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

An unidentified person threw the bottle of gas mixture in the night of May 13 at the Lavian Consulate in St. Petersburg causing fire and damage. Latvian Foreign Ministry submitted a Note to Russia and expressed indignation regarding the repeated attacks. The Russian ambassador to Latvia expressed regret and condemnation.

An unidentified person threw the bottle of gas mixture in the night of May 13 at the Lavian Consulate in St. Petersburg causing fire and damage. Latvian Foreign Ministry submitted a Note to Russia and expressed indignation regarding the repeated attacks. The Russian ambassador to Latvia expressed regret and condemnation. Diena, Chas, Vesti, Panorama Latvii, Neatkariga

After the extradition agreement was signed between Latvia and Australia last Friday there is more possibility that the alleged war criminal Konrвds Kalejs if official charges are brought up against him. ProsecutorТs office does not predict when the decision will be made in Kalejs criminal case. Kalejs in Australia has asked a month for consulting with the lawyer to decide whether the questions put by LatviaТs prosecutors.

After the extradition agreement was signed between Latvia and Australia last Friday there is more possibility that the alleged war criminal Konrвds Kalejs if official charges are brought up against him. ProsecutorТs office does not predict when the decision will be made in Kalejs criminal case. Kalejs in Australia has asked a month for consulting with the lawyer to decide whether the questions put by LatviaТs prosecutors. Diena, Chas, Neatkariga

Aivars Ozolins in a commentary in

Aivars Ozolins in a commentary in Diena suggests that the protest activities launched by pro-Moscow radicals against the state language regulations would have been started irrespective of what they look like. These activities will continue no matter in what shape the regulations are passed by the Cabinet. These activities should be viewed in the context of the new Russian domestic and foreign policy: to keep the Baltics as a special zone of influence, first of all their NATO accession should be prevented, also lately expressions are heard that Russia does not need EU accession of these countries as well. To achieve that, something should be done to make these countries not to meet accession criteria. One of them Ц the candidate countries should not have serious ethnic conflicts. There will be less criticism concerning the discriminatory legislation, it is most important not to allow real society integration. The desirable Уreal situationФ is violence. Ozoliтр suggests that Latvian politicians should start actually implement the society integration program which has been on paper for two years. But as the first thing, language regulations should be adopted in compliance with international norms and the opponents should be made to publicly specify their objections. Diena

Prime Minister Andris Berzins speaking on radio said that the government plans this Tuesday to make a decision on implementation of the society integration program by establishing Society Integration Fund as the central executive institution.

Prime Minister Andris Berzins speaking on radio said that the government plans this Tuesday to make a decision on implementation of the society integration program by establishing Society Integration Fund as the central executive institution. Diena

The claims of Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia asking Russia to give back their former embassy buildings in France and Italy after the statement of Russian experts are not legally grounded since they declare occupation of the Baltic countries in 1940.

The claims of Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia asking Russia to give back their former embassy buildings in France and Italy after the statement of Russian experts are not legally grounded since they declare occupation of the Baltic countries in 1940. Diena

The language issue became the main political focus for the working visit if Prime Minister Andris Berzins in Daugavpils where he was met by roughly 50 rallyers with slogans against language policy.

The language issue became the main political focus for the working visit if Prime Minister Andris Berzins in Daugavpils where he was met by roughly 50 rallyers with slogans against language policy. Chas, Vesti, Panorama Latvii

Last Friday, editors and reporters of Russian language media gathered to discuss the language situation which may destroy the market of Russian-language media since the draft language regulations demand the higher level of language proficiency for editors and proof-readers and level 3A for journalists.

Last Friday, editors and reporters of Russian language media gathered to discuss the language situation which may destroy the market of Russian-language media since the draft language regulations demand the higher level of language proficiency for editors and proof-readers and level 3A for journalists. Chas

Speaker of the Lithuanian Saeima Vitautas Landsbergis accused Russia of the desire to "continue domination and ruling in the Baltic countriesФ. In his mind, Russia attempts to reach at least delay in accession of the Baltic states to NATO.

Speaker of the Lithuanian Saeima Vitautas Landsbergis accused Russia of the desire to "continue domination and ruling in the Baltic countriesФ. In his mind, Russia attempts to reach at least delay in accession of the Baltic states to NATO. Vesti