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

D.Araja in

D.Araja in Diena writes that there has been little research done on that part of electorate that received Latvian citizenship through naturalization process, and therefor it is difficult to foresee what political party would be their choice. Most likely the Union For Human Rights in United Latvia hopes for these voters, because during their visit to Moscow MPs already started to discuss the possible co-operation with the local municipality. Ethnic issues specialists and leaders of national minority NGOs are not so sure in their forecasts. They think that the new citizens will not concentrate on one political power but look into the direction of left and center parties. Latvian Human Rights and Ethnic Studies Center Director N.Muiznieks considers that the new citizens could vote mainly for 5 lists – For Human Rights in United Latvia, Latvian Way, Latvian Democratic Party, Peoples Party and Russian Party.

Union FF/LNNK will ask the Minister of Foreign Affairs I.Berzins to arrive to the faction’s meeting and explain his opinion on Latvian legionnaires. The Union has received a letter for the Society of National Soldiers where the former legionnaires express their incomprehension about what they see as contemptuous statements, made by the Minister in the newspaper

Union FF/LNNK will ask the Minister of Foreign Affairs I.Berzins to arrive to the factions meeting and explain his opinion on Latvian legionnaires. The Union has received a letter for the Society of National Soldiers where the former legionnaires express their incomprehension about what they see as contemptuous statements, made by the Minister in the newspaper Lauku Avize, on the Latvian SS Legion. Diena, Neatkariga

The leader of the Saeima faction For Human Rights in United Latvia J.Jurkans told Diena that it was too ear to start talking about a general change of mood in Latvian – Russian relations. Representative of Russian government expressed their wish to intensify negotiations, but there was still a long way to arrange economic relations because they wanted to stress also human rights issues, especially ratification of framework convention on national minorities and elaborating its norms into the existent legislation on social and political rights of residents.

The leader of the Saeima faction For Human Rights in United Latvia J.Jurkans told Diena that it was too ear to start talking about a general change of mood in Latvian – Russian relations. Representative of Russian government expressed their wish to intensify negotiations, but there was still a long way to arrange economic relations because they wanted to stress also human rights issues, especially ratification of framework convention on national minorities and elaborating its norms into the existent legislation on social and political rights of residents. Diena

President V.Vike-Freiberga does not find the visit of the Union For Human Rights in United Latvia to Moscow as anything extraordinary. Nevertheless the President found the fact that the Russian Prime Minister received the delegation as not corresponding to the diplomatic practice.

President V.Vike-Freiberga does not find the visit of the Union For Human Rights in United Latvia to Moscow as anything extraordinary. Nevertheless the President found the fact that the Russian Prime Minister received the delegation as not corresponding to the diplomatic practice. Neatkariga, Panorama Latvii

Panorama Latvii

interviewed Deputy Mayor of Moscow A.Perelygin on the results of Latvian opposition delegation visit to the government of Moscow. This meeting had a practical side as well both parties discussed a possibility for Latvian construction companies to take part in a tender on construction a residential complex in Moscow. interviewed Deputy Mayor of Moscow A.Perelygin on the results of Latvian opposition delegation visit to the government of Moscow. This meeting had a practical side as well both parties discussed a possibility for Latvian construction companies to take part in a tender on construction a residential complex in Moscow. During his farewell visit to the Latvian Saeima Speaker J.Straume Russian Ambassador A.Udaltsov said that a dialog between Russia and Latvia had been started on the highest level and it was important let the recent discussions of both presidents had a concrete and practical continuation.

During his farewell visit to the Latvian Saeima Speaker J.Straume Russian Ambassador A.Udaltsov said that a dialog between Russia and Latvia had been started on the highest level and it was important let the recent discussions of both presidents had a concrete and practical continuation. Neatkariga

Saeima Speaker J.Straume together with the Saeima delegation started an official visit to Finland. During this visit they will have meetings with Finnish Parliament Speaker R.Osulkainen, political groups in the Parliament and President T.Halonen.

Saeima Speaker J.Straume together with the Saeima delegation started an official visit to Finland. During this visit they will have meetings with Finnish Parliament Speaker R.Osulkainen, political groups in the Parliament and President T.Halonen. Neatkariga, Rigas Balss

A.Arbatov, Deputy Chairman of Russian National Council Defense Commission thinks that Russia has changed her priorities in relations with the Baltic States. Both in economic and military fields. With the new President relations with former USSR republics have become more serious in these both fields.

A.Arbatov, Deputy Chairman of Russian National Council Defense Commission thinks that Russia has changed her priorities in relations with the Baltic States. Both in economic and military fields. With the new President relations with former USSR republics have become more serious in these both fields. Respublika

In her press interview to Latvian Radio President V.Vike-Freiberga spoke about Latvian – Russian relations and their future. Latvian party could expect from Russia a certain change that would allow starting solving several exact bilateral co-operation issues; a whole set of agreements had remained without any development and reaction from Russian side, starting with border agreement and the still valid draft law on imposing economic sanctions against Latvia. From Latvian side Latvian authorities could work more seriously trying to explain what was the real situation in the fields that worry Russia very much.

In her press interview to Latvian Radio President V.Vike-Freiberga spoke about Latvian – Russian relations and their future. Latvian party could expect from Russia a certain change that would allow starting solving several exact bilateral co-operation issues; a whole set of agreements had remained without any development and reaction from Russian side, starting with border agreement and the still valid draft law on imposing economic sanctions against Latvia. From Latvian side Latvian authorities could work more seriously trying to explain what was the real situation in the fields that worry Russia very much. Latvijas Vestnesis