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

During the visit of the Prime Minister Andris Berzins in Daugavpils scheduled for tomorrow the Association of Trade Unions will hand him over an address in connection with the draft language regulations and ask funding for Latvian language training. An open letter of the Daugavpils branch of Equality party addressed to the City Council demands that the authorities keep the possibility to submit private documents to authorities in Russian and to have translation expenses covered by the respective municipal institution. Daugavpils City Council representative said that most likely after the Language Law enters into effect the City Council will need to hire a person to assist residents in preparing documents.

During the visit of the Prime Minister Andris Berzins in Daugavpils scheduled for tomorrow the Association of Trade Unions will hand him over an address in connection with the draft language regulations and ask funding for Latvian language training. An open letter of the Daugavpils branch of Equality party addressed to the City Council demands that the authorities keep the possibility to submit private documents to authorities in Russian and to have translation expenses covered by the respective municipal institution. Daugavpils City Council representative said that most likely after the Language Law enters into effect the City Council will need to hire a person to assist residents in preparing documents. Chas, Panorama Lavii

Diena

notes that the Russian-language papers reflect too dramatically the situation with the Language Law regulations and do not refer to the clear expressions of the state authorities who say that the regulations should be adopted in accordance with international standards. Also, Diena points out that the statement of the Russian Community printed yesterday offers wrong information about the language proficiency certificates saying that people who have the current certificates will have to take new exams to get the new certificates although it is not said in draft regulations. notes that the Russian-language papers reflect too dramatically the situation with the Language Law regulations and do not refer to the clear expressions of the state authorities who say that the regulations should be adopted in accordance with international standards. Also, Diena points out that the statement of the Russian Community printed yesterday offers wrong information about the language proficiency certificates saying that people who have the current certificates will have to take new exams to get the new certificates although it is not said in draft regulations. Activists of protection of rights of non-Latvians are sure that the government will at least partly take into consideration their demands when adopting the language regulations but they will not stop the protest actions before the regulations are adopted.

Activists of protection of rights of non-Latvians are sure that the government will at least partly take into consideration their demands when adopting the language regulations but they will not stop the protest actions before the regulations are adopted. Neatkariga

During their meeting yesterday President Freiberga and Prime Minister Andris Berzins discussed society integration. Freiberga said that language regulations should correspond the spirit of the Language Law, interests of LatviaТs residents and international norms.

During their meeting yesterday President Freiberga and Prime Minister Andris Berzins discussed society integration. Freiberga said that language regulations should correspond the spirit of the Language Law, interests of LatviaТs residents and international norms. Diena, Neatkariga, Chas

Vesti

offers an aid for inexperienced ralliers. The interviewed representative from For Human Rights in United Latvia says that all activities in protest to the language regulations should be legal, and aimed at achieving a result. In this respect it would not be wise to ignore the Latvian language. More effective would be spontaneous rallies (piquets) since the permission from authorities is not needed to organize them. offers an aid for inexperienced ralliers. The interviewed representative from For Human Rights in United Latvia says that all activities in protest to the language regulations should be legal, and aimed at achieving a result. In this respect it would not be wise to ignore the Latvian language. More effective would be spontaneous rallies (piquets) since the permission from authorities is not needed to organize them. In an article titled УDzintra Hirsa against OSCE: who will win?Ф Vesti state that under the avalanche of criticism Justice Ministry tries to weaken the language regulations. Thus, most likely the paragraph providing for six degrees of language proficiency will be deleted, also, the Minister Labucka wants to take out the paragraph where employees of private companies are obliged to have fluent Latvian. The author continues that the Head of the State Language Center will not give in and maybe OSCE would help the Justice Ministry in the struggle with Ms. Hirsa.

In an article titled УDzintra Hirsa against OSCE: who will win?Ф Vesti state that under the avalanche of criticism Justice Ministry tries to weaken the language regulations. Thus, most likely the paragraph providing for six degrees of language proficiency will be deleted, also, the Minister Labucka wants to take out the paragraph where employees of private companies are obliged to have fluent Latvian. The author continues that the Head of the State Language Center will not give in and maybe OSCE would help the Justice Ministry in the struggle with Ms. Hirsa. Vesti

Lauku Avize

asks the opinion of several MPs about the reaction in Russian-speaking community towards the draft language law regulations. Kristiвna Lоbane from LatviaТs Way stresses the importance of compliance of the regulations with the internationally recognized State Language Law and refers to information she had about the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly where Mr. Van der Stoel had clearly supported Latvia against RussiaТs reproaches saying that Latvia has adopted good laws, in accordance with international norms. Latvian Foreign Minister Indulis Bзrziтр yesterday met the German Amabassador to Latvia. Apart from bilateral relations, they discussed also society integration and state language issues as well as exchanged opinions about the new RussiaТs foreign policy concept. Berziтр stressed that Latvia as the future EU member country was ready to develop constructive relations with Russia without raising any preconditions for that.

Latvian Foreign Minister Indulis Bзrziтр yesterday met the German Amabassador to Latvia. Apart from bilateral relations, they discussed also society integration and state language issues as well as exchanged opinions about the new RussiaТs foreign policy concept. Berziтр stressed that Latvia as the future EU member country was ready to develop constructive relations with Russia without raising any preconditions for that. Neatkariga

Information released in mass media saying that agreement is signed with the winner of the tender for the producer of new Latvian citizen passports - the German company Giesecke&Devrient; Ц is a misunderstanding. The Cabinet of Ministers has not confirmed the samples of the passports, thus the agreement cannot be concluded. Bank of Latvia President Einars Repse advised DCMA to follow carefully that the potential producer fulfills the offer since the company had problems with printing the 100 Euro banknote.

Information released in mass media saying that agreement is signed with the winner of the tender for the producer of new Latvian citizen passports - the German company Giesecke&Devrient Ц is a misunderstanding. The Cabinet of Ministers has not confirmed the samples of the passports, thus the agreement cannot be concluded. Bank of Latvia President Einars Repse advised DCMA to follow carefully that the potential producer fulfills the offer since the company had problems with printing the 100 Euro banknote. Neatkariga

In an interview to

In an interview to Panorama Latvii MP from For Human Rights in United Latvia Jakovs Pliners speaks about the recent conference on problems and prospects of the development of ethnic minorities education programs.

Judge from Latvia to the European Court of Human Rights Egils Levits in

Judge from Latvia to the European Court of Human Rights Egils Levits in Jauna Avize tells about this institution, the type of complaints coming from Latvia (mostly about social issues), the way appeals are considered, how to appeal.