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

Yesterday Minister of Foreign Affairs Indulis Berzins held a meeting with the Italian Ambassador to Latvia Maurizio Lo Re, who confirmed Italy's support for Latvia's move to the European Union and NATO. Berzins stressed in commenting on social integration issues that Latvia will consistently continue implementing the social integration program, he also expressed support for amendments to the laws on parliamentary and municipal elections, as proposed by the President Vaira Vike-Freiberga. Lo Re said in turn that the OSCE mission's further presence in Latvia was unnecessary, he said however that it would be in Latvia's interest to pass the required amendments to the law, which would considerably aid Latvia on its way to EU and NATO.

Yesterday Minister of Foreign Affairs Indulis Berzins held a meeting with the Italian Ambassador to Latvia Maurizio Lo Re, who confirmed Italy's support for Latvia's move to the European Union and NATO. Berzins stressed in commenting on social integration issues that Latvia will consistently continue implementing the social integration program, he also expressed support for amendments to the laws on parliamentary and municipal elections, as proposed by the President Vaira Vike-Freiberga. Lo Re said in turn that the OSCE mission's further presence in Latvia was unnecessary, he said however that it would be in Latvia's interest to pass the required amendments to the law, which would considerably aid Latvia on its way to EU and NATO. Latvijas Vestnesis

Jauna

interviews Latvian Foreign Affairs Minister Indulis Berzins about the impact of the events of the 11 September on the global situation and Latvias perspectives to join NATO and the EU. interviews Latvian Foreign Affairs Minister Indulis Berzins about the impact of the events of the 11 September on the global situation and Latvia’s perspectives to join NATO and the EU. Yesterday the President Vike-Freiberga held a meeting with Education Minister K.Greiskalns to discuss bilingual education reform due to 2004. After the meeting with the President, the minister stated that it is possible to implement the reform in 2004 as it is foreseen and there are no arguments to postpone it. The President has supported Greiskaln’s opinion.

Yesterday the President Vike-Freiberga held a meeting with Education Minister K.Greiskalns to discuss bilingual education reform due to 2004. After the meeting with the President, the minister stated that it is possible to implement the reform in 2004 as it is foreseen and there are no arguments to postpone it. The President has supported Greiskalns opinion. Diena, Neatkariga, Telegraf, Chas

FHRUL member Andrejs Klementjevs has asked General Prosecutor Office look into the statements of A.Argalis, Riga ex-Mayor and former member of FF/LNNK, in magazine

FHRUL member Andrejs Klementjevs has asked General Prosecutor Office look into the statements of A.Argalis, Riga ex-Mayor and former member of FF/LNNK, in magazine Rigas Laiks December issue. A.Argalis said that the Latvians were not suited for the Soviet system. If a Russian has genetic predisposition to stealing and fooling around, then a Latvian is an absolutely coward theft. Diena, Neatkariga, Telegraf

The Russian language press came out most heavily on Argalis' words publishing headlines such as - Ex-mayor slams Russians!

The Russian language press came out most heavily on Argalis' words publishing headlines such as - Ex-mayor slams Russians! Vesti Segodnja, The word is said, willactions follow? Panorama Latvii, Argalis will have to answer for thieves Chas

Chas gives a summary of President’s latest activities in the field of language policy. The newspaper writes “let’s not judge the President too heavily. She “plays” as she can in the framework of the rights delegated to her by the Constitution. Besides, she has not get rid of all assumptions about our the real life here which is characteristic to all people coming from the West”. The conclusion is “the main thing is that for the first time in history of the independent Latvia the President tries to represent all people of Latvia”.

Chas gives a summary of Presidents latest activities in the field of language policy. The newspaper writes lets not judge the President too heavily. She plays as she can in the framework of the rights delegated to her by the Constitution. Besides, she has not get rid of all assumptions about our the real life here which is characteristic to all people coming from the West. The conclusion is the main thing is that for the first time in history of the independent Latvia the President tries to represent all people of Latvia.

Vesti Segodnja

re-publishes those parts of Peter Semnebys interview for re-publishes those parts of Peter Semneby’s interview for Lauku Avize, Lauku Avize, where he talks about the possible problems for Latvia. where he talks about the possible problems for Latvia.

Vesti Segodnja

comments the recent developments concerning the language issue. The newspaper writes, in fact, the President decided to establish a language committee only because of the pressure of the invited experts. The newspaper disagrees with the opinion of the experts that the Latvian language is under threat, as well as it does not think that the State Language Centre should receive any additional funding in order to strengthen positions of the Latvian language, the contributor considers that this money should be better used for providing Latvian language courses free of charge. comments the recent developments concerning the language issue. The newspaper writes, “in fact, the President decided to establish a language committee only because of the pressure of the invited experts”. The newspaper disagrees with the opinion of the experts that the Latvian language is under threat, as well as it does not think that the State Language Centre should receive any additional funding in order to strengthen positions of the Latvian language, the contributor considers that this money should be better used for providing Latvian language courses free of charge.

Panorama Latviis

editorial reffers to the discussion between Latvian delegation head to OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Helena Demakova and Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS) commissioner Helle Degn about the further co-operation possibilities with the OSCE. The contributor thinks that after this meeting Helle Degn should not have any optimism regarding further co-operation between Latvia and the OSCE. He writes after the closure of the Mission, our political elite not only is forgetting to do what was promised, but also will turn into failures all successes achieved on the way to the EU under its [OSCE] pressure. editorial reffers to the discussion between Latvian delegation head to OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Helena Demakova and Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS) commissioner Helle Degn about the further co-operation possibilities with the OSCE. The contributor thinks that after this meeting Helle Degn should not have any optimism regarding further co-operation between Latvia and the OSCE. He writes “after the closure of the Mission, our political elite not only is “forgetting” to do what was promised, but also will turn into failures all “successes achieved on the way to the EU” under its [OSCE] pressure”.