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 new OSCE Commissioner for National Minorities, Rolf Ekeus, Thursday launched his acquaintance visit in Latvia meeting Latvian president in her sea side residence in Jurmala, some 20 kilometers away from Riga, a spokeswoman said. Vaira Vike-Freiberga briefed Ekeus in 20 minutes talks about Latvia's development directions in the last ten years and the state's policy on minorities issues. Ekeus was reserved in his comment on minorities’ situation in Latvia saying he has not studied the issue appropriately yet. He also refrained from assessing the work of his predecessor Max van der Stoel in solution of national minority problems in Latvia saying, "the evaluation will be given by history". He said the aim of his current visit in Latvia is "get familiar with his obligations" but it is clear already at this point there will be a broad range of issues on his agenda. Ekeus noted diplomatically he still has to carefully observe the national minority situation in Latvia before he presents his vision about the existing problems.

The new OSCE Commissioner for National Minorities, Rolf Ekeus, Thursday launched his acquaintance visit in Latvia meeting Latvian president in her sea side residence in Jurmala, some 20 kilometers away from Riga, a spokeswoman said. Vaira Vike-Freiberga briefed Ekeus in 20 minutes talks about Latvia's development directions in the last ten years and the state's policy on minorities issues. Ekeus was reserved in his comment on minorities situation in Latvia saying he has not studied the issue appropriately yet. He also refrained from assessing the work of his predecessor Max van der Stoel in solution of national minority problems in Latvia saying, "the evaluation will be given by history". He said the aim of his current visit in Latvia is "get familiar with his obligations" but it is clear already at this point there will be a broad range of issues on his agenda. Ekeus noted diplomatically he still has to carefully observe the national minority situation in Latvia before he presents his vision about the existing problems. BNS

Ekeus informed the president that at the end of this year OSCE could decide on whether Latvia has succeeded in implementing all requirements set by OSCE and whether the OSCE mission in Latvia could be closed.

Ekeus informed the president that at the end of this year OSCE could decide on whether Latvia has succeeded in implementing all requirements set by OSCE and whether the OSCE mission in Latvia could be closed. LETA, Latvijas Vestnesis

OSCE Commissioner Rolf Ekeus, met with the Latvian education minister, who informed the guest about the Latvian language teaching national program. Latvian education and science minister Karlis Greiskalns said that the national program had four sections -- further education of teachers (for Latvian language teachers teaching Latvian as the second language), development and upgrading of teaching aids for study of the Latvian as the second language and for bilingual education, courses of the Latvian as the second language and the integration measures. Other ministry officials told the OSCE commissioner about development prospects for ethnic minority high schools after 2004 and accomplishments by the Ethnic Minorities Advisory Council.

OSCE Commissioner Rolf Ekeus, met with the Latvian education minister, who informed the guest about the Latvian language teaching national program. Latvian education and science minister Karlis Greiskalns said that the national program had four sections -- further education of teachers (for Latvian language teachers teaching Latvian as the second language), development and upgrading of teaching aids for study of the Latvian as the second language and for bilingual education, courses of the Latvian as the second language and the integration measures. Other ministry officials told the OSCE commissioner about development prospects for ethnic minority high schools after 2004 and accomplishments by the Ethnic Minorities Advisory Council. BNS, Respublika, Chas, Panorama Latvii

The Latvian parliament speaker and the UNESCO General Conference president met Thursday in Riga to discuss possible cooperation between Latvia and the UNESCO, reported the parliament press service.

The Latvian parliament speaker and the UNESCO General Conference president met Thursday in Riga to discuss possible cooperation between Latvia and the UNESCO, reported the parliament press service. BNS

During her visit in Denmark today, President Vaira Vike-Freiberga is scheduled to meet with Danish Prime Minister Poul Nyrup Rasmussen. As

During her visit in Denmark today, President Vaira Vike-Freiberga is scheduled to meet with Danish Prime Minister Poul Nyrup Rasmussen. As LETA was informed by the president's press service, the president will visit the new premises of the Latvian Embassy in Denmark as well as give an interview to the Danish business newspaper "Borsen". LETA

After the circulated document where the situation in Latvia concerning national minorities was compared to the one in Macedonia, authors – Saeima faction For Human Rights in United Latvia deny that they once more tried to dramatize the ethnic issue. They justify themselves that their only goal was to point out to the lack of interest in national minority issues in EU and among other Saeima deputies. Faction leader J.Jurkans even dissociates him from this document and stresses that that is not the opinion of the faction. Nevertheless political scientists point out that this comparison is very similar to the statements made by Russian President V.Putin. In his turn Prime Minister A.Berzins in a radio interview said that it was up to prosecutor’s office and judicial institutions to decide if FHRUL activities could be regarded as kindling.

After the circulated document where the situation in Latvia concerning national minorities was compared to the one in Macedonia, authors – Saeima faction For Human Rights in United Latvia deny that they once more tried to dramatize the ethnic issue. They justify themselves that their only goal was to point out to the lack of interest in national minority issues in EU and among other Saeima deputies. Faction leader J.Jurkans even dissociates him from this document and stresses that that is not the opinion of the faction. Nevertheless political scientists point out that this comparison is very similar to the statements made by Russian President V.Putin. In his turn Prime Minister A.Berzins in a radio interview said that it was up to prosecutors office and judicial institutions to decide if FHRUL activities could be regarded as kindling. Diena

Diena published an interview with the new German Ambassador to Latvia E.Herold where the Ambassador spoke about his personal links to Latvia, Latvian – German relations and Latvia’s attempts to join NATO and EU.

Diena published an interview with the new German Ambassador to Latvia E.Herold where the Ambassador spoke about his personal links to Latvia, Latvian – German relations and Latvias attempts to join NATO and EU.

More and more often European institutions and high officials call Latvia to ratify Framework convention on national minorities. The Saeima has already twice rejected opposition proposals to do it. It is possible that somebody with the approaching election will try to achieve let the convention take effect in Latvia. Although opinions of political parties on this differ, majority of experts and politicians who were discussing it at the meting organized by CoE Information and Documentation Center supported ratification.

More and more often European institutions and high officials call Latvia to ratify Framework convention on national minorities. The Saeima has already twice rejected opposition proposals to do it. It is possible that somebody with the approaching election will try to achieve let the convention take effect in Latvia. Although opinions of political parties on this differ, majority of experts and politicians who were discussing it at the meting organized by CoE Information and Documentation Center supported ratification. Neatkariga

Publicist V.Avotins, writing about his discussion, says that participants found it better to ratify the convention without a strict definition of a national minority. Thus everybody would be able interpret it according his own wish and Europe will give its goodies to Latvia. V.Avotins finds that neither authorities nor intellectuals are able to find an effective compromise to interethnic relations.

Neatkariga

A.Zhigure, Rigas Balss commentator ponders about the role of naturalization in public integration process. There are many Latvian citizens who received citizenship through inheritance but who do not knot the language. And by no juridical means they can be forced to study the Latvian. Ms.Zhigure suggests that different repressive methods could be replaced by changing peoples attitude towards it. When solving problems in Latvia one may hope for integration of the new generation, but the many non-Latvian families who want to send their children to Latvian schools receive refusal – teachers are not ready for such working load.

Newspaper Chas invited Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs I.Berzins to the editors office to answer the calls of readers. Answering to a question why public integration program had been prepared without participation of national minority representatives and all the changes in it had been made due to the pressure of international organizations, Minister disagreed to this saying that he himself had participated in preparing some of them. Q. Why Latvia and Russia have not signed repatriation agreement? M. Due to the demographic situation in Russia its political leadership is seriously thinking about attracting repatriates. In Latvia nobody is kept by force or made to leave it.

Diena

commentator A.Ozolins writes about the last activity of Saeima faction For Human Rights in United Latvia – comparing situation in Latvia to the one in Macedonia. At the same day representatives of so called Latvian Human Rights Committee at the OSCE meeting in Warsaw presented their concern about the planned closure of OSCE Mission in Riga. Comparing discrimination practiced in Latvia to the favorable legislation and practice concerning national minorities in Macedonia the authors come to a conclusion whether just extreme situation may arose to adopt adopting legislation respecting rights of national minorities. Diena (19.09.01)