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

Iranian and Venezuelan ambassadors Tuesday presented their credentials to Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga. Vike-Freiberga and the Iranian ambassador, Mahmoud Bayat, discussed the possibilities for closer co-operation in trade, education and tourism. The talks with the Venezuelan ambassador, Jose Eugenio Lopez Contreras, focused on the need to facilitate economic ties between businessmen from the two countries as well as the co-operation in tourism and other areas. The Iranian ambassador to Latvia will reside in Stockholm, and the Venezuelan ambassador will reside in Helsinki. None of these countries have been represented in Latvia on the ambassadorial level before.

Iranian and Venezuelan ambassadors Tuesday presented their credentials to Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga. Vike-Freiberga and the Iranian ambassador, Mahmoud Bayat, discussed the possibilities for closer co-operation in trade, education and tourism. The talks with the Venezuelan ambassador, Jose Eugenio Lopez Contreras, focused on the need to facilitate economic ties between businessmen from the two countries as well as the co-operation in tourism and other areas. The Iranian ambassador to Latvia will reside in Stockholm, and the Venezuelan ambassador will reside in Helsinki. None of these countries have been represented in Latvia on the ambassadorial level before. Neatkariga

Two Russian extremists from National Bolshevik Party at the court hearing on Tuesday said they were not guilty on charges of terrorism and illegal border crossing and the third defendant also rejected terrorism charges while pleading guilty for illegal crossing of Latvian border. Adult defendants Maxim Zhurkin and Sergei Solovey rejected the charges, but their underage fellow party member Dmitry Gafarov admitted he was guilty in crossing the Latvian border illegally. Tuesday marked the beginning of the first terrorist trial in Latvia with three Russian extremists and their Latvian supporter, Vladimir Moskovtsev, as the defendants. The foursome was charged with the incident in the St.Peters Church in Riga on the eve of the Latvian Independence Day last year.

Two Russian extremists from National Bolshevik Party at the court hearing on Tuesday said they were not guilty on charges of terrorism and illegal border crossing and the third defendant also rejected terrorism charges while pleading guilty for illegal crossing of Latvian border. Adult defendants Maxim Zhurkin and Sergei Solovey rejected the charges, but their underage fellow party member Dmitry Gafarov admitted he was guilty in crossing the Latvian border illegally. Tuesday marked the beginning of the first terrorist trial in Latvia with three Russian extremists and their Latvian supporter, Vladimir Moskovtsev, as the defendants. The foursome was charged with the incident in the St.Peters Church in Riga on the eve of the Latvian Independence Day last year. Diena, Neatkariga, Jauna, Panorama Latvii, Respublika, Vesti Segodnja

According to unofficial information the former Riga mayor A.Argalis who gave up the post in FF/LNNK board last week is planning to found his own right-wing party for the upcoming election of 8 Saeima. The speculations are that People’s party could also be interested in founding a new party.

According to unofficial information the former Riga mayor A.Argalis who gave up the post in FF/LNNK board last week is planning to found his own right-wing party for the upcoming election of 8 Saeima. The speculations are that Peoples party could also be interested in founding a new party. Neatkariga

Yesterday Russian ambassador to Latvia I.Studennikov met with the new Riga mayor G.Bojars.

Yesterday Russian ambassador to Latvia I.Studennikov met with the new Riga mayor G.Bojars. Chas, Vesti Segodnja

American Research and Development Institute RAND Environmental Science & Policy Centre has published a study “Expansion of NATO 2000-2015”. In regard to Latvia, in the paper it is indicated that the Baltic countries could join NATO in middle-term perspective.

American Research and Development Institute RAND Environmental Science & Policy Centre has published a study Expansion of NATO 2000-2015. In regard to Latvia, in the paper it is indicated that the Baltic countries could join NATO in middle-term perspective. Neatkariga, Respublika

Respublika

gives some comments about the municipal election and the choice of the new naturalised citizens. According to the data and numbers provided by the Naturalisation Board, gives some comments about the municipal election and the choice of the “new naturalised citizens”. According to the data and numbers provided by the Naturalisation Board, RespublikaRespublika comes to conclusion that these people voted not only for the union FHRUL, thus the ruling parties have no rights to call them non-loyal citizens. comes to conclusion that these people voted not only for the union FHRUL, thus the ruling parties have no rights to call them “non-loyal citizens”. Yesterday was the last day when Latvian students could hand in their essays on the topic how to free Latvia from occupants and the means of mass media in Russian – the contest organised by publishing house “Vieda”. In the opinion of

Yesterday was the last day when Latvian students could hand in their essays on the topic how to free Latvia from occupants and the means of mass media in Russian – the contest organised by publishing house Vieda. In the opinion of Vesti Segodnja it is a case of kindling national hate and should be reviewed at the court, however, there are no reactions from state authorities.

FF/LLNK member, Riga Council deputy V.Kalnozols answers to couple questions asked by

FF/LLNK member, Riga Council deputy V.Kalnozols answers to couple questions asked by Vesti Segodnja. V.Kalnozols says that he is not against integration and equal rights for all people in Latvia.