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

Latvian Foreign Minister Indulis Berzins will leave for Romania on Dec. 2 to join the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Ministerial Council meeting in Bucharest, reported the Latvian Foreign Ministry. The meeting to be held on Dec. 3 and 4 is expected to discuss vital regional matters -- the situation in the Balkans, Central Asia, possibly the Caucasus and other problem regions, said Edgars Skuja, the head of the Latvian representation at the OSCE. BNS

Latvian Foreign Minister Indulis Berzins will leave for Romania on Dec. 2 to join the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Ministerial Council meeting in Bucharest, reported the Latvian Foreign Ministry. The meeting to be held on Dec. 3 and 4 is expected to discuss vital regional matters -- the situation in the Balkans, Central Asia, possibly the Caucasus and other problem regions, said Edgars Skuja, the head of the Latvian representation at the OSCE. BNS

The Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Permanent Council will decide on the future of its mission to Latvia at a weekly meeting in Vienna on Dec. 20, said Peter Semneby, the head of the organisation’s mission to Latvia. He told BNS that the Permanent Council decision would be based on his semi-annual report about the Latvian mission's performance and compliance with guidelines under the mandate as well as the recommendation by the OSCE presiding country, Romania. Semneby did not deny that "the decision on closing the mission will also be a political decision." Semneby would not disclose the contents of his report but said that the mission was fully satisfied with the situation concerning citizenship and naturalisation, a strategic priority of the mission to Latvia. He said, however, that the OSCE mission mandate could be extended if Latvia failed to take further efforts towards improving the situation.

The Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Permanent Council will decide on the future of its mission to Latvia at a weekly meeting in Vienna on Dec. 20, said Peter Semneby, the head of the organisations mission to Latvia. He told BNS that the Permanent Council decision would be based on his semi-annual report about the Latvian mission's performance and compliance with guidelines under the mandate as well as the recommendation by the OSCE presiding country, Romania. Semneby did not deny that "the decision on closing the mission will also be a political decision." Semneby would not disclose the contents of his report but said that the mission was fully satisfied with the situation concerning citizenship and naturalisation, a strategic priority of the mission to Latvia. He said, however, that the OSCE mission mandate could be extended if Latvia failed to take further efforts towards improving the situation. BNS

The number of people renouncing Latvian citizenship has increased in recent years said the Latvian Naturalisation Board. In 1999 the board processed 94 cases of relinquishing the Latvian citizenship, last year this figure was 172 but in 10 months of this year already 183 such cases have been recorded, said a spokeswoman to the Naturalisation Board. According to the Naturalisation Board annual report on 2000, most of the people giving up the Latvian citizenship explained it by the decision to move for permanent residence in some other country.

The number of people renouncing Latvian citizenship has increased in recent years said the Latvian Naturalisation Board. In 1999 the board processed 94 cases of relinquishing the Latvian citizenship, last year this figure was 172 but in 10 months of this year already 183 such cases have been recorded, said a spokeswoman to the Naturalisation Board. According to the Naturalisation Board annual report on 2000, most of the people giving up the Latvian citizenship explained it by the decision to move for permanent residence in some other country. BNS

The family of a former Russian military officer that has lodged a complaint with the European Court of Human Rights wants to receive from Latvia a 400,000 Euro compensation for alleged violations of their human rights, a party to the proceedings told BNS. This is the amount indicated in the documents by lawyers representing the Slivenko family but so far there has been no official information about the size of the compensation they claim from Latvia. Latvia's representative to the human rights court, Kristine Malinovska, told BNS that the human rights court had not yet inquired about the compensation amount and the Latvian party did not have any information on it.

The family of a former Russian military officer that has lodged a complaint with the European Court of Human Rights wants to receive from Latvia a 400,000 Euro compensation for alleged violations of their human rights, a party to the proceedings told BNS. This is the amount indicated in the documents by lawyers representing the Slivenko family but so far there has been no official information about the size of the compensation they claim from Latvia. Latvia's representative to the human rights court, Kristine Malinovska, told BNS that the human rights court had not yet inquired about the compensation amount and the Latvian party did not have any information on it. BNS, Lauku Avize, Panorama Latvii, Telegraf (19.11)

Prime Minister’s Press Secretary A.Lapins, answering to the letter of MP Dz. Abikis, where he accused the Prime Minister of providing false information concerning the draft regulations on state language proficiency tests for state officials, assured that the People’s Party faction had received this information and it was the faction’s guilt if they had not sent it to Abikis.

Prime Ministers Press Secretary A.Lapins, answering to the letter of MP Dz. Abikis, where he accused the Prime Minister of providing false information concerning the draft regulations on state language proficiency tests for state officials, assured that the Peoples Party faction had received this information and it was the factions guilt if they had not sent it to Abikis. Lauku Avize

In an interview to the US National Radio Broadcasting Company Russian President V.Putin announced that he had no objections against the Baltic States joining NATO but added that he did not see any sense in expanding this organisation.

In an interview to the US National Radio Broadcasting Company Russian President V.Putin announced that he had no objections against the Baltic States joining NATO but added that he did not see any sense in expanding this organisation. Diena, Neatkariga, Chas,

Russian-speaking newspaper

Russian-speaking newspaper Vesti Segodnya writes that Latvian politicians have heard what they wanted to hear in this Putins announcement. The journalist checked the shorthand of Putins speech and found out that Russian Presidents words had been misinterpreted.

Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga gave an interview to the newspaper

Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga gave an interview to the newspaper Neatkariga. When asked about the recommendation to amend the election law as one of preconditions for closing the OSCE Mission to Latvia, which could lead even to establishing two official state languages in Latvia, Vaira Vike-Freiberga answered that the language situation was over-dramatised here, but one was sure – Latvia had no intention to establish two official state languages.

Vesti Segodnya

writes about the meeting of Dusseldorf Club of Businessmen where Latvian President in her speech assured that in Latvia was an open society but stood for preserving the Latvian language, and there would never be introduced the second state languages. writes about the meeting of Dusseldorf Club of Businessmen where Latvian President in her speech assured that in Latvia was an open society but stood for preserving the Latvian language, and there would never be introduced the second state languages. On November 18 Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs I.Berzins will go on an official visit to Turkey.

On November 18 Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs I.Berzins will go on an official visit to Turkey. Neatkariga

Social Democrats Saeima faction leader E.Baldzens is against signing the coalition agreement with the opposition factions For Human Rights in United Latvia and the New Party contrary to the announcement made by MP Social Democrat J.Adamsons that all Social Democrats supported this agreement.

Social Democrats Saeima faction leader E.Baldzens is against signing the coalition agreement with the opposition factions For Human Rights in United Latvia and the New Party contrary to the announcement made by MP Social Democrat J.Adamsons that all Social Democrats supported this agreement. Lauku Avize

Lauku Avize interviewed the Estonian President A.Rüütel. Speaking about current political situation in Estonia, the President said that Estonian Parliament was discussing a problem whether an MP might be a person who did not know the state language. No solution has been found yet, but this is not a principal issue. If some political group want to delegate a candidate who does not now the state language, it is a problem of the people delegating him but not the parliament because the working language of the Parliament is the Estonian language.

Vesti Segodnya

informs about the Baltic Ombudsman Workshop that took place in Riga recently. informs about the Baltic Ombudsman Workshop that took place in Riga recently. It also published letters, sent by parents of Russian students, about the planned transition to the tuition in the Latvian language. They do not support this plan.

It also published letters, sent by parents of Russian students, about the planned transition to the tuition in the Latvian language. They do not support this plan.

Columnist A.Fedoseyev from the newspaper

Columnist A.Fedoseyev from the newspaper Chas writes that according to the Latvian constitution all sovereign power in Latvia belongs to the Latvian nation. But does this power belong to the nation today? Many politicians would like it. But how about non-citizens? According to the constitution in Latvia should be established an integrated society of Latvia. But it is not the case. And now Latvia is moving towards a two-community society.

T.Arshavskaya, member of the Board of Association for Support of the Russian language Schools in Latvia, on Internet answered to the questions of Russian speakers about the education system in Latvia. Some of the questions were – Maybe it was useful to organise a referendum of all Russian-speakers in Latvia about the planned transfer to the tuition in the Latvian language. What does ASRLSL expect from the next conference of the parents of Russian school students?

T.Arshavskaya, member of the Board of Association for Support of the Russian language Schools in Latvia, on Internet answered to the questions of Russian speakers about the education system in Latvia. Some of the questions were – Maybe it was useful to organise a referendum of all Russian-speakers in Latvia about the planned transfer to the tuition in the Latvian language. What does ASRLSL expect from the next conference of the parents of Russian school students?