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

Austrian Foreign Minister Benita Ferrero-Waldner on Tuesday will meet Latvian president and foreign minister, spokespeople told to

Austrian Foreign Minister Benita Ferrero-Waldner on Tuesday will meet Latvian president and foreign minister, spokespeople told to BNS. The Austrian foreign minister in the meeting with President Vaira Vike-Freiberga will discuss co-operation in interior affairs and environment protection as well as infrastructure development. The officials also will analyse society integration issues, said president's spokeswoman Aiva Rozenberga. BNS, Latvijas Vestnesis

Latvian government coalition factions council Monday did not reach an agreement on supporting appointing Latvia's Way MP Edvins Inkens as deputy parliament speaker as two of the government factions objected to his wish to hold two posts, the prime minister told

Latvian government coalition factions council Monday did not reach an agreement on supporting appointing Latvia's Way MP Edvins Inkens as deputy parliament speaker as two of the government factions objected to his wish to hold two posts, the prime minister told BNS. Andris Berzins said he reported to the coalition council about Inkens' wish to hold not only the post of the deputy parliament speaker but also keep his current post of European affairs committee head, to which People's Party and Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK did not agree. BNS

Latvian president on Monday accredited Latvia's new ambassador to Mexico, Aivis Ronis, who also is Latvian ambassador to the United States.

Latvian president on Monday accredited Latvia's new ambassador to Mexico, Aivis Ronis, who also is Latvian ambassador to the United States. BNS, Latvijas Vestnesis

To ensure stable operation of Riga city council Social Democrats would have to halt co-operation with leftist union For Human Rights in United Latvia and re-elect Riga vice-mayor, heads of government parties' factions on Riga city council told

BNS. Janis Birks who heads Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK faction on the city council said Social Democrats should decide what kind of politics they want to pursue in Riga and the kind of ties they have with the leftist union. "Given the currently elected version it is possible to work on the Riga city council only in a coalition comprised of Latvia's Way, People's Party, FF/LNNK and Social Democrats," said Birks. BNS, Neatkariga, Vesti Segodnya, Chas

Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK party faction on Riga city council Monday decided FF/LNNK is not ready to undertake heading city council committees in the present situation when Social Democrats have closed co-operation co-ordination agreement with the leftist union. He said FF/LNNK respects decision of city council deputies to elect Social Democrat member Gundars Bojars as Riga mayor and called on him to "rally around himself forces loyal to Latvia". Birks reiterated that FF/LNNK faction called on Social Democrats to revise its agreement relations with leftist union For Human Rights in United Latvia.

BNS, Panorama Latvii

Riga Mayor G.Bojars said on Monday that Social Democrats were not ready to yield to the demand of FF/LNNK to reconsider their agreement with the Union For Human Rights in United Latvia. Diena

Latvian Prime Minister Andris Berzins and Russia's new Ambassador to Latvia discussed in a meeting on Monday bilateral co-operation issues, including work of Latvian and Russian inter-governmental commission, state chancellery press office reported to BNS. Berzins and Russian Ambassador Igor Studennikov concluded the inter-governmental commission was a good instrument for solving a number of important issues and improvement of relations between Latvia and Russia. The two officials said the inter-governmental commission was a way for holding talks between the two countries by means of a constructive dialogue. BNS,

The Ambassador stressed the need to promote co-operation in cultural fields and informed that already this yeas was planned a visit of Russian Minister of Culture to Latvia.

The Ambassador stressed the need to promote co-operation in cultural fields and informed that already this yeas was planned a visit of Russian Minister of Culture to Latvia. Neatkariga, Latvijas Vestnesis

Repeated local government election will be hold on July 8 in Viesturi Parish, Bauska Region and Preili District where with a court decree were annulled.

Repeated local government election will be hold on July 8 in Viesturi Parish, Bauska Region and Preili District where with a court decree were annulled. Diena, Neatkariga

The latest social opinion polls (SKD data) show that the popularity decrease of major political parties (Latvian Way, People’s Party) before the local government election was not just a short time tendency. But the greatest change is noticed in people’s attitude toward the work of the government and increased distrust towards some state institutions and even local governments.

The latest social opinion polls (SKD data) show that the popularity decrease of major political parties (Latvian Way, Peoples Party) before the local government election was not just a short time tendency. But the greatest change is noticed in peoples attitude toward the work of the government and increased distrust towards some state institutions and even local governments. Neatkariga

Last week the Saeima Human Rights and Public Affairs Commission visited Estonia to find out how integration problems were solved there. The deputies met with Estonian Minister of Ethnic Affairs, MRs and other officials. The Head A.Seiksts said they came to a conclusion that Estonian society and political circles were more consolidated than in Latvia. The delegation also met with the opposition representatives and they had objections neither to the integration process nor interpretation of history. They wanted to co-operate in a constructive manner. FF/LNNK representative J.Vidins did not agree completely with it. He said that the opposition representatives had also travelled to Moscow seeking for advice but finally spitted on everything and understood that all problems should be solved at home. But they still complained – Russians felt pressure that the state demanded them to learn the Estonian language. That was a minor human rights violation. But the Russian speaking press was favourable towards Estonians. In his turn the representative of For Human Rights in United Latvia M.Mitrfanov was glad that Estonian integration program stipulated that the state should be responsible for preservation of ethnic identity of every national minority. In Latvia they tried to achieve just the opposite.

Last week the Saeima Human Rights and Public Affairs Commission visited Estonia to find out how integration problems were solved there. The deputies met with Estonian Minister of Ethnic Affairs, MRs and other officials. The Head A.Seiksts said they came to a conclusion that Estonian society and political circles were more consolidated than in Latvia. The delegation also met with the opposition representatives and they had objections neither to the integration process nor interpretation of history. They wanted to co-operate in a constructive manner. FF/LNNK representative J.Vidins did not agree completely with it. He said that the opposition representatives had also travelled to Moscow seeking for advice but finally spitted on everything and understood that all problems should be solved at home. But they still complained – Russians felt pressure that the state demanded them to learn the Estonian language. That was a minor human rights violation. But the Russian speaking press was favourable towards Estonians. In his turn the representative of For Human Rights in United Latvia M.Mitrfanov was glad that Estonian integration program stipulated that the state should be responsible for preservation of ethnic identity of every national minority. In Latvia they tried to achieve just the opposite. Lauku Avize

2000 non-citizens on the whole territory of Latvia, whose language skills turned out to be inadequate for passing the naturalisation test, will be able to take the test for the second time free of charge. Press Secretary of the Naturalisation Board S.Bardins informed that, persons whose language skills would be still inadequate to pass this test, would be able to register for another training for 30 – 80 hours. But the time of these courses was not fixed yet because the Board was still looking for the possible donors because courses were planned to be free of charge.

2000 non-citizens on the whole territory of Latvia, whose language skills turned out to be inadequate for passing the naturalisation test, will be able to take the test for the second time free of charge. Press Secretary of the Naturalisation Board S.Bardins informed that, persons whose language skills would be still inadequate to pass this test, would be able to register for another training for 30 – 80 hours. But the time of these courses was not fixed yet because the Board was still looking for the possible donors because courses were planned to be free of charge. Panorama Latvii

A.Krumins in

A.Krumins in Panorama Latvii writes about the reaction in the Saeima when the Union For Human Rights in United Latvia proposed to allow non-citizens to buy land in Latvia. The most active opponent to this was P.Tabuns from FF/LNNK. He announced that that was an intentional directing of state policy along the so-called Moscow road.

Not so long ago some Latvian officials assured that Latvia would not become a country of emigrants, but the need to harmonise Latvian legislation with EU demands made some structures to take decisions that could bring Latvia to such a situation. Yesterday the Cabinet of Ministers adopted the draft law “On Asylum”. The law establishes the legal status of asylum seekers and refugees and gives them the right to settle in Latvia. European institutions demand let this law would ensure attractiveness of Latvian State for asylum seekers. The draft law stipulates that a refugee after receiving the status may receive a PRP free of charge. It also guarantees the victims of far away regimes integration in Latvia – free of charge language training that even local residents are not entitled for.

Not so long ago some Latvian officials assured that Latvia would not become a country of emigrants, but the need to harmonise Latvian legislation with EU demands made some structures to take decisions that could bring Latvia to such a situation. Yesterday the Cabinet of Ministers adopted the draft law On Asylum. The law establishes the legal status of asylum seekers and refugees and gives them the right to settle in Latvia. European institutions demand let this law would ensure attractiveness of Latvian State for asylum seekers. The draft law stipulates that a refugee after receiving the status may receive a PRP free of charge. It also guarantees the victims of far away regimes integration in Latvia – free of charge language training that even local residents are not entitled for. Chas