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

The Chairman of the Saeima faction For Human Rights in United Latvia J.Jurkans writes in Diena that Latvian parliamentarians have several times proved that they are not capable without an assistance of international institutions to take decisions (language, citizenship) that would consolidate society in Latvian. It means that there is a lack of convincing both internal and foreign policy and strategy.

The Chairman of the Saeima faction For Human Rights in United Latvia J.Jurkans writes in Diena that Latvian parliamentarians have several times proved that they are not capable without an assistance of international institutions to take decisions (language, citizenship) that would consolidate society in Latvian. It means that there is a lack of convincing both internal and foreign policy and strategy. Diena

President V.V.Freiberga promised during her visit to Canada that Latvia would take serious steps towards social integration. She pointed out that Latvia needed every person who was concerned about the future of the country and was loyal to it.

President V.V.Freiberga promised during her visit to Canada that Latvia would take serious steps towards social integration. She pointed out that Latvia needed every person who was concerned about the future of the country and was loyal to it. Diena

About 30 000 non-citizens have signed the call to grant non-citizens the municipal election rights. The signature collecting campaign was organised by the movement Equality. It started on March 3 and could last until middle of June.

About 30 000 non-citizens have signed the call to grant non-citizens the municipal election rights. The signature collecting campaign was organised by the movement Equality. It started on March 3 and could last until middle of June. Diena

Latvian Polish Community was indignant about the decision of the State Real Property Agency to rent out the piece of land that in 1994 the Finance Ministry allotted to construct a Polish school. Prosecutor General Office found this action of the SRPA to be illegal, but the Agency pointed out that the allotment of 1994 was not drawn up legally and was not valid from the very beginning.

Latvian Polish Community was indignant about the decision of the State Real Property Agency to rent out the piece of land that in 1994 the Finance Ministry allotted to construct a Polish school. Prosecutor General Office found this action of the SRPA to be illegal, but the Agency pointed out that the allotment of 1994 was not drawn up legally and was not valid from the very beginning. Diena

The authors of monitoring of Estonian and Russian mass media, conducted in 1999, have come to a conclusion that the approach of Estonian and Russian mass media to the public integration process in Estonia differs. No common grounds for integration of those two areas have been created and the discussion just started. Russian mass media confirm the readiness of non- Estonians to integrate, but Estonians themselves are more negative towards this integration, explaining that non-Estonians has little interest to integrate.

The authors of monitoring of Estonian and Russian mass media, conducted in 1999, have come to a conclusion that the approach of Estonian and Russian mass media to the public integration process in Estonia differs. No common grounds for integration of those two areas have been created and the discussion just started. Russian mass media confirm the readiness of non- Estonians to integrate, but Estonians themselves are more negative towards this integration, explaining that non-Estonians has little interest to integrate. Diena

Historian A.Ezergailis writes about the origins of the assumption that Latvians originally are anti-Semits, proving that this was started by the book “Terrible Year” published by Nazi Germany in 1942.

Historian A.Ezergailis writes about the origins of the assumption that Latvians originally are anti-Semits, proving that this was started by the book Terrible Year published by Nazi Germany in 1942. Diena

J.Pelss in

J.Pelss in Neatkariga writes that one can agree with the statement that the new Latvian Government is the new old Government. Changes of ministers are minimal, the new declaration is based on the declaration of the former Cabinet, and it will suffer the illnesses of of A.Skeles Government. The first trouble started with TB/LNNK who joined the coalition at the very last moment. With this they showed that if they would dislike something, they could leave the coalition.

Panorama Latvii interviewed the opposition party leaders about the future of the new Government. J.Jurkans said that it did not matter how long this government would last. They come and go, but the situation has not improved. And nothing would change if there were no re-election of the Saeima. Social Democrat J.Adamsons thought that the Parliament was capable to do its major task - to adopt laws, and he did not see any serious reasons for dismissing this Saeima.

When asked about the recent discord in the New Party, the former Chairman R.Pauls refused to foresee the future of the party. He did not think that the party should join any of the big parties.

When asked about the recent discord in the New Party, the former Chairman R.Pauls refused to foresee the future of the party. He did not think that the party should join any of the big parties. Neatkariga