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

US Senate Foreign committee European sub-committee leader, republican Gordon Smith expressed support to the Baltic NATO bid on Sunday in Riga, expecting US President George W Bush to take a very active stance on the issue. Smith forecasted that Bush would be an active supporter of NATO expansion, while resistance may be felt from a few countries in Europe, which he did not wish to name, claiming that "Their actions will speak for themselves".

US Senate Foreign committee European sub-committee leader, republican Gordon Smith expressed support to the Baltic NATO bid on Sunday in Riga, expecting US President George W Bush to take a very active stance on the issue. Smith forecasted that Bush would be an active supporter of NATO expansion, while resistance may be felt from a few countries in Europe, which he did not wish to name, claiming that "Their actions will speak for themselves". BNS, Diena, Neatkariga

The four US Senators visiting Latvia on Sunday before heading to Vilnius for a NATO parliamentary assembly, suggested to the Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga that Latvia should lobby its achievements towards its NATO bid more actively, in order to lean alliance members in favour of Latvian NATO accession. The President's spokesperson, Aiva Rozenberga, said that during their dinner with the President, the US senators expressed support to Latvia's NATO bid, adding that Latvia still has much to do in order to persuade the broader US public of the need for expanding the alliance.

The four US Senators visiting Latvia on Sunday before heading to Vilnius for a NATO parliamentary assembly, suggested to the Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga that Latvia should lobby its achievements towards its NATO bid more actively, in order to lean alliance members in favour of Latvian NATO accession. The President's spokesperson, Aiva Rozenberga, said that during their dinner with the President, the US senators expressed support to Latvia's NATO bid, adding that Latvia still has much to do in order to persuade the broader US public of the need for expanding the alliance. BNS

Latvian Prime Minister Andris Berzins is scheduled to head for Brussels Monday on a mission to meet with the European Union expansion commissioner Gunter Verheugen. The aim of the meeting is to discuss a number of crucial issues for Latvia before the end of the Swedish EU presidency and the Gotteborg summit meeting, issues like the speeding up the SAPARD program funding. The Prime Minister's foreign advisor, Atis Sjanits, said that the funding has been delayed due to slow bureaucracy.

Latvian Prime Minister Andris Berzins is scheduled to head for Brussels Monday on a mission to meet with the European Union expansion commissioner Gunter Verheugen. The aim of the meeting is to discuss a number of crucial issues for Latvia before the end of the Swedish EU presidency and the Gotteborg summit meeting, issues like the speeding up the SAPARD program funding. The Prime Minister's foreign advisor, Atis Sjanits, said that the funding has been delayed due to slow bureaucracy. BNS

On Saturday in Gulbene took place People’s Party congress. Speakers at the Congress were proud about their success during the previous local government election and work of their ministers, but criticised their coalition members FF/LNNK for co-operation with the left wingers at the Riga City Council and Latvian Way for moderation in managing the government. A decision was taken to hold the next congress only after the 8th Saeima election. By that time A.Skele will continue to lead the party.

On Saturday in Gulbene took place Peoples Party congress. Speakers at the Congress were proud about their success during the previous local government election and work of their ministers, but criticised their coalition members FF/LNNK for co-operation with the left wingers at the Riga City Council and Latvian Way for moderation in managing the government. A decision was taken to hold the next congress only after the 8th Saeima election. By that time A.Skele will continue to lead the party. Diena, Neatkariga, Jauna Avize, Chas

A delegation of Latvian parliament members led by parliament chairman Janis Straume will be on an official visit in China between May 27 through June 5. The trip is intended as a reply visit to last year's Chinese delegation visit to Latvia, led by chairman of the Chinese people's assembly Lee Pen.

A delegation of Latvian parliament members led by parliament chairman Janis Straume will be on an official visit in China between May 27 through June 5. The trip is intended as a reply visit to last year's Chinese delegation visit to Latvia, led by chairman of the Chinese people's assembly Lee Pen. BNS

Deputy Chairman of Latvian Social Democratic Workers’ Party E.Baldzens announced that the leader of Social Democrats J.Bojars planned to present the new version of Latvian constitution in autumn when it would be discussed within the party. Diena

Deputy Chairman of Latvian Social Democratic Workers Party E.Baldzens announced that the leader of Social Democrats J.Bojars planned to present the new version of Latvian constitution in autumn when it would be discussed within the party. Diena

D.Araja in

D.Araja in Diena writes about the situation that has arisen after reorganisation of the State Language Certification Commission. For inmates of several Latvian prisons it became impossible to take the language proficiency test after finishing the language-training course. Some time ago a decision was taken to abolish language commissions al local governments. These commissions used to come to prisons to take language tests but now the Centralised Language Commission did not visit prisons because it was not stipulated by law. Language proficiency certificate is very important for those people when they start looking for job after discharge. Ministry of Education and Science Education Content and Examination Centre promises that these problems will be solved in the nearest future and probably already in June inmates would be able to take the test. Latvian language training was started in prisons in 1995 and continued until the beginning of this year with the financing of Soros Foundation Latvia. So far about 2000 prisoners have received language proficiency certificates.

Latvian parliamentarians have not met with Byelorussian President A.Lukashenko because it was not on the agenda. They met with the Prime Minister, First deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Head of President’ s Office. Latvian MPs went on this visit upon an invitation of Byelorussian Parliament.

Latvian parliamentarians have not met with Byelorussian President A.Lukashenko because it was not on the agenda. They met with the Prime Minister, First deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Head of President s Office. Latvian MPs went on this visit upon an invitation of Byelorussian Parliament. Jauna Avize

The newspaper

The newspaper Jauna Avize interviewed the Head of Human Rights Office O.Bruveris. Today expires his term of authority and the Cabinet of Ministers proposed to extend it for one more term.

The experience of Riga City officials to close Russian speaking schools is spreading in province. The newspaper already wrote about the situation in Jelgava, and now the same happens in Jekabpils. Local government plans to close Secondary School No 4. Local Latvian Gymnasium chose the two buildings of this school as the possible location for it to receive the status of a national Gymnasium. And therefore local municipality decided to merge two Russian speaking schools No 2 and 4 into one. This plan does not satisfy the teachers and students of these schools because these two schools are located on the opposite banks of the river Daugava.

The experience of Riga City officials to close Russian speaking schools is spreading in province. The newspaper already wrote about the situation in Jelgava, and now the same happens in Jekabpils. Local government plans to close Secondary School No 4. Local Latvian Gymnasium chose the two buildings of this school as the possible location for it to receive the status of a national Gymnasium. And therefore local municipality decided to merge two Russian speaking schools No 2 and 4 into one. This plan does not satisfy the teachers and students of these schools because these two schools are located on the opposite banks of the river Daugava. Vesti Segodnya

Russian Ambassador to Latvia I.Studennikov told

Russian Ambassador to Latvia I.Studennikov told Vesti Segodnya about his meeting with Latvian MPs. When arriving to his new post the Ambassador was full of optimism – the planned meeting of the Presidents of both countries, resuming of activities of intergovernmental Commission seemed a positive sign. But after a month Latvia unilaterally denounced the agreement on transit of Russian citizens on the territory of Latvia. And Latvia ignored Russias protests against persecution of WW II veterans. Instead Latvian parliamentarians established a fund to support repatriation of Russian speakers to Russia. And these were not the only things that spoiled Latvian – Russian relations.

A conference “experience of Latvian cities in solving the problems on integration” took place recently in Venspils. It was organised by the Venspils City Council and the Naturalisation Board. The head of Naturalisation Board E.Aldermane spoke about the role of sociological research promoting the process of integration. Mayor of Venspils A.Lembergs in his presentation said that Venspils was the first Latvian city where was developed and implemented program of integration and acted Council of Non-citizens and the idea that non-citizens should be granted the right of vote in local government elections did not seem a dangerous one. Chas

A conference experience of Latvian cities in solving the problems on integration took place recently in Venspils. It was organised by the Venspils City Council and the Naturalisation Board. The head of Naturalisation Board E.Aldermane spoke about the role of sociological research promoting the process of integration. Mayor of Venspils A.Lembergs in his presentation said that Venspils was the first Latvian city where was developed and implemented program of integration and acted Council of Non-citizens and the idea that non-citizens should be granted the right of vote in local government elections did not seem a dangerous one. Chas