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

Latvia and France at the close of French President Jacques Chirac's visit in Latvia reached agreement in principle on the compensation payment for the former Latvian embassy building in Paris which currently is used by Russian diplomats, Latvian president's spokeswoman said. Latvia and France also agreed that "agreement on the compensation payment will be closed during the coming weeks" but the essence of the agreement is not being disclosed.

Latvia and France at the close of French President Jacques Chirac's visit in Latvia reached agreement in principle on the compensation payment for the former Latvian embassy building in Paris which currently is used by Russian diplomats, Latvian president's spokeswoman said. Latvia and France also agreed that "agreement on the compensation payment will be closed during the coming weeks" but the essence of the agreement is not being disclosed. BNS, Diena, Panorama Latvii, Chas, Vesti Segodnya

The opinion of the United States on admission of Baltic states to NATO, which is not known yet, will play the ruling role on the issue and, in the event the US supports it, France will be unable not to support the wish of the three Baltic states to become the alliance's member countries. The position was voiced Friday in Riga by French President Jacques Chirac who said "there is a norm in the international law envisaging to respect wish of countries to join alliances". Latvian Foreign Ministry state secretary Maris Riekstins told reporters after the press conference that French president's remarks about accession of Baltics to NATO "shows progress in rhetoric".

The opinion of the United States on admission of Baltic states to NATO, which is not known yet, will play the ruling role on the issue and, in the event the US supports it, France will be unable not to support the wish of the three Baltic states to become the alliance's member countries. The position was voiced Friday in Riga by French President Jacques Chirac who said "there is a norm in the international law envisaging to respect wish of countries to join alliances". Latvian Foreign Ministry state secretary Maris Riekstins told reporters after the press conference that French president's remarks about accession of Baltics to NATO "shows progress in rhetoric". BNS

Social Democrat party parliament faction Friday postponed the question on replacement of the faction head that had triggered rumors about splitting within the party, without providing much explanation to the press. Social Democrat leader Juris Bojars following the faction meeting declined to explain to reporters what reasons are

Social Democrat party parliament faction Friday postponed the question on replacement of the faction head that had triggered rumors about splitting within the party, without providing much explanation to the press. Social Democrat leader Juris Bojars following the faction meeting declined to explain to reporters what reasons are

being cited as grounds for replacing current faction head Egils Baldzens. He only reminded the party had already in its congress decided to do some clean up within it so to retain the party's face for elections. He denied the question on Baldzens replacement indicates of splitting within the party. "We will not collapse because we are too large a party," he said.

being cited as grounds for replacing current faction head Egils Baldzens. He only reminded the party had already in its congress decided to do some clean up within it so to retain the party's face for elections. He denied the question on Baldzens replacement indicates of splitting within the party. "We will not collapse because we are too large a party," he said. BNS, Diena

None of Latvia's political parties have experienced any considerable rise or fall in popularity polls for July, while the top three have shuffled - the social democrats still holding the lead, followed by the People's Party second and For Fatherland and Freedom (FF)/LNNK in third place. The fourth most popular party in Latvia is the Latvian Way only just after FF/LNNK, followed by left-wing alliance For Human Rights in a United Latvia (FHRUL), according to polls carried out by the SKDS office.

None of Latvia's political parties have experienced any considerable rise or fall in popularity polls for July, while the top three have shuffled - the social democrats still holding the lead, followed by the People's Party second and For Fatherland and Freedom (FF)/LNNK in third place. The fourth most popular party in Latvia is the Latvian Way only just after FF/LNNK, followed by left-wing alliance For Human Rights in a United Latvia (FHRUL), according to polls carried out by the SKDS office. BNS

Vesti Segodnya

writes that for the fist time some representatives of Latvian intellectuals condemned the regular act of Russophobia. Upon an initiative of Latvian Human Rights and Ethnic Studies Center Director N.Muiznieks was published an open letter, signed by 30 people, to FF/LNNK and Social Democrats demanding these political parties to express their opinion in public towards the provocative activities of the director of Publishing House A.Garda. A Riga city court Friday postponed consideration of a claim by National Radio and Television Council (NRTVC) against Bizness & Baltija (B&B;) radio station over closure because the case has been transferred to another judge. Justice Leons Baumanis explained to BNS the court chairman decided to transfer the case because B&B; had sent to Justice Ministry a complaint over handling of the case. The complaint said the judge has failed to observe the interests and rights of B&B; and expressed other reproaches, which the judge regards as unfounded. He was rejected from consideration of the case last week and the case was transferred to Justice Marika Senkane. The hearing date is not known yet. According to the NRTVC opinion operations of radio B&B; fail to meet the submitted concept, the radio had exceeded the stipulated time for broadcasting in a foreign language within the total broadcasting time, as well as they played advertisements in the Russian language during broadcasts in the Latvian language. According to the Latvian radio and television law advertisement should be in the language of the program.

A Riga city court Friday postponed consideration of a claim by National Radio and Television Council (NRTVC) against Bizness & Baltija (B&B) radio station over closure because the case has been transferred to another judge. Justice Leons Baumanis explained to BNS the court chairman decided to transfer the case because B&B had sent to Justice Ministry a complaint over handling of the case. The complaint said the judge has failed to observe the interests and rights of B&B and expressed other reproaches, which the judge regards as unfounded. He was rejected from consideration of the case last week and the case was transferred to Justice Marika Senkane. The hearing date is not known yet. According to the NRTVC opinion operations of radio B&B fail to meet the submitted concept, the radio had exceeded the stipulated time for broadcasting in a foreign language within the total broadcasting time, as well as they played advertisements in the Russian language during broadcasts in the Latvian language. According to the Latvian radio and television law advertisement should be in the language of the program. BNS