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.

• Deputy Prime Minister proposal to allow Vladimir Zhirinovky to visit Latvia meets with criticism
• Latvia and the proposal for including minority rights in draft constitution of European Union
• Dmitry Rogozin on pre-conditions for dialogue with Latvia
• Soros Foundation Latvia is closing the project Atvçrtâ skola

Deputy Prime Minister of Latvia Ainars Slesers has proposed to take the leader of Russia Liberal Democratic Party Vladimir Zhirinovky off the list of persons not allowed entry into Latvia. Ainars Slesers states that Latvia cannot ignore the leader of a party, which has become the third most numerous party at the Russia State Duma. Newspapers also feature criticism and the statements of Saeima MPs about this proposal.

Deputy Prime Minister of Latvia Ainars Slesers has proposed to take the leader of Russia Liberal Democratic Party Vladimir Zhirinovky off the list of persons not allowed entry into Latvia. Ainars Slesers states that Latvia cannot ignore the leader of a party, which has become the third most numerous party at the Russia State Duma. Newspapers also feature criticism and the statements of Saeima MPs about this proposal. Diena, Neatkariga Rita Avize, Rigas Balss, Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

Chas reports on an article in the Hungarian newspaper The Budapest Sun about the proposal of Hungary to include a section about minority rights in the draft constitution of the European Union. The Budapest Sun stated that only the diplomats of Latvia and Estonia have protested against the inclusion of this regulation. Deputy Secretary of State of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia Andris Piebalgs denies this. The MP of Saeima and observer from Latvia to the European Parliament Boris Tsilevich stresses that the inclusion of this regulation in the draft constitution of the European Union does not mean that Latvia is not obligated to ratify the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities.

Russian-language newspapers feature interviews with the deputy chairman of the Russian party Rodina Dmitry Rogozin. He states that dialogue with Latvia could soon start, but is tied to some pre-conditions.  He is first and foremost interested in the defense of Russian-language schools in Latvia and in the implementation of the “zero” (i.e. automatic for all) alternative of citizenship. Russia will insist upon the recognition of Russian language as the second state language in the all post-Soviet republics, including Latvia, states Rogozin.

Russian-language newspapers feature interviews with the deputy chairman of the Russian party Rodina Dmitry Rogozin. He states that dialogue with Latvia could soon start, but is tied to some pre-conditions. He is first and foremost interested in the defense of Russian-language schools in Latvia and in the implementation of the zero (i.e. automatic for all) alternative of citizenship. Russia will insist upon the recognition of Russian language as the second state language in the all post-Soviet republics, including Latvia, states Rogozin. Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

The Soros Foundation Latvia is closing the project

The Soros Foundation Latvia is closing the project Atvçrtâ skola (The Open School). The main purpose of this project was a promotion of social and ethnic integration in the area of education, establishing the notion of bilingual education in the system of education and bringing together students, teachers and parents of various languages of instruction. Since 1999 the Soros Foundation Latvia has invested approximately 630 thousand lats in this project. Experts from this project will continue their work in the newly established Center for Educational Evolution. Diena