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 Report

Press Report

Friday brought two surprises in the political life of Latvia: - President V.V.Freiberga announced that she could entrust forming of the new Government to a candidate no party had proposed, but Latvijas Cels expanded their list of candidates by Riga City mayor A.Berzins. So far the most likely candidate was A.Poca, who did not see any possibility to work together with the former Prime Minister A.Skele. LC will name their final candidate on Sunday evening, but their suggestion to name A.Berzins other coalition partners did not face with much enthusiasm.

Friday brought two surprises in the political life of Latvia: - President V.V.Freiberga announced that she could entrust forming of the new Government to a candidate no party had proposed, but Latvijas Cels expanded their list of candidates by Riga City mayor A.Berzins. So far the most likely candidate was A.Poca, who did not see any possibility to work together with the former Prime Minister A.Skele. LC will name their final candidate on Sunday evening, but their suggestion to name A.Berzins other coalition partners did not face with much enthusiasm. Diena, Neatkariga, Vesti Segodnya

TB/LNNK voiced an opinion that they would not like to allow the former Prime Minister A.Skele to have a ministerial post in the new Government.

TB/LNNK voiced an opinion that they would not like to allow the former Prime Minister A.Skele to have a ministerial post in the new Government. Lauku Avize

President V.V.Freiberga promised to name the new candidate for the post of the Prime Minister by May 4 according to the wish of two coalition partners – Latvijas Cels and People’s Party.

President V.V.Freiberga promised to name the new candidate for the post of the Prime Minister by May 4 according to the wish of two coalition partners – Latvijas Cels and Peoples Party. Lauku Avize

To further exchange of information between Russian and Latvian culture people and develop co-operation projects, next week in Moscow will be realised a program Latvia – Russia: cultural dialogue. The project is organised by Soros Fund Latvia in co-operation with Russian Open Society Institute. Diena

To further exchange of information between Russian and Latvian culture people and develop co-operation projects, next week in Moscow will be realised a program Latvia – Russia: cultural dialogue. The project is organised by Soros Fund Latvia in co-operation with Russian Open Society Institute. Diena

Latvian Ambassador to the United States of America A.Ronis sent a letter to the journal Newsweek where he pointed out to distorted facts in the recently published material on investigation of war time crimes in Latvia. In his letter the Ambassador writes that the author when citing many Russian sources indirectly reflect the main tendentious opinions on Latvian history, ruling in Russia.

Latvian Ambassador to the United States of America A.Ronis sent a letter to the journal Newsweek where he pointed out to distorted facts in the recently published material on investigation of war time crimes in Latvia. In his letter the Ambassador writes that the author when citing many Russian sources indirectly reflect the main tendentious opinions on Latvian history, ruling in Russia. Diena,

Also the Director of Latvian Institute and former Latvian Ambassador to the USA O.Kalnins sent a similar letter to this journal.

Also the Director of Latvian Institute and former Latvian Ambassador to the USA O.Kalnins sent a similar letter to this journal. Chas

The representative of Peoples Harmony Party N.Neilands during his interview to the Russian Public TV channel found the trial of red guerrilla man V.Kononov to be just a political trial, thus he doubted justice of Latvian judicial system. This hearing makes the Peoples Harmony Party to offer once more the public reconciliation declaration.

The representative of Peoples Harmony Party N.Neilands during his interview to the Russian Public TV channel found the trial of red guerrilla man V.Kononov to be just a political trial, thus he doubted justice of Latvian judicial system. This hearing makes the Peoples Harmony Party to offer once more the public reconciliation declaration. Diena, Neatkariga

During the last days Russian mass media are paying a lot of attention to V.Kononov’s case. Some of them even say that Latvian authorities had a chance to improve Latvian – Russian relations by abolishing the sentence for Kononov.

During the last days Russian mass media are paying a lot of attention to V.Kononovs case. Some of them even say that Latvian authorities had a chance to improve Latvian – Russian relations by abolishing the sentence for Kononov. Chas

Latvian MFA Press Secretary L.Bergmane commenting the opinions of Russian mass media on this case pointed out that Latvian judicial system was independent and nobody had the right to intervene in the decision making process.

Latvian MFA Press Secretary L.Bergmane commenting the opinions of Russian mass media on this case pointed out that Latvian judicial system was independent and nobody had the right to intervene in the decision making process. Neatkariga

Yesterday Russian MFA circulated an official announcement on the “case of Kononov” and confirmed that “they continue to undertake strict steps in order to manage release of Kononov.

Yesterday Russian MFA circulated an official announcement on the case of Kononov and confirmed that they continue to undertake strict steps in order to manage release of Kononov. Chas

Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs I.Berzins called Latvian Social Democratic Workers Party and other parties represented in the Saeima be more active in co-operation with their colleagues in Russia because the atmosphere of mutual understanding and trust was created through contacts. But members of the parties represented in the Saeima think that it would be rather difficult to find kindred parties in Russian Duma.

Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs I.Berzins called Latvian Social Democratic Workers Party and other parties represented in the Saeima be more active in co-operation with their colleagues in Russia because the atmosphere of mutual understanding and trust was created through contacts. But members of the parties represented in the Saeima think that it would be rather difficult to find kindred parties in Russian Duma. Neatkariga

Yesterday Minister of Foreign Affairs I.Berzins rejected the criticism of former USSR President M.Gorbachov stating that his criticism did not correspond the current situation. M.Gorbachov criticised Latvia in the Portugeese newspaper Publico. Among other thing he spoke about 70 000 Russian non-citizens whom Russia should support.

Yesterday Minister of Foreign Affairs I.Berzins rejected the criticism of former USSR President M.Gorbachov stating that his criticism did not correspond the current situation. M.Gorbachov criticised Latvia in the Portugeese newspaper Publico. Among other thing he spoke about 70 000 Russian non-citizens whom Russia should support. Chas

The Head of the Naturalisation Board E.Aldermane answered to the questions of the readers of the Russian speaking newspaper Chas and among other things she said that she would like to co-operate with Russia.

The Head of the Naturalisation Board E.Aldermane answered to the questions of the readers of the Russian speaking newspaper Chas and among other things she said that she would like to co-operate with Russia. Chas