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

A survey conducted by the Naturalisation Administration about public integration in Latvia indicates alarmingly large public distrust in state institutions and justice under the law, the administration's head, Eizenija Aldermane, said during the presentation of the survey Thursday. The survey, titled Road to Civic Society 2000, showed that about 90 percent of population did not trust the government and its agencies. "If politicians and the government as well as mass media do not work with non-citizens, we may lose them. It is better not to make any mistakes so that we do not have to correct them later," said Aldermane.

A survey conducted by the Naturalisation Administration about public integration in Latvia indicates alarmingly large public distrust in state institutions and justice under the law, the administration's head, Eizenija Aldermane, said during the presentation of the survey Thursday. The survey, titled Road to Civic Society 2000, showed that about 90 percent of population did not trust the government and its agencies. "If politicians and the government as well as mass media do not work with non-citizens, we may lose them. It is better not to make any mistakes so that we do not have to correct them later," said Aldermane. BNS, Diena, Neatkariga, Latvijas Vestnesis, Chas, Vesti Segodnya

With barely two weeks passed since the decision to form a coalition with Social Democrats on the Riga city council, Fatherland and Freedom (FF)/LNNK party board late Thursday said it will hold off until Social Democrats fully dissociate themselves from the left-wing alliance For Human Rights. FF/LNNK is one of the ruling government parties while Social Democrats and For Human Rights represent the opposition. FF/LNNK chairman Maris Grinblats told reporters that for now the party board cannot support signing of a coalition agreement and the FF/LNNK faction on the city council, keen to enter into the agreement, will have to obey to the instructions by the party board.

With barely two weeks passed since the decision to form a coalition with Social Democrats on the Riga city council, Fatherland and Freedom (FF)/LNNK party board late Thursday said it will hold off until Social Democrats fully dissociate themselves from the left-wing alliance For Human Rights. FF/LNNK is one of the ruling government parties while Social Democrats and For Human Rights represent the opposition. FF/LNNK chairman Maris Grinblats told reporters that for now the party board cannot support signing of a coalition agreement and the FF/LNNK faction on the city council, keen to enter into the agreement, will have to obey to the instructions by the party board. BNS, Diena, Neatkariga, Rigas Balss

The support by the new United States administration to NATO enlargement and admission of Latvia to the alliance has not changed in comparison with the stance taken by Bill Clinton's administration but it will not be realistic to expect that the US will name a specific favourite in pre-accession talks, said the US ambassador to Latvia, James H. Holmes. Holmes made this statement to BNS Thursday after the talks with Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga, who will travel to Washington shortly.

The support by the new United States administration to NATO enlargement and admission of Latvia to the alliance has not changed in comparison with the stance taken by Bill Clinton's administration but it will not be realistic to expect that the US will name a specific favourite in pre-accession talks, said the US ambassador to Latvia, James H. Holmes. Holmes made this statement to BNS Thursday after the talks with Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga, who will travel to Washington shortly. BNS, Neatkariga

Latvian ambassador to Kyrgyzstan, Arturs Puga, has presented his credentials to Kyrgyz President, Askar Akayev, the Latvian Foreign Ministry press centre reported to BNS on Thursday.

Latvian ambassador to Kyrgyzstan, Arturs Puga, has presented his credentials to Kyrgyz President, Askar Akayev, the Latvian Foreign Ministry press centre reported to BNS on Thursday. BNS

Russian President Vladimir Putin has sent a letter to Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga, agreeing with her that Russian-Latvian relations needed improvement and "their potential is far from exhausted." Putin wrote to Vike-Freiberga in a response to her message following the meeting between the two presidents in Austria in February, Interfax agency reported, quoting the Russian president's press service. The Latvian president's spokeswoman Aiva Rozenberga told BNS that Putin's letter has not been received yet.

BNS, Neatkariga, Lauku Avize, Respublika, Vesti Segodnya, Panorama Latvii Six individuals Friday gathered at the Russian Embassy in Riga to protest infringements on freedom of speech in Russia they saw in developments concerning the NTV television channel. The demonstrators carried posters. One of the posters said in English "Freedom to Media in Russia," another featured a caricature of Russian President Vladimir Putin, wearing shabby clothes and a hat. Other posters had on them logos of NTV and magazine Itogi in a black frame of mourning with notices in English and Russian "Closed in April 2001."

Six individuals Friday gathered at the Russian Embassy in Riga to protest infringements on freedom of speech in Russia they saw in developments concerning the NTV television channel. The demonstrators carried posters. One of the posters said in English "Freedom to Media in Russia," another featured a caricature of Russian President Vladimir Putin, wearing shabby clothes and a hat. Other posters had on them logos of NTV and magazine Itogi in a black frame of mourning with notices in English and Russian "Closed in April 2001." BNS

Latvian foreign minister Indulis Berzins will Apr. 26 report to the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly about Latvia's accomplishments as the Council of Europe presiding state over the period from the previous assembly session in January. At the assembly session Berzins will also answer questions, the Latvian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Liga Bergmane reported.

Latvian foreign minister Indulis Berzins will Apr. 26 report to the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly about Latvia's accomplishments as the Council of Europe presiding state over the period from the previous assembly session in January. At the assembly session Berzins will also answer questions, the Latvian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Liga Bergmane reported. BNS

In the nearest future there will be changes in the leading posts of FF/LNNK. Saeima Speaker J.Straume could become Deputy Chairman of the party after the resignation of the previous Deputy A.Argalis. D.Stalts will replace the late MP J.Sinka. And A.Gaigala will take the place of D.Stalts at the Riga City Council.

In the nearest future there will be changes in the leading posts of FF/LNNK. Saeima Speaker J.Straume could become Deputy Chairman of the party after the resignation of the previous Deputy A.Argalis. D.Stalts will replace the late MP J.Sinka. And A.Gaigala will take the place of D.Stalts at the Riga City Council. Neatkariga