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 favorable attitude towards Latvia ahead of the next NATO enlargement wave may change to negative if Latvia failed to amend its election laws, lifting language qualification for candidates, said the Latvian president. Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga upon her return from the US told reporters Tuesday that so far she had done a better job in convincing Americans of Latvia's serious democratization efforts than in persuading Latvian politicians about the need to amend the election laws. She said that "we do not make the rules, we are the ones who need this security." If Latvia showed inability to leave behind "traumas of the past," its admission to NATO may get delayed, said Vike-Freiberga. "Candidate states are expected to show good will and commitment," because the alliance wants to accept states capable of contributing to NATO, explained the Latvian president. She said she tried to convince the US officials that "NATO would benefit from admitting Latvia and Baltic States in the next enlargement wave as it would expand the area of security and [NATO] values." This is the time for ruling coalition parties to come forth with constructive proposals and initiative to amend the election laws, stated Vike-Freiberga. "The responsibility is in the hands of lawmakers, the government and coalition parties" because the government declaration expressly lists foreign policy goals in integration into NATO and the European Union," said the Latvian president. She was angered by behavior of ruling political forces "in the given situation pretending that it's nothing, that nobody is asking anything." "Our future is in their hands," stressed the president. She also said the US support to NATO membership for the Balts has grown much stronger as seen from talks with high-ranking American officials.

The United States favorable attitude towards Latvia ahead of the next NATO enlargement wave may change to negative if Latvia failed to amend its election laws, lifting language qualification for candidates, said the Latvian president. Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga upon her return from the US told reporters Tuesday that so far she had done a better job in convincing Americans of Latvia's serious democratization efforts than in persuading Latvian politicians about the need to amend the election laws. She said that "we do not make the rules, we are the ones who need this security." If Latvia showed inability to leave behind "traumas of the past," its admission to NATO may get delayed, said Vike-Freiberga. "Candidate states are expected to show good will and commitment," because the alliance wants to accept states capable of contributing to NATO, explained the Latvian president. She said she tried to convince the US officials that "NATO would benefit from admitting Latvia and Baltic States in the next enlargement wave as it would expand the area of security and [NATO] values." This is the time for ruling coalition parties to come forth with constructive proposals and initiative to amend the election laws, stated Vike-Freiberga. "The responsibility is in the hands of lawmakers, the government and coalition parties" because the government declaration expressly lists foreign policy goals in integration into NATO and the European Union," said the Latvian president. She was angered by behavior of ruling political forces "in the given situation pretending that it's nothing, that nobody is asking anything." "Our future is in their hands," stressed the president. She also said the US support to NATO membership for the Balts has grown much stronger as seen from talks with high-ranking American officials. BNS, Diena, Latvijas Vestnesis, Vesti Segodnya, Chas, Vechernyaya Riga

The Latvian government Tuesday accepted amendments to the criminal law envisaging to delete the capital punishment from the legislation, government press office reported. Amendments also were introduced to a provision regulating limitation period regarding a person having committed a crime punishable with a life imprisonment, envisaging that application of the limitation period will be decided by the court in the event 30 years have passed since the crime. Under the effective legislation, a limitation period is applied after ten years have passed since the time when the crime was committed. Apart from amendments to the criminal law amendments to other related legislation, including the law on enactment of the criminal law, penalty implementation code, criminal proceedings code and pardon law, have been worked out.

The Latvian government Tuesday accepted amendments to the criminal law envisaging to delete the capital punishment from the legislation, government press office reported. Amendments also were introduced to a provision regulating limitation period regarding a person having committed a crime punishable with a life imprisonment, envisaging that application of the limitation period will be decided by the court in the event 30 years have passed since the crime. Under the effective legislation, a limitation period is applied after ten years have passed since the time when the crime was committed. Apart from amendments to the criminal law amendments to other related legislation, including the law on enactment of the criminal law, penalty implementation code, criminal proceedings code and pardon law, have been worked out. BNS

After the news that granting Latvian citizenship has been stopped for uncertain time, journalists from the newspaper

After the news that granting Latvian citizenship has been stopped for uncertain time, journalists from the newspaper Telegraf called the Cabinet of Ministers asking when the process of naturalization would be continued. According the information in the last list of persons to be naturalized were 200 persons. Press Secretary answered that they could not name a proper time because they were waiting for the results of investigation.

According to

According to World Tribune Pentagon has started ousting of Iraqs leader Husein. To keep Russia quiet about this action, Latvia will not be accepted to NATO. According to the information of British The Times G.Bush intends to offer V.Putin a deal – Moscow closes eyes on the operation against Iraq and remains in the anti-terrorist coalition, and for that the White House starts a speedy process of approaching NATO and Russia, that would result in granting Russia the status of a full-fledged member. The Times thinks that Putin might be interested by only one version – trading Iraq for the Baltic States. Chas

Newspaper

Newspaper Vesti Segodnya interviewed the leader of Peoples Party A.Skele, who did not consider himself to be a national radical. Answering the question about the pressure of the USA and international organizations to abolish the language proficiency norm in the election laws and the local government rights for non-citizens, former Prime Minister said that both Latvian foreign partners and the President knew – Latvia was a parliamentary republic. It is clearly stated in the constitution who is responsible for what, who may make any promises and assume responsibility. And in this respect some persons behave themselves concerning the Saeima quite shamelessly. A.Skele says that before sending them letters and asking for serious discussions it would be necessary to discuss it peacefully and evaluate all plusses and minuses. While he was Prime Minister, no such issue had been raised during meetings with foreign colleagues. Why now there is such a rush? Latvia has changed its citizenship law radically, and now they once again try to push us to change something, even not looking into our situation. A.Skele does not like when somebody without asking or suggesting just demands –vote for this! And he asks, will these amendments and granting local government election rights to non-citizens speed up naturalization? and states that the answer is obvious.

Leader of the Movement Equality T.Zhdanok denies any connection to the scandal in London with selling information on human rights violations in Latvia. She calls it an open provocation.

Leader of the Movement Equality T.Zhdanok denies any connection to the scandal in London with selling information on human rights violations in Latvia. She calls it an open provocation. Vesti Segodnya