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

On June 9 –10 in Jurmala will take place and international conference “Preservation and development of Latvian, Russian and Byelorussian economical ties within the context of integration processes of the Baltic States and Russia – Byelorussia”. It will be the forth conference of the Baltic Forum.

On June 9 –10 in Jurmala will take place and international conference Preservation and development of Latvian, Russian and Byelorussian economical ties within the context of integration processes of the Baltic States and Russia – Byelorussia. It will be the forth conference of the Baltic Forum. Neatkariga

Latvian Ambassador to Moscow soon will leave his post and will be posted in London as Latvian Ambassador to GB. Most likely he will be replaced by the present Latvian Ambassador to GB N.Penke.

Latvian Ambassador to Moscow soon will leave his post and will be posted in London as Latvian Ambassador to GB. Most likely he will be replaced by the present Latvian Ambassador to GB N.Penke.

Participants of the conference "Establishment of Ombudsmanship in Latvia" expressed an opinion that the role of Ombudsman might be appraised only by a socially and politically active society. Latvian President V.Vike-Freiberga said that when reading thousands of letters from residents of Latvia one had to make a conclusion that protection of the rights of residents off Latvia demanded a special attention. Ombudsman would be an effective instrument also in the hands of the Saeima but it should not be a politicized post. Former Head of Latvian Human Rights office O.Bruveris said that politicians had to take a decision on the necessity of Ombudsman in Latvia. So far about the necessity of such an institution is discussed only theoretically and no practical action to establish such a thing had been taken.

Participants of the conference "Establishment of Ombudsmanship in Latvia" expressed an opinion that the role of Ombudsman might be appraised only by a socially and politically active society. Latvian President V.Vike-Freiberga said that when reading thousands of letters from residents of Latvia one had to make a conclusion that protection of the rights of residents off Latvia demanded a special attention. Ombudsman would be an effective instrument also in the hands of the Saeima but it should not be a politicized post. Former Head of Latvian Human Rights office O.Bruveris said that politicians had to take a decision on the necessity of Ombudsman in Latvia. So far about the necessity of such an institution is discussed only theoretically and no practical action to establish such a thing had been taken. Neatkariga

Writing about the conference "Establishment of Ombudsmanship in Latvia" and the institution of Ombudsman as such Z.Katc in

Writing about the conference "Establishment of Ombudsmanship in Latvia" and the institution of Ombudsman as such Z.Katc in Respublika says that at first people have to ask questions – what will be the authorities of the Head of Ombudsman and his office. Will they be wider that the ones of Human Rights Office? Will a new institution be created? At the same time the Parliament did not ratify the Framework Convention on National minorities. And will be implemented another CoE recommendation – to ratify European Social Chart?

Russian speaking newspaper

Russian speaking newspaper Vesti Segodnya states that the Baltic Assembly has turned into a political tourism for wandering parliamentarians who like official dinners and demarches and asks whether it is not the right time to close this banquet.

18% of Latvian citizens and every second non-citizen support the idea to join the CIS. These data were collected during the opinion poll within the program “On the Way to a Civic Society”. Most of citizens who support this idea are low-income people, residing outside Riga, as well as young people in the age group of 15 – 30.

18% of Latvian citizens and every second non-citizen support the idea to join the CIS. These data were collected during the opinion poll within the program On the Way to a Civic Society. Most of citizens who support this idea are low-income people, residing outside Riga, as well as young people in the age group of 15 – 30. Vesti Segodnya

 

During the next year only 20% of non-citizens plan to get naturalized, 72% do not plan anything and 8% have not thought about it. These are also the data collected by the same opinion poll.

During the next year only 20% of non-citizens plan to get naturalized, 72% do not plan anything and 8% have not thought about it. These are also the data collected by the same opinion poll. Vesti Segodnya

Latvian prime minister Andris Berzins on Tuesday will host dinner for ambassadors from European Union (EU) member and candidate states accredited in Latvia to exchange opinion about Latvia's progress in pre-accession talks during Sweden's presidency term about to end. Dinner will be attended by ambassador from the EU member and candidate states resident in Riga as well as Belgium ambassador Louis Engelen as Belgium will be the next EU presiding country, the Latvian government press service reported to

Latvian prime minister Andris Berzins on Tuesday will host dinner for ambassadors from European Union (EU) member and candidate states accredited in Latvia to exchange opinion about Latvia's progress in pre-accession talks during Sweden's presidency term about to end. Dinner will be attended by ambassador from the EU member and candidate states resident in Riga as well as Belgium ambassador Louis Engelen as Belgium will be the next EU presiding country, the Latvian government press service reported to BNS. On June 15 and 16 Latvian premier Andris Berzins and foreign minister Indulis Berzins at the invitation of Swedish premier Goran Persson will join the closing ceremony of Sweden's six-month EU presidency term in Gothenburg. BNS

NATO: citizenship to all! This is the title of article in

NATO: citizenship to all! This is the title of article in Vesti Segodnya where A.Arkadyev writes about the visit of American senator B.Jackson. He assured that Latvias joining NATO was very soon but the major problem on the way was the rights of the Russian speakers in Latvia. He repeated that the USA and other countries wanted from Latvia not just a formal integration by adopting corresponding programs, declarations, etc. but wished to see a sincere wish of state authorities to integrate national minorities. B.Jackson said that for the next 18 months they would put a special pressure on Estonia and Latvia.

N.Kabanov writes that Latvian people want them, Russians, to speak the Latvian language. Not exactly the whole nation but the majority. And they are represented at the Saeima. And this problem should be dealt with. N.Kabanov states that nobody but the intellectually disturbed minority wants to learn another language. And behind the idea that everybody should speak the Latvian language state authorities are hiding assimilation – Latvianisation.

N.Kabanov writes that Latvian people want them, Russians, to speak the Latvian language. Not exactly the whole nation but the majority. And they are represented at the Saeima. And this problem should be dealt with. N.Kabanov states that nobody but the intellectually disturbed minority wants to learn another language. And behind the idea that everybody should speak the Latvian language state authorities are hiding assimilation – Latvianisation. Vesti Segodnya

The newspaper

The newspaper Diena (01.06.01) published an interview with Russian Ambassador to Latvia I.Studennikov. The Ambassador stated that in Russias relations with Latvia there was just one priority – development of relations both in political and economic spheres. Work is being done but it is important that it would proceed at the same speed both in economic and humanitarian fields. He did not deny that priority was also protection of the rights of Russians and Russian speaking Latvian citizens, non-citizens. And it was no wonder that the Ambassador was not satisfied with the decision to start from 2004 tuition in the Latvian language in all secondary schools. When speaking about economic relations the Ambassador assured that the transit through Venspils would not decrease due to construction of ports in Russia.