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

On Monday the Governmental Committee will consider the amendments to the State Language Law submitted by the Minister of Interior Affairs. The draft amendments provide for the rights to the Prosecutor Office and police hand in the papers to Prosecutor Office and courts without the translation into the state language. Minister of Interior Affairs Mareks Seglins voiced that he would ask the Committee postpone the revision of the amendments.

On Monday the Governmental Committee will consider the amendments to the State Language Law submitted by the Minister of Interior Affairs. The draft amendments provide for the rights to the Prosecutor Office and police hand in the papers to Prosecutor Office and courts without the translation into the state language. Minister of Interior Affairs Mareks Seglins voiced that he would ask the Committee postpone the revision of the amendments. Diena

At a meeting with constituents in Riga's Ilguciems neighborhood, Riga City councilman Olegs Scipcovs from For Human Rights In A United Latvia (PCTVL) said that one of the party's main goals is defending the right to an education in the Russian language in Latvia. "We must strongly support our stance ... and say "no" to the liquidation of education in Russian", he commented. Scipcovs added that "we must be as strong on this as our grandfathers were in defending Moscow in 1941". About 200 - primarily elderly members of the Russian minority - attended the meeting with FHRUL deputies today.

At a meeting with constituents in Riga's Ilguciems neighborhood, Riga City councilman Olegs Scipcovs from For Human Rights In A United Latvia (PCTVL) said that one of the party's main goals is defending the right to an education in the Russian language in Latvia. "We must strongly support our stance ... and say "no" to the liquidation of education in Russian", he commented. Scipcovs added that "we must be as strong on this as our grandfathers were in defending Moscow in 1941". About 200 - primarily elderly members of the Russian minority - attended the meeting with FHRUL deputies today. Chas, Vesti Segodnja, Panorama Latvii

The Baltic countries and Slovenia are almost certain to receive invitations to join NATO during the alliance's summit in Prague in November, an article in "The Washington Post" says.. Nevertheless, diplomats at NATO headquarters in Brussels cautioned that no final decisions have been reached, and are not likely for several weeks or even months, reports "The Washington Post". Also, the United States, NATO's most important member, has not yet made known its decision. Secretary of State Colin Powell recently told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that he was "absolutely sure" some new countries would be admitted and that there would be "a pretty good-sized addition” but said nothing about which candidates the U.S. would prefer for membership. According to "The Washington Post", many other countries are likely to hold back until they hear the U.S. view. Western officials say that Russia is to be given a more formal voice in the alliance on selective issues, in compensation for its cooperation with the West and not putting up objections to including the Baltics in NATO. "It's pretty clear that although the Russians will not exactly rejoice at the admission of the Baltics into NATO, they're not going to have conniptions over it either. The Russians are more interested in having debt forgiveness and serious negotiations with the World Trade Organization than in tilting at windmills," said Francois Heisbourg, a French defense expert. Taking in the Baltic states would add little to the alliance strategically. While analysts said the Baltics could prove useful in areas such as peacekeeping, they would be invited to join in large part to reward progress they have made in establishing democratic governments and free-market economies.

The Baltic countries and Slovenia are almost certain to receive invitations to join NATO during the alliance's summit in Prague in November, an article in "The Washington Post" says.. Nevertheless, diplomats at NATO headquarters in Brussels cautioned that no final decisions have been reached, and are not likely for several weeks or even months, reports "The Washington Post". Also, the United States, NATO's most important member, has not yet made known its decision. Secretary of State Colin Powell recently told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that he was "absolutely sure" some new countries would be admitted and that there would be "a pretty good-sized addition but said nothing about which candidates the U.S. would prefer for membership. According to "The Washington Post", many other countries are likely to hold back until they hear the U.S. view. Western officials say that Russia is to be given a more formal voice in the alliance on selective issues, in compensation for its cooperation with the West and not putting up objections to including the Baltics in NATO. "It's pretty clear that although the Russians will not exactly rejoice at the admission of the Baltics into NATO, they're not going to have conniptions over it either. The Russians are more interested in having debt forgiveness and serious negotiations with the World Trade Organization than in tilting at windmills," said Francois Heisbourg, a French defense expert. Taking in the Baltic states would add little to the alliance strategically. While analysts said the Baltics could prove useful in areas such as peacekeeping, they would be invited to join in large part to reward progress they have made in establishing democratic governments and free-market economies. Diena

Panorama Latvii interviews FHRUL leader Janis Jurkans. Concerning political situation in the country he says that Latvian politicians believe that they are the major players in the world’s politics and that the whole world should pay attention to Latvia’s “difficult childhood”. The discussion around the Election Law Jurkans calls “showing off of the ruling political parties. They just want to show that they are concerned about the people”. He also reminds that FHRUL were the first initiators of the amendments to the Election Law. Jurkans does not reveal the pre-election program of his party as it is still under development.

Panorama Latvii interviews FHRUL leader Janis Jurkans. Concerning political situation in the country he says that Latvian politicians believe that they are the major players in the worlds politics and that the whole world should pay attention to Latvias difficult childhood. The discussion around the Election Law Jurkans calls showing off of the ruling political parties. They just want to show that they are concerned about the people. He also reminds that FHRUL were the first initiators of the amendments to the Election Law. Jurkans does not reveal the pre-election program of his party as it is still under development.

Neatkariga interviews Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga.