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

High-ranking Latvian and foreign officials as well as a number of media representatives have gathered in Riga for the international conference on the Baltic membership in NATO. The conference intends to facilitate open public discussion ahead of the NATO summit in Prague and understanding of the contribution the Baltic states will

High-ranking Latvian and foreign officials as well as a number of media representatives have gathered in Riga for the international conference on the Baltic membership in NATO. The conference intends to facilitate open public discussion ahead of the NATO summit in Prague and understanding of the contribution the Baltic states will

make to united and free Europe upon their admission to NATO. The conference was organised by the Latvian Trans-Atlantic Organisation in co-operation with Latvian defence and foreign ministries as well as with the American Latvians Association.

make to united and free Europe upon their admission to NATO. The conference was organised by the Latvian Trans-Atlantic Organisation in co-operation with Latvian defence and foreign ministries as well as with the American Latvians Association.

Indulis Berzins said that Latvia's movement towards NATO was one of the elements in consolidating the community. When a foreign reporter asked both Latvian ministers what would happen, if the Baltic States do not get invited to NATO next year, they said they felt sure the invitations are forthcoming.

Indulis Berzins said that Latvia's movement towards NATO was one of the elements in consolidating the community. When a foreign reporter asked both Latvian ministers what would happen, if the Baltic States do not get invited to NATO next year, they said they felt sure the invitations are forthcoming. Diena, BNS, Telegraf, Vesti Segodnja, Chas

Diena

informs that Estonian Prime Minister Mart Laar has sent a dramatic e-mail message to fellow members of the party, warning them of Russian provocations to explain the need to ease language proficiency requirements in Estonia. In his words, Russia's best instrument to achieve its goals is the presence of the OSCE Mission to Estonia. At the disposal of Latvian foreign affairs minister I.Berzins there is no similar information, and he believes that there are no grounds for the further OSCE presence in Latvia. The minister also notes that Latvia has fulfilled the OSCE guidelines for Latvia and admits that the Estonian Parliament has passed the abolishment of the strict state language proficiency requirements for deputy candidates, however, it was the task given to Estonia, while Latvia did not have such requirement. Up till now Latvia has fulfilled all requirements, therefore OSCE member states do not have ground not to believe that Latvia would not abolish the language requirement if it is asked to do that. informs that Estonian Prime Minister Mart Laar has sent a dramatic e-mail message to fellow members of the party, warning them of Russian provocations to explain the need to ease language proficiency requirements in Estonia. In his words, Russia's best instrument to achieve its goals is the presence of the OSCE Mission to Estonia. At the disposal of Latvian foreign affairs minister I.Berzins there is no similar information, and he believes that there are no grounds for the further OSCE presence in Latvia. The minister also notes that Latvia has fulfilled the OSCE guidelines for Latvia and admits “that the Estonian Parliament has passed the abolishment of the strict state language proficiency requirements for deputy candidates, however, it was the task given to Estonia, while Latvia did not have such requirement. Up till now Latvia has fulfilled all requirements, therefore OSCE member states do not have ground not to believe that Latvia would not abolish the language requirement if it is asked to do that”.

Lauku Avize

publishes the letter of MP Dz.Abikis where he states that the new regulations that limit the rights of the State Language Centre to check state language proficiency should be specified and recommendations of the responsible institution, that is the State Language Centre, should be taken into account. Also the former editor-in-chief of the newspaper gives his comments about the adoption of the regulations. He writes we are told that these are the rules of the EU; also the OSCE headed by Mr.Semneby wants to impose on us the amendments to the Election Laws. We are frightened that otherwise the OSCE would not leave…In my opinion, Mr.Semneby is a nice and kind person, and he should do what he has to do, but our President and Ministers should act in accordance with our interests. Not anybodys else. MP Peoples Party deputy V.Paegle writes about the OSCE, the history of the organisation, its activities and role in political processes of Latvia and its feasible closure at the end of the year. She voices that the issue about the closure of the Mission is so topical right now because of the increasing role of Russia in fighting against terrorism, as well as it should be searched in OSCE history, in particular, that the establishment of the Organisation was the initiative of Russia. V.Paegle believes that the requirement to amend the Election Law is politically grounded and Latvia will have to give its political response while searching for compromises that would be as less harmful as possible to Latvias dignity and long-term interests. The deputy also states that we should ask for the higher level of responsibility and competence from MoFA and CoM officials who represent the interests of Latvia at international court proceedings. publishes the letter of MP Dz.Abikis where he states that the new regulations that limit the rights of the State Language Centre to check state language proficiency should be specified and recommendations of the responsible institution, that is the State Language Centre, should be taken into account. Also the former editor-in-chief of the newspaper gives his comments about the adoption of the regulations. He writes “we are told that these are the rules of the EU; also the OSCE headed by Mr.Semneby wants to impose on us the amendments to the Election Laws. We are frightened that otherwise the OSCE would not leave…In my opinion, Mr.Semneby is a nice and kind person, and he should do what he has to do, but our President and Ministers should act in accordance with our interests. Not anybody’s else.” MP People’s Party deputy V.Paegle writes about the OSCE, the history of the organisation, its activities and role in political processes of Latvia and its feasible closure at the end of the year. She voices that the issue about the closure of the Mission is so topical right now because of the increasing role of Russia in fighting against terrorism, as well as it should be searched in OSCE history, in particular, that the establishment of the Organisation was the initiative of Russia. V.Paegle believes that “the requirement to amend the Election Law is politically grounded and Latvia will have to give its political response while searching for compromises that would be as less harmful as possible to Latvia’s dignity and long-term interests”. The deputy also states that “we should ask for the higher level of responsibility and competence from MoFA and CoM officials who represent the interests of Latvia at international court proceedings”. Lauku AvizeLauku Avize

Chas

interviews Latvian Association of Russian Language Teachers chairperson T.Liguta. She advocates the fifth bilingual education model developed by the ASRLSL. In regard about the transfer in 2004 she says that now there is a hope that it is not going to take place in 2004 because the principles of schools have started to express their concerns and objections towards the transfer. interviews Latvian Association of Russian Language Teachers chairperson T.Liguta. She advocates the fifth bilingual education model developed by the ASRLSL. In regard about the transfer in 2004 she says that “now there is a hope that it is not going to take place in 2004 because the principles of schools have started to express their concerns and objections towards the transfer”.

Telegraf

interviews Daugavpils City Mayor R.Eigims about the recent visit of Princes Charles, plans for the development of the city. When asked if he is going to run for the forthcoming Parliament election, he states that it is a good time for new parties to appear as all current ruling parties are worn out, but it requires a strong and unified team. interviews Daugavpils City Mayor R.Eigims about the recent visit of Princes Charles, plans for the development of the city. When asked if he is going to run for the forthcoming Parliament election, he states that “it is a good time for new parties to appear as all current ruling parties are “worn out,” but it requires a strong and unified team.”

Vesti Segodnja

re-publishes excerpts from Latvian State President V.Vike-Freibergas interview for one of the biggest Polish newspapers re-publishes excerpts from Latvian State President V.Vike-Freiberga’s interview for one of the biggest Polish newspapers Rzeczpospolita.Rzeczpospolita. The President has stated that Russia makes a pressure on Latvia, but we can also make a pressure on Russia. We are the members of WTO and Russia wants to become a member of the organisation. The president also expressed her dissatisfaction with Russias efforts to draw parallels between the situations in Latvia and Macedonia. The President has stated that Russia makes a pressure on Latvia, but “we can also make a pressure on Russia. We are the members of WTO and Russia wants to become a member of the organisation”. The president also expressed her dissatisfaction with Russia’s efforts to draw parallels between the situations in Latvia and Macedonia.

Vesti Segodnja

writes about Thursdays conference Bilingual Education: Theory and Practice. The author admits that the majority of school principles did not like the bilingual education model developed by the ASRLSL saying that these probably were the principles of Latvian schools. The author concludes that the last word will be said at the Parents Conference organised by the ASRLSL. writes about Thursday’s conference “Bilingual Education: Theory and Practice”. The author admits that “the majority of school principles did not like the bilingual education model developed by the ASRLSL” saying that these probably were the principles of Latvian schools. The author concludes that “the last word will be said at the Parents Conference organised by the ASRLSL.”

Panorama Latvii

gives its summary about the recent changes regarding the state language legislation. The newspaper claims that the changes in the regulations on the State Language and State Language Centre that restricts the rights of the State Language Centre was the compromise to achieve the closure of the OSCE Mission by the end of the year. gives its summary about the recent changes regarding the state language legislation. The newspaper claims that the changes in the regulations on the State Language and State Language Centre that restricts the rights of the State Language Centre was the compromise to achieve the closure of the OSCE Mission by the end of the year.