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

Council of FF/LNNK finds unacceptable the attempts to abolish the language proficiency norm in the election law. Dz.Rasnacs even thinks that in the case of adopting such amendments they could address the Constitutional court referring to the Satversme article that stipulates the status of the Latvian language as the only state language in Latvia.

Council of FF/LNNK finds unacceptable the attempts to abolish the language proficiency norm in the election law. Dz.Rasnacs even thinks that in the case of adopting such amendments they could address the Constitutional court referring to the Satversme article that stipulates the status of the Latvian language as the only state language in Latvia. Diena

Russia and NATO becoming closer is good for Latvia, said Latvian foreign minister Indulis Berzins. "Russia and NATO becoming closer plays into our hands. We are not suicidal, we do not want to join [NATO] only to begin a new 'cold war'," Berzins said in the interview to a new Latvian Russian-language newspaper,

Russia and NATO becoming closer is good for Latvia, said Latvian foreign minister Indulis Berzins. "Russia and NATO becoming closer plays into our hands. We are not suicidal, we do not want to join [NATO] only to begin a new 'cold war'," Berzins said in the interview to a new Latvian Russian-language newspaper, Telegraf.

Prime Minister Andris Berzins' interview in the newspaper

Prime Minister Andris Berzins' interview in the newspaper "Vesti Segodnya", conducted yesterday, November 18, and featured today, had not been previously co-ordinated, LETA was told by the premier's press secretary Arnis Lapins.

The

The "Vesti Segodnya" reporter says in the interview that Berzins' having lunch at a "Russian tavern" on Latvia's Independence Day bears symbolic meaning. The premier denied this, however. Asked whether he agrees that the Latvian-Russian relations are clearly improving, Berzins replies that apparently, there will never be the tension of the past, however, his being in the restaurant is in no way linked with this.

Latvian parliament speaker Janis Straume, addressing lawmakers during a special session dedicated to the 83rd anniversary since proclamation of independent Latvia, said security was "the first and foremost" priority of Latvia's policy. "We have ensured democratic political development, paid great attention to solving the public integration problems, made efforts to strengthen defence capacity of our nation and achieve compatibility of our armed forces with NATO standards," said the parliament speaker, noting also Latvia's major progress in the EU pre-accession talks.

Latvian parliament speaker Janis Straume, addressing lawmakers during a special session dedicated to the 83rd anniversary since proclamation of independent Latvia, said security was "the first and foremost" priority of Latvia's policy. "We have ensured democratic political development, paid great attention to solving the public integration problems, made efforts to strengthen defence capacity of our nation and achieve compatibility of our armed forces with NATO standards," said the parliament speaker, noting also Latvia's major progress in the EU pre-accession talks. BNS

On Saturday one of Russian national Bolsheviks was released from detention because his sentence term had expired.

On Saturday one of Russian national Bolsheviks was released from detention because his sentence term had expired. Neatkariga, Chas,

Ahead of the 8th Saeima elections, For Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK (TB/LNNK) wishes to define its place among right-wing political parties more clearly by explaining its stance on several important matters so that it becomes more attractive to voters. The TB/LNNK chairman Maris Grinblats said at the party council's meeting today that the motto of the TB/LNNK congress on December 15 could be: security to the state of Latvia, Latvian language and people.

Ahead of the 8th Saeima elections, For Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK (TB/LNNK) wishes to define its place among right-wing political parties more clearly by explaining its stance on several important matters so that it becomes more attractive to voters. The TB/LNNK chairman Maris Grinblats said at the party council's meeting today that the motto of the TB/LNNK congress on December 15 could be: security to the state of Latvia, Latvian language and people. LETA, Neatkariga

Newspaper

Newspaper Chas points out that with every year the FF/LNNK member J.Straume acts as the Saeima Speaker he becomes more tolerant concerning non-Latvians. He even had called the 7th Saeima in the time left to the 8th Saeima election to think what is necessary for Latvia, Latvians, and everybody, who lives in this country, loves it and works in for its benefit.

Panorama Latvii

writes about the letter of the Prime Minister of Great Britain T.Blair to the leaders of NATO member states with a proposal to accept Russia in this organisation. The newspaper writes that according Blairs plan joining could take place so fast that already the next year Russia would be able to take part in deciding whether the Baltic States were accepted in this organisation. writes about the letter of the Prime Minister of Great Britain T.Blair to the leaders of NATO member states with a proposal to accept Russia in this organisation. The newspaper writes that according Blair’s plan joining could take place so fast that already the next year Russia would be able to take part in deciding whether the Baltic States were accepted in this organisation. Tomorrow Estonian Parliament will discuss radical amendments to the election law stipulating abolishing of language proficiency norm for parliament and local government deputies. Constitutional Commission already discussed these amendments and recommended adopting them at the plenary sitting of the parliament.

Tomorrow Estonian Parliament will discuss radical amendments to the election law stipulating abolishing of language proficiency norm for parliament and local government deputies. Constitutional Commission already discussed these amendments and recommended adopting them at the plenary sitting of the parliament. Telegraf

Nationalist youth organisation “Everything for Latvia” held a procession to celebrate the Independence Day of Latvia. Their black uniforms reminded the black uniforms of SS very much.

Nationalist youth organisation Everything for Latvia held a procession to celebrate the Independence Day of Latvia. Their black uniforms reminded the black uniforms of SS very much. Telegraf

Newspaper

Newspaper Telegraf interviewed the leader of movement Equality T.Zhdanok about the congress of compatriots and the position of Russia towards those people in former USSR republics.