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

Minister of Foreign Affairs Indulis Berzins is paying an official visit to Switzerland beginning today through January 31. As LETA learned at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the minister will take part in today's event organized by the Swiss Investment Agency SOFI in Zurich, where he is set to meet with the Swiss businessmen and mass media representatives. The minister will report on Latvia's latest political and economic achievements and push for active business contacts with Latvian partners.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Indulis Berzins is paying an official visit to Switzerland beginning today through January 31. As LETA learned at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the minister will take part in today's event organized by the Swiss Investment Agency SOFI in Zurich, where he is set to meet with the Swiss businessmen and mass media representatives. The minister will report on Latvia's latest political and economic achievements and push for active business contacts with Latvian partners. LETA

Russian-speaking newspapers

Russian-speaking newspapers Telegraf and Vesti Segodnya inform about a Russian businessman Vladimirs Gurovs, the president of the "Biznes&Baltija" Media Group, who opens a new broadcasting station "Nova" on 103.2 FM that will broadcast songs only in the Latvian language. The new radio station has been founded through the co-operation of "Biznes&Baltija" Media Group and "Studentu radio Ltd.", which are owners of 103,2 FM frequency.

The Cabinet of Ministers today approved an action plan for implementing priorities included in the European Commission's (EC) 2001 progress report. The government assigned the European Integration Bureau to supplement the national program for integration into the European Union according to measures described in the action plan. It is planned to adopt by February 1 a draft law “On elections of European Parliament” and draft amendments to the election law stipulating the rights of EU citizens, disregarding their national belonging, to elect and be elected into the European Parliament and those local governments of Latvia, on the territory of which they reside. In the same chapter it is stated that for joining EU Latvia should abolish those norms of local jurisdiction that directly or indirectly discriminate, e.g. according to one’s citizenship, language proficiency and place of residence. Respective institutions will report at each meeting of the European Integration Bureau on implementation of the action plan.

The Cabinet of Ministers today approved an action plan for implementing priorities included in the European Commission's (EC) 2001 progress report. The government assigned the European Integration Bureau to supplement the national program for integration into the European Union according to measures described in the action plan. It is planned to adopt by February 1 a draft law On elections of European Parliament and draft amendments to the election law stipulating the rights of EU citizens, disregarding their national belonging, to elect and be elected into the European Parliament and those local governments of Latvia, on the territory of which they reside. In the same chapter it is stated that for joining EU Latvia should abolish those norms of local jurisdiction that directly or indirectly discriminate, e.g. according to ones citizenship, language proficiency and place of residence. Respective institutions will report at each meeting of the European Integration Bureau on implementation of the action plan. LETA, Panorama Latvii

During her visit to the United States, President Vaira Vike-Freiberga has no intention of spotlighting the issue pertaining to amendments to the election law in Latvia. In a press conference upon her departure for the U.S. today, Vike-Freiberga pointed out that a broader range of issues will be on the agenda of her meetings with U.S. Vice President Richard Cheney and U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell. The president mentioned the issue of U.S. support for NATO expansion during this fall's Prague summit. Latvia's prospects are to be clarified as well as its weak points. Latvia must assure the Americans that it has not "tired out" in its move to NATO, or still has doubts, said Vike-Freiberga. The issues of the amendments to the election laws would be dealt with only in case the president is asked about them. Vike-Freiberga stressed that she regards as her duty to confirm that Latvia wants to carry out the necessary changes despite the fact that it sometimes lacks courage to adopt unpopular decisions.

During her visit to the United States, President Vaira Vike-Freiberga has no intention of spotlighting the issue pertaining to amendments to the election law in Latvia. In a press conference upon her departure for the U.S. today, Vike-Freiberga pointed out that a broader range of issues will be on the agenda of her meetings with U.S. Vice President Richard Cheney and U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell. The president mentioned the issue of U.S. support for NATO expansion during this fall's Prague summit. Latvia's prospects are to be clarified as well as its weak points. Latvia must assure the Americans that it has not "tired out" in its move to NATO, or still has doubts, said Vike-Freiberga. The issues of the amendments to the election laws would be dealt with only in case the president is asked about them. Vike-Freiberga stressed that she regards as her duty to confirm that Latvia wants to carry out the necessary changes despite the fact that it sometimes lacks courage to adopt unpopular decisions. LETA

Newspaper

Newspaper Chas asked Professor of Riga Graduate School of Law, specialist on international law, I.Ziemele to comment the decision of European Human Rights Court on partial receiving for consideration in substance the case of Slivenko. Pr.Ziemele explained that the Court decided to consider only some points of this case in substance and it meant that whatever the final decision would be, it would concern only the Slivenkos case and would not serve as a precedent in the juridical sense. And if this case will be followed by analog processes, in every particular case there will be a new hearing. Chas

Newspaper

Newspaper Vechernyaya Riga interviewed the Head of the State Language Center Dz.Hirsa about the current situation with the Latvian language and the call of the President Vaira Vike-Freiberga to yield to the international pressure. Ms.Hirsa considers that Latvian legislation does not demand anything impossible from those Russian-speakers, who have decided to stay here. They just have to learn the Latvian language, even on the second - conversational, level. Of course, it is morally difficult to live as a non-citizen but if those people realized the fact of occupation, they would understand the fear of Latvians that it could repeat. And if all non-citizens became citizens, Latvians would not managed to preserve their national state. When asked about the prospects of Latvias joining NATO and EU, Ms.Hirsa said that she saw joining NATO as a very necessary step but doubted about EU. This federation is dealing with ideological issues but has not developed its own constitution, yet. And looking at its policy of double standards, Ms.Hirsha doubts its ability to solve problems, especially in Latvia. When asked what is the price she would recede from her principles concerning the Latvian language, she answered it would be only in the case of NATO.

Publicist V.Lacis published in newspaper

Publicist V.Lacis published in newspaper Lauku Avize an article with his opinions on the language situation in Latvia and the Presidents proposal to amend the election laws. Mr.Lacis starts his article with a statement that nowadays nobody is so self-destructing as Latvians themselves. Majority of them together with the State President, three ruling parties, supported by humbleness and flabbiness of two other parties, represented in the Saeima, and even increasing pliability under the pressure both from East and West have constructed a bridge that leads Latvian nation to extinction. To avoid this, Latvian state has immediately and radically change its current foreign policy. We can not do away with the consequences of half a century occupation just by keeping silent. We have legal and moral rights to demand it and first of all it is the President who has at first to say it in a polite, diplomatic way. But she once more forces the Saeima to amend the language law to flannel the USA and EU, stating that otherwise Latvia would not be accepted to NATO says the author. Further on Mr.Lacis compares the situation in Latvia with the one in Lithuania, and explaining, why non-citizens in Latvia should not receive citizenship automatically, states that majority of those people are still hostile to Latvia. And at the end of his article the publicist criticizes the latest developments in the process of naturalization – lowering the level of the language test demands.

Lifting or not lifting the requirement in Latvia's Election Law set for deputy nominees for fluency in the Latvian language will not be used as a criterion in deciding on Latvia's invitation to the European Union (EU), the head of the European Commission's (EC) delegation to Latvia, Andrew Rasbash, confirms in an interview in the newspaper

Lifting or not lifting the requirement in Latvia's Election Law set for deputy nominees for fluency in the Latvian language will not be used as a criterion in deciding on Latvia's invitation to the European Union (EU), the head of the European Commission's (EC) delegation to Latvia, Andrew Rasbash, confirms in an interview in the newspaper Diena today. Rasbash points out that Latvia has already been acknowledged as a country which meets political criteria for EU membership, adding that EC completely backs the stance taken by President Vaira Vike-Freiberga on abolishing the language requirement in the Election Law. Rasbash informs that the president courageously promised to push for amendments to the law at the end of past year when the issue on the closure of the OSCE mission in Latvia was under discussion. EC backs this initiative and anticipates its implementation in coming months.

Latvian Ambassador to Russia Normunds Penke will present credentials to Russian President Vladimir Putin tomorrow, January 31, at 1 p.m., the Latvian Embassy in Russia told

Latvian Ambassador to Russia Normunds Penke will present credentials to Russian President Vladimir Putin tomorrow, January 31, at 1 p.m., the Latvian Embassy in Russia told LETA.