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

Latvia's Prime Minister Andris Berzins and Germany's President Johannes Rau met in Riga on Saturday and discussed the future structure of Europe, noting that the opinions of both on this issue are similar, reported the Latvian Prime Minister's foreign advisor. Germany's president said that "Europe will have no future, if it is formed upon the principles of federalism," reported the Prime Minister. The European Union "must be built as a union of national countries, so that national countries have the chance to implement their own functions," and strictly separate these from central EU functions, the prime minister said of the German president's opinion.

Latvia's Prime Minister Andris Berzins and Germany's President Johannes Rau met in Riga on Saturday and discussed the future structure of Europe, noting that the opinions of both on this issue are similar, reported the Latvian Prime Minister's foreign advisor. Germany's president said that "Europe will have no future, if it is formed upon the principles of federalism," reported the Prime Minister. The European Union "must be built as a union of national countries, so that national countries have the chance to implement their own functions," and strictly separate these from central EU functions, the prime minister said of the German president's opinion. BNS

Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania and Germany are tied not only by the "Mare Balticum" as countries of the Baltic Sea region, their close and common values, and their common future aims, said Latvia's President Vaira Vike-Freiberga addressing the president's of Germany, Estonia and Lithuania at a Luncheon in Riga on Saturday." The Baltic states are ready to take care of our continent's security and stability. We want to join the community of countries with whom we are tied and united in common values. Consequent integration in the European Union and NATO are not only Latvia's, Lithuania's and Estonia’s strategic aims. These issues have become a part of life for

Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania and Germany are tied not only by the "Mare Balticum" as countries of the Baltic Sea region, their close and common values, and their common future aims, said Latvia's President Vaira Vike-Freiberga addressing the president's of Germany, Estonia and Lithuania at a Luncheon in Riga on Saturday." The Baltic states are ready to take care of our continent's security and stability. We want to join the community of countries with whom we are tied and united in common values. Consequent integration in the European Union and NATO are not only Latvia's, Lithuania's and Estonias strategic aims. These issues have become a part of life for

these countries and societies," said Vike-Freiberga, emphasising that only by becoming a member of the EU and NATO will Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia completely be part of the space of security and stability.

these countries and societies," said Vike-Freiberga, emphasising that only by becoming a member of the EU and NATO will Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia completely be part of the space of security and stability. BNS

A number of politicians in Latvia expressed protest on Friday against the actions of the Riga City Council in erecting a renewed statue of Peter the Great, a former Russian Tsar. The statue was placed in a central park in Riga last night, right in front of the Riga Freeport administration building in the canal-side Kronvalda Park. For now it is expected that the statue will stay there for only a couple of days. The state cultural monument protection office claims that the City Council's actions of secretly erecting the statue at night brings shame to the council, planning to request the Riga council explain its actions of placing an "object in the grass", which can't even really be called a statue. Latvia's Prime Minister also claims that the Riga City Council's actions of erecting the statue without consulting the cultural monument protection office as a sign of totalitarianism. The city council's People's Party faction claims that the move is a stately unacceptable decision, claiming that erecting a statue symbolising imperialism is yet another sign of the foreign policy beliefs held by the majority of the Riga City Council. Meanwhile, right-wing for Fatherland and Freedom (FF)/LNNK, in coalition with the Latvian Social democratic Workers Party at the Riga council, expressed upset over the actions of the social democrats, and will be deciding on whether to continue Cupertino with the said party. Riga Mayor, Gundars Bojars, is not commenting the accusations made by FF/LNNK until he receives anything official from them.

A number of politicians in Latvia expressed protest on Friday against the actions of the Riga City Council in erecting a renewed statue of Peter the Great, a former Russian Tsar. The statue was placed in a central park in Riga last night, right in front of the Riga Freeport administration building in the canal-side Kronvalda Park. For now it is expected that the statue will stay there for only a couple of days. The state cultural monument protection office claims that the City Council's actions of secretly erecting the statue at night brings shame to the council, planning to request the Riga council explain its actions of placing an "object in the grass", which can't even really be called a statue. Latvia's Prime Minister also claims that the Riga City Council's actions of erecting the statue without consulting the cultural monument protection office as a sign of totalitarianism. The city council's People's Party faction claims that the move is a stately unacceptable decision, claiming that erecting a statue symbolising imperialism is yet another sign of the foreign policy beliefs held by the majority of the Riga City Council. Meanwhile, right-wing for Fatherland and Freedom (FF)/LNNK, in coalition with the Latvian Social democratic Workers Party at the Riga council, expressed upset over the actions of the social democrats, and will be deciding on whether to continue Cupertino with the said party. Riga Mayor, Gundars Bojars, is not commenting the accusations made by FF/LNNK until he receives anything official from them. BNS, Diena, Neatkariga, Lauku Avize, Panorama Latvii, Chas, Vesti Segodnya

The Riga Latgale district court repeatedly refused a request filed by the Matiss Prison administration, asking for an early release of Mihail Farbtuh, an ex-Soviet Partisan sentenced for Genocide in Latvia. The court reported that the case was refused at a court hearing held at the prison. Farbtuh's lawyer is not commenting the refusal and has not said whether he will again appeal. The deputy head of the Prison Board, Aleksandrs Tocelovskis, told BNS that Farbtuh's health is not getting any better, but that such conclusions are for the medics to make. Farbtuh had apparently taken the court decision calmly. Meanwhile, Riga Mayor Gundars Bojars, of the social democrats, claims that attempts at politicising the statue at its current location is "politically short-sighted and foolish."

The Riga Latgale district court repeatedly refused a request filed by the Matiss Prison administration, asking for an early release of Mihail Farbtuh, an ex-Soviet Partisan sentenced for Genocide in Latvia. The court reported that the case was refused at a court hearing held at the prison. Farbtuh's lawyer is not commenting the refusal and has not said whether he will again appeal. The deputy head of the Prison Board, Aleksandrs Tocelovskis, told BNS that Farbtuh's health is not getting any better, but that such conclusions are for the medics to make. Farbtuh had apparently taken the court decision calmly. Meanwhile, Riga Mayor Gundars Bojars, of the social democrats, claims that attempts at politicising the statue at its current location is "politically short-sighted and foolish." BNS, Panorama Latvii

Latvia is interested in seeing itself even higher on Germany's list of foreign policy priorities, said Latvia's Foreign Minister Indulis Berzins upon meeting the German Bundestag's German-Baltic Cupertino group delegation leader Dr. Wolfgang von Stetten in Riga Friday. Latvia's Foreign Ministry reported that the meeting touched upon mutual Cupertino perspectives and Latvia's foreign policy priorities of EU and NATO integration. Berzins spoke of Germany's important role in the implementation

Latvia is interested in seeing itself even higher on Germany's list of foreign policy priorities, said Latvia's Foreign Minister Indulis Berzins upon meeting the German Bundestag's German-Baltic Cupertino group delegation leader Dr. Wolfgang von Stetten in Riga Friday. Latvia's Foreign Ministry reported that the meeting touched upon mutual Cupertino perspectives and Latvia's foreign policy priorities of EU and NATO integration. Berzins spoke of Germany's important role in the implementation

of Latvia's foreign policy targets. Both officials said that Latvian and German bilateral relations are good and are continuing to develop in an active way. Germany is also one of Latvia's main economic partners.

of Latvia's foreign policy targets. Both officials said that Latvian and German bilateral relations are good and are continuing to develop in an active way. Germany is also one of Latvia's main economic partners. BNS

Latvia's President Vaira Vike-Freiberga and the King of Sweden, Karl Gustav XVI spoke of the Riga 800 anniversary celebrations during their meeting in the Riga Castle Friday, Sweden's King showing great interest in the economy of Latvia. Latvia's presidential spokesperson said that King Karl Gustav was also interested in the Stockholm School of Economics which he opened together with Latvia's former President Guntis Ulmanis, and plans to visit on Friday afternoon. He made a joke in saying that he often participates in the opening of various things, but seldom manages

Latvia's President Vaira Vike-Freiberga and the King of Sweden, Karl Gustav XVI spoke of the Riga 800 anniversary celebrations during their meeting in the Riga Castle Friday, Sweden's King showing great interest in the economy of Latvia. Latvia's presidential spokesperson said that King Karl Gustav was also interested in the Stockholm School of Economics which he opened together with Latvia's former President Guntis Ulmanis, and plans to visit on Friday afternoon. He made a joke in saying that he often participates in the opening of various things, but seldom manages

to see how they actually function in real life. The two also discussed the effect of globalisation on the economy, especially in relation to Europe. Vike-Freiberga thanked Sweden's royal family for charity they have carried out in Latvia.

to see how they actually function in real life. The two also discussed the effect of globalisation on the economy, especially in relation to Europe. Vike-Freiberga thanked Sweden's royal family for charity they have carried out in Latvia. BNS

Although the opinion expressed by Deputy Chairman of Latvian Social Democratic Workers’ Party J.Adamsons that Social Democrats would unite with People’s Harmony Party, led by J.Jurkans, is not taken seriously either by Social Democrats themselves or Jurkans’s party members, political scientist J.Ikstens thinks that this statement has some grounds. The latest activities of Social Democrats show that they are changing their foreign policy priorities.

Although the opinion expressed by Deputy Chairman of Latvian Social Democratic Workers Party J.Adamsons that Social Democrats would unite with Peoples Harmony Party, led by J.Jurkans, is not taken seriously either by Social Democrats themselves or Jurkanss party members, political scientist J.Ikstens thinks that this statement has some grounds. The latest activities of Social Democrats show that they are changing their foreign policy priorities. Diena, Neatkariga, Lauku Avize, Panorama Latvii, Chas, Vesti Segodnya

On Tuesday the government changed the procedure of taking the test for persons to be naturalised, stipulating that during the test of Latvian history and Satversme knowledge might be included also question with no multiple choice answers. Deputy Head of Naturalisation Board Methodology and Examination Center L.Danga explained that multiple choice answers would not b e provided for those questions that should be known for sure and providing such multiple answers would not be proper. Naturalisation Board has published a booklet with 100 possible questions from which are formed different test versions with 18 questions.

On Tuesday the government changed the procedure of taking the test for persons to be naturalised, stipulating that during the test of Latvian history and Satversme knowledge might be included also question with no multiple choice answers. Deputy Head of Naturalisation Board Methodology and Examination Center L.Danga explained that multiple choice answers would not b e provided for those questions that should be known for sure and providing such multiple answers would not be proper. Naturalisation Board has published a booklet with 100 possible questions from which are formed different test versions with 18 questions. Lauku Avize

Dr.phil. A.Gutmanis analysis the relations between Latvia and Russia. There are many appearances and many realities there. And these appearances are that these relations are bad, the key to improving them is in Latvia’s hands, etc,. And these appearances are maintained by Moscow and they correspond to Moscow’s foreign policy goals. What are the realities? Latvia is EU and NATO borderstate with Russia. And co-operation in the spheres that correspond to this status is mutually beneficial to both parties; e.g. fighting organised crime, everyday co-operation of borderguards, cross border regional co-operation.

Dr.phil. A.Gutmanis analysis the relations between Latvia and Russia. There are many appearances and many realities there. And these appearances are that these relations are bad, the key to improving them is in Latvias hands, etc,. And these appearances are maintained by Moscow and they correspond to Moscows foreign policy goals. What are the realities? Latvia is EU and NATO borderstate with Russia. And co-operation in the spheres that correspond to this status is mutually beneficial to both parties; e.g. fighting organised crime, everyday co-operation of borderguards, cross border regional co-operation. Neatkariga

Members of Russian National Bolsheviks party published a call to all Russian speakers in Latvia not to participate in Riga 800 festivity in all Russian speaking newspapers. But not all the members support this idea.

Members of Russian National Bolsheviks party published a call to all Russian speakers in Latvia not to participate in Riga 800 festivity in all Russian speaking newspapers. But not all the members support this idea. Neatkariga, Panorama Latvii, Vesti Segodnya

Russian MFA threatened to take counter measures after Latvian MFA refuse entry visa to the Councillor to Moscow City Mayor A.Pereligin. In reality it means that Russia could not issue an entry visa to some Latvian official if it wished so.

Russian MFA threatened to take counter measures after Latvian MFA refuse entry visa to the Councillor to Moscow City Mayor A.Pereligin. In reality it means that Russia could not issue an entry visa to some Latvian official if it wished so. Rigas Balss