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

On Monday Belgian Foreign Ministry State Secretary Annemie Neyts in a meeting with Latvian MPs said that Latvia has made the largest progress among the European Union candidate countries and is going ahead of schedule in the membership talks, the parliament press office reported.

On Monday Belgian Foreign Ministry State Secretary Annemie Neyts in a meeting with Latvian MPs said that Latvia has made the largest progress among the European Union candidate countries and is going ahead of schedule in the membership talks, the parliament press office reported. Diena

Diena

special correspondent from Brussels K.Plamse talks to the OSCE Mission to Latvia Head P.Semneby about how feasible is the closure of the OSCE Missions in Latvia and Estonia. special correspondent from Brussels K.Plamse talks to the OSCE Mission to Latvia Head P.Semneby about how feasible is the closure of the OSCE Missions in Latvia and Estonia. FHRUL wants to strengthen co-operation with Social Democrats not only at Riga City Council, but also to make an agreement between parties’ fractions at Saeima. Social Democrats fraction chairperson E.Baldzens states that fractions could agree on the issues that are on the pre-election program of Social Democratsthat and which would be acceptable for the partners and would not contradict to their mandate, however, Social Democrat V.Lazo said that she is strictly against the agreement between both fractions at Saeima.

FHRUL wants to strengthen co-operation with Social Democrats not only at Riga City Council, but also to make an agreement between parties fractions at Saeima. Social Democrats fraction chairperson E.Baldzens states that fractions could agree on the issues that are on the pre-election program of Social Democratsthat and which would be acceptable for the partners and would not contradict to their mandate, however, Social Democrat V.Lazo said that she is strictly against the agreement between both fractions at Saeima. Diena, Neatkariga, Chas

Riga City Mayor Social Democrat G.Bojars comments on the situation that FHRUL considers bring in changes in the forms of co-operation “I hope that FHRUL will not rush with decisions as I stay with my opinion – Riga Council is a business instrument and it should be approached and viewed as a business unit dealing with business issues”.

Riga City Mayor Social Democrat G.Bojars comments on the situation that FHRUL considers bring in changes in the forms of co-operation I hope that FHRUL will not rush with decisions as I stay with my opinion – Riga Council is a business instrument and it should be approached and viewed as a business unit dealing with business issues. Latvijas Vestnesis

33 applicants have applied to the vacancies for NGO members at the Society Integration Foundation. Diena

33 applicants have applied to the vacancies for NGO members at the Society Integration Foundation. Diena

Lauku Avize

asks few politicians to provide their definition of the term national minority. Peoples Party chairperson A.Skele states that in Latvia we have very difficult situation in this respect and he heavily doubts whether people masses that came here 20, 30, 40 years ago should be considered a minority. Prime Minister A.Berzins thinks that this issue requires careful considerations and no rush. FF/LNNK chairperson V.Balodis says that minorities in Latvia should be considered Romanians, Lives, Byelorussians, Ukrainians and not Russians. Social Democrat chairperson J.Bojars suggests to apply the term only to citizens. FHRUL leader J.Jurkans states that national minorities should be considered all nations which are not Latvians. asks few politicians to provide their definition of the term “national minority”. People’s Party chairperson A.Skele states that in Latvia we have very difficult situation in this respect and he heavily doubts whether “people masses” that came here 20, 30, 40 years ago should be considered a minority. Prime Minister A.Berzins thinks that this issue requires careful considerations and no rush. FF/LNNK chairperson V.Balodis says that minorities in Latvia should be considered Romanians, Lives, Byelorussians, Ukrainians and not Russians. Social Democrat chairperson J.Bojars suggests to apply the term only to citizens. FHRUL leader J.Jurkans states that national minorities should be considered all nations which are not Latvians.

Lauku Avize

reports about the Conference of National Minority Schools. The newspaper asked opinions of several principles of minority schools and the majority of them say that they are not ready for the transfer. reports about the Conference of National Minority Schools. The newspaper asked opinions of several principles of minority schools and the majority of them say that they are not ready for the transfer.

Lauku Avize

interviews United Kingdom Ambassador S.Nash. The Ambassador talks about the situation in the world, the projects UK implements in Latvia. interviews United Kingdom Ambassador S.Nash. The Ambassador talks about the situation in the world, the projects UK implements in Latvia. When Lauku AvizeWhen Lauku Avize journalists asked whether the Ambassador has faced the problems concerning integration of non-citizens and his vision of the solution to this problem, the Ambassador replies that the OSCE and the former HCNM Max van der Stoel have acknowledged that Latvia has done a lot in society integration. He says naturalisation has to concern the vast number of non-citizens and I am very happy that the Latvian Government with the support of UK will launch public awareness campaign this fall. It is hard to forecast the way that these problems would develop, however, I think that the differences between Latvias Latvians and other nationalities will diminish. Commenting on the integration of non-citizens, the Ambassador predicted that upon Latvia's inclusion in the EU and NATO, there will be less non-citizen opposition to the naturalisation. Nash admitted that this is not a question of a couple years, the process could last for several generations. Nash forecast that the number of non-citizens will be brought down considerably by 2004. journalists asked whether the Ambassador has faced the problems concerning integration of non-citizens and his vision of the solution to this problem, the Ambassador replies that the OSCE and the former HCNM Max van der Stoel have acknowledged that Latvia has done a lot in society integration. He says “naturalisation has to concern the vast number of non-citizens and I am very happy that the Latvian Government with the support of UK will launch public awareness campaign this fall. It is hard to forecast the way that these problems would develop, however, I think that the differences between Latvia’s Latvians and other nationalities will diminish”. Commenting on the integration of non-citizens, the Ambassador predicted that upon Latvia's inclusion in the EU and NATO, there will be less non-citizen opposition to the naturalisation. Nash admitted that this is not a question of a couple years, the process could last for several generations. Nash forecast that the number of non-citizens will be brought down considerably by 2004.

Lauku Avize

also asks whether the comparison between Latvia and Macedonia is correct and the Ambassador responses that situations are completely different. Recently the new OSCE HCNM R.Ekeus visited Latvia and said that the ideal solution would be universal standards for all national minorities. I do not think that it is so simple, as all countries have different historical backgrounds, however, we do not pay too much attention to such comparisons – we have things to do. also asks whether the comparison between Latvia and Macedonia is correct and the Ambassador responses that “situations are completely different. Recently the new OSCE HCNM R.Ekeus visited Latvia and said that the ideal solution would be universal standards for all national minorities. I do not think that it is so simple, as all countries have different historical backgrounds, however, we do not pay too much attention to such comparisons – we have things to do”. Publishing House Vieda has closed the second contest on the best draft law on decolonisation. The organisers report that about 20 people have submitted their draft.

Publishing House Vieda has closed the second contest on the best draft law on decolonisation. The organisers report that about 20 people have submitted their draft. Chas

Vesti Segodnja

informs about the new booklet Bilingual Children funded by the Soros Foundation. The booklets target audience is parents and is about how the kids, belonging to national minorities, should study the state language. The newspaper numerates several flaws in the booklet – it discusses the situation when one of the parents speaks the state language well, however, the newspaper considers that in Latvia more often there is the situation when both parents state language skills are rather poor. Also the newspaper is not satisfied with the treatment of the question regarding bilingual study books – the booklet says that books imposes frames and do not foster creative approach. The authors of the article do not like the answer to the question how important for national minorities is to preserve their identity, as the booklet says it is difficult to determine nowadays what is a national identity. informs about the new booklet “Bilingual Children” funded by the Soros Foundation. The booklet’s target audience is parents and is about how the kids, belonging to national minorities, should study the state language. The newspaper numerates several flaws in the booklet – it discusses the situation when one of the parents speaks the state language well, however, the newspaper considers that in Latvia more often there is the situation when both parents’ state language skills are rather poor. Also the newspaper is not satisfied with the treatment of the question regarding bilingual study books – the booklet says that “books imposes frames and do not foster creative approach”. The authors of the article do not like the answer to the question “how important for national minorities is to preserve their identity”, as the booklet says “it is difficult to determine nowadays what is a national identity”.