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.

LATVIAN MEDIA REVIEW

LATVIAN MEDIA REVIEW

The United States that earlier supported the closure of the OSCE Mission to Latvia now expect the Baltic state to act on the proposal by President Vaira Vike-Freiberga to abolish language qualifications under election laws. The US encouraged Latvia to follow the President's initiative in the letter sent to the Latvian foreign minister by US Vice-Secretary of State Richard Armitage. "...the OSCE Mission to Latvia mandate has expired; this was the outcome strongly and actively supported by the US. But now we expect your government and parliament to amend the election laws as courageously promised by your President," Armitage said in the letter that reached the Latvian foreign minister. The letter has been forwarded to the Latvian Parliament and speaker Janis Straume.

The United States that earlier supported the closure of the OSCE Mission to Latvia now expect the Baltic state to act on the proposal by President Vaira Vike-Freiberga to abolish language qualifications under election laws. The US encouraged Latvia to follow the President's initiative in the letter sent to the Latvian foreign minister by US Vice-Secretary of State Richard Armitage. "...the OSCE Mission to Latvia mandate has expired; this was the outcome strongly and actively supported by the US. But now we expect your government and parliament to amend the election laws as courageously promised by your President," Armitage said in the letter that reached the Latvian foreign minister. The letter has been forwarded to the Latvian Parliament and speaker Janis Straume.

Foreign Affairs Minister I.Berzins believes that the letter from U.S. Vice-Secretary of State Richard Armitage, cannot be regarded as an attempt to exert political pressure. The minister told that the U.S., as well as the EU, backs Latvia's move to the EU but wants the same rules to be in effect in Latvia as they are in the U.S. and EU. The minister points out that Latvia itself wants to join the EU and no one forces it to do so, therefore Latvia must respect the opinions of the countries whose union it wants to enter. If a proposal on lifting the requirement for deputy nominees pertaining to their state language fluency is regarded as pressure, then the approximation of Latvian legislation in accordance with EU standards can also be regarded as pressure, the minister said. Berzins added that the U.S. was the country which backed closure of the OSCE mission to Latvia without setting any pre-conditions but it does not mean that Latvia does not have to adjust its legislation in adherence with global practice.

Foreign Affairs Minister I.Berzins believes that the letter from U.S. Vice-Secretary of State Richard Armitage, cannot be regarded as an attempt to exert political pressure. The minister told that the U.S., as well as the EU, backs Latvia's move to the EU but wants the same rules to be in effect in Latvia as they are in the U.S. and EU. The minister points out that Latvia itself wants to join the EU and no one forces it to do so, therefore Latvia must respect the opinions of the countries whose union it wants to enter. If a proposal on lifting the requirement for deputy nominees pertaining to their state language fluency is regarded as pressure, then the approximation of Latvian legislation in accordance with EU standards can also be regarded as pressure, the minister said. Berzins added that the U.S. was the country which backed closure of the OSCE mission to Latvia without setting any pre-conditions but it does not mean that Latvia does not have to adjust its legislation in adherence with global practice.

People’s Party leader A.Skele claims that before this letter he had not received any hints that non-abolishment of language requirement could be the obstacle Latvia’s membership to NATO.

Peoples Party leader A.Skele claims that before this letter he had not received any hints that non-abolishment of language requirement could be the obstacle Latvias membership to NATO. Diena, Neatkarîgâ, Lauku Avîze, Chas, Vesti Segodnja, Panorama Latvii

In January the soon-to-be-officially-established political party "Jaunais laiks" (New Era) is the most popular party among Latvian citizens (17.3 % supporters), according to the survey conducted by the market and social research center "Latvijas fakti". Latvia's Way ranks the second with 10.4 %, FHRUL - the third with 10 % of supporters respectively. 9.6 % of citizens back FF/LNNK, 6.3 % - People's Party, 6.2% - Latvian Social Democratic Workers’ party. According to the survey President Vaira Vike-Freiberga, the leader of the soon-to-be-officially-established political party Jaunais laiks, Einars Repse, and head of the Saeima New Faction Ingrida Udre, were the most popular politicians in Latvia in January. The rating for the president in January was 69 points, while the rating for Repse - 30.8 points, but Udre’s rating was 27.2 points.

In January the soon-to-be-officially-established political party "Jaunais laiks" (New Era) is the most popular party among Latvian citizens (17.3 % supporters), according to the survey conducted by the market and social research center "Latvijas fakti". Latvia's Way ranks the second with 10.4 %, FHRUL - the third with 10 % of supporters respectively. 9.6 % of citizens back FF/LNNK, 6.3 % - People's Party, 6.2% - Latvian Social Democratic Workers party. According to the survey President Vaira Vike-Freiberga, the leader of the soon-to-be-officially-established political party Jaunais laiks, Einars Repse, and head of the Saeima New Faction Ingrida Udre, were the most popular politicians in Latvia in January. The rating for the president in January was 69 points, while the rating for Repse - 30.8 points, but Udres rating was 27.2 points. Diena, Neatkariga, Chas, Vesti Segodnja, Panorama Latvii

According to the latest nation's census carried out in 2000 the number of people who speak the Latvian language (79% of all Latvian residents) has increased for 17.3% in comparison to the data obtained in 1989.

According to the latest nation's census carried out in 2000 the number of people who speak the Latvian language (79% of all Latvian residents) has increased for 17.3% in comparison to the data obtained in 1989. Diena, Lauku Avize, Telegraf

Also

Also Vesti Segodnja publishes the data of the latest census but regarding peoples Russian language proficiency – more than 70% of the Latvians residing in Latvia speaks Russian.

Dienas

corespondent Kristîne Plamse looks into the language laws of other European countries. Latvia, Hungary and Czech Republic are the only East European countries which Constitutions do not have the norm about the official status of the language. In all East European countries language laws provides for the usage of the official language in the parliament (discussions and bill drafts), municipal and state institutions and office records and communication. The same regards to the names of the places and streets. corespondent Kristîne Plamse looks into the language laws of other European countries. Latvia, Hungary and Czech Republic are the only East European countries which Constitutions do not have the norm about the official status of the language. In all East European countries language laws provides for the usage of the official language in the parliament (discussions and bill drafts), municipal and state institutions and office records and communication. The same regards to the names of the places and streets.

Lauku Avize

informs that last week the conference Identities. Dialogue. Society Integration was held. More than 40 experts from different spheres took part in the conference. The participants concluded that all involved parties: politicians, journalists and society are responsible for not very successful course of integration in Latvia. However, the most responsible should be politicians, as they have not demonstrated political will regarding this issue. None of the parties has included support to society integration in their political programs, as well as politicians are not listening to advice concerning human rights of the experts. None of politicians attended the conference. informs that last week the conference “Identities. Dialogue. Society Integration” was held. More than 40 experts from different spheres took part in the conference. The participants concluded that all involved parties: politicians, journalists and society are responsible for not very successful course of integration in Latvia. However, the most responsible should be politicians, as they have not demonstrated political will regarding this issue. None of the parties has included support to society integration in their political programs, as well as politicians are not listening to advice concerning human rights of the experts. None of politicians attended the conference.

Chas

informs about the conference Russian Dialogue: a New Page. Ethnic Policy as the Vector of Integration organized by NGO Center. Thirteen people attended the conference. informs about the conference “Russian Dialogue: a New Page. Ethnic Policy as the Vector of Integration” organized by NGO Center. Thirteen people attended the conference. Chas Chas writes that the organizations, which were supposed to represent national minorities were not very well known, as well as the discussions, were not very constructive. One of the presenters suggested that all residents who consider themselves the Russians should be registered in order to know what amount the Russians pay in income taxes so that this money could be demanded. At the end some of speakers establish individual municipalities just for the Russians. writes that the organizations, which were supposed to represent national minorities were not very well known, as well as the discussions, were not very constructive. One of the presenters suggested that all residents who consider themselves the Russians should be registered in order to know what amount the Russians pay in income taxes so that this money could be demanded. At the end some of speakers establish individual municipalities just for the Russians. Panorama LatviiPanorama Latvii Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement yesterday, it said Russia is concerned about Latvian Saeima ruling coalition deputies’ initiative to "introduce new amendments to Latvia’s legislation, discriminatory for the country’s Russian-speaking population, they are to ban naturalized citizens from being elected to the parliament for 10 years”, publishes

Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement yesterday, it said Russia is concerned about Latvian Saeima ruling coalition deputies initiative to "introduce new amendments to Latvias legislation, discriminatory for the countrys Russian-speaking population, they are to ban naturalized citizens from being elected to the parliament for 10 years, publishes Vesti Segodnja, Panorama Latvii. Only Chas provides info that leaders of ruling coalition parties' Saeima factions, Vineta Muizniece, Kristiana Libane and Vents Balodis, have heard nothing about such a legislative initiative.