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

By signing an agreement with Welfare Party Latvian Social Democratic Workers Party hopes to sign similar agreements with several more small parties represented at Riga City Council to get support of nine deputies from these parties and establish a majority for Social Democrats and FF/LNNK coalition. But the Chairman of FF/LNNK objected to such a majority that was achieved only with the representatives of small parties but without Latvian Way and People’s Party.

By signing an agreement with Welfare Party Latvian Social Democratic Workers Party hopes to sign similar agreements with several more small parties represented at Riga City Council to get support of nine deputies from these parties and establish a majority for Social Democrats and FF/LNNK coalition. But the Chairman of FF/LNNK objected to such a majority that was achieved only with the representatives of small parties but without Latvian Way and Peoples Party. Diena, Rigas Balss

The political forces in Riga City Council did not manage to form any coalition yet, and the guilty one is Social Democrats who come out with different announcements almost every day.

The political forces in Riga City Council did not manage to form any coalition yet, and the guilty one is Social Democrats who come out with different announcements almost every day. Neatkariga

Jauna Avize writes that there is a chance for S.Dolgopolov from For Human Rights in United Latvia to become the Vice-Mayor of Riga City Council.

Newspapers published a complete list on the new Riga City Council deputies.

Newspapers published a complete list on the new Riga City Council deputies. Diena, Rigas Balss

After considering more than 15 complains the Central Election Commission has stated that one third of those is to be considered at court.

After considering more than 15 complains the Central Election Commission has stated that one third of those is to be considered at court. Diena, Jauna Avize (19.03)

The Chairman of the Commission A.Cimdars came to a conclusion that there were necessary regular amendments to prevent some uncertainties already before elections and clarify the principles of forming election commissions and criteria of selecting their members.

The Chairman of the Commission A.Cimdars came to a conclusion that there were necessary regular amendments to prevent some uncertainties already before elections and clarify the principles of forming election commissions and criteria of selecting their members. Neatkariga, Chas, Latvijas Vestnesis

On Friday without any much fuss and any incidents the commemoration events of Latvian legionnaires took place. Latvian Archbishop J.Vanags held the commemoration service at the Dome Church. Among the present were several MPs from FF/LNNK and People’s Party.

On Friday without any much fuss and any incidents the commemoration events of Latvian legionnaires took place. Latvian Archbishop J.Vanags held the commemoration service at the Dome Church. Among the present were several MPs from FF/LNNK and Peoples Party. Neatkariga, Chas, Panorama Latvii, Vesti Segodnya (19.03)

About 35 – 40 National Bolsheviks held their regular March 16 picket at the Latvian Embassy in Moscow to protest against the celebration of Legionnaires Day in Latvia and calling to release their arrested party members.

About 35 – 40 National Bolsheviks held their regular March 16 picket at the Latvian Embassy in Moscow to protest against the celebration of Legionnaires Day in Latvia and calling to release their arrested party members. Chas

Latvian MFA State Secretary M.Riekstins, commenting the results of the visit of President V.Vike-Freiberga to Lithuania, said that it was a positive one and the relations between Latvia and Lithuania in general were good. He added that there were several issues that needed further solution.

Latvian MFA State Secretary M.Riekstins, commenting the results of the visit of President V.Vike-Freiberga to Lithuania, said that it was a positive one and the relations between Latvia and Lithuania in general were good. He added that there were several issues that needed further solution. Neatkariga

Latvijas Vestnesis gives more details on this visit.

Latvijas Vestnesis gives more details on this visit.

On Thursday afternoon at Riga Secondary School No 6 almost started a fight among about 200 Latvian and Russian students. Press Secretary of Riga Municipal Police K.Brauna told that about 200 youngsters gathered at the School No 6. Some of them wanted to take a revenge for expulsion from this school of two Russian speaking pupils for hooligan behaviour. On Tuesday when those two students were expelled they threatened to take a revenge, they even set a precise time and day for this to happen. To meet the assailants almost all students of the school came out. But the administration called for police that arrived and dispersed the crowd.

On Thursday afternoon at Riga Secondary School No 6 almost started a fight among about 200 Latvian and Russian students. Press Secretary of Riga Municipal Police K.Brauna told that about 200 youngsters gathered at the School No 6. Some of them wanted to take a revenge for expulsion from this school of two Russian speaking pupils for hooligan behaviour. On Tuesday when those two students were expelled they threatened to take a revenge, they even set a precise time and day for this to happen. To meet the assailants almost all students of the school came out. But the administration called for police that arrived and dispersed the crowd. Neatkariga, Chas

L.Fedoseyev in

L.Fedoseyev in Chas comments the decision on granting Public Harmony Awards. He finds it strange that awards were given to those officials whose duty is to do it. L.Fedoseyev writes also about the proposal of the Director of National State Language Training Program A.Priedite, who, speaking about the future integration of Latvian society, said that there was a need to establish a strong national publication in the Russian language to overcome the information splitting of the society.

A.Stroy interviewed the leader of Social Democrats J.Bojars about the results of the Riga City Council election and the future coalition. J.Bojars said that Social Democrats were ready to co-operate with one representative of the ruling coalition – FF/LNNK because the election showed people’s attitude – it was a protest against two ruling parties Latvian Way and People’s Party. When asked about the possible national policy of Social Democrats (preservation of Russian speaking education) the Chairman answered that it was not an issue to be dealt with at the Riga City Council but they would open some new national minority schools for nations that did not have such, Russian were not the only national minority in Riga.

A.Stroy interviewed the leader of Social Democrats J.Bojars about the results of the Riga City Council election and the future coalition. J.Bojars said that Social Democrats were ready to co-operate with one representative of the ruling coalition – FF/LNNK because the election showed peoples attitude – it was a protest against two ruling parties Latvian Way and Peoples Party. When asked about the possible national policy of Social Democrats (preservation of Russian speaking education) the Chairman answered that it was not an issue to be dealt with at the Riga City Council but they would open some new national minority schools for nations that did not have such, Russian were not the only national minority in Riga. Chas

Starting from tomorrow Russia will not let to import cargoes with goods produced in Eastern Asia if they were not transported via overland routs through Kazakhstan, Mongolia, China or Korea or through Russian ports. Manager of the Riga Free Port L.Loginov said that this prohibition ruined the several years long attempts of the Free Port to attract to Riga vendors of Eastern goods. Minister of Communication A.Gorbunov thinks that the impact of this step would not be big and he looks forward for the negotiations with Russia during which it could lift this ban.

Starting from tomorrow Russia will not let to import cargoes with goods produced in Eastern Asia if they were not transported via overland routs through Kazakhstan, Mongolia, China or Korea or through Russian ports. Manager of the Riga Free Port L.Loginov said that this prohibition ruined the several years long attempts of the Free Port to attract to Riga vendors of Eastern goods. Minister of Communication A.Gorbunov thinks that the impact of this step would not be big and he looks forward for the negotiations with Russia during which it could lift this ban. Rigas Balss