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

A Moscow city executive, declared by Latvia as persona non grata in last November, may nevertheless be let into the country as a part of the Moscow delegation expected to come to Riga in mid-August for celebration of the Latvian capital's 800th anniversary. Riga mayor Gundars Bojars told BNS Alexander Perelygin could be among Moscow City delegates sent to Riga. Mayor's foreign advisor told BNS that official invitation to the Riga anniversary celebrations had been made to Moscow mayor Jury Luzhkov and a delegation but Luzhkov elected to send to Riga his first deputy Vladimir Shantsev instead.

A Moscow city executive, declared by Latvia as persona non grata in last November, may nevertheless be let into the country as a part of the Moscow delegation expected to come to Riga in mid-August for celebration of the Latvian capital's 800th anniversary. Riga mayor Gundars Bojars told BNS Alexander Perelygin could be among Moscow City delegates sent to Riga. Mayor's foreign advisor told BNS that official invitation to the Riga anniversary celebrations had been made to Moscow mayor Jury Luzhkov and a delegation but Luzhkov elected to send to Riga his first deputy Vladimir Shantsev instead. BNS

The chairman of the opposition Social Democrat faction in the Latvian parliament has survived recent attempts to replace him. After several hours of debate, the Latvian Social Democratic Workers Party board Wednesday resolved to stop discussing removal of Social Democrat parliamentary faction chairman Egils Baldzens. Reports about plans to remove Baldzens first appeared two weeks ago. The removal was allegedly due to Baldzens having acted contrary to the party instructions during local election campaign this spring. It was also suggested that Social Democrat leader Juris Bojars wanted to displace Baldzens within the party and in the politics. After the party board meeting where passions ran high Wednesday, Bojars told reporters that the Social Democratic party board had resolved to stop discussing the need to replace Baldzens in order "not to play into hands of the enemies of the party."

The chairman of the opposition Social Democrat faction in the Latvian parliament has survived recent attempts to replace him. After several hours of debate, the Latvian Social Democratic Workers Party board Wednesday resolved to stop discussing removal of Social Democrat parliamentary faction chairman Egils Baldzens. Reports about plans to remove Baldzens first appeared two weeks ago. The removal was allegedly due to Baldzens having acted contrary to the party instructions during local election campaign this spring. It was also suggested that Social Democrat leader Juris Bojars wanted to displace Baldzens within the party and in the politics. After the party board meeting where passions ran high Wednesday, Bojars told reporters that the Social Democratic party board had resolved to stop discussing the need to replace Baldzens in order "not to play into hands of the enemies of the party." BNS, Diena, Jauna Avize, Lauku Avize, Panorama Latvii, Neatkariga

The Latvian Foreign Ministry has received from Russia a note of acceptance, approving the nominee to the Latvian ambassador in Moscow, the ministry reported. The note of acceptance, stating Russia's approval of Normans Penke as the new Latvian Ambassador in Moscow, had been received already July 2, said a spokesman for the Latvian Foreign Ministry.

The Latvian Foreign Ministry has received from Russia a note of acceptance, approving the nominee to the Latvian ambassador in Moscow, the ministry reported. The note of acceptance, stating Russia's approval of Normans Penke as the new Latvian Ambassador in Moscow, had been received already July 2, said a spokesman for the Latvian Foreign Ministry. BNS, Chas

The Latvian top national security agency has reprimanded the head of a controversial publishing company for taking actions harmful to the state. The Constitution Protection Office (CPO) has reprimanded Aivars Garda, the head of Vieda publishers notorious for organizing a youth contest of nationalist essays. CPO deputy head Uldis Dzenitis told BNS the agency had warned Garda that it was inadmissible to take actions that posed a threat to national security.

The Latvian top national security agency has reprimanded the head of a controversial publishing company for taking actions harmful to the state. The Constitution Protection Office (CPO) has reprimanded Aivars Garda, the head of Vieda publishers notorious for organizing a youth contest of nationalist essays. CPO deputy head Uldis Dzenitis told BNS the agency had warned Garda that it was inadmissible to take actions that posed a threat to national security. BNS, Chas

National Radio and TV Council (NRTC), examining the record of Broadcasting Company Bizness&Baltija; of June 1, found that the amount of information broadcasted in a foreign language exceeded the limit stipulated by the Radio and TV law. It was 54% of the whole 24-hour broadcasting program. According to the law it should not exceed 25%. The Company denied this violation assuring that the total time in the Russian language had been 24.9%. NRTC has prepared a draft regulation with a warming to B&B.;

National Radio and TV Council (NRTC), examining the record of Broadcasting Company Bizness&Baltija of June 1, found that the amount of information broadcasted in a foreign language exceeded the limit stipulated by the Radio and TV law. It was 54% of the whole 24-hour broadcasting program. According to the law it should not exceed 25%. The Company denied this violation assuring that the total time in the Russian language had been 24.9%. NRTC has prepared a draft regulation with a warming to B&B. Diena

Financing of Russia to support programs for compatriots residing in CIS and Baltic States has been increase two times in comparison to the previous year. It was announced by Russian Vice-Prime Minister V.Hristenko on Wednesday. According to what V.Hristenko said Russia respected attempts of those states to strengthen their sovereignty but it might not cause discrimination of some categories of residents. Vice –Prime Minister confirmed the information that in October this year in Moscow would take place congress of compatriots with participation of about 500 representatives from compatriot organizations in CIS and Baltic States.

Financing of Russia to support programs for compatriots residing in CIS and Baltic States has been increase two times in comparison to the previous year. It was announced by Russian Vice-Prime Minister V.Hristenko on Wednesday. According to what V.Hristenko said Russia respected attempts of those states to strengthen their sovereignty but it might not cause discrimination of some categories of residents. Vice –Prime Minister confirmed the information that in October this year in Moscow would take place congress of compatriots with participation of about 500 representatives from compatriot organizations in CIS and Baltic States. Diena, Chas

A.Yelkin in

A.Yelkin in Vesti Segodnya writes that the decision of Privatization Agency to sell 3% of Latvijas Gaze stock for privatization vouchers, stating that one of possible reasons for such a decision could be fear that one of the stock holders of latvijas Gaze – company Itera Latvia that is very closely linked with Russian monopoly company Gazprom would buy these stocks to sell them to Gazprom afterwards. And it seems that for many Latvian journalists and politicians the combination of words Russian enterprise causes allergy. Even after 1o years of independence Latvia can not get rid of fear from Russia.