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

Contrary to the expected, the Government did not consider the draft regulations to the State Language Law because the Ministry of Justice submitted these regulation too late – only on Monday morning. Most likely these regulations will be considered next Monday.

Contrary to the expected, the Government did not consider the draft regulations to the State Language Law because the Ministry of Justice submitted these regulation too late – only on Monday morning. Most likely these regulations will be considered next Monday. Diena, Neatkariga, Jauna Avize, Chas, Vesti Segodnya

Panorama Latvii

informs about this delay and writes about the visit of the OSCE experts to Riga. The newspaper says that the experts had a meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs I.Berzins but no details were available about this meeting, just that the experts had listened to the Minister and taken his words for consideration. informs about this delay and writes about the visit of the OSCE experts to Riga. The newspaper says that the experts had a meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs I.Berzins but no details were available about this meeting, just that the experts had listened to the Minister and taken his words for consideration. Panorama LatviiPanorama Latvii states that this kind of presenting information has become a common thing, for example, the same situation was when informing about the recommendations of the High Commissioner on the draft regulations to the State Language Law. states that this kind of presenting information has become a common thing, for example, the same situation was when informing about the recommendations of the High Commissioner on the draft regulations to the State Language Law.

Respublika

informs that the working group submitted yesterday to the State Office draft regulations to the State Language Law. The Head of the State Office Press Department A.Freimanis told journalist that the group had finished summing up all proposals. Taking into consideration the concern of the High Commissioner High Commissioner Max van der Stoel, that group revised several articles and specified how this or that norm should be implemented. In the nearest future the working group intends to print for the second time the Professions Classifier, adopted by the Cabinet of Ministers, indicating the necessary state language proficiency level for each profession. informs that the working group submitted yesterday to the State Office draft regulations to the State Language Law. The Head of the State Office Press Department A.Freimanis told journalist that the group had finished summing up all proposals. Taking into consideration the concern of the High Commissioner High Commissioner Max van der Stoel, that group revised several articles and specified how this or that norm should be implemented. In the nearest future the working group intends to print for the second time the Professions Classifier, adopted by the Cabinet of Ministers, indicating the necessary state language proficiency level for each profession. On Tuesday a delegation of US senators and congressmen will come to Latvia. This visit is organised by Potomack Foundation. Latvia considers this visit as an important step to create a positive image of Latvia and strengthening of co-operation between the two parliaments.

On Tuesday a delegation of US senators and congressmen will come to Latvia. This visit is organised by Potomack Foundation. Latvia considers this visit as an important step to create a positive image of Latvia and strengthening of co-operation between the two parliaments. Diena, Vesti Segodnya

Former Acting Head of the DCMA M.Bicevskis was found to be the most suitable candidate for the post of the DCMA Head. Also the Minister of Interior expressed his support to this candidate and in the nearest future the necessary documents

Former Acting Head of the DCMA M.Bicevskis was found to be the most suitable candidate for the post of the DCMA Head. Also the Minister of Interior expressed his support to this candidate and in the nearest future the necessary documents

Could be submitted to the Government to consider M.Bicevskis’ nomination to this post.

Could be submitted to the Government to consider M.Bicevskis nomination to this post. Diena

Yesterday the Prime Minister A.Berzins signed an order to establish a working group to develop amendments to the constitution, necessary during the preparation process of joining EU. All the Saeima factions supported this action.

Yesterday the Prime Minister A.Berzins signed an order to establish a working group to develop amendments to the constitution, necessary during the preparation process of joining EU. All the Saeima factions supported this action. Neatkariga, Respublika, Vesti Segodnya

The newspaper

The newspaper Lauku Avize published an interview with the MP, Deputy Chairman of party TB/LNNK J.Dobelis. Answering to the question what had happened to the nationalism of this party, J.Dobelis said that the party had not changed its strictly nationalistic position. It could be proven by voting on the Citizenship Law, when the party remained alone, and voting on the possible amendments to this law. TB/LNNK alone has started to analyse the experience of Lithuanians, who claimed Russia to compensate the damages made to Lithuania during the Soviet occupation time, and preparing a draft law about it. When asked why the party did not defend the Director of the State Language Centre Ms. Hirsa against the attacks of the Russian speaking press, the MP answered that the present processes were the consequences of the last year events when some people where to afraid to include in the State Language Law the things that were included in the present draft regulations to the State Language Law. When the journalists spoke about t expression of the Prime Minister that he would sign the draft regulation only when there would be the signature of High Commissioner Max van der Stoel under them and asked how we would live in Latvia – take decisions ourselves of live under command of the OSCE or the World Bank, J.Dobelis explained that the faction had just received the drafts but had not seen official documents, and the decision on the action of the 4 faction ministers would be discussed in the party. Lauku Avize

N.Ushakov from

N.Ushakov from Respublika analyses the situation in the Internet where people got a possibility to express their opinions in internet-conferences on any subject. But it seems that there are only three topics that are important – relations between Russians and Latvians, relations with Russia and the Latvian language. There are two almost identical sites – Latvian and Russian, and the things in the net go on approximately like this - if Latvia accuses Russia of something, then there is rejoicing on the Latvian site and calls to continue like that. Russians at the same time criticise everything. If Russia complains about Latvia, the situation takes the opposite direction.