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

Russia’s and Latvia’s intergovernmental commissions co-chairmen A.Gorbunovs and A.Blohin agreed to meet in Moscow on 27 and 28 March. Latvia’s ambassador to Russia I.Daudiss hopes that 7 agreements could be signed during this meeting – on the protection of mutual investments, cargo forwards by railway, co-operation in the field of customs, prevention from double taxation, social security, culture and information centre, soldier burial and border agreement.

Russias and Latvias intergovernmental commissions co-chairmen A.Gorbunovs and A.Blohin agreed to meet in Moscow on 27 and 28 March. Latvias ambassador to Russia I.Daudiss hopes that 7 agreements could be signed during this meeting – on the protection of mutual investments, cargo forwards by railway, co-operation in the field of customs, prevention from double taxation, social security, culture and information centre, soldier burial and border agreement. Diena, Neatkariga.

Saeima Citizenship Law implementation commission has concluded that changes in Latvian language examination (such as, instead of 30 words now the essay should be composed of 60) for naturalisation purposes have not decreased the number of people who want to be naturalised, as well as the quality of knowledge and the number of people who have passed the examination.

Saeima Citizenship Law implementation commission has concluded that changes in Latvian language examination (such as, instead of 30 words now the essay should be composed of 60) for naturalisation purposes have not decreased the number of people who want to be naturalised, as well as the quality of knowledge and the number of people who have passed the examination. Diena

Latvia’s Social Democrats have issued 200 000 text books – their pre-election instrument. The book is titled “Unfulfilled Promises of Governing Parties at Riga City Council” and it will be distributed at different public events.

Latvias Social Democrats have issued 200 000 text books – their pre-election instrument. The book is titled Unfulfilled Promises of Governing Parties at Riga City Council and it will be distributed at different public events. Neatkariga

Although the pre-trial investigation in Soviet soldier Kononov’s case was finished, V.Kononov and his attorney after learning the materials of a criminal case have asked to continue investigation.

Although the pre-trial investigation in Soviet soldier Kononovs case was finished, V.Kononov and his attorney after learning the materials of a criminal case have asked to continue investigation. Neatkariga, Vesti Segodnja

Today in Moscow the book Russia – the Baltic States. Councils Reports on Interior and Defence Policy, Materials of Baltic Forum Conference is presented. Baltic Forum chairperson N.Neiland gives more detailed information about his visit agenda in Moscow.

Chas Yesterday at the sitting of Saeima Committee responsible for the implementation of Citizenship Law social democrat deputy A.Barca proposed to reduce state fee for naturalisation. FF/LNNK deputy opposed the proposal. Reduction of the state fee for naturalisation was also included in the recommendations of PACE.

Yesterday at the sitting of Saeima Committee responsible for the implementation of Citizenship Law social democrat deputy A.Barca proposed to reduce state fee for naturalisation. FF/LNNK deputy opposed the proposal. Reduction of the state fee for naturalisation was also included in the recommendations of PACE. Chas

Daugavpils Mayor A.Vidavsky had a sudden visit from the State Language Inspection. He had to pass the test in the Latvian language and was asked to write on two subjects – on the development of the city and reforms in municipalities. The Mayor successfully passed the examination.

Daugavpils Mayor A.Vidavsky had a sudden visit from the State Language Inspection. He had to pass the test in the Latvian language and was asked to write on two subjects – on the development of the city and reforms in municipalities. The Mayor successfully passed the examination. Chas

Vesti Segodnja

considers that Latvias President does not have political power to be able to fulfil the given promises to Russia regarding the observance of the rights of Russian-speaking people, as she was not even able to convince the Saeima to ratify agreement with Australia (on war crime suspect Kalejs). The President can only keep waiting other harsh statements from Russia and keep working on psychological issues - try to convince Russias mass media that the rights of Russians are observed in Latvia. considers that Latvia’s President does not have political power to be able to fulfil the given promises to Russia regarding the observance of the rights of Russian-speaking people, as she was not even able to convince the Saeima to ratify agreement with Australia (on war crime suspect Kalejs). The President can only keep waiting other harsh statements from Russia and keep working on psychological issues - try to convince Russia’s mass media that the rights of Russians are observed in Latvia.

Respublika

informs about the established procedure for airing parties political pre-election campaigns on TV and radio free of charge. informs about the established procedure for airing parties’ political pre-election campaigns on TV and radio free of charge.

Panorama Latvii

publishes the letter of the students parents of Russian Secondary School No 17 to the President V.Vike-Freiberga. According to MoES policy on School System Optimisation this school is going to be closed because of the insufficient number of students. publishes the letter of the students’ parents of Russian Secondary School No 17 to the President V.Vike-Freiberga. According to MoES policy on School System Optimisation this school is going to be closed because of the insufficient number of students.

Panorama Latvii

comments foreign affair minister I.Berzins statement on the necessity to ratify the Framework Convention on National Rights. The newspaper is concerned about the words of the Minister that before ratification we have to give a clear definition what is a national minority. comments foreign affair minister I.Berzins’ statement on the necessity to ratify the Framework Convention on National Rights. The newspaper is concerned about the words of the Minister that “before ratification we have to give a clear definition what is a national minority”.

Panorama Latvia

discusses the necessity to establish the Consultative Council on Non-citizen Matters at Riga City Council. The newspaper does not approve the idea as considers that this kind of establishment will not have any real political power. discusses the necessity to establish the Consultative Council on Non-citizen Matters at Riga City Council. The newspaper does not approve the idea as considers that this kind of establishment will not have any real political power. The Riga City Council Tuesday unexpectedly resolved that the Peter I monument should be donated to St.Petersburg in Russia.

The Riga City Council Tuesday unexpectedly resolved that the Peter I monument should be donated to St.Petersburg in Russia. Diena, Chas, Vesti Segodnja, Respublika, Panorama Latvii