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

U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell says the amendments to the Election Law important to Latvia’s entry into NATO. U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell said during his meeting with President Vaira Vike-Freiberga in Washington on Tuesday that he supports the president’s initiative to amend the Election Law. He also commended Vike-Freiberga’s efforts to explain the complicated issue to Latvia’s people. Latvia's political will to amend the current Election Law is "a fundamentally important issue" in the context of Latvia joining NATO, as this would be a significant step towards integration and joining the values of the alliance. This was voiced by Latvia's President Vaira Vike-Freiberga and the deputy assistant of the US Secretary of State Heather A. Conley at a joint video press conference from Washington DC on Wednesday. "If the Election Law is amended, it would more suit those values that are highly valued by NATO," said Conley, adding that Latvia's Membership Action Plan for NATO includes a very wide range of issues, including social spheres, and in this aspect public integration "is linked to NATO values." The US official promised that the US "will thoroughly follow the solution to this issue."

U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell says the amendments to the Election Law important to Latvias entry into NATO. U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell said during his meeting with President Vaira Vike-Freiberga in Washington on Tuesday that he supports the presidents initiative to amend the Election Law. He also commended Vike-Freibergas efforts to explain the complicated issue to Latvias people. Latvia's political will to amend the current Election Law is "a fundamentally important issue" in the context of Latvia joining NATO, as this would be a significant step towards integration and joining the values of the alliance. This was voiced by Latvia's President Vaira Vike-Freiberga and the deputy assistant of the US Secretary of State Heather A. Conley at a joint video press conference from Washington DC on Wednesday. "If the Election Law is amended, it would more suit those values that are highly valued by NATO," said Conley, adding that Latvia's Membership Action Plan for NATO includes a very wide range of issues, including social spheres, and in this aspect public integration "is linked to NATO values." The US official promised that the US "will thoroughly follow the solution to this issue." Latvijas Vestnesis, Diena, Neatkariga, Lauku Avize, Vesti Segodnja, Chas, Telegraf, Panorama Latvii, BNS, LETA

Former Head of the OSCE Mission to Latvia Peter Semneby paid a farewell visit to Latvian Prime Minister Andris Berzins. Peter Semneby pointed out that naturalization procedure had proceeded smoothly in Latvia, Latvian language instruction program is functioning successfully, the Social Integration Foundation has launched its operations, as well as the National Human Rights Bureau's operations have improved. Semneby appreciated the initiative of President Vaira Vike-Freiberga requesting to lift the requirement on state language tests for candidates to the Saeima and municipal seats in the Election Law and concluded that stable civic society has been formed in Latvia that actively takes part in political processes.

Former Head of the OSCE Mission to Latvia Peter Semneby paid a farewell visit to Latvian Prime Minister Andris Berzins. Peter Semneby pointed out that naturalization procedure had proceeded smoothly in Latvia, Latvian language instruction program is functioning successfully, the Social Integration Foundation has launched its operations, as well as the National Human Rights Bureau's operations have improved. Semneby appreciated the initiative of President Vaira Vike-Freiberga requesting to lift the requirement on state language tests for candidates to the Saeima and municipal seats in the Election Law and concluded that stable civic society has been formed in Latvia that actively takes part in political processes. Latvijas Vestnesis, Neatkariga, LETA, Internet portal DELFI

The Constitutional Protection Bureau's operatives detained six persons yesterday who were trading with Latvian citizenship. Among the detained persons were former and current employees of the Naturalization Board, Border Guard Forces and the firm "Falcon plus". The newspaper reports that with the help of 2 employees of Naturalization Board Examination Center, people who did not have the required knowledge to pass naturalization exams could purchase the paper proving that they have successfully passed the exams. The service cost USD 1,500 overall, including payments to middlemen.

The Constitutional Protection Bureau's operatives detained six persons yesterday who were trading with Latvian citizenship. Among the detained persons were former and current employees of the Naturalization Board, Border Guard Forces and the firm "Falcon plus". The newspaper reports that with the help of 2 employees of Naturalization Board Examination Center, people who did not have the required knowledge to pass naturalization exams could purchase the paper proving that they have successfully passed the exams. The service cost USD 1,500 overall, including payments to middlemen.

A representative of the Constitutional Protection Bureau told the newspaper that, to his mind, the evidence gathered is sufficient so that the court could authorize arrest of the above persons. He did not want to say how many people had become citizens of Latvia through the scheme, he admitted however that selling citizenship could have been going on for a rather long time.

A representative of the Constitutional Protection Bureau told the newspaper that, to his mind, the evidence gathered is sufficient so that the court could authorize arrest of the above persons. He did not want to say how many people had become citizens of Latvia through the scheme, he admitted however that selling citizenship could have been going on for a rather long time. Neatkariga

Political scientist Ivars Indans writes about positive and negative stimulus used in fostering Latvian language learning in the country. He concludes that Latvia applies both measures, however, the efforts of the responsible state institutions are mainly orientated to the implementation of negative stimulus, such as, administrative fines and penalties.

Political scientist Ivars Indans writes about positive and negative stimulus used in fostering Latvian language learning in the country. He concludes that Latvia applies both measures, however, the efforts of the responsible state institutions are mainly orientated to the implementation of negative stimulus, such as, administrative fines and penalties. Diena

Neatkariga

and and Panorama LatviiPanorama Latvii publish interviews with the former Head of the OSCE Mission to Latvia Peter Semneby. The former Head looks at Latvias achievements concerning naturalization and citizenship issues for the last 8 years since the Mission was established in Latvia. He emphasizes that focus should be placed on positive measures in fostering and promoting Latvian language learning and usage. publish interviews with the former Head of the OSCE Mission to Latvia Peter Semneby. The former Head looks at Latvia’s achievements concerning naturalization and citizenship issues for the last 8 years since the Mission was established in Latvia. He emphasizes that focus should be placed on positive measures in fostering and promoting Latvian language learning and usage.

Lauku Avize

publishes the article by Juris Cibuls where he looks at the perception and definitions of the terms used when integration issues are discussed. He concludes that the responsible institutions should agree on the common terms and their definitions. publishes the article by Juris Cibuls where he looks at the perception and definitions of the terms used when integration issues are discussed. He concludes that the responsible institutions should agree on the common terms and their definitions.

Lauku Avize

publishes the letters of its readers in response to USA Ambassadors to Latvia open letter concerning the removal of language requirements for election candidates. All published letters are arguing against the views of the Ambassador. publishes the letters of its readers in response to USA Ambassador’s to Latvia open letter concerning the removal of language requirements for election candidates. All published letters are arguing against the views of the Ambassador. Yesterday Riga District Court considered the claim of a Russian family concerning spelling of their family name in Latvian in birth certificate of their child. The Court turned down the claim.

Yesterday Riga District Court considered the claim of a Russian family concerning spelling of their family name in Latvian in birth certificate of their child. The Court turned down the claim. Chas, Vesti Segodnja, Panorama Latvii.

While on the official visit to Latvia Ukrainian Foreign Affairs Minister Anatoly Zlenko after his meeting with Prime Minister Andris Berzins and Minister of Foreign Affairs Indulis Berzins expressed his support for Latvia's move to the European Union (EU) and NATO.

While on the official visit to Latvia Ukrainian Foreign Affairs Minister Anatoly Zlenko after his meeting with Prime Minister Andris Berzins and Minister of Foreign Affairs Indulis Berzins expressed his support for Latvia's move to the European Union (EU) and NATO. Diena, Neatkariga, Chas, Vesti Segodnja, Panorama Latvii, Telegraf