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.

Integration and Minority Information Service

Integration and Minority Information Service
of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies

Vesti Segodnja comments on the proposed expansion of the list of the professions required to have a certain level of state language proficiency. The newspaper agrees that local government officials should know the language, but is very surprised about the inclusion of sports instructors and coaches in the list. The newspaper states that this is another attempt by Latvian officials to get rid of Russian coaches.

Chas

publishes more in-depth information about the essay contest on social integration for teachers and school children organised by FHRUL. About 50 works were submitted to the contest. The organisers regret that the Integration Fund did not show any interest in the contest. publishes more in-depth information about the essay contest on social integration for teachers and school children organised by FHRUL. About 50 works were submitted to the contest. The organisers regret that the Integration Fund did not show any interest in the contest. Vesti SegodnjaVesti Segodnja

Panorama Latvii

provides insight to a Russian national school in Latvia. The school has developed two kinds of secondary school curriculum – one for students who want to continue their studies in Latvia and the other for students who want to enter university in Russia. The curriculum will be implemented as of the next academic year. The schools future after 2004 is as yet unclear. The school has not received a concrete answer about its future regarding the switch to education in Latvian scheduled in 2004. The most usual reply of officials is you are a national school and we will have a special discussion about you. provides insight to a Russian national school in Latvia. The school has developed two kinds of secondary school curriculum – one for students who want to continue their studies in Latvia and the other for students who want to enter university in Russia. The curriculum will be implemented as of the next academic year. The school’s future after 2004 is as yet unclear. The school has not received a concrete answer about its future regarding the switch to education in Latvian scheduled in 2004. The most usual reply of officials is “you are a national school and we will have a special discussion about you.” Panorama LatviiPanorama Latvii Taking into account the agreement between Russia and NATO on cooperation in security matters, the non-governmental organisation "Independence Movement" (Kustiba par neatkaribu) is urging the Latvian government to halt its move towards the alliance. The "Independence Movement" points out that the justification for the dramatic growth in military expenditures, purchase of expensive radars and the participation of the Latvian armed forces in operations abroad was that NATO would guarantee Latvia's security should any threat come from Russia.

Taking into account the agreement between Russia and NATO on cooperation in security matters, the non-governmental organisation "Independence Movement" (Kustiba par neatkaribu) is urging the Latvian government to halt its move towards the alliance. The "Independence Movement" points out that the justification for the dramatic growth in military expenditures, purchase of expensive radars and the participation of the Latvian armed forces in operations abroad was that NATO would guarantee Latvia's security should any threat come from Russia. LETA

FHRUL is ready to participate in formation of the government if it succeeds in the eighth Saeima elections, participants of the party's conference in Daugavpils said on Friday. Chances are that FHRUL will be successful in the eighth Saeima elections, because privatization of major enterprises has nearly ended in Latvia and this means that the governing political parties will have more trouble with finding financing for their election campaigns, Saeima deputy Boriss Cilevics said in addressing the conference. Even though FHRUL is hardly unlikely to win a majority of seats in the next Saeima, Cilevics believes that FHRUL stands a good chance of taking part in formation of the government.

FHRUL is ready to participate in formation of the government if it succeeds in the eighth Saeima elections, participants of the party's conference in Daugavpils said on Friday. Chances are that FHRUL will be successful in the eighth Saeima elections, because privatization of major enterprises has nearly ended in Latvia and this means that the governing political parties will have more trouble with finding financing for their election campaigns, Saeima deputy Boriss Cilevics said in addressing the conference. Even though FHRUL is hardly unlikely to win a majority of seats in the next Saeima, Cilevics believes that FHRUL stands a good chance of taking part in formation of the government. LETA

New Era leader Einars Repse denies any possibility that his party could co-operate with FHRUL in the 8th Saeima. Repse’s party has led the popularity polls in recent months.

New Era leader Einars Repse denies any possibility that his party could co-operate with FHRUL in the 8th Saeima. Repses party has led the popularity polls in recent months. Diena