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

The only official newspaper of the Russian Government

The only official newspaper of the Russian Government Rossiyskaya Gazeta has named leader of FHRUL Janis Jurkans as the most influential pro-Moscow politician and possible vice premier in Latvia. The newspaper states that a national government formed by the Peoples Party would be in the interests of Russia because of commercial interests of Peoples Party in Moscow. Leader of FHRUL Janis Jurkans does not consider co-operation between his and Skeles party possible. Diena

After a visit to Daugavpils, the second biggest city in the eastern part of Latvia, Reuters journalist Erik Brynhildsbakken pictures a very gloomy situation and writes that ethnic Russians say that neither the prospect of European Union (EU) membership nor of joining NATO will lift the stamp of second class citizenship cast on them since the end of the Cold War. Reuters correspondent concludes that in Latvia's small political establishment, all are jubilant about the tiny country's "return to Europe" - expecting a NATO invitation in November and EU membership by 2004. But they are short on words when it comes to ethnic Russians.

After a visit to Daugavpils, the second biggest city in the eastern part of Latvia, Reuters journalist Erik Brynhildsbakken pictures a very gloomy situation and writes that ethnic Russians say that neither the prospect of European Union (EU) membership nor of joining NATO will lift the stamp of second class citizenship cast on them since the end of the Cold War. Reuters correspondent concludes that in Latvia's small political establishment, all are jubilant about the tiny country's "return to Europe" - expecting a NATO invitation in November and EU membership by 2004. But they are short on words when it comes to ethnic Russians. Neatkariga

Vesti Segodnya

talks to head of the Association for the Support of Russian Language Schools in Latvia Igor Pimenov. He re-calls the formation of the Association and believes that the language of instruction at a school should be chosen by its founders, namely, a municipality, and the school board. Igor Pimenov is convinced about the correctness of the requirements set by the Association as they are in compliance with the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities and other international norms. talks to head of the Association for the Support of Russian Language Schools in Latvia Igor Pimenov. He re-calls the formation of the Association and believes that the language of instruction at a school should be chosen by its founders, namely, a municipality, and the school board. Igor Pimenov is convinced about the correctness of the requirements set by the Association as they are in compliance with the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities and other international norms. The editorial of

The editorial of Telegraf discusses the recently published booklet Lets Protect Our Future! Latvia in NATO. The newspaper points out that the booklet is published in two languages – in Latvian and Russian – and the two editions have the same text, but different photos, for instance, in the Latvian edition President Vaira Vike-Freiberga is with American President George Bush, but in the Russian edition she is with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The columnist concludes that according to the logic of the authors of the booklet, each community should enter NATO separately.