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

In opening the 46th Latvian Intelligentsia Conference in Riga on Friday President Vaira Vike-Freiberga called on intellectuals to participate in the debate on national development and Latvia’s integration into the EU and NATO, pointing out that this year will be crucial for Latvia - whether the state continues its development or lags behind other countries. In the President's view, there is still much to do in enforcing democracy in Latvia in order to enter NATO. She expressed her readiness to oppose anyone who believes that there is no hurry to join the EU and NATO, because "the price we are requested for the EU and NATO membership is normal."

In opening the 46th Latvian Intelligentsia Conference in Riga on Friday President Vaira Vike-Freiberga called on intellectuals to participate in the debate on national development and Latvias integration into the EU and NATO, pointing out that this year will be crucial for Latvia - whether the state continues its development or lags behind other countries. In the President's view, there is still much to do in enforcing democracy in Latvia in order to enter NATO. She expressed her readiness to oppose anyone who believes that there is no hurry to join the EU and NATO, because "the price we are requested for the EU and NATO membership is normal."

The President also voiced that if Latvia remains outside NATO then the country could follow the course of undemocratic development as it has happened with Moldova.

The President also voiced that if Latvia remains outside NATO then the country could follow the course of undemocratic development as it has happened with Moldova. Diena, Neatkariga, Chas, Panorama Latvii

The working group composed of the members of Saeima’s ruling parties will develop a joint proposal of the amendments to the Satversme aimed at securing the status of the state language in Latvia. The Coalition Board does not discuss the possible amendments to election laws. Last Friday parties presented their proposals and they do not exclude each other. Latvia’s Way’s suggest that each MP undertaking his/her duties in the Saeima takes a solemn oath in the state language where s/he promises to be loyal to the Republic of Latvia, defend its sovereignty and state language, secure Latvia as a democratic and independent country, observe the Satversme and other laws, including the State Language Law. If a deputy refuses to take an oath, s/he looses the mandate. People’s Party suggest to secure the State Language Law with the Status of a Constitutional Law. FF/LNNK suggests to introduce to the Satversme the norm, which provides for that the working language at state and municipal institutions is the Latvian language. They also want to add to the Satversme the norm, which provides for that non-citizens do not have rights to participate at municipal election.

The working group composed of the members of Saeimas ruling parties will develop a joint proposal of the amendments to the Satversme aimed at securing the status of the state language in Latvia. The Coalition Board does not discuss the possible amendments to election laws. Last Friday parties presented their proposals and they do not exclude each other. Latvias Ways suggest that each MP undertaking his/her duties in the Saeima takes a solemn oath in the state language where s/he promises to be loyal to the Republic of Latvia, defend its sovereignty and state language, secure Latvia as a democratic and independent country, observe the Satversme and other laws, including the State Language Law. If a deputy refuses to take an oath, s/he looses the mandate. Peoples Party suggest to secure the State Language Law with the Status of a Constitutional Law. FF/LNNK suggests to introduce to the Satversme the norm, which provides for that the working language at state and municipal institutions is the Latvian language. They also want to add to the Satversme the norm, which provides for that non-citizens do not have rights to participate at municipal election. Diena, Neatkariga, Lauku Avize, Vesti Segodnja

Political scientist Konrads Sondors looks into the changes regarding the election system introduced to the Latvian Constitution in the course of 80 years since the Constitution was adopted. He concludes that during last 12 years no changes have been introduced to the Satversme and he calls experts to come up with the proposals regarding better election systems.

Political scientist Konrads Sondors looks into the changes regarding the election system introduced to the Latvian Constitution in the course of 80 years since the Constitution was adopted. He concludes that during last 12 years no changes have been introduced to the Satversme and he calls experts to come up with the proposals regarding better election systems. Neatkariga

Latvia’s ambassador to the USA Aivis Ronis is invited to participate at the joint meeting of Saeima’s Defense Committee and Foreign Policy Committee next week to provide explanations regarding the statements that the USA would not support Latvia’s NATO bid if language requirement for election candidates is not removed from election laws. MPs want to hear an accurate information who, where and when has made such statements.

Latvias ambassador to the USA Aivis Ronis is invited to participate at the joint meeting of Saeimas Defense Committee and Foreign Policy Committee next week to provide explanations regarding the statements that the USA would not support Latvias NATO bid if language requirement for election candidates is not removed from election laws. MPs want to hear an accurate information who, where and when has made such statements. Lauku Avize

The Latvian Prosecutor General department working on the recently discovered citizenship selling case, has produced the first charges on 15 February, expecting to launch criminal investigation against seven people, including two from the Naturalization Board, for bribery, mediating bribery and abuse of position.

The Latvian Prosecutor General department working on the recently discovered citizenship selling case, has produced the first charges on 15 February, expecting to launch criminal investigation against seven people, including two from the Naturalization Board, for bribery, mediating bribery and abuse of position. Diena, Neatkariga, Chas, Vesti Segodnja

Vesti Segodnja

looks into the program of Einârs Repses party New Era. The newspaper concludes that partys program concerning education, science, social and health care presents the values of the left-wing parties, however, partys program on financial and economical issues is definitely the model of right wing parties. looks into the program of Einârs Repse’s party New Era. The newspaper concludes that party’s program concerning education, science, social and health care presents the values of the left-wing parties, however, party’s program on financial and economical issues is definitely the model of right wing parties.

Chas

informs about the conference The Role of National-Cultural Communities in the Integration of Cultures. The newspaper believes that the main problem in this field is the lack of funding as the state has allotted only 14 thousand lats for national cultural communities within 10 years, as well as legislation on national minorities should be adopted providing for equal rights for all members of society. The speakers talked about the poor quality of national organizations, the negative role of means of mass media writing in Russian. Latvian Human Rights and Ethnic Research Center director Nils Muiznieks discussed whether Latvia needs to ratify the Framework Convention. He informed that the Center is going to launch a national discussion about the issue. MP Boriss Cilevics when assessing the conference says the overall impression is that people who have power are trying to implement the concept which is already doomed. informs about the conference “The Role of National-Cultural Communities in the Integration of Cultures.” The newspaper believes that the main problem in this field is the lack of funding as the state has allotted only 14 thousand lats for national cultural communities within 10 years, as well as legislation on national minorities should be adopted providing for equal rights for all members of society. The speakers talked about the “poor quality” of national organizations, the negative role of means of mass media writing in Russian. Latvian Human Rights and Ethnic Research Center director Nils Muiznieks discussed whether Latvia needs to ratify the Framework Convention. He informed that the Center is going to launch a national discussion about the issue. MP Boriss Cilevics when assessing the conference says “the overall impression is that people who have power are trying to implement the concept which is already doomed.” Panorama LatviiPanorama Latvii Friday the second part of the conference “Russian Dialogue: New Page. Mutual Trust” organized by the organization Western Russians was held in Riga. Only two speakers and 6 representatives of mass media participated at the conference.

Friday the second part of the conference Russian Dialogue: New Page. Mutual Trust organized by the organization Western Russians was held in Riga. Only two speakers and 6 representatives of mass media participated at the conference. Chas