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

An official parliament meeting and laying flowers at the Freedom Monument in Riga, as well as other events will mark the celebration of Latvia's 10th anniversary since the constitutional restoration of independence of the Republic of Latvia, a crucial turning point in the struggle for regaining an independent state. Latvia's high officials, former Supreme Council and government members, as well as foreign diplomats and parliament representatives will be attending the parliament meeting on August 21 with a speech by Parliament Speaker Janis Straume and the former chairman of the Supreme Council, Anatolijs Gorbunovs. The events will also be attended by parliament speakers from Estonia, Poland, Finland, Sweden, Norway and

An official parliament meeting and laying flowers at the Freedom Monument in Riga, as well as other events will mark the celebration of Latvia's 10th anniversary since the constitutional restoration of independence of the Republic of Latvia, a crucial turning point in the struggle for regaining an independent state. Latvia's high officials, former Supreme Council and government members, as well as foreign diplomats and parliament representatives will be attending the parliament meeting on August 21 with a speech by Parliament Speaker Janis Straume and the former chairman of the Supreme Council, Anatolijs Gorbunovs. The events will also be attended by parliament speakers from Estonia, Poland, Finland, Sweden, Norway and

Denmark, as well as the deputy speaker from Lithuania and Lithuania's former Supreme council chairman Vitautas Landsbergis, former Lithuanian prime ministers Kazimira Prunskiene and Gediminas Vagnoris and the head of the Czech Republic President office, Ivo Mathe.

Denmark, as well as the deputy speaker from Lithuania and Lithuania's former Supreme council chairman Vitautas Landsbergis, former Lithuanian prime ministers Kazimira Prunskiene and Gediminas Vagnoris and the head of the Czech Republic President office, Ivo Mathe. BNS

The board of the Riga branch of the Latvian Way (LW) party, a center-right ruling government party, and its Riga City Council faction has urged the Riga Mayor, social democrat Gundars Bojars, to step down for the policies he has implemented and for being too friendly to Russia. An open letter addressed to the Riga Mayor on Monday evening names a number of actions carried out by Bojars in which LW doubts the existence of any clear policies or actions carried out by the mayor.

The board of the Riga branch of the Latvian Way (LW) party, a center-right ruling government party, and its Riga City Council faction has urged the Riga Mayor, social democrat Gundars Bojars, to step down for the policies he has implemented and for being too friendly to Russia. An open letter addressed to the Riga Mayor on Monday evening names a number of actions carried out by Bojars in which LW doubts the existence of any clear policies or actions carried out by the mayor. BNS, Diena

The board of Latvia's right-from-center for Fatherland and Freedom (FF)/LNNK party decided on Monday evening to break the coalition agreement with the social democrats on cooperation in the Riga City Council and renounce its representatives from the coalition council, but not from their posts, reported party chairman Maris Grinblats. The almost unanimous decision motivated by "countless unacceptable actions from the social democrats," like the mess in Dome Square during the presentation concert of the Russian newspaper Moskovsky Komsomolets Baltic edition, Russian youth demonstrations in Mezaparks, Riga, inviting Moscow city council representative and former KGB general Alexander Perelygin to the Riga 800 anniversary celebrations, and finally secretly erecting a statue of Peter the Great, a Russian tzar, in central Riga during the Riga 800 celebrations. FF/LNNK is against both the close relations between the social democrats and the left-wing alliance, and the council's attempts at establishing its own foreign policy.

The board of Latvia's right-from-center for Fatherland and Freedom (FF)/LNNK party decided on Monday evening to break the coalition agreement with the social democrats on cooperation in the Riga City Council and renounce its representatives from the coalition council, but not from their posts, reported party chairman Maris Grinblats. The almost unanimous decision motivated by "countless unacceptable actions from the social democrats," like the mess in Dome Square during the presentation concert of the Russian newspaper Moskovsky Komsomolets Baltic edition, Russian youth demonstrations in Mezaparks, Riga, inviting Moscow city council representative and former KGB general Alexander Perelygin to the Riga 800 anniversary celebrations, and finally secretly erecting a statue of Peter the Great, a Russian tzar, in central Riga during the Riga 800 celebrations. FF/LNNK is against both the close relations between the social democrats and the left-wing alliance, and the council's attempts at establishing its own foreign policy. BNS, Diena, Neatkariga, Vesti Segodnya, Chas

In order to promote the faster naturalization of non-citizens in Latvia, the Latvian government and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) mission in Latvia plan to stage soon a broad information campaign, reported the head of the OSCE mission in Latvia, Peter Semneby. After having met Latvia's Prime Minister Andris Berzins, Semneby said "We hope that it will have the sought for effect," adding "the pace of naturalization points to what extent people feel at home in the Latvian society." Russia has previously criticized the slow naturalization process in Latvia, despite the fact that the government has reduced the fees and eased the process of gaining citizenship. Nevertheless, the OSCE mission leader commented on Russia's accusations of human rights violations against Latvia's Russian-speaking population by saying, "I don't think that Russia's accusations have any grounds, although there are still a few things Latvia must settle." The OSCE plans to submit the government with recommendations for education, based on independent research. The main thing is the quality of education, claimed Semneby - "So that teachers, who are forced to learn Latvian, can do it qualitatively. No matter what changes occur in the educational system, the quality must not suffer." Semneby considers that communication with society at the beginning of reforms as an important factor for the

In order to promote the faster naturalization of non-citizens in Latvia, the Latvian government and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) mission in Latvia plan to stage soon a broad information campaign, reported the head of the OSCE mission in Latvia, Peter Semneby. After having met Latvia's Prime Minister Andris Berzins, Semneby said "We hope that it will have the sought for effect," adding "the pace of naturalization points to what extent people feel at home in the Latvian society." Russia has previously criticized the slow naturalization process in Latvia, despite the fact that the government has reduced the fees and eased the process of gaining citizenship. Nevertheless, the OSCE mission leader commented on Russia's accusations of human rights violations against Latvia's Russian-speaking population by saying, "I don't think that Russia's accusations have any grounds, although there are still a few things Latvia must settle." The OSCE plans to submit the government with recommendations for education, based on independent research. The main thing is the quality of education, claimed Semneby - "So that teachers, who are forced to learn Latvian, can do it qualitatively. No matter what changes occur in the educational system, the quality must not suffer." Semneby considers that communication with society at the beginning of reforms as an important factor for the

successful integration of societies, "By informing of the strategic targets of reform - why it’s needed." In this sphere the government has not done enough, believes Semneby. Semneby said that ensuring constant development has been the most important in the work of his mission up until it is closed. "[The mission] will not manage to solve all the problems, but we must be sure that reforms launched and their direction will continue even after the mission is closed," said Semneby. Latvia's Prime Minister met with Semneby of the OSCE on Monday to discuss issues of cooperation between Latvia and the OSCE. The OSCE has been mainly concerned with naturalization and citizenship issues in Latvia, while lately it has also been involved in the process of forming an ombudsman institution and strengthening other human rights institutions. The OSCE mission also monitors the implementation of the state language law in Latvia. Latvia hopes that the OSCE mission will be closed at the end of this year together with the mission in Estonia, hinting at the fact that the OSCE sees no serious problems in the sphere of human rights.

successful integration of societies, "By informing of the strategic targets of reform - why its needed." In this sphere the government has not done enough, believes Semneby. Semneby said that ensuring constant development has been the most important in the work of his mission up until it is closed. "[The mission] will not manage to solve all the problems, but we must be sure that reforms launched and their direction will continue even after the mission is closed," said Semneby. Latvia's Prime Minister met with Semneby of the OSCE on Monday to discuss issues of cooperation between Latvia and the OSCE. The OSCE has been mainly concerned with naturalization and citizenship issues in Latvia, while lately it has also been involved in the process of forming an ombudsman institution and strengthening other human rights institutions. The OSCE mission also monitors the implementation of the state language law in Latvia. Latvia hopes that the OSCE mission will be closed at the end of this year together with the mission in Estonia, hinting at the fact that the OSCE sees no serious problems in the sphere of human rights. BNS

Political scientist A.Pabriks writes that 10 years after Latvia escaped from the Soviet Union there had to be two basic values for Latvia to observe: 1) free, European and democratic Latvia; 2) Latvian language as the only all-round language in this state. “Only by uniting society around these values we would create criteria for long time existence. In the Baltic Region the language is the factor determining our nationality. If a person can not speak Latvian he is a “stranger”. It means that also a Russian, Byelorussian, German, etc, if he speaks Latvian he is looked upon as “ours””. According to the latest statistics there are 62% of such people in Latvia. Although the Latvian language is the language of majority, its development is not imaginary in the completely free culture market. Thus state’s interference in the language and culture environment is not an anti-liberal feature. Just the opposite – the goal of such interference is one of the basic values of European culture – equality. And if we want those people who do not speak the Latvian language to master it we should motive them not to punish.

Political scientist A.Pabriks writes that 10 years after Latvia escaped from the Soviet Union there had to be two basic values for Latvia to observe: 1) free, European and democratic Latvia; 2) Latvian language as the only all-round language in this state. Only by uniting society around these values we would create criteria for long time existence. In the Baltic Region the language is the factor determining our nationality. If a person can not speak Latvian he is a stranger. It means that also a Russian, Byelorussian, German, etc, if he speaks Latvian he is looked upon as ours. According to the latest statistics there are 62% of such people in Latvia. Although the Latvian language is the language of majority, its development is not imaginary in the completely free culture market. Thus states interference in the language and culture environment is not an anti-liberal feature. Just the opposite – the goal of such interference is one of the basic values of European culture – equality. And if we want those people who do not speak the Latvian language to master it we should motive them not to punish. Diena

Two U.S. Republican senators and active supporters of the Baltic NATO bid, Richard G. Lugar and John McCain will be arriving in Latvia this weekend on an official visit, reports the Latvian president's office. The senators are set to meet President Vaira Vike-Freiberga, as well as the Prime Minister Andris Berzins.

Two U.S. Republican senators and active supporters of the Baltic NATO bid, Richard G. Lugar and John McCain will be arriving in Latvia this weekend on an official visit, reports the Latvian president's office. The senators are set to meet President Vaira Vike-Freiberga, as well as the Prime Minister Andris Berzins.

Control Commission of Social Democrats will call MP J.Leja to recall his signature under the letter of Publisher A.Garda to EU Commissioner G.Verheugen. J.Leja informed Press Agency LETA that he did not intend to recall his signature because he had not violated ether the program or statutes of the Party.

Control Commission of Social Democrats will call MP J.Leja to recall his signature under the letter of Publisher A.Garda to EU Commissioner G.Verheugen. J.Leja informed Press Agency LETA that he did not intend to recall his signature because he had not violated ether the program or statutes of the Party. Diena, Jauna Avize, Lauku Avize

Jauna Avize

published an open letter of A.Garda where he answers to the accusations made by journalist J.Streips. A.Garda insisted that Latvia should be decolonised. published an open letter of A.Garda where he answers to the accusations made by journalist J.Streips. A.Garda insisted that Latvia should be decolonised. Newspaper

Newspaper Lauku Avize interviewed several known people in Latvia about the threat to Latvias existance as a national state. All these people agreed that such a threat existed and would exist until Latvia joined NATO. Publicist V.Lacis thinks that that there is a great danger not only from the growth of Russias government imperialistic intentions but also from the same thing in the Russian community in Latvia. It is becoming more and more organised.

Lauku Avize

asked MPs and security police officers what they thought about the movement Solidarnostj. D.Kudums from FF/LNNK said that from time to time such organisations appeared. It would be god if the goal of such organisations were to make common cause between national minorities and Latvian nation, but Solidarnostj was more likely acting to oppose nations. Dz.Abikis thinks that somebody from aside manages this organisation; it is not an initiative of those youngsters themselves. J.Pliner, For Human Rights in United Latvia has read about it only in the mass media. If those youngsters are not manipulated with and if they try to achieve their goals with democratic means, it is a good thing. G.Rutkis Deputy Head of Security Police said that they had examined the registration of this organisation and found just some formal violations but concerning the event in Mezaparks, it had turned out opposite to what was stated. Instead of the announced goal to further integration and support Latvias movement towards NATO the event took a completely different direction. asked MPs and security police officers what they thought about the movement Solidarnostj. D.Kudums from FF/LNNK said that from time to time such organisations appeared. It would be god if the goal of such organisations were to make common cause between national minorities and Latvian nation, but Solidarnostj was more likely acting to oppose nations. Dz.Abikis thinks that somebody from aside manages this organisation; it is not an initiative of those youngsters themselves. J.Pliner, For Human Rights in United Latvia has read about it only in the mass media. If those youngsters are not manipulated with and if they try to achieve their goals with democratic means, it is a good thing. G.Rutkis Deputy Head of Security Police said that they had examined the registration of this organisation and found just some formal violations but concerning the event in Mezaparks, it had turned out opposite to what was stated. Instead of the announced goal to further integration and support Latvia’s movement towards NATO the event took a completely different direction. Newspaper

Newspaper Chas has received information that State Enterprise Register addressed Security police with a request to examine the activities of youth movement Solidarnostj. It is possible that after this the movement cold lose its official status. The leader of Solidarnostj I.Stalnoy said that they had nothing to be afraid of and such activities of state authorities proved that they lived under a regime.

Latvian Social Democratic Workers’ Party Chairman J.Bojars was surprised about the statement made by one of Party’s leaders J.Adamsons that Social Democrats would unite with J.Jurkans’s People’s Harmony Party. J.Bojars assured that none of Social Democrats decision taking institutions had discussed such a possibility.

Latvian Social Democratic Workers Party Chairman J.Bojars was surprised about the statement made by one of Partys leaders J.Adamsons that Social Democrats would unite with J.Jurkanss Peoples Harmony Party. J.Bojars assured that none of Social Democrats decision taking institutions had discussed such a possibility. Rigas Balss