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

The Latvian Social Democratic Workers' Party (LSDSP) will not sign an agreement on co-operation with the political union For Human Rights In A United Latvia (PCTVL) at Saeima for the time being, LSDSD Chairman Juris Bojars told reporters after the LSDSP faction meeting. However, LSDSP backs co-operation with PCTVL in Saeima if necessary, for instance, in reviewing legislative bills.

The Latvian Social Democratic Workers' Party (LSDSP) will not sign an agreement on co-operation with the political union For Human Rights In A United Latvia (PCTVL) at Saeima for the time being, LSDSD Chairman Juris Bojars told reporters after the LSDSP faction meeting. However, LSDSP backs co-operation with PCTVL in Saeima if necessary, for instance, in reviewing legislative bills. LETA, Lauku Avize, Panorama Latvii

Minister of Foreign Affairs Indulis Berzins held a meeting with the Turkish Foreign Affairs Minister Ismail Cem, both officials discussed the need of opening diplomatic missions, which is an important precondition for prompting all kinds of co-operation between both countries, especially in the business and tourism sectors.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Indulis Berzins held a meeting with the Turkish Foreign Affairs Minister Ismail Cem, both officials discussed the need of opening diplomatic missions, which is an important precondition for prompting all kinds of co-operation between both countries, especially in the business and tourism sectors. LETA

Without informing the union For Human Rights In A United Latvia or his own Latvian Socialistic Party, Alfreds Rubiks has signed an association agreement with Russia’s radical union of communist parties – the Communist Party of the Soviet Union.

Without informing the union For Human Rights In A United Latvia or his own Latvian Socialistic Party, Alfreds Rubiks has signed an association agreement with Russias radical union of communist parties – the Communist Party of the Soviet Union. Neatkariga

Estonian Parliament Riigikogu passed on Wednesday the amendment to the election act, which abolishes language requirements for candidates to the parliament and local councils. The controversial amendment was passed with 55 votes in favour, mainly the ruling coalition. With this Estonians have fulfilled the task to abolish the language proficiency for deputy candidates, written in the OSCE Mission guidelines, and may hope for closing the Mission at the end of this year. Also the OSCE Mission to Latvia has proposed to amend the election law abolishing the norm stipulating the need for deputy candidates to have the highest language proficiency level. Nevertheless Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs I.Berzins thinks that disregarding the Estonian example and as if a created precedent, OSCE has not included such an exact norm in the Mission’s guidelines, and therefore the Mission in Riga might be closed.

Estonian Parliament Riigikogu passed on Wednesday the amendment to the election act, which abolishes language requirements for candidates to the parliament and local councils. The controversial amendment was passed with 55 votes in favour, mainly the ruling coalition. With this Estonians have fulfilled the task to abolish the language proficiency for deputy candidates, written in the OSCE Mission guidelines, and may hope for closing the Mission at the end of this year. Also the OSCE Mission to Latvia has proposed to amend the election law abolishing the norm stipulating the need for deputy candidates to have the highest language proficiency level. Nevertheless Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs I.Berzins thinks that disregarding the Estonian example and as if a created precedent, OSCE has not included such an exact norm in the Missions guidelines, and therefore the Mission in Riga might be closed. Diena

Diena commentator A.Ozolins states that this step of Estonia would mean that Estonia corresponds to the European national minority and human rights standards, and it will be an important criteria when deciding about accepting Estonia to EU and NATO. Latvians might wail like some our politicians do that Estonians by linking the abolishing of the language proficiency norm and the closure of the OSCE Mission to Estonia’s accession to EU and NATO have made Latvia the only state in the region that administratively limits one part of its citizens the fundamental right typical for Western democracy to decide themselves which would be their representatives in the parliament and local governments. We may hope that the OSCE Mission to Latvia will be closed because in its mandate this condition is not formulated so precisely as in Estonia. For all that, even if it happens, the problem will remain and it will receive more and more international attention. It means that Latvia will have a serious crisis next year for sure when, taking the final decision on inviting Latvia, legislators of the NATO states will want to make sure whether Latvia is a Western type democracy.

Diena commentator A.Ozolins states that this step of Estonia would mean that Estonia corresponds to the European national minority and human rights standards, and it will be an important criteria when deciding about accepting Estonia to EU and NATO. Latvians might wail like some our politicians do that Estonians by linking the abolishing of the language proficiency norm and the closure of the OSCE Mission to Estonias accession to EU and NATO have made Latvia the only state in the region that administratively limits one part of its citizens the fundamental right typical for Western democracy to decide themselves which would be their representatives in the parliament and local governments. We may hope that the OSCE Mission to Latvia will be closed because in its mandate this condition is not formulated so precisely as in Estonia. For all that, even if it happens, the problem will remain and it will receive more and more international attention. It means that Latvia will have a serious crisis next year for sure when, taking the final decision on inviting Latvia, legislators of the NATO states will want to make sure whether Latvia is a Western type democracy. Diena

A.Zunda in

A.Zunda in Neatkariga states that the last visit of Estonian Minister of Foreign Affairs T.H.Ilvess to Latvia proved the active mutual dialog between those countries and co-operation in achieving foreign policy priorities. After this visit Latvian top officials were positive about the future of these relations. Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs I.Berzins is sure that co-operation will further both economical development of Latvia and Estonia and sooner accession to NATO. One of the most successful fields of co-operation is defence; problematic still is border crossing and controlling in the centre of Valka city and railway station.

German Chancellor G.Schroeder said at the Social Democrats Party congress that EU candidate states should abolish all hopes that they could get better accession terms for EU membership than it was promised before. “No political rebates may be given because everything has been already decided.

German Chancellor G.Schroeder said at the Social Democrats Party congress that EU candidate states should abolish all hopes that they could get better accession terms for EU membership than it was promised before. No political rebates may be given because everything has been already decided. Neatkariga

Russian Prime Minister M.Kasyanov signed a decree on signing an air communications agreement between Russia and Latvia, authorising the Ministry of Communications to sign this document.

Russian Prime Minister M.Kasyanov signed a decree on signing an air communications agreement between Russia and Latvia, authorising the Ministry of Communications to sign this document. Neatkariga

Lauku Avize

analyses the statement made by NGO Prata speks (Power of Reason) that according its organised opinion poll only 1/5 of population supports Latvias accession to NATO. The NGO boasted inquiring about 50 000 people, the next figure was 3200 persons but only 1919 respondents might be considered to be a trustworthy source. And it turned out that when inquiring the activists have looked for people with a similar opinion not for the real opinion of Latvian population. analyses the statement made by NGO “Prata speks” (Power of Reason) that according its organised opinion poll only 1/5 of population supports Latvia’s accession to NATO. The NGO boasted inquiring about 50 000 people, the next figure was 3200 persons but only 1919 respondents might be considered to be a trustworthy source. And it turned out that when inquiring the activists have looked for people with a similar opinion not for the real opinion of Latvian population. M.Antonevics writes that Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs have many times criticised Latvian state language law as “discriminatory and assimilating for national minorities” but now Russian Parliament plans to adopt even stricter language law to strengthen the role of the Russian language in Russia. As Russian magazine “Komersant Vlasty” describes, this document is composed according the best traditions of 19th century Slavofils”. The law envisages a strict language control in state institutions and mass media - the same as the Latvian law does, but Russians go even further – they decided to control the literary style of the used language.

M.Antonevics writes that Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs have many times criticised Latvian state language law as discriminatory and assimilating for national minorities but now Russian Parliament plans to adopt even stricter language law to strengthen the role of the Russian language in Russia. As Russian magazine Komersant Vlasty describes, this document is composed according the best traditions of 19th century Slavofils. The law envisages a strict language control in state institutions and mass media - the same as the Latvian law does, but Russians go even further – they decided to control the literary style of the used language. Lauku Avize

The new U.S. Ambassador to Latvia Brian Carlson will arrive in Riga in one or two weeks, as LETA learned from the U.S. Embassy in Riga. On Tuesday, Carlson took the oath in an official ceremony led by U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell. LETA

The new U.S. Ambassador to Latvia Brian Carlson will arrive in Riga in one or two weeks, as LETA learned from the U.S. Embassy in Riga. On Tuesday, Carlson took the oath in an official ceremony led by U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell. LETA

Latvijas Vestnesis

informs about the conference Forming a civic culture in Central and Eastern European countries and published the speech of Latvian Minister of Culture K.Petersone at this conference. informs about the conference “Forming a civic culture in Central and Eastern European countries” and published the speech of Latvian Minister of Culture K.Petersone at this conference. The system of registered domicile (propiska) in Latvia has grown obsolete and will be replaced by a voluntary declaration of one’s place of residence. The Saeima Commission prepares for the second reading a draft law on declared one’s place of residence. If it is adopted, from January 1, 2003 there will be neither “propiska” nor the bureaucratic procedures linked with it.

The system of registered domicile (propiska) in Latvia has grown obsolete and will be replaced by a voluntary declaration of ones place of residence. The Saeima Commission prepares for the second reading a draft law on declared ones place of residence. If it is adopted, from January 1, 2003 there will be neither propiska nor the bureaucratic procedures linked with it. Vechernyaya Riga

Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga gave an interview to the Russian newspaper

Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga gave an interview to the Russian newspaper Vremya MN. In this interview she called Latvian extremists such as A.Garda home made idiots and praised Russia for some stabilisation in its relations with Latvia. The journalist states that the generally objective interview was spoiled by Presidents statement that Latvian authorities did not restrict the usage of other languages … in school. Vesti Segodnya

Latvian President thinks that Latvia’s accession to NATO will improve the situation of Russian-speaking population here. She pointed out that accession to NATO and EU was a step towards “civic society” for all residents of Latvia, including Russian-speakers.

Latvian President thinks that Latvias accession to NATO will improve the situation of Russian-speaking population here. She pointed out that accession to NATO and EU was a step towards civic society for all residents of Latvia, including Russian-speakers. Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

A journalist from

A journalist from Vesti Segodnya interviewed T.Favorskaya, Chairman of the Council of Russian Community in Latvia. Ms.Favorskaya was one of the people who went to the Compatriots Congress in Moscow. Speaking about the situation in Russian-speaking schools she said that now students were suffering, teachers struggling with the Latvian language and most likely they would be replaced by the native speakers of Latvian. When asked about her life after the Congress, Ms.Favorskaya said that she was fired from the Career centre where she used to work as if due to a reduction of staff, but new people were hired afterwards.

Ms.Favorskaya published an open letter in the newspaper

Ms.Favorskaya published an open letter in the newspaper Vesti Segodnya explaining the position of the Russian Community in Latvia. The state must ensure education in schools in ones mother tongue under the condition of providing high quality teaching of the Latvian language as well. What is taking place now – this is not a reform but a purposeful policy of forced assimilation, and due to this reform students in Russian-speaking schools are more and more lagging behind in the quality of education the students in Russia.

Representative of the Association for Support of Russian-Speaking Schools in Latvia Ye.Matyakubova, answering to the question why there were no national Russian schools in Latvia when there existed schools of other national minorities, said the Ministry of Education and Science was pushing schools to take the status of a national minority school. The Association thinks that this is not correct. It is an attempt to corner these schools the same as it is with the bilingual education. And there is no such definition as a “national minority school” in Latvian legislation. And when you look in the curriculum of the already existing national minority schools, students there master the major subjects either in the state language or bilingually.

Representative of the Association for Support of Russian-Speaking Schools in Latvia Ye.Matyakubova, answering to the question why there were no national Russian schools in Latvia when there existed schools of other national minorities, said the Ministry of Education and Science was pushing schools to take the status of a national minority school. The Association thinks that this is not correct. It is an attempt to corner these schools the same as it is with the bilingual education. And there is no such definition as a national minority school in Latvian legislation. And when you look in the curriculum of the already existing national minority schools, students there master the major subjects either in the state language or bilingually. Vesti Segodnya

Vesti Segodnya writes about the conference of Jewish people of the world that takes place in Riga. At the opening of this conference were present also the President, Prime Minister and several ministers. They pointed out the fact that organising of such a conference in Riga would help creating a positive image about Latvia and show that they love national minorities here.

Vesti Segodnya writes about the conference of Jewish people of the world that takes place in Riga. At the opening of this conference were present also the President, Prime Minister and several ministers. They pointed out the fact that organising of such a conference in Riga would help creating a positive image about Latvia and show that they love national minorities here.

Yesterday the parents of students of Jelgava Secondary School No 6 and Elementary School No 1 addressed with an open letter the OSCE Mission to Latvia, Saeima faction For Human Rights in United Latvia, newspapers and news agencies expressing their concern about the future of their children due to low quality education that reflected also on their physical and psychological condition. The parents support the position of Valmiera school and propose the deputies to reconsider the education law.

Yesterday the parents of students of Jelgava Secondary School No 6 and Elementary School No 1 addressed with an open letter the OSCE Mission to Latvia, Saeima faction For Human Rights in United Latvia, newspapers and news agencies expressing their concern about the future of their children due to low quality education that reflected also on their physical and psychological condition. The parents support the position of Valmiera school and propose the deputies to reconsider the education law. Chas