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

Head of the OSCE Mission to Latvia P.Semneby told

Head of the OSCE Mission to Latvia P.Semneby told Diena that operation of the Mission in Latvia would depend from the fact if it would manage to accomplish all the planned work by the end of this year. OSCE together with Latvian government plans to start a public information campaign in the nearest future to further integration. At the end of this year the OSCE will have to decide whether to extend the Missions mandate for six more months. The decision will mostly depend on the recommendations of the Mission Head on the human rights situation in Latvia. P.Semneby said that closure of the Mission was quite possible but not guaranteed yet. One of the issues still open is the implementation of the State language law. As a very sensitive issue the Mission Head mentioned last week adopted amendments to the naturalization exams. P.Semneby found those amendments to be acceptable (editors comment – the HoM actually used the wording not important in themselves) but called to abstain from any additional burdening changes in the citizenship exams in the future. The Head of the Naturalization Board E.Aldermane does not find those amendments burdening because multiple choice answers will not be offered only in some examination questions, e.g. What is the state language in Latvia? What color is the national flag of Latvia and what is the name of the State President?. Diena

Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga believes that Latvia's refusal to grant visa to non grata Moscow City executive cannot spoil the relations between Latvian and Russian and their respective capitals. Vike-Freiberga said Tuesday she wanted to see Moscow among Riga's cooperation partners and the refusal to issue a visa to Alexander Perelygin, an advisor to the Moscow mayor, who has been declared persona non grata to Latvia, cannot be the reason for spoiling the relationship. "There are no material complications on the Latvian side. The Latvian authorities made the decision compatible with international practice as regards personas non grata who due to various considerations are denied visas for a certain period," said the Latvian president in the interview to the Latvian Radio. She presumed that the Moscow mayor's office had been aware of Perelygin's non grata status when listing him among the Moscow city delegates be sent to Riga for celebration of the Latvian capital's 800th anniversary which reached its culmination last weekend. The Russian Foreign Ministry called Latvia's refusal "a purposeful unfriendly gesture" aimed against actual

Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga believes that Latvia's refusal to grant visa to non grata Moscow City executive cannot spoil the relations between Latvian and Russian and their respective capitals. Vike-Freiberga said Tuesday she wanted to see Moscow among Riga's cooperation partners and the refusal to issue a visa to Alexander Perelygin, an advisor to the Moscow mayor, who has been declared persona non grata to Latvia, cannot be the reason for spoiling the relationship. "There are no material complications on the Latvian side. The Latvian authorities made the decision compatible with international practice as regards personas non grata who due to various considerations are denied visas for a certain period," said the Latvian president in the interview to the Latvian Radio. She presumed that the Moscow mayor's office had been aware of Perelygin's non grata status when listing him among the Moscow city delegates be sent to Riga for celebration of the Latvian capital's 800th anniversary which reached its culmination last weekend. The Russian Foreign Ministry called Latvia's refusal "a purposeful unfriendly gesture" aimed against actual

cooperation projects between Riga and Moscow, vital for population of both capital cities. The Latvian Foreign Ministry said Russia's response had been too emotional and asked the neighboring country to reconsider. It also said there was no reason to reverse the decision about refusing a visa to Perelygin as the refusal was strictly in line with the Latvian law. Riga mayor Gundars Bojars was indignant over the Latvian Foreign Ministry decision, as he believed it may threaten important relations between Riga and Moscow. The mayor also said Riga should build own foreign policy including, among other things, closer cooperation with Moscow.

cooperation projects between Riga and Moscow, vital for population of both capital cities. The Latvian Foreign Ministry said Russia's response had been too emotional and asked the neighboring country to reconsider. It also said there was no reason to reverse the decision about refusing a visa to Perelygin as the refusal was strictly in line with the Latvian law. Riga mayor Gundars Bojars was indignant over the Latvian Foreign Ministry decision, as he believed it may threaten important relations between Riga and Moscow. The mayor also said Riga should build own foreign policy including, among other things, closer cooperation with Moscow. BNS, Latvijas Vestnesis

Former Latvian president Guntis Ulmanis, so far reluctant to discuss his political future said Tuesday he is considering the possibility of joining the central bank president in formation of a new right-wing party. Ulmanis told BNS he had had several meetings with Bank of Latvia president Einars Repse, who recently announced his intention to form a new party in Latvia. In future Ulmanis also expects serious talks about his possible participation in this venture.

Former Latvian president Guntis Ulmanis, so far reluctant to discuss his political future said Tuesday he is considering the possibility of joining the central bank president in formation of a new right-wing party. Ulmanis told BNS he had had several meetings with Bank of Latvia president Einars Repse, who recently announced his intention to form a new party in Latvia. In future Ulmanis also expects serious talks about his possible participation in this venture. BNS

The Latvian Foreign Ministry believes that the Russian Foreign Ministry's accusations about ill-treatment of ex-Soviet interior official and genocide convict, Mikhail Farbtukh, are inappropriate and built on non-existent "political subtexts" in the court ruling, said the Latvian Foreign Ministry state secretary Maris Riekstins. "We experienced a strange feeling when we came upon such statement by the Russian Foreign Ministry among correspondence from many countries congratulating us on the ten anniversary since restoration of Latvia's independence," the Latvian Foreign Ministry spokesman quoted Riekstins as saying.

The Latvian Foreign Ministry believes that the Russian Foreign Ministry's accusations about ill-treatment of ex-Soviet interior official and genocide convict, Mikhail Farbtukh, are inappropriate and built on non-existent "political subtexts" in the court ruling, said the Latvian Foreign Ministry state secretary Maris Riekstins. "We experienced a strange feeling when we came upon such statement by the Russian Foreign Ministry among correspondence from many countries congratulating us on the ten anniversary since restoration of Latvia's independence," the Latvian Foreign Ministry spokesman quoted Riekstins as saying. BNS

The Russian Foreign Ministry on Tuesday issued a statement accusing the Latvian authorities of ill-treating and actually torturing Farbtukh by refusing to grant him early release due to poor health. The statement said, "an 84-year-old invalid of the first degree unable to take care of himself, or simply move unaided, is in question" and called for interference by international institutions. Russia also said it was committed to defend World War Two veterans "against illegal prosecution in Latvia."

The Russian Foreign Ministry on Tuesday issued a statement accusing the Latvian authorities of ill-treating and actually torturing Farbtukh by refusing to grant him early release due to poor health. The statement said, "an 84-year-old invalid of the first degree unable to take care of himself, or simply move unaided, is in question" and called for interference by international institutions. Russia also said it was committed to defend World War Two veterans "against illegal prosecution in Latvia." BNS, Chas, Panorama Latvii

The president of the Bank of Latvia, Einars Repse, officially announced his intention of forming a new center-right political party, also naming his supporters, including influential businessmen and the leader of Latvia's Jewish society. The announcement was made on Tuesday on Latvia's 10th anniversary of restoration of Latvia's stately independence. Repse did not deny that the new party could also receive funding from businesses based in the affluent western port city of Ventspils, and the Ventspils Mayor Aivars Lembergs, considered one of the most influential political players in Latvia. Repse has also made a rather interesting offer on how to retain his political independence. If the suitable funding is raised, it would not only have to finance his future work, but also secure complete material, creative and political independence from the sponsors of the newly established party. Thus for Repse's work in the new party to be completely independent, he would be asking for a one-time, irreversible lump sum, and not being paid for any future work in the party. The amount of this lump sum was not mentioned.

The president of the Bank of Latvia, Einars Repse, officially announced his intention of forming a new center-right political party, also naming his supporters, including influential businessmen and the leader of Latvia's Jewish society. The announcement was made on Tuesday on Latvia's 10th anniversary of restoration of Latvia's stately independence. Repse did not deny that the new party could also receive funding from businesses based in the affluent western port city of Ventspils, and the Ventspils Mayor Aivars Lembergs, considered one of the most influential political players in Latvia. Repse has also made a rather interesting offer on how to retain his political independence. If the suitable funding is raised, it would not only have to finance his future work, but also secure complete material, creative and political independence from the sponsors of the newly established party. Thus for Repse's work in the new party to be completely independent, he would be asking for a one-time, irreversible lump sum, and not being paid for any future work in the party. The amount of this lump sum was not mentioned. BNS, Diena, Neatkariga, Jauna Avize, Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Panorama Latvii, Respublika

Leaders of opposition parties questioned by LETA are indignant at the Bank of Latvia president Einars Repse's claiming reward for establishing a new right-wing party. "He does not do anything without being paid, however, nobody gives money for free, only for certain political obligations," said Juris Bojars, the chairman of the Latvian Social Democratic Workers Party, who believes that Repse should "look into his own pockets, he is a no poor man" and he has got nothing to do in politics. Bojars deputy, Saeima deputy Janis Adamsons said that he has heard all kinds of nonsense, and believes that Repse's claim is an April Fool's Day joke. Adamsons says that Latvia's Way and the People's Party should fear the new party of Repse, since the two liberal parties are drained. Janis Jurkans, the head of For Human Rights In A United Latvia (PCTVL) believes that no party can be established for a reward. "This man either lacks political experience, or he has very bad advisors," said Jurkans adding that he does not mind Repse making a new party.

Leaders of opposition parties questioned by LETA are indignant at the Bank of Latvia president Einars Repse's claiming reward for establishing a new right-wing party. "He does not do anything without being paid, however, nobody gives money for free, only for certain political obligations," said Juris Bojars, the chairman of the Latvian Social Democratic Workers Party, who believes that Repse should "look into his own pockets, he is a no poor man" and he has got nothing to do in politics. Bojars deputy, Saeima deputy Janis Adamsons said that he has heard all kinds of nonsense, and believes that Repse's claim is an April Fool's Day joke. Adamsons says that Latvia's Way and the People's Party should fear the new party of Repse, since the two liberal parties are drained. Janis Jurkans, the head of For Human Rights In A United Latvia (PCTVL) believes that no party can be established for a reward. "This man either lacks political experience, or he has very bad advisors," said Jurkans adding that he does not mind Repse making a new party. LETA

Latvia on Tuesday marked the tenth anniversary since restoration of its independence and statehood with officials making speeches about the need to continue the movement towards the European Union (EU) and NATO and to improve relations with Russia. Latvian parliament chairman Janis Straume at the parliament meeting Tuesday said the constitutional law about the Latvian state, adopted on Aug.21, 1991, marked a turning point in the history of Latvia and Europe. Latvian premier Andris Berzins agreed that in some periods Latvian-Russian relations had been dormant but have become active lately. The presidents of the two countries met in Austria, and Latvian-Russian intergovernmental commission has resumed its work. Berzins expressed hope that Latvia and Russian will soon sign the prepared intergovernmental agreements about social and economic issues.

Latvia on Tuesday marked the tenth anniversary since restoration of its independence and statehood with officials making speeches about the need to continue the movement towards the European Union (EU) and NATO and to improve relations with Russia. Latvian parliament chairman Janis Straume at the parliament meeting Tuesday said the constitutional law about the Latvian state, adopted on Aug.21, 1991, marked a turning point in the history of Latvia and Europe. Latvian premier Andris Berzins agreed that in some periods Latvian-Russian relations had been dormant but have become active lately. The presidents of the two countries met in Austria, and Latvian-Russian intergovernmental commission has resumed its work. Berzins expressed hope that Latvia and Russian will soon sign the prepared intergovernmental agreements about social and economic issues. BNS

A press briefing is scheduled for Minister of Foreign Affairs Indulis Berzins at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at 1 p.m. today. The minister will inform about pending foreign policy developments this fall.

A press briefing is scheduled for Minister of Foreign Affairs Indulis Berzins at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at 1 p.m. today. The minister will inform about pending foreign policy developments this fall. LETA

The social democrats, holding the most seats and Mayor's post on the city council in Latvia's capital Riga, wants to meet with the leaders of the for Fatherland and Freedom (FF)/LNNK party in an attempt at finding out whether they do or do not want to continue cooperation on the city council. Right-from-center FF/LNNK announced last night that they would be breaking the city council coalition, but hold on to the deputy mayor's post and committee chairs. The social democrats have said that if FF/LNNK does not agree to cooperation, then the social democrats will not allow them to hold on to the leading posts in the council's structures.

The social democrats, holding the most seats and Mayor's post on the city council in Latvia's capital Riga, wants to meet with the leaders of the for Fatherland and Freedom (FF)/LNNK party in an attempt at finding out whether they do or do not want to continue cooperation on the city council. Right-from-center FF/LNNK announced last night that they would be breaking the city council coalition, but hold on to the deputy mayor's post and committee chairs. The social democrats have said that if FF/LNNK does not agree to cooperation, then the social democrats will not allow them to hold on to the leading posts in the council's structures. BNS, Diena, Jauna Avize,

Soon it will be decided whether 5 MP from the former New Party faction will join Latvian Farmers’ Union. Among those 5 is also the former Chairman of the party R.Pauls.

Soon it will be decided whether 5 MP from the former New Party faction will join Latvian Farmers Union. Among those 5 is also the former Chairman of the party R.Pauls. Diena