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

One of the leading FF/LNNK politicians R.Zile considers that it is not possible to form a new party in Latvia if no political party is interested in it. On Saturday’s party council meeting he said that the most interested political force to support such a process before the election of the 8th Saeima could be People’s Party which otherwise risked to stay outside the ruling coalition failing to find new allies.

One of the leading FF/LNNK politicians R.Zile considers that it is not possible to form a new party in Latvia if no political party is interested in it. On Saturdays party council meeting he said that the most interested political force to support such a process before the election of the 8th Saeima could be Peoples Party which otherwise risked to stay outside the ruling coalition failing to find new allies. Diena

FF/LNNK Liepaja Section organised two actions to attract public attention to the still existing consequences of Soviet occupation. The first action was a picket at the Russian Consulate General in Liepaja and the second was at the Monument to Defenders of Liepaja where members of Socialist Party Liepaja Section usually gather.

FF/LNNK Liepaja Section organised two actions to attract public attention to the still existing consequences of Soviet occupation. The first action was a picket at the Russian Consulate General in Liepaja and the second was at the Monument to Defenders of Liepaja where members of Socialist Party Liepaja Section usually gather. Neatkariga, Chas, Respublika

The largest program of the Soros Foundation in Latvia “Changes in education” is working for seven years utilising about 1.5 million USD per year. During the last 3 months 300 000 USD have been spent to assists Russian schools. Director of the Program G.Catlaks is sure that abolishing of Russian education in Latvia is not possible in principle unless Russians themselves do not want it. Three years ago the project “Open School” was started and were selected 37 schools and 25 kindergartens with bilingual education and an unofficial university created for them. People from these institutions come together for seminars on bilingual education, run by foreign experts, and select useful information and do homework during sessions.

The largest program of the Soros Foundation in Latvia Changes in education is working for seven years utilising about 1.5 million USD per year. During the last 3 months 300 000 USD have been spent to assists Russian schools. Director of the Program G.Catlaks is sure that abolishing of Russian education in Latvia is not possible in principle unless Russians themselves do not want it. Three years ago the project Open School was started and were selected 37 schools and 25 kindergartens with bilingual education and an unofficial university created for them. People from these institutions come together for seminars on bilingual education, run by foreign experts, and select useful information and do homework during sessions. Rigas Balss (Russian version)

A.Stroy from the newspaper

A.Stroy from the newspaper Chas interviewed the US Ambassador to Latvia J.Holmes about his open letter to this newspaper where he wrote about the situation of Russian speaking population in Latvia and interest of these people in EU problems. He would like to start a public dialog on what Russian speakers are afraid of concerning Latvias joining NATO, is there any danger to the interests of Russia if Latvia joins this organisation, is lingering with signing Latvian – Russian border agreement in interests of this part of population. The stimulus for Ambassadors letter was the Victory concert organised with the support of Russian Embassy. Answering to the question about the problems with WW II veterans in Latvia J.Holmes said that everybody who fought against Fascism should be honoured for this servicing, but he could not accept that Russian government and major part of Russian population held the opinion that service in the Soviet Army automatically took off responsibility for any criminal action. American government considers that Latvia had to trial Kononov and Farbtuh for their criminal offences during WW II. Speaking about public integration in Latvia the Ambassador said that Latvia should approach this process very creatively by trying to find new methods to encourage people. And American government participates in many projects together with such international organisations as OSCE, CoE, EU, and UNDP to further this process in Latvia.

Russian Community in Latvia published an announcement in the newspaper

Russian Community in Latvia published an announcement in the newspaper Vesti Segodnya concerning the fact of vandalism having taken place on the Soviet built Victory Monument. They state that this time was very vividly demonstrated unbreakable unity of Nationalism and Fascism. And it is no surprise when you see groups of drunken youngsters walking along the streets of Riga in front of policemen shouting Hail; selling Nazi symbols in antique shops. These people feel safe and get ready for Riga 800 festivity to demonstrate visitors their opinion. So Russian Community in Latvia warns that the collapse of Russian spirit is over and it is dangerous to test patience of Russian people.

Official representative of Russian MFA A.Jakovlenko was positive when speaking about the latest step of the Latvian government aimed to ease the procedure of naturalisation – reduce the naturalisation fee.

Official representative of Russian MFA A.Jakovlenko was positive when speaking about the latest step of the Latvian government aimed to ease the procedure of naturalisation – reduce the naturalisation fee. Vesti Segodnya

Newspaper

Newspaper Vesti Segodnya interviewed V.Sokolov the leader of the Union of citizens and non-citizens about the process if integration. V.Sokolov stated that the assumption that integration would be the final solution of Russian problem was wrong and a dangerous illusion. He pointed out that non-citizens still did not have any influence on political processes in Latvia because of no right of vote. Of course, there is some co-operation – Non-citizen Council in Venspils, similar institutions created in Rezekne and Daugavpils. But nothing like that is happening in Riga where the majority of Latvian aliens reside. Already in last November the Union sent an official letter to Riga City Council asking all deputies to express their opinion on a possibility to establish such a council. There was no response.

The Belarus Foreign Ministry has summoned its ambassador to Latvia, Mihail Marinich, in relation to his candidacy for the Belarus presidential elections, reported the Belarus Foreign Ministry on Monday. Ambassador Marinich, who recently applied for becoming a candidate in the coming Belarus presidential elections, was invited to a meeting with Belarus Foreign Minister Mihail Hostov on June 15, were he was informed of the decision. The Belarus embassy advisor, Vladimir Gromiko, has for now been appointed Ambassador in charge in Latvia.

The Belarus Foreign Ministry has summoned its ambassador to Latvia, Mihail Marinich, in relation to his candidacy for the Belarus presidential elections, reported the Belarus Foreign Ministry on Monday. Ambassador Marinich, who recently applied for becoming a candidate in the coming Belarus presidential elections, was invited to a meeting with Belarus Foreign Minister Mihail Hostov on June 15, were he was informed of the decision. The Belarus embassy advisor, Vladimir Gromiko, has for now been appointed Ambassador in charge in Latvia. BNS

Russian President V.Putin in the final press conference in Lublin reminded about the violations of rights of Russian speaking population in Latvia. Journalist A.Riskin thinks that it was Russia’s “homework” because Russia would never agree to Latvia joining NATO but the USA never listens to Russian opinion on this subject.

Russian President V.Putin in the final press conference in Lublin reminded about the violations of rights of Russian speaking population in Latvia. Journalist A.Riskin thinks that it was Russias homework because Russia would never agree to Latvia joining NATO but the USA never listens to Russian opinion on this subject. Panorama Latvii