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

Society and political circles in Estonia are less split than in Latvia, Latvian parliament human rights and public affairs committee chairman told a news conference Wednesday. Antons Seiksts was speaking on return of the committee MPs from a visit in Tallinn. He said that in Estonia differences between ethnic Estonians and people of other nationalities are less perceptible and, the opposition MPs in Estonian parliament are much more constructive in their work. Seiksts said that in practical matters Estonians are much more flexible towards people of other nationalities. For example, Estonia has state financed Russian radio and the entire legislation is automatically being translated not only into English language but also into Russian. A.Seiksts also wanted to stress the role of the Russian mass media in Estonia – they are constructive and politically alienated. Committee MP Viola Lazo meanwhile said Estonians have all the time been a small step ahead of Latvia in society integration and had granted citizenship to people who were loyal towards formation of the Estonian state. Lazo stressed integration is a bilateral process and therefore the wish to integrate should be created both for Latvians and people of other nationalities. "Nobody wants to go along the golden middle because extremities are of more political advantage," she said. Lazo added that in numerous areas of integration Latvia has done a lot more than Estonia but Estonia has succeeded in better presenting its achievements both at home and internationally. Committee MP Juris Vidins said he feels convinced after the visit in Estonia that financial resources help to solve a lot of problems. "Estonia has the same problems we have but bigger financial resources, granted for the integration, help to smooth soaring matters", said Vidins. Committee MP Miroslavs Mitrofanovs said his impressions about the processes in Estonia are contradictory. On the one hand, Estonians are more tolerant towards people of other nationalities, for example, in the area of education. But a negative impression is created by the fact that integration achievements, which are being declared quite often, differ from what is actually implemented in life, for example, people of other nationalities are rarely involved in implementation of integration programs.

Society and political circles in Estonia are less split than in Latvia, Latvian parliament human rights and public affairs committee chairman told a news conference Wednesday. Antons Seiksts was speaking on return of the committee MPs from a visit in Tallinn. He said that in Estonia differences between ethnic Estonians and people of other nationalities are less perceptible and, the opposition MPs in Estonian parliament are much more constructive in their work. Seiksts said that in practical matters Estonians are much more flexible towards people of other nationalities. For example, Estonia has state financed Russian radio and the entire legislation is automatically being translated not only into English language but also into Russian. A.Seiksts also wanted to stress the role of the Russian mass media in Estonia – they are constructive and politically alienated. Committee MP Viola Lazo meanwhile said Estonians have all the time been a small step ahead of Latvia in society integration and had granted citizenship to people who were loyal towards formation of the Estonian state. Lazo stressed integration is a bilateral process and therefore the wish to integrate should be created both for Latvians and people of other nationalities. "Nobody wants to go along the golden middle because extremities are of more political advantage," she said. Lazo added that in numerous areas of integration Latvia has done a lot more than Estonia but Estonia has succeeded in better presenting its achievements both at home and internationally. Committee MP Juris Vidins said he feels convinced after the visit in Estonia that financial resources help to solve a lot of problems. "Estonia has the same problems we have but bigger financial resources, granted for the integration, help to smooth soaring matters", said Vidins. Committee MP Miroslavs Mitrofanovs said his impressions about the processes in Estonia are contradictory. On the one hand, Estonians are more tolerant towards people of other nationalities, for example, in the area of education. But a negative impression is created by the fact that integration achievements, which are being declared quite often, differ from what is actually implemented in life, for example, people of other nationalities are rarely involved in implementation of integration programs. Latvijas Vestnesis, Vesti Segodnja

The Social Democrats Wednesday in consultations with nationalist Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK offered the party to co-operate on the Riga city council and hold the post of a vice-mayor and head four committees, a Social Democrat board member said. Janis Dinevics said the Social Democrats offered the FF/LNNK to co-operate on the Riga city council and not to remain in the opposition. "We offered them concrete offices -- the post of vice-mayor and heading social, environment, property and security committees," said Dinevics. FF/LNNK had not provided an answer to the offer and pledged to discuss it within the party. FF/LNNK faction head on the city council, Janis Birks, told that the question about the possible co-operation with Social Democrats "remains open" and will be considered at the party's board meeting on Thursday, however, neither he nor the former Riga Mayor Argalis took part in these discussion.

The Social Democrats Wednesday in consultations with nationalist Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK offered the party to co-operate on the Riga city council and hold the post of a vice-mayor and head four committees, a Social Democrat board member said. Janis Dinevics said the Social Democrats offered the FF/LNNK to co-operate on the Riga city council and not to remain in the opposition. "We offered them concrete offices -- the post of vice-mayor and heading social, environment, property and security committees," said Dinevics. FF/LNNK had not provided an answer to the offer and pledged to discuss it within the party. FF/LNNK faction head on the city council, Janis Birks, told that the question about the possible co-operation with Social Democrats "remains open" and will be considered at the party's board meeting on Thursday, however, neither he nor the former Riga Mayor Argalis took part in these discussion. Diena, Neatkariga, Jauna, Chas, Panorama Latvii, Vesti Segodnja, Lauku Avize

The new Russian ambassador I.Studennikov’s first official visit was to the Soviet Soldiers Monument. The ambassador stressed the important role of Russia in fighting against Nazis and when asked about the first impressions about Latvia he said he would give a press conference a little bit later.

The new Russian ambassador I.Studennikovs first official visit was to the Soviet Soldiers Monument. The ambassador stressed the important role of Russia in fighting against Nazis and when asked about the first impressions about Latvia he said he would give a press conference a little bit later. Chas, Vesti Segodnja, Panorama Latvii