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 OSCE Permanent Council in Vienna on Tuesday resolved to close the organisation’s mission in Latvia reported a spokesman for the Latvian Foreign Ministry. Thus, the OSCE mission will cease its operations in Latvia as of Jan. 1, 2002. OSCE mission to Latvia head, Peter Semneby, reported to the organisation’s Permanent Council on Latvia's achievements in building a democratic and integrated community -- smooth naturalisation process, successful implementation of the national program for Latvian language teaching, opening of the Public Integration Fund, improved performance by the National Human Rights Office. Semneby praised very much Latvian president's initiative to abolish the state language proficiency requirements to candidates, amending the election law. He concludes that Latvia has formed a stable civic society taking active part in political processes. The OSCE mission to Latvia head recommended the organisation’s leaders and member states to declare the mission's work as complete. Most of the member states agreed with Semneby's opinion on the situation in Latvia. Latvian Foreign Ministry believes that the OSCE decision on closing the mission is a very high evaluation of Latvia's progress in human right protection since opening of the mission in 1993. Over these years the OSCE mission according to its mandate had helped Latvia to create democratic legislation on citizenship and to facilitate naturalisation process as well as followed development of integration, education and language policies in the Baltic state. Successful end of the OSCE mission is yet another confirmation of Latvia's laws and their implementation meeting international standards. It also shows Latvia is ready to become a full-fledged member in unions of democratic nations -- NATO and the European Union, said the Latvian Foreign Ministry. After the OSCE mission closes down, Latvia will continue to take active part in OSCE work, co-operate closely with high commissioner for ethnic minorities, the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights and other units of the Organization towards further improvement of its human right protection and promotion mechanisms. Latvian top officials -- President Vaira Vike-Freiberga, Prime Minister Andris Berzins and foreign minister Indulis Berzins -- previously expressed conviction that the OSCE mission in Latvia has fulfilled guidelines under its mandate. Russia was opposing the mission's closure. Russian foreign minister Igor Ivanov in his statement to OSCE members on Dec. 2 tried to object to the plans to close the organisation’s mission in Latvia and Estonia, saying the two Baltic states have so far failed to deliver on their promise to protect local ethnic Russians against discrimination.

The OSCE Permanent Council in Vienna on Tuesday resolved to close the organisations mission in Latvia reported a spokesman for the Latvian Foreign Ministry. Thus, the OSCE mission will cease its operations in Latvia as of Jan. 1, 2002. OSCE mission to Latvia head, Peter Semneby, reported to the organisations Permanent Council on Latvia's achievements in building a democratic and integrated community -- smooth naturalisation process, successful implementation of the national program for Latvian language teaching, opening of the Public Integration Fund, improved performance by the National Human Rights Office. Semneby praised very much Latvian president's initiative to abolish the state language proficiency requirements to candidates, amending the election law. He concludes that Latvia has formed a stable civic society taking active part in political processes. The OSCE mission to Latvia head recommended the organisations leaders and member states to declare the mission's work as complete. Most of the member states agreed with Semneby's opinion on the situation in Latvia. Latvian Foreign Ministry believes that the OSCE decision on closing the mission is a very high evaluation of Latvia's progress in human right protection since opening of the mission in 1993. Over these years the OSCE mission according to its mandate had helped Latvia to create democratic legislation on citizenship and to facilitate naturalisation process as well as followed development of integration, education and language policies in the Baltic state. Successful end of the OSCE mission is yet another confirmation of Latvia's laws and their implementation meeting international standards. It also shows Latvia is ready to become a full-fledged member in unions of democratic nations -- NATO and the European Union, said the Latvian Foreign Ministry. After the OSCE mission closes down, Latvia will continue to take active part in OSCE work, co-operate closely with high commissioner for ethnic minorities, the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights and other units of the Organization towards further improvement of its human right protection and promotion mechanisms. Latvian top officials -- President Vaira Vike-Freiberga, Prime Minister Andris Berzins and foreign minister Indulis Berzins -- previously expressed conviction that the OSCE mission in Latvia has fulfilled guidelines under its mandate. Russia was opposing the mission's closure. Russian foreign minister Igor Ivanov in his statement to OSCE members on Dec. 2 tried to object to the plans to close the organisations mission in Latvia and Estonia, saying the two Baltic states have so far failed to deliver on their promise to protect local ethnic Russians against discrimination. BNS, Diena, Neatkariga, Latvijas Vestnesis, Chas,

Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga welcomes the OSCE decision not to extend the mandate of its mission to Latvia and sees it as a proof to Latvia's consistent movement towards strengthening democratic processes in the country. Latvian president said the OSCE decision to close mission to Latvia was a proof of Latvia as a democratic state as well as of good co-operation between the Baltic state and OSCE "crowned with success" - the mission's closure, reported the presidential spokeswoman. Latvian Prime Minister Andris Berzins sees the OSCE decision as "a certain confirmation of maturity as in future Latvia will deal with its problems by itself," said the premier's spokesman. Berzins said "without doubt, it was not a surprise decision -- it was a predictable outcome," and Latvia did everything to make it happen, according to the premier's spokesman. Both the Latvian president and Prime Minister said the mission's closure did not mean an end to co-operation between Latvia and the OSCE.

Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga welcomes the OSCE decision not to extend the mandate of its mission to Latvia and sees it as a proof to Latvia's consistent movement towards strengthening democratic processes in the country. Latvian president said the OSCE decision to close mission to Latvia was a proof of Latvia as a democratic state as well as of good co-operation between the Baltic state and OSCE "crowned with success" - the mission's closure, reported the presidential spokeswoman. Latvian Prime Minister Andris Berzins sees the OSCE decision as "a certain confirmation of maturity as in future Latvia will deal with its problems by itself," said the premier's spokesman. Berzins said "without doubt, it was not a surprise decision -- it was a predictable outcome," and Latvia did everything to make it happen, according to the premier's spokesman. Both the Latvian president and Prime Minister said the mission's closure did not mean an end to co-operation between Latvia and the OSCE. BNS

Although Russia is not in ruptures about Latvia's possible membership in NATO, Latvia cannot give up this foreign policy goal for raid improvement of relations with Russia, said Latvian foreign minister. Foreign minister Indulis Berzins on Tuesday made this statement to reporters, suggesting that current Latvian-Russian relations should nevertheless be seen as successful for the situation could have been worse.

Although Russia is not in ruptures about Latvia's possible membership in NATO, Latvia cannot give up this foreign policy goal for raid improvement of relations with Russia, said Latvian foreign minister. Foreign minister Indulis Berzins on Tuesday made this statement to reporters, suggesting that current Latvian-Russian relations should nevertheless be seen as successful for the situation could have been worse. BNS

The decision to close the mission in Latvia was timely and correct and confirms Latvia's success, the President of U.S. Committee on NATO, Bruce Jackson, stressed in commenting the OSCE decision made yesterday in Vienna.

The decision to close the mission in Latvia was timely and correct and confirms Latvia's success, the President of U.S. Committee on NATO, Bruce Jackson, stressed in commenting the OSCE decision made yesterday in Vienna. LETA

Aivars Ozolins points out in his commentary in

Aivars Ozolins points out in his commentary in Diena that the decision to close the OSCE Mission to Latvia means that Latvia in principle is a democratic country where human and national minority rights are observed, but compliance with the guidelines does not mean that Latvia is an ideal state. And the decision on closing the mission became possible thanks to the initiative of the President Vaira Vike-Freiberga to amend the election laws. Now the situation becomes paradoxical because this demand by closing the Mission is not abolished but becomes even more important. The decision to invite Latvia to join NATO could be directly related to the Election Law amendments, which should be adopted by May, when the NATO summit on expansion will take place. Diena

Minister of Foreign Affairs I.Berzins thinks that Latvia this year is as close to EU and NATO as never before and therefore one may conclude that it was a successful year for Latvian foreign policy. Although there is not planned a referendum on Latvia’s joining NATO, the Saeima election scheduled for autumn could turn into an indirect referendum where citizens of Latvia will decide whether the state continues its foreign policy and moves towards NATO or gives up this idea. The Minister expressed a hope that the political parties, which will come to power, will not change the established goals of Latvian foreign policy.

Minister of Foreign Affairs I.Berzins thinks that Latvia this year is as close to EU and NATO as never before and therefore one may conclude that it was a successful year for Latvian foreign policy. Although there is not planned a referendum on Latvias joining NATO, the Saeima election scheduled for autumn could turn into an indirect referendum where citizens of Latvia will decide whether the state continues its foreign policy and moves towards NATO or gives up this idea. The Minister expressed a hope that the political parties, which will come to power, will not change the established goals of Latvian foreign policy. Diena

One of demands of international organisations for Latvia to join EU and NATO is to reduce the high number of non-citizens. International experts suggested that it could be achieved by active informing of this part of population about naturalisation and the priorities of being a citizen. Therefore the Naturalisation Board has started a wide information campaign to inform non-citizens. Ilona Stalidzane is the Acting Head of NB Information Centre and co-ordinates this campaign. She told

One of demands of international organisations for Latvia to join EU and NATO is to reduce the high number of non-citizens. International experts suggested that it could be achieved by active informing of this part of population about naturalisation and the priorities of being a citizen. Therefore the Naturalisation Board has started a wide information campaign to inform non-citizens. Ilona Stalidzane is the Acting Head of NB Information Centre and co-ordinates this campaign. She told Diena journalist about the campaign, saying that this day was the last day when they put up an information tent is some Latvian town. During one month of this campaign about 1000 people came to those tents for information. Ms.Stalidzane hopes that there will still be a possibility to return to the tents next spring or autumn when weather is better for providers and recipients of this information. The next planned step is to send 100000 information booklets to non-citizens. Some people in the press accused the Naturalisation Board of a national treason because NB had been driving to citizenship people disloyal to the state. Ms.Stalidzane explains that they are not forcing anybody, just informing about the existing possibilities. Diena

In an interview to the Latvian Radio the Saeima Foreign Affairs leader G.Krasts when asked which was the institution that demanded Latvia to amend its election laws answered that although there was a remark in the OSCE Mission’s mandate stating that a demand for a state language proficiency in the election laws should not be there according to the practice of democratic countries, but in the case of Latvia this demand was not strictly formulated. And this demand is in no way linked with the OSCE but with NATO. The link is that those OSCE member states, which are also NATO member states, when considering some OSCE objections against Latvia as an undemocratic country, could object also to accepting Latvia to NATO. His colleague R.Labanovskis objected to this saying that not always NATO had so strict saying. Most likely Latvia will have to do it in the future, but the situation here is different from the one in GB, Denmark or France, and these standards may not be automatically transferred to Latvian situation. G.Krasts pointed out that in the Mission’s mandate not deadline was given for this task, just a statement that it should be solved, because OSCE representatives understood that situation in Latvia was different from the one in Estonia. Only after the events of September 11 the situation changed, and they started to request Latvia to do the same as Estonia – to act now.

In an interview to the Latvian Radio the Saeima Foreign Affairs leader G.Krasts when asked which was the institution that demanded Latvia to amend its election laws answered that although there was a remark in the OSCE Missions mandate stating that a demand for a state language proficiency in the election laws should not be there according to the practice of democratic countries, but in the case of Latvia this demand was not strictly formulated. And this demand is in no way linked with the OSCE but with NATO. The link is that those OSCE member states, which are also NATO member states, when considering some OSCE objections against Latvia as an undemocratic country, could object also to accepting Latvia to NATO. His colleague R.Labanovskis objected to this saying that not always NATO had so strict saying. Most likely Latvia will have to do it in the future, but the situation here is different from the one in GB, Denmark or France, and these standards may not be automatically transferred to Latvian situation. G.Krasts pointed out that in the Missions mandate not deadline was given for this task, just a statement that it should be solved, because OSCE representatives understood that situation in Latvia was different from the one in Estonia. Only after the events of September 11 the situation changed, and they started to request Latvia to do the same as Estonia – to act now. Latvijas Vestnesis

Last Wednesday took place the first press conference of the Society Integration Foundation Council and its Secretariat about the council sitting of November 1 when they considered the issue of establishing priorities and criteria according which projects included in the Society Integration Program would be financially supported. Council Chairman R.Umblija pointed out that they had established the following criteria: project’s goal and tasks should correspond to the basic guidelines of the Program, project’s target group should be as large as possible, project should be included in the chapter A (started projects) or B (planned projects) of the national program “Society Integration in Latvia”; results of project implementation should reach the goals and tasks established in several chapters of the Program. The Chairman said that the currently supported projects could be divided into 2 large groups – social integration projects (about 54%) and ethnic integration projects that in their turn were decided into 3 subgroups: language projects (74%), culture – 22% and other projects – about 4%.

Last Wednesday took place the first press conference of the Society Integration Foundation Council and its Secretariat about the council sitting of November 1 when they considered the issue of establishing priorities and criteria according which projects included in the Society Integration Program would be financially supported. Council Chairman R.Umblija pointed out that they had established the following criteria: projects goal and tasks should correspond to the basic guidelines of the Program, projects target group should be as large as possible, project should be included in the chapter A (started projects) or B (planned projects) of the national program Society Integration in Latvia; results of project implementation should reach the goals and tasks established in several chapters of the Program. The Chairman said that the currently supported projects could be divided into 2 large groups – social integration projects (about 54%) and ethnic integration projects that in their turn were decided into 3 subgroups: language projects (74%), culture – 22% and other projects – about 4%. Latvijas Vestnesis

N.Lebedeva in

N.Lebedeva in Chas noticed the enthusiastic reaction of Latvian top authorities on the decision to close the OSCE Mission to Latvia. Minister of Foreign Affairs I.Berzins including. When the Minister was asked what would happen in the deputies did not amend the election laws, he answered that in the guidelines the task had been stated in a different way - To carry on a dialog with the OSCE High Commissioner on National Affairs on amending the election law. And we have always been maintaining a dialog with him and will continue in the future. When Chas still insisted on this question, Mr.Berzins assured that deputies would support amending because it did not make any sense; Latvia had another means to protect the Latvian language. As if opposing the Minister of Foreign Affairs, MP R.Labanovskis considers that the Mission had fulfilled its guidelines (all experts agreed on that). Mr.Leja said that when HCNM Max van der Stoel came here, this issue had not been raised, and the deputies would not agree to these amendments just like that. Latvian Prime Minister has stated that amending of the election law depends on the decision on Podkolzinas case in the European Court, but he has forgotten that laws are adopted by the parliament, not the government. It seems that Minister of Foreign Affairs will have to write an explanation note for the High Commissioner, concludes Ms.Lebedeva