambassador to Latvia, Igor Studennikov, reproaching him of the lack of knowledge in history of Latvia. The letter also said the ambassador "should better think about how to pay sooner the compensations to deported persons". The newspaper in its publication meanwhile puts a rhetoric question about the letter: "What is it -- an evil joke or is it that the insanity sown by well known Roerich's publisher Mr. Garda [head of Vieda publishing company Aivars Garda] nevertheless has found grounds in the hot heads?" Neatkariga, Chas, Respublika

Daugavpils ruling party “Latgales Gaisma” headed by Daugavpils City mayor R.Eigims has re-established the coalition agreement with FHRUL.

Daugavpils ruling party Latgales Gaisma headed by Daugavpils City mayor R.Eigims has re-established the coalition agreement with FHRUL. Jauna, Panorama Latvii

There are not so many books that have had such free of charge promotion campaigns as Vieda’s book had. For 2 weeks the book is on the top of the list of best-sellers in Latvia. The director of publishing house considers the possibility to issue more copies.

There are not so many books that have had such free of charge promotion campaigns as Viedas book had. For 2 weeks the book is on the top of the list of best-sellers in Latvia. The director of publishing house considers the possibility to issue more copies. Lauku Avize

Six Riga City Council deputies whose Latvian language proficiency is doubted “keep jeering at the State Language Centre”. The deputies keep ignoring the requests of the State Language Centre to schedule examination time.

Six Riga City Council deputies whose Latvian language proficiency is doubted keep jeering at the State Language Centre. The deputies keep ignoring the requests of the State Language Centre to schedule examination time. Rigas Balss

Vesti Segodnja

publishes an article about the bilingual education in Latvia, particularly, about teaching aids in history. The newspaper disagrees with the interpretation of history reflected on some teaching aids and considers its offending for Russian students. publishes an article about the bilingual education in Latvia, particularly, about teaching aids in history. The newspaper disagrees with the interpretation of history reflected on some teaching aids and considers its offending for Russian students.

Respublika

publishes the debate on bilingual education and the role of Russian or any other national minority school in Latvia between G.Vasilevsky, head of General Education Department at the Ministry of Education and Science, and I.Pimenovs, representative of Latvian Association for Supporting Schools with the Russian Language of Tuition (LASSRLT). publishes the debate on bilingual education and the role of Russian or any other national minority school in Latvia between G.Vasilevsky, head of General Education Department at the Ministry of Education and Science, and I.Pimenovs, representative of Latvian Association for Supporting Schools with the Russian Language of Tuition (LASSRLT). When commenting on the first 100 days of Riga City Council and its mayor, People’s Party member E.Krastinshs devotes the most harsh critics to “mayor’s unfounded business trips, especially, in the direction to East”.

When commenting on the first 100 days of Riga City Council and its mayor, Peoples Party member E.Krastinshs devotes the most harsh critics to mayors unfounded business trips, especially, in the direction to East. Chas, Vesti Segodnja, Respublika

Latvian Interior Ministry and Russian Federation, Migration and National Policy Affairs Ministry in August will hold talks on co-operation between the two countries in the area of migration policy.

Latvian Interior Ministry and Russian Federation, Migration and National Policy Affairs Ministry in August will hold talks on co-operation between the two countries in the area of migration policy. Vesti Segodnja

Panorama Latvii provides the procedure of naturalisation examinations, as well as add, “according to all inquired people who have gone through naturalisation the members of examination commissions have very positive attitude towards people who are taking exams”.

Panorama Latvii provides the procedure of naturalisation examinations, as well as add, according to all inquired people who have gone through naturalisation the members of examination commissions have very positive attitude towards people who are taking exams.