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

Friday new OSCE HCNM Rolf Ekeus met during informal lunch with members of parliament factions and later held talks with Association for Support of the Russian Language Schools in Latvia chairperson Pimenovs and Russian Language and Literature Teachers Association President Tatyana Liguta to find out their opinion about minorities issues in Latvia. Both representatives of the Russian community, Pimenovs and Liguta, voiced satisfaction over contribution of OSCE mission in lessening tension in Latvia between Latvians and Russian speakers. Pimenovs told BNS he proposed to extend OSCE's mandate because education of minorities needs attention of international observers to solve the problems sooner. During the talks with the representatives of Latvia's political forces, some said the mission should be closed while some proposed not just to extend the mission's work but also change its mandate. OSCE mission head Peter Semneby said the mission has an informal list of working issues that should be done before the mission closure.

Friday new OSCE HCNM Rolf Ekeus met during informal lunch with members of parliament factions and later held talks with Association for Support of the Russian Language Schools in Latvia chairperson Pimenovs and Russian Language and Literature Teachers Association President Tatyana Liguta to find out their opinion about minorities issues in Latvia. Both representatives of the Russian community, Pimenovs and Liguta, voiced satisfaction over contribution of OSCE mission in lessening tension in Latvia between Latvians and Russian speakers. Pimenovs told BNS he proposed to extend OSCE's mandate because education of minorities needs attention of international observers to solve the problems sooner. During the talks with the representatives of Latvia's political forces, some said the mission should be closed while some proposed not just to extend the mission's work but also change its mandate. OSCE mission head Peter Semneby said the mission has an informal list of working issues that should be done before the mission closure. BNS, Chas, Vesti Segodnja, Panorama Latvii

Lauku Avize

publishes a biography of OSCE HCNM R.Ekeus and gives a brief information about his visit in Latvia. The article is concluded with the responses of EC Delegation Head G.Weiss and OSCE Mission to Latvia Head P.Semneby to the question concerning the closure of the OSCE Mission in Latvia at the end of this year. publishes a biography of OSCE HCNM R.Ekeus and gives a brief information about his visit in Latvia. The article is concluded with the responses of EC Delegation Head G.Weiss and OSCE Mission to Latvia Head P.Semneby to the question concerning the closure of the OSCE Mission in Latvia at the end of this year. “The closure of the Mission to Latvia is feasible, however, it is not determined yet. Latvia has fulfilled many tasks, but some tasks remain to be fulfilled, for instance, more dynamic naturalisation process, some problems concerning the implementation of the Language Law. We provide our support to the Naturalisation Board and State Language Centre to implement several projects in order to foster naturalisation, strengthen National Human Rights Office, co-operate with the ministries of foreign affairs and justice. Good progress has been made, but we have to be sure that it will be sustainable”.

The closure of the Mission to Latvia is feasible, however, it is not determined yet. Latvia has fulfilled many tasks, but some tasks remain to be fulfilled, for instance, more dynamic naturalisation process, some problems concerning the implementation of the Language Law. We provide our support to the Naturalisation Board and State Language Centre to implement several projects in order to foster naturalisation, strengthen National Human Rights Office, co-operate with the ministries of foreign affairs and justice. Good progress has been made, but we have to be sure that it will be sustainable.

The Latvian Foreign Affairs Ministry considers the statement of Russia’s General Prosecutor Office on Latvia’s connections to Chechen warriors false and aimed to view Latvia as a supporter of terrorism. The Latvian Government has asked Russia’s General Prosecutor Office to provide specific information about that.

The Latvian Foreign Affairs Ministry considers the statement of Russias General Prosecutor Office on Latvias connections to Chechen warriors false and aimed to view Latvia as a supporter of terrorism. The Latvian Government has asked Russias General Prosecutor Office to provide specific information about that. Diena, Neatkariga, Vesti Segodnja, Panorama Latvii

Sunday the Prime Minister A.Berzins, Riga City Mayor G.Bojars and other state officials left for St.Petersburg to take part in the Baltic Development Forum. The Prime Minister has scheduled meetings with the representative of the Russian President in the region V.Cherkasov and City Mayor V.Yakovlyev.

Sunday the Prime Minister A.Berzins, Riga City Mayor G.Bojars and other state officials left for St.Petersburg to take part in the Baltic Development Forum. The Prime Minister has scheduled meetings with the representative of the Russian President in the region V.Cherkasov and City Mayor V.Yakovlyev. Diena

Lauku Avize columnist V.Lacis provides arguments against the note of FHRUL issued last week where Macedonian policy regarding national matters where compared with Latvian. The columnist points out that FHRUL has silenced historical aspects of the situation in Macedonia, as well as the fact that 15 EU member states have not come to the agreement about the term “national minority”. In regard to the FHRUL claims against the Latvian language as the only state language, V.Lacis quotes Danish professor T.Skutnaba – Kangasa “Russian-speakers in the Baltic States have to understand that they are not able to impose their will on the majority, but they will still have a possibility to organise education of their children in mother tongue”. In conclusion, V.Lacis blames the two Latvian Presidents and ruling political parties whose activities or lack of activities have made such notes possible.

Lauku Avize columnist V.Lacis provides arguments against the note of FHRUL issued last week where Macedonian policy regarding national matters where compared with Latvian. The columnist points out that FHRUL has silenced historical aspects of the situation in Macedonia, as well as the fact that 15 EU member states have not come to the agreement about the term national minority. In regard to the FHRUL claims against the Latvian language as the only state language, V.Lacis quotes Danish professor T.Skutnaba – Kangasa Russian-speakers in the Baltic States have to understand that they are not able to impose their will on the majority, but they will still have a possibility to organise education of their children in mother tongue. In conclusion, V.Lacis blames the two Latvian Presidents and ruling political parties whose activities or lack of activities have made such notes possible.

Friday the conference “NATO Expansion: From Washington to Prague” took place in Riga. According to the official of the Ministry of Defence “the main discussion subjects were the aspects of the enlargement process and not particularly Latvia’s membership to NATO”. However, Latvian defence minister G.Kristovskis in his speech voiced that “pro-Moscow powers with the help of Russian press try to deny the possibility that Latvia could join NATO. Their goal is to keep Latvia under the direct influence of Russia”. A big delegation was expected from Russia, however, only one participant came.

Friday the conference NATO Expansion: From Washington to Prague took place in Riga. According to the official of the Ministry of Defence the main discussion subjects were the aspects of the enlargement process and not particularly Latvias membership to NATO. However, Latvian defence minister G.Kristovskis in his speech voiced that pro-Moscow powers with the help of Russian press try to deny the possibility that Latvia could join NATO. Their goal is to keep Latvia under the direct influence of Russia. A big delegation was expected from Russia, however, only one participant came. Chas, Vesti Segodnja

Monday the Ministry of Justice will make public announcement to 5 vacancies for NGO representatives in Society Integration Foundation Council. Latvian Human Rights Committee co-chairperson L.Raihman assures their participation and thinks that the Committee has a good chance to win. Also Association in Support to Schools with Russian Instruction Language chairperson I.Pimenov and NGO “Dialogue” from Ventspils will nominate their members, only Russian Community in Latvia representative T.Favorovskaya has sceptical stance as in her view “society integration foundation should provide assistance to immigrants who have just come to the country as it is in Denmark and not like in Latvia where the Foundation is going to integrate people who have lived here all their lives”.

Monday the Ministry of Justice will make public announcement to 5 vacancies for NGO representatives in Society Integration Foundation Council. Latvian Human Rights Committee co-chairperson L.Raihman assures their participation and thinks that the Committee has a good chance to win. Also Association in Support to Schools with Russian Instruction Language chairperson I.Pimenov and NGO Dialogue from Ventspils will nominate their members, only Russian Community in Latvia representative T.Favorovskaya has sceptical stance as in her view society integration foundation should provide assistance to immigrants who have just come to the country as it is in Denmark and not like in Latvia where the Foundation is going to integrate people who have lived here all their lives. Chas

Thanks to the OSCE and UN provided funds of the amount of USD 216 000, non-citizens of Rezekne and Ludza who want to naturalise will have a possibility to learn Latvian free of charge.

Thanks to the OSCE and UN provided funds of the amount of USD 216 000, non-citizens of Rezekne and Ludza who want to naturalise will have a possibility to learn Latvian free of charge. Chas.