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

Latvian Foreign Ministry Monday expressed surprise and concern over the statements made by Russian President Vladimir Putin in Helsinki about treatment of ethnic minorities in the Baltic States. Putin during his visit to Helsinki draw parallels between the situation of Russian-speakers in Latvia and that of Albanian minority in Macedonia in a statement which that Latvian Foreign Ministry said won't promote public integration in Latvia. Latvian Foreign Ministry spokesman Vilmars Henins told BNS that the Latvian government had a clear-cut position in this matter -- public integration based on principles of democracy and human rights. Latvia's foreign partners and experts from international organizations had approved this approach as the right way, added Henins.

Latvian Foreign Ministry Monday expressed surprise and concern over the statements made by Russian President Vladimir Putin in Helsinki about treatment of ethnic minorities in the Baltic States. Putin during his visit to Helsinki draw parallels between the situation of Russian-speakers in Latvia and that of Albanian minority in Macedonia in a statement which that Latvian Foreign Ministry said won't promote public integration in Latvia. Latvian Foreign Ministry spokesman Vilmars Henins told BNS that the Latvian government had a clear-cut position in this matter -- public integration based on principles of democracy and human rights. Latvia's foreign partners and experts from international organizations had approved this approach as the right way, added Henins. BNS

During his visit to Helsinki on Monday, Putin said Russia would not put any pressure on the Baltic countries to solve humanitarian problems, primarily the problem of ethnic Russians. Nevertheless, he referred to Albanian minority in Macedonia demanding special representation in parliament and a solution of the language-related and other problems and wondered why the Baltic States could not adopt the same approach in respect of their much more numerous Russian-speaking communities. The Russian president also suggested the Baltic countries should follow the example of Finland, which had a Swedish minority, and the Swedish language had been declared as the second official language. In addition, Putin stated that expanding NATO to include the Baltic States would be a "mistake" which would not enhance European security.

During his visit to Helsinki on Monday, Putin said Russia would not put any pressure on the Baltic countries to solve humanitarian problems, primarily the problem of ethnic Russians. Nevertheless, he referred to Albanian minority in Macedonia demanding special representation in parliament and a solution of the language-related and other problems and wondered why the Baltic States could not adopt the same approach in respect of their much more numerous Russian-speaking communities. The Russian president also suggested the Baltic countries should follow the example of Finland, which had a Swedish minority, and the Swedish language had been declared as the second official language. In addition, Putin stated that expanding NATO to include the Baltic States would be a "mistake" which would not enhance European security. BNS, Lauku Avize, Neatkariga, Respublika, Chas, Vesti Segodnya

Diena writes that Putin did not manage to receive official support from Finland to Russian objections to the participation of Baltic States in NATO.

Diena writes that Putin did not manage to receive official support from Finland to Russian objections to the participation of Baltic States in NATO.

Canadian foreign minister John Manley will make an official visit to Latvia on Sept. 7 and 8 reported the Latvian Foreign Ministry. Manley will meet with top Latvian officials to discuss the European Union (EU) and NATO enlargement and other vital issues.

Canadian foreign minister John Manley will make an official visit to Latvia on Sept. 7 and 8 reported the Latvian Foreign Ministry. Manley will meet with top Latvian officials to discuss the European Union (EU) and NATO enlargement and other vital issues. BNS

An influential German politician, Schleswig-Holstein federal land premier Heide Simonis, will make a working visit to Latvia this week, reported a spokesman for the Latvian Prime Minister. Simonis will stay in Latvia from Sept. 4 to 6 to discuss with Latvian officials latest international developments as well as German-Latvian economic and political relations.

An influential German politician, Schleswig-Holstein federal land premier Heide Simonis, will make a working visit to Latvia this week, reported a spokesman for the Latvian Prime Minister. Simonis will stay in Latvia from Sept. 4 to 6 to discuss with Latvian officials latest international developments as well as German-Latvian economic and political relations. BNS

Ambassador H.G.Vieck, Head of OSCE Consultative and Supervisory Group to Byelorussia describes the pre-election situation in this country and states that although the opposition leader V.Goncharik has challenged President A.Lukashenko, all indications show that Lukashenko will have a Soviet style victory. Nevertheless the opposition managed to unite, and the reasons for this unity are decline of economy and Lukashenko’s dictatorship.

Ambassador H.G.Vieck, Head of OSCE Consultative and Supervisory Group to Byelorussia describes the pre-election situation in this country and states that although the opposition leader V.Goncharik has challenged President A.Lukashenko, all indications show that Lukashenko will have a Soviet style victory. Nevertheless the opposition managed to unite, and the reasons for this unity are decline of economy and Lukashenkos dictatorship. Diena

Latvian Prime Minister A.Berzins will participate in a forum on the development of the Baltic Region that will take place September 23 – 25 in St.Petersburg.

Latvian Prime Minister A.Berzins will participate in a forum on the development of the Baltic Region that will take place September 23 – 25 in St.Petersburg. Vesti Segodnya

Cabinet of Ministers finally adopted the regulations on spelling foreign proper names in the Latvian language. According to these regulations an official system of spelling names and family names is being introduced.

Cabinet of Ministers finally adopted the regulations on spelling foreign proper names in the Latvian language. According to these regulations an official system of spelling names and family names is being introduced. Vesti Segodnya, Respublika

On September 10 at the National Human Rights Office Director O.Bruveris will meet heads of state institutions and local governments under whose competence is to consider complains of population. O.Bruveris informed that in order to improve consideration of complains and observation of human rights NHRO intends to establish Coordinative Council of heads of the responsible state and municipal structures. Foreign experts during their visit to Latvia pointed out that activities of different institutions overlap when considering complains.

On September 10 at the National Human Rights Office Director O.Bruveris will meet heads of state institutions and local governments under whose competence is to consider complains of population. O.Bruveris informed that in order to improve consideration of complains and observation of human rights NHRO intends to establish Coordinative Council of heads of the responsible state and municipal structures. Foreign experts during their visit to Latvia pointed out that activities of different institutions overlap when considering complains. Vesti Segodnya

Newspaper

Newspaper Chas journalist interviewed Director of Riga Secondary School No 40. G.Yefremova, also about the bilingual education system. G.Yefremova found this system a positive thing when you understand it as knowledge of two or more languages, but when it is seen just as a transition from one tuition language to other – questions arise. The school has submitted for licensing to the Ministry of Education and Science an education program where are described blocks of subjects: some subjects are taught in Russian, some in Latvian and some in English language. The state should have only one interest – let secondary school graduates be able to enter higher education institutions. But means to achieve this goal could be different. Too much rush with billingualism could give just the opposite result. Chas

Yesterday Minister of Justice I.Labucka reported at the government meeting on implementation of public integration program. Ministry’s opinion is that there was no united opinion on the mechanism of delegating from regional to local governments and NGOs because local governments and organizations themselves did not have a united structure. And the Ministry urgently needed 400 000 USD from UN. Minister was of very high opinion on Latvian Integration Program because it was meant to integrate the whole Latvian society.

Yesterday Minister of Justice I.Labucka reported at the government meeting on implementation of public integration program. Ministrys opinion is that there was no united opinion on the mechanism of delegating from regional to local governments and NGOs because local governments and organizations themselves did not have a united structure. And the Ministry urgently needed 400 000 USD from UN. Minister was of very high opinion on Latvian Integration Program because it was meant to integrate the whole Latvian society. Vesti Segodnya

A.Arkadyev in

A.Arkadyev in Vesti Segodnya comments the information given by the newspaper Diena that 75% of all first grade students have chosen Latvian schools. He writes that in this country without participation and agreement of Russian-speakers has been established such a legal base that quite often does not give a right to chose the language of tuition. Now parents simply do not know what will be the future of Russian school if any. Many parents are afraid to send their children to Russian schools because they are not sure that within current situation they will receive qualitative, competitive education. In spite of the official propaganda on achievements of integration program, Europe is beginning to understand the real situation in Latvia - EU countries do not rush to transfer money to Integration Fund. Vesti Segodnya