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.

• Political parties cannot agree on the composition of a new government
• Chas reports on a possibility to introduce changes in the Law of Education
• Interview with the representative of the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian-language Schools Jurijs Petropavlovskis
• Head of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Russia State Council Konstantin Kosatchev talks about relations between Russia and Latvia
• New Russian Ambassador to Latvia Victor Kalyuzhny meets representatives of the Peoples Harmony Party
• Book on the Holocaust presented
• Latvijas Avize reports about a forthcoming meeting of the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian-language Schools with parents of minority students
• Today the minority art festival ‘United in Diversity 2004 will be launched in Riga

Yesterday after the President’s choice Prime Minister Aigars Kalvitis (People’s Party) stated that ‘such controversial persons’ - the former prime ministers Andris Skele (nominated by the People’s Party to the post of the Minister for Health) and Einars Repse (nominated by the New Era to the Post of the Minister for Defence) - can not be included in the new government, the New Era announced that it refuses to participate in the formation of a new government. In response Aigars Kalvitis stated that he would give the New Era time till Tuesday to reconsider its decision. If on Tuesday the New Era continues to refuse to take part in the formation of a new government, the post of the Minister for Special Assingnments for Society Integration could be repeatedly entrusted to the Latvia’s First Party.

Yesterday after the Presidents choice Prime Minister Aigars Kalvitis (Peoples Party) stated that ‘such controversial persons - the former prime ministers Andris Skele (nominated by the Peoples Party to the post of the Minister for Health) and Einars Repse (nominated by the New Era to the Post of the Minister for Defence) - can not be included in the new government, the New Era announced that it refuses to participate in the formation of a new government. In response Aigars Kalvitis stated that he would give the New Era time till Tuesday to reconsider its decision. If on Tuesday the New Era continues to refuse to take part in the formation of a new government, the post of the Minister for Special Assingnments for Society Integration could be repeatedly entrusted to the Latvias First Party. Diena, Neatkariga Rita Avize, Rigas Balss, Latvijas Avize, Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

Vesti Segodnya prints an interview with the representative of the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian-language Schools Jurijs Petropavlovskis. He is planning to challenge the decision of the Cabinet of Ministers with Latvian courts and if necessary with the European Court of Human Rights and the European Court of Justice. The Cabinet of Ministers refused to grant him Latvian citizenship. Jurijs Petropavlovskis is convinced that Latvia will be found guilty, as the decision was not based on sound arguments.

Newspapers feature statements of the Head of Russia State Council Foreign Affairs Committee Konstantin Kosatchev about relations between Russia and Latvia. Konstantin Kosatchev supports ratification of the border agreement between Latvia and Russia as soon as possible, nevertheless, he believes that Latvia must solve a number of minority problems: ratify the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities, grant non-citizens voting rights in municipal elections and solve issues concerning minority education reform. The Russian official also believes that participation of the leaders of the Baltic States in the anniversary of the victory in World War II on 9 May 2005 in Moscow would promote better relations between the countries.

Newspapers feature statements of the Head of Russia State Council Foreign Affairs Committee Konstantin Kosatchev about relations between Russia and Latvia. Konstantin Kosatchev supports ratification of the border agreement between Latvia and Russia as soon as possible, nevertheless, he believes that Latvia must solve a number of minority problems: ratify the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities, grant non-citizens voting rights in municipal elections and solve issues concerning minority education reform. The Russian official also believes that participation of the leaders of the Baltic States in the anniversary of the victory in World War II on 9 May 2005 in Moscow would promote better relations between the countries. Chas and Vesti Segodnya feature interviews with Konstantin Kosatchev. Latvijas Avize, Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

The Russian Ambassador to Latvia Victor Kalyuzhny met the representatives of the People’s Harmony Party in order to discuss the relationship between Russia and Latvia. During the meeting was also discussed the refusal of Saeima to adopt the amendments to the Citizenship Law, submitted by the People’s Harmony Party, which according to the PHP were aimed at promoting naturalisation. Victor Kalyuzhny

The Russian Ambassador to Latvia Victor Kalyuzhny met the representatives of the Peoples Harmony Party in order to discuss the relationship between Russia and Latvia. During the meeting was also discussed the refusal of Saeima to adopt the amendments to the Citizenship Law, submitted by the Peoples Harmony Party, which according to the PHP were aimed at promoting naturalisation. Victor Kalyuzhny has expressed a regret stating that Latvia should promote the naturalisation process. Chas, Telegraf

Yesterday the 12th volume of articles dedicated to the Holocaust was presented. The book has been developed by the Historians’ Commission under the President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga. In the presentation the President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga called the international society to be more critical towards totalitarian regimes, which categorised people according to their nationality, race, gender and religion.  

Yesterday the 12th volume of articles dedicated to the Holocaust was presented. The book has been developed by the Historians Commission under the President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga. In the presentation the President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga called the international society to be more critical towards totalitarian regimes, which categorised people according to their nationality, race, gender and religion. Diena, Latvijas Avize, Chas, Vesti Segodnya

Latvijas Avize reports on a forthcoming meeting of the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian-language Schools with parents of minority students. The newspaper believes that the Headquarters will continue to call minorities to protest against the education reform.

The Russian-language newspaper

The Russian-language newspaper Chas, referring to unofficial sources, writes that amendments to the Law on Education have been developed. These amendments provide more rigid ratio between languages of instruction in minority schools: instead of teaching 40% of subjects in minority languages as provided for by the effective norms, the new amendments foresee that only 25% of subjects will be taught in minority languages.

The minority art festival ‘United in Diversity 2004,’ dedicated to the 16th anniversary of the Latvian Association of National Cultural Organisations will be launched today in Riga.

The minority art festival ‘United in Diversity 2004, dedicated to the 16th anniversary of the Latvian Association of National Cultural Organisations will be launched today in Riga. Latvijas Avize