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.

LATVIAN MEDIA REVIEW

LATVIAN MEDIA REVIEW

Social Democrat Party leadership could not promise Egils Baldzens that at the 8th Saeima it would not agree on the coalition with FHRUL, therefore it is expected that already next week E.Baldzçns could announce his resignation from the party, as well as the intention to take part in establishing a new European Social Democratic party. Latvian Railway general director A.Zorgevics (ex-Social Democrat), ex-mayor of Riga A.Argalis (ex-FF/LNNK) and members of former New Party are named as possible members of this party.

Social Democrat Party leadership could not promise Egils Baldzens that at the 8th Saeima it would not agree on the coalition with FHRUL, therefore it is expected that already next week E.Baldzçns could announce his resignation from the party, as well as the intention to take part in establishing a new European Social Democratic party. Latvian Railway general director A.Zorgevics (ex-Social Democrat), ex-mayor of Riga A.Argalis (ex-FF/LNNK) and members of former New Party are named as possible members of this party. Diena

Latvijas Vestnesis

interviews Latvias ambassador to Russia Normunds Penke. He considers the relations between Russia and Latvia as normal. In his opinion the most problematic issues in the relations are the border agreement and other intergovernmental agreements. interviews Latvia’s ambassador to Russia Normunds Penke. He considers the relations between Russia and Latvia as normal. In his opinion the most problematic issues in the relations are the border agreement and other intergovernmental agreements. Latvian National Front headed by publishing house Vieda director A.Garda has asked State General Prosecutor to examine whether the activities and statements of Latvian Prime Minister A.Berzins and President Vaira Vike-Freiberga contain any criminal violations – genocide and fraud – against the Latvians. The Front has also asked to stop “criminal integration policy implemented by the Saeima, Government and President”.

Latvian National Front headed by publishing house Vieda director A.Garda has asked State General Prosecutor to examine whether the activities and statements of Latvian Prime Minister A.Berzins and President Vaira Vike-Freiberga contain any criminal violations – genocide and fraud – against the Latvians. The Front has also asked to stop criminal integration policy implemented by the Saeima, Government and President. Vesti Segodnja, Panorama Latvii

Vesti Segodnja

columnist N.Kabanov analysis the situation with TV programmes and shows for non-Latvians in Russian. He says that there are different programmes, however, there is none where we could say in Russian what we do think about this country, its politicians and laws. He writes that although there is a pressure from the USA and Europe to remove the legal norm providing restricted quota of TV programmes in other languages than Latvian, most likely our politicians are not going to change anything till 8th Saeima election. columnist N.Kabanov analysis the situation with TV programmes and shows for non-Latvians in Russian. He says that there are different programmes, however, there is “none where we could say in Russian what we do think about this country, its politicians and laws”. He writes that “although there is a pressure from the USA and Europe to remove the legal norm providing restricted quota of TV programmes in other languages than Latvian, most likely our politicians are not going to change anything till 8th Saeima election.”

Telegraf

interviews Society Integration Foundation chairperson Ramona Umblija. The journalist starts interview with asking why the country lacks integration, which is built on respect from both parties the country and an individual. Umblija considers lack of experience in this field to be one of the main aspects, which slows down integration. She praises the practice of Estonia where in the relevant ministries there are units responsible for integration, as well as a special minister responsible for the matters concerning nationalities, and she suggests that also in Latvia the relevant ministries should be responsible for integration. R.Umblija says that the main task of the Foundation is to conduct systematic analysis of integration process. When asked about education reform, in particular about transfer of national minority secondary schools to studies in Latvian as the only instruction language in 2004, she replies that this issue is very politicised and only people working at schools and officials of the MoEducation should be the only ones who deal with that, she adds that she does not see any grounds that this transfer should be conducted already in 2004. Umblija partly agrees with the journalist that it is unfair and offensive for people who were born and have lived all their lives in Latvia to pay to the state in order to become its citizens. interviews Society Integration Foundation chairperson Ramona Umblija. The journalist starts interview with asking why the country lacks integration, which is built on respect from both parties the country and an individual. Umblija considers lack of experience in this field to be one of the main aspects, which slows down integration. She praises the practice of Estonia where in the relevant ministries there are units responsible for integration, as well as a special minister responsible for the matters concerning nationalities, and she suggests that also in Latvia the relevant ministries should be responsible for integration. R.Umblija says that the main task of the Foundation is to conduct systematic analysis of integration process. When asked about education reform, in particular about transfer of national minority secondary schools to studies in Latvian as the only instruction language in 2004, she replies that “this issue is very politicised and only people working at schools and officials of the MoEducation should be the only ones who deal with that,” she adds that she does not see any grounds that this transfer should be conducted already in 2004. Umblija partly agrees with the journalist that it is unfair and offensive for people who were born and have lived all their lives in Latvia to pay to the state in order to become its citizens.