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

As a reaction to ignoring of its coalition partners - LC and People’s Party wish in several Saeima votes, could follow decrease of TB/LNNK influence in the Privatisation Agency Board and Latvenergo. Minister of Economics A.Kalvitis not only announced a competition to the posts of proxies of Latvenergo but also admitted a possibility to evaluate the activities of those PA Board members who did not arrive to Tuesday meeting. In both cases it could concern a possibility to keep his posts in these two institutions TB/LNNK member entrepreneur N.Lakucs.

As a reaction to ignoring of its coalition partners - LC and Peoples Party wish in several Saeima votes, could follow decrease of TB/LNNK influence in the Privatisation Agency Board and Latvenergo. Minister of Economics A.Kalvitis not only announced a competition to the posts of proxies of Latvenergo but also admitted a possibility to evaluate the activities of those PA Board members who did not arrive to Tuesday meeting. In both cases it could concern a possibility to keep his posts in these two institutions TB/LNNK member entrepreneur N.Lakucs. Diena, Respublika

The Government forming parties have undertaken to strengthen the coalition by improving decision taking mechanisms and preparing timely agreed opinions to avoid situations when the coalition is not united in voting. TB/LNNK representatives at the meeting with LC and Prime Minister clearly expressed their wish to remain in the Government but did not promise to be handy coalition partners.

The Government forming parties have undertaken to strengthen the coalition by improving decision taking mechanisms and preparing timely agreed opinions to avoid situations when the coalition is not united in voting. TB/LNNK representatives at the meeting with LC and Prime Minister clearly expressed their wish to remain in the Government but did not promise to be handy coalition partners. Neatkariga

Strengthening of the ruling coalition was discussed at the meeting of Latvian President V.V.Freiberga and Prime Minister A.Berzins. V.V.Freiberga pointed out that it was important for Latvia let the Government stayed as long as possible but the Government should think more about the national priorities – joining EU and NATO.

Strengthening of the ruling coalition was discussed at the meeting of Latvian President V.V.Freiberga and Prime Minister A.Berzins. V.V.Freiberga pointed out that it was important for Latvia let the Government stayed as long as possible but the Government should think more about the national priorities – joining EU and NATO. Jauna Avize, Respublika, Chas

The newspaper

The newspaper Neatkariga asked several political scientists if there was a possibility for Latvijas Cels to break apart. All respondents did not see it to be likely. The party has its people in the most important state bureaucracy and executive posts and a very strong influence in the country. Of course, there is some discord within the party, but in critical moments the party can pull themselves together not to lose their ideology.

Analysts from US Georgetown Foundation admit that Russia has probably started a new cold war campaign against the Baltic States, this time concentrating their attention to Estonia. They analysed the statement of Estonian Minister of Foreign Affairs T.H.Ilvess where he expressed a pessimistic opinion about the future of Russian – Estonian relations “because five years after when Estonia in bilateral border negotiations gave up its territorial claims, Russian President V.Putin assured that Estonia had territorial claims against Russia.

Analysts from US Georgetown Foundation admit that Russia has probably started a new cold war campaign against the Baltic States, this time concentrating their attention to Estonia. They analysed the statement of Estonian Minister of Foreign Affairs T.H.Ilvess where he expressed a pessimistic opinion about the future of Russian – Estonian relations because five years after when Estonia in bilateral border negotiations gave up its territorial claims, Russian President V.Putin assured that Estonia had territorial claims against Russia. Neatkariga

At the EU- Latvia Joint Parliamentary Committee meting Minister of Justice I.Labucka when informing the participants about the process of integration in Latvia mentioned the basic tasks to succeed –to establish an institutional collateral to the implementation of the integration process as soon as possible and establish under ministries a small consultative board, consisting of well known people who would discuss such topics as integration of non-Latvians and improvements of Latvian education system.

At the EU- Latvia Joint Parliamentary Committee meting Minister of Justice I.Labucka when informing the participants about the process of integration in Latvia mentioned the basic tasks to succeed –to establish an institutional collateral to the implementation of the integration process as soon as possible and establish under ministries a small consultative board, consisting of well known people who would discuss such topics as integration of non-Latvians and improvements of Latvian education system. Latvijas Vestnesis

During this EU- Latvia meeting FHRUL members raised a question about discrimination of national minorities in Latvia. J.Sokolovsky and M.Mitrofanov announced that a successful integration of Latvia’s society into EU might be successful only if the Latvian legislation would be changed. They said that laws on education, state language, radio and TV should be changed because they contained norms discriminating national minorities.

During this EU- Latvia meeting FHRUL members raised a question about discrimination of national minorities in Latvia. J.Sokolovsky and M.Mitrofanov announced that a successful integration of Latvias society into EU might be successful only if the Latvian legislation would be changed. They said that laws on education, state language, radio and TV should be changed because they contained norms discriminating national minorities. Respublika, Chas, Panorama Latvii

Prime Minister A.Berzins sent an invitation to the Saeima opposition parties – Social Democrats and For Human Rights in United Latvia to discuss the current political events in order to establish a constructive co-operation between the Government and the opposition. The previous meeting did not take place because nine out of ten Social Democrats did not arrive to this meeting.

Prime Minister A.Berzins sent an invitation to the Saeima opposition parties – Social Democrats and For Human Rights in United Latvia to discuss the current political events in order to establish a constructive co-operation between the Government and the opposition. The previous meeting did not take place because nine out of ten Social Democrats did not arrive to this meeting. Latvijas Vestnesis, Jauna Avize

Journalist V.Sorokin analyses the current situation when different political forces – Peoples Harmony Party, the President, Cabinet of Ministers, even TB/LNNK tend to speak in the name of Russian speaking population of Latvia not even asking for their opinion. TB/LNNK representative A.Kimenis voiced an opinion that more and more non-Latvians understand the necessity to learn the Latvian language and want to integrate in Latvian community. The situation would not be so dramatic if the Russian speakers in order not obey provocations and not to support the FHRUL block in the next election would be able to find some other defender of their interests. But none of the position political parties in Latvia is ready to pay attention to national minorities, e.g. no parties but For Human Rights in United Latvia stand up for ratifying of the Framework Convention on Protection of National Minorities.

Journalist V.Sorokin analyses the current situation when different political forces – Peoples Harmony Party, the President, Cabinet of Ministers, even TB/LNNK tend to speak in the name of Russian speaking population of Latvia not even asking for their opinion. TB/LNNK representative A.Kimenis voiced an opinion that more and more non-Latvians understand the necessity to learn the Latvian language and want to integrate in Latvian community. The situation would not be so dramatic if the Russian speakers in order not obey provocations and not to support the FHRUL block in the next election would be able to find some other defender of their interests. But none of the position political parties in Latvia is ready to pay attention to national minorities, e.g. no parties but For Human Rights in United Latvia stand up for ratifying of the Framework Convention on Protection of National Minorities. Rigas Balss

Journalist Z.Kac interprets the last announcement of the Latvian MFA – the MFA does not intend to ratify the Framework Convention for Protection of National Minorities. The main argument for this statement was that the state concentrates all its efforts to implement the integration program. Latvia signed the Convention five years ago but only this year there was a vote on ratifying it. Supporters of the convention turned out to be in the minority.

Journalist Z.Kac interprets the last announcement of the Latvian MFA – the MFA does not intend to ratify the Framework Convention for Protection of National Minorities. The main argument for this statement was that the state concentrates all its efforts to implement the integration program. Latvia signed the Convention five years ago but only this year there was a vote on ratifying it. Supporters of the convention turned out to be in the minority. Respublika

Yesterday the Government adopted a draft law on introducing of identification cards. In the document there will be glued in picture, recorded the bearer’s name and family name, personal code, birth date and the country of the bearer. This document will be issued to all residents of Latvia – citizens, non-citizens, stateless persons, and refugees. This document will replace passport on the territory of Latvia.

Yesterday the Government adopted a draft law on introducing of identification cards. In the document there will be glued in picture, recorded the bearers name and family name, personal code, birth date and the country of the bearer. This document will be issued to all residents of Latvia – citizens, non-citizens, stateless persons, and refugees. This document will replace passport on the territory of Latvia. Vesti Segodnya

Professor of the Latvian University Ina Druviete in her interview to “Free Europe” said that the State Language Law and nine its regulations unfortunately give a lot of space for interpretation, e.g. such terms as legitimate public interests, public security, etc. Therefore there is a certain risk that during court hearings between the language inspection and representatives of private organisations many things would depend on the skills of advocates. In reality none of the articles of the law are formulated clearly enough. But the concern of the Professor is that these advocates might endanger national interests of Latvia.

Professor of the Latvian University Ina Druviete in her interview to Free Europe said that the State Language Law and nine its regulations unfortunately give a lot of space for interpretation, e.g. such terms as legitimate public interests, public security, etc. Therefore there is a certain risk that during court hearings between the language inspection and representatives of private organisations many things would depend on the skills of advocates. In reality none of the articles of the law are formulated clearly enough. But the concern of the Professor is that these advocates might endanger national interests of Latvia. Panorama Latvii