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.

Press Review

Press Review

No agreement between the

No agreement between the Peoples Party and the Latvian Way was reached during talks yesterday. The Peoples Party believes that, first, parties should agree on basic principles of government operation by respecting rightist-conservative values and keeping in mind influential representation of leftist forces in the Saeima, and then discuss personalia, while the Latvian Way holds to the requirement to have Vilis Kristopans as a Prime Minister. On Wednesday the Latvian Way will start the second round of talks with all parties. Diena

After the European conference in Luxembourg the Latvian Foreign Affairs Minister Valdis Birkavs said that Latvia has achieved tremendous progress in spheres of internal and foreign politics, and according to him, Latvia should be invited to EU accession talks in December.

After the European conference in Luxembourg the Latvian Foreign Affairs Minister Valdis Birkavs said that Latvia has achieved tremendous progress in spheres of internal and foreign politics, and according to him, Latvia should be invited to EU accession talks in December. Diena

Estonian President Lennart Meri welcomed the outcome of the referendum on amendments to the Citizenship Law. He thinks that it will influence the decision of Estonian parliament which will soon consider similar amendments.

Estonian President Lennart Meri welcomed the outcome of the referendum on amendments to the Citizenship Law. He thinks that it will influence the decision of Estonian parliament which will soon consider similar amendments. Diena

In a statement of Mr. James Rubin (spelling?), a spokesman of the US Department of State, it is said that the US government welcomes the outcome of the referendum in Latvia. The amendments to the Citizenship Law completely correspond with the basic principles of the US-Baltic Partnership Charter, and “fulfil all of Latvia’s international obligations in the area of citizenship and naturalization without any harm to the development of Latvian language and culture. “

In a statement of Mr. James Rubin (spelling?), a spokesman of the US Department of State, it is said that the US government welcomes the outcome of the referendum in Latvia. The amendments to the Citizenship Law completely correspond with the basic principles of the US-Baltic Partnership Charter, and fulfil all of Latvias international obligations in the area of citizenship and naturalization without any harm to the development of Latvian language and culture. Diena

Board of the

Board of the For Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK passed a resolution in which it promises to do everything to guarantee the deciding role of the state language in the constitution, the State Language Law and Education Law, to improve the work of the State Language Inspectorate, to intensify overseeing of naturalization process, as well as to obtain real security guarantees from international institutions. Neatkariga

Board of the

Board of the For Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK believes that results of the referendum show a negative attitude of the majority of Latvians towards the amendments to the Citizenship Law, since the outcome of the referendum was determined by voting of Russian-speaking citizens in Riga and the Latgale region. Nellija Locmele, a DIENA journalist, argues that such statement is tendentious, since the amendments were supported in districts where majority of citizens are Latvians, for example, in Jurmala where 75% of citizens are Latvians, Aluksne region (88.2% Latvians), Gulbene region (90.8%), Valka region ( 93.7%), Ventspils (93, 7%) and others. Diena

On the basis of Byelorussian classes at the Riga Secondary School No 75 the Byelorussian primary school was founded. The school will provide students with qualitative primary education, will draw Byelorussian Diaspora closer to the native language and national culture, as well as “continue traditions of the independent Latvian state in preserving Byelorussian identity and integration.“ The school will be financed from the Riga City municipal budget. The languages of instruction will be Byelorussian and Latvian.

On the basis of Byelorussian classes at the Riga Secondary School No 75 the Byelorussian primary school was founded. The school will provide students with qualitative primary education, will draw Byelorussian Diaspora closer to the native language and national culture, as well as continue traditions of the independent Latvian state in preserving Byelorussian identity and integration. The school will be financed from the Riga City municipal budget. The languages of instruction will be Byelorussian and Latvian. Jauna Avize, B&B

In an interview for the news agency LETA Paul Goble said that the outcome of the referendum on amendments to the Citizenship Law allows to improve the Latvian and US relations, and Latvia has a strong basis for initiating issues of joining the EU, NATO and WTO. Mr. Goble also stressed that now the West should end pressure on Latvia.

In an interview for the news agency LETA Paul Goble said that the outcome of the referendum on amendments to the Citizenship Law allows to improve the Latvian and US relations, and Latvia has a strong basis for initiating issues of joining the EU, NATO and WTO. Mr. Goble also stressed that now the West should end pressure on Latvia. Jauna Avize ODIHR experts who monitored the elections and the referendum on 3 October concluded that they were conducted in transparent and professional manner, and that the integrity of the process was upheld by well trained competent election commission members who displayed complete independence and impartiality which is essential to the legitimacy and credibility of the electoral process. At the same time, the ODIHR experts noted that the referendum question was confusingly formulated. Jauna Avize

Olgerts Tipans, head of an expert group working on the conception for social integration, told 

Olgerts Tipans, head of an expert group working on the conception for social integration, toldNeatkariga that experts have indicated problems and proposed conceptual solutions in ten spheres - education, language, citizenship and naturalization, repatriation, immigration and co-operation with countrymen in abroad, information, non-governmental organizations, regional aspects, science and state institutions. Mr. Tipans thinks that in next year the work on particular programs and projects might start. Neatkariga

Yesterday a representative of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Vladimir Rahmanin positively evaluated the outcome of the referendum in Latvia. Still, it is too early to speak about cardinal improvement of humanitarian situation in the country, Mr. Rahmanin said. He also pointed out that the radical forces try to tighten State Language Law and Education Law. The Latvian Foreign Affairs Ministry, in turn, thinks that Moscow does not understand the situation.

Yesterday a representative of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Vladimir Rahmanin positively evaluated the outcome of the referendum in Latvia. Still, it is too early to speak about cardinal improvement of humanitarian situation in the country, Mr. Rahmanin said. He also pointed out that the radical forces try to tighten State Language Law and Education Law. The Latvian Foreign Affairs Ministry, in turn, thinks that Moscow does not understand the situation. Chas

Leader of

Leader of Peoples Harmony Party Janis Jurkans, chairman of the movement For Equality S. Dimanis , leader of Socialist Party F. Strogonov, and co-ordinator of union For Human Rights in Unified Latvia A. Rubiks express their thanks to people who casted their votes for the list of Peoples Harmony Party in recent parliamentary elections. Panorama Latvii

Eduard Lapidus, a journalist, expresses a hope that the block of leftist forces -

Eduard Lapidus, a journalist, expresses a hope that the block of leftist forces - Peoples Harmony Party - will not split in the 7th Saeima, but continue pursuing of active legislative protection of non-citizens. Panorama Latvii

Movement

Movement For Equality calls people to a picket on 8 October when the Saeima will review the State Language Law in the final reading.Panorama Latvii