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

Journalist D.Araja published an article on the possible closure of the OSCE Mission to Latvia. Latvian progress concerning national minority and human rights could give enough grounds to close the Mission but no precise forecasts are given yet. Latvian MFA considers that the Mission’s mandate has been fulfilled and the Mission should be closed. Also the President gave a direct hint about it. She had come to this conclusion after her discussion with the OSCE High Commissioner R.Ekeuss. HoM P.Semneby admits that this topic was discussed during the visit of the High Commissioner, but no exact decision has been taken yet. It is up to the OSCE member states to do it, and the possible closure will depend on P.Semneby’s regular report to the OSCE headquarters in Vienna. Political scientist N.Muiznieks pointed out that closure of the Mission would be a good signal to EU and NATO showing that Latvia was able to solve its problems. Currently the biggest objections are against the election law stipulating that deputy candidates must have the highest level of state language knowledge.

Journalist D.Araja published an article on the possible closure of the OSCE Mission to Latvia. Latvian progress concerning national minority and human rights could give enough grounds to close the Mission but no precise forecasts are given yet. Latvian MFA considers that the Missions mandate has been fulfilled and the Mission should be closed. Also the President gave a direct hint about it. She had come to this conclusion after her discussion with the OSCE High Commissioner R.Ekeuss. HoM P.Semneby admits that this topic was discussed during the visit of the High Commissioner, but no exact decision has been taken yet. It is up to the OSCE member states to do it, and the possible closure will depend on P.Semnebys regular report to the OSCE headquarters in Vienna. Political scientist N.Muiznieks pointed out that closure of the Mission would be a good signal to EU and NATO showing that Latvia was able to solve its problems. Currently the biggest objections are against the election law stipulating that deputy candidates must have the highest level of state language knowledge. Diena

Latvia's government accepted the National Security Concept on Tuesday, describing Latvia's situation from security aspects and assesses factors influencing the country's security situation, reported the government's press service. The basic principles of the National Security Concept are determined by the National Security Law, passed by parliament, which are to define the basic strategic principles, priorities and events for preventing threats to the state.

Latvia's government accepted the National Security Concept on Tuesday, describing Latvia's situation from security aspects and assesses factors influencing the country's security situation, reported the government's press service. The basic principles of the National Security Concept are determined by the National Security Law, passed by parliament, which are to define the basic strategic principles, priorities and events for preventing threats to the state. BNS

Minister of Foreign Affairs Indulis Berzins will be on a visit in Bled, Slovenia, beginning today through October 5 in order to participate in the annual 47th assembly of the Atlantic Treaty Association (ATA). Representatives from non-governmental organizations along with NATO and associate countries are set to discuss developments in the Euro-Atlantic security and NATO expansion matters.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Indulis Berzins will be on a visit in Bled, Slovenia, beginning today through October 5 in order to participate in the annual 47th assembly of the Atlantic Treaty Association (ATA). Representatives from non-governmental organizations along with NATO and associate countries are set to discuss developments in the Euro-Atlantic security and NATO expansion matters. LETA, Diena

Danish and Latvian governments' talks on bilateral cooperation program for this and following years will be held in Riga today, LETA learned at the press service of the minister for international financial affairs. The Danish-Latvian bilateral cooperation program sets guidelines for Denmark's aid to Latvia in the next several years. In 2000,

Danish and Latvian governments' talks on bilateral cooperation program for this and following years will be held in Riga today, LETA learned at the press service of the minister for international financial affairs. The Danish-Latvian bilateral cooperation program sets guidelines for Denmark's aid to Latvia in the next several years. In 2000,

Denmark's financing in Latvia was DKK 200 million, including non-refundable aid of DKK 165 million, the rest were investments.

Denmark's financing in Latvia was DKK 200 million, including non-refundable aid of DKK 165 million, the rest were investments. LETA

According to the Cabinet of Ministers' conclusions after discussions on the year 2002 budget, the Finance Ministry has amended the draft budget and raised the forecast budget's deficit up to 2.14 percent of gross domestic product instead of the 1.73 percent set initially.

According to the Cabinet of Ministers' conclusions after discussions on the year 2002 budget, the Finance Ministry has amended the draft budget and raised the forecast budget's deficit up to 2.14 percent of gross domestic product instead of the 1.73 percent set initially. LETA

Newspaper

Newspaper Neatkariga interviewed the new German Ambassador to Latvia E.Herold. The Ambassador told the journalist about future developments in German – Latvian relations.

Around a third - 34.2 percent - of Latvia's population considers Russia a threat to Latvia's independence, according to a poll carried out by SKDS in August. Most of those surveyed - 57 percent do not agree to the claim, while almost a tenth - 8.8 percent - have no answer to the issue. Latvian and non-ethnic Latvians differ in their attitude towards Russia with 49.7 percent ethnic Latvians considering Russia as a threat to Latvia's independence and only 15.4 percent of non-ethnic Latvians agreeing to the statement. Russia is not considered a threat by 40.3 percent ethnic Latvians and 77.3 percent non-ethnic Latvians.

Around a third - 34.2 percent - of Latvia's population considers Russia a threat to Latvia's independence, according to a poll carried out by SKDS in August. Most of those surveyed - 57 percent do not agree to the claim, while almost a tenth - 8.8 percent - have no answer to the issue. Latvian and non-ethnic Latvians differ in their attitude towards Russia with 49.7 percent ethnic Latvians considering Russia as a threat to Latvia's independence and only 15.4 percent of non-ethnic Latvians agreeing to the statement. Russia is not considered a threat by 40.3 percent ethnic Latvians and 77.3 percent non-ethnic Latvians. BNS

Latvia's government accepted an action plan for introducing Schengen requirements, foreseeing complete adoption and introduction of Schengen requirements on Latvia's borders before joining the EU, reported the Interior Minister Mareks Seglins. The State Chancellery reported that the Schengen axis is an irrevocable part of EU legislation, and that the indicative action plan is expected to be submitted by Latvia for the next EU summit, informing of the current situation, as well as on further development harmonizing and implementing EU legislation.

Latvia's government accepted an action plan for introducing Schengen requirements, foreseeing complete adoption and introduction of Schengen requirements on Latvia's borders before joining the EU, reported the Interior Minister Mareks Seglins. The State Chancellery reported that the Schengen axis is an irrevocable part of EU legislation, and that the indicative action plan is expected to be submitted by Latvia for the next EU summit, informing of the current situation, as well as on further development harmonizing and implementing EU legislation. BNS

The Naturalization Board to realize one of its tasks to revoke Latvian citizenship it needs additional 8500 LVL. Ministry of Justice has accepted the request, and yesterday the Naturalization Board Head E.Aldermane asked for support of the Saeima Citizenship Law Implementation Commission. Deprivation has been one of the Board’s tasks since January 1,1999 but the institution has not received a santim for this purpose.

The Naturalization Board to realize one of its tasks to revoke Latvian citizenship it needs additional 8500 LVL. Ministry of Justice has accepted the request, and yesterday the Naturalization Board Head E.Aldermane asked for support of the Saeima Citizenship Law Implementation Commission. Deprivation has been one of the Boards tasks since January 1,1999 but the institution has not received a santim for this purpose. Neatkariga

Yesterday President Vaira Vike-Freiberga accepted the accreditation letter from the new Norwegian Ambassador to Latvia J.W.Hegg.

Yesterday President Vaira Vike-Freiberga accepted the accreditation letter from the new Norwegian Ambassador to Latvia J.W.Hegg. Neatkariga, Latvijas Vestnesis

Next year the Municipality of Moscow intends to spent 120 million RBL (about 4 million USD) to support Russian in the former USSR countries. Municipality plans to develop an action plan for working with compatriots and by the end of this year to establish a database on Russian Diaspora.

Next year the Municipality of Moscow intends to spent 120 million RBL (about 4 million USD) to support Russian in the former USSR countries. Municipality plans to develop an action plan for working with compatriots and by the end of this year to establish a database on Russian Diaspora. Chas

Newspaper

Newspaper Vesti Segodnya writes that Latvia got afraid of international reaction and the Saeima Commission on Human Rights unexpectedly put off indefinitely consideration of the draft law On repatriation.

Newspaper

Newspaper Panorama Latvii asked the leader of Freedom and Fatherland/LNNK M.Grinblats to explain his recent statement that it would be bad for Latvia if parties favoring cooperation with Russia win the next Saeima election. Mr.Grinblats said that what he meant was if in the government was dominated by forces, for which it was typical to obey to Russias policy, it would be a disaster for Latvia, because Russia regarded all former USSR states as its estate and did not want to change its attitude.