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 REVIEW

U.S. Ambassador to NATO Nicholas Burns is visiting Latvia today and tomorrow, February 26, LETA learned at the Foreign Affairs Ministry.

U.S. Ambassador to NATO Nicholas Burns is visiting Latvia today and tomorrow, February 26, LETA learned at the Foreign Affairs Ministry. LETA

Political analyst Janis Ikstens speaks on the make-up of the next Saeima in an interview in NRA. Ikstens believes that next Saeima will be more fragmented. "Besides, the politicians that will win in October will be able to say ahead of the 2006 elections: we were the ones, who achieved Latvia’s entry into NATO and EU," says Ikstens.

Political analyst Janis Ikstens speaks on the make-up of the next Saeima in an interview in NRA. Ikstens believes that next Saeima will be more fragmented. "Besides, the politicians that will win in October will be able to say ahead of the 2006 elections: we were the ones, who achieved Latvias entry into NATO and EU," says Ikstens. Neatkariga

About 8000 people responded to the opinion poll organized by FF/LNNK. Questionnaires with questions whether Saeima and local government deputies should know the Latvian language were published in two Latvian newspapers. Almost all answers were positive. This makes one to conclude that FF/LNNK intends to keep its image as a national party and the electorate.

Diena To learn about experience in preparing and issuing ID cards in Estonia, head of DCMA M.Bicevskis went there. First ID cards in Estonia were issued 28 January 2002.

To learn about experience in preparing and issuing ID cards in Estonia, head of DCMA M.Bicevskis went there. First ID cards in Estonia were issued 28 January 2002. Neatkariga

Answering to questions of Latvian journalists whether there should be expected any new demands for Latvia, NATO Secretary General G.Robertson said that there was no prepared list of demands. They follow the development of situation here and see that the society becomes more consolidated. They are satisfied with the present situation, but democracy is developing and he may not promise that there might not appear new recommendations.

Answering to questions of Latvian journalists whether there should be expected any new demands for Latvia, NATO Secretary General G.Robertson said that there was no prepared list of demands. They follow the development of situation here and see that the society becomes more consolidated. They are satisfied with the present situation, but democracy is developing and he may not promise that there might not appear new recommendations. Telegraf

Newspaper Telegraf commenting the situation after adoption the new citizenship law in Russia, cites FF/LNNK representative J.Vidins, who said that Russia’s citizenship policy was contradicting the call of Russian President V.Putin to compatriots to return to Russia. If these people return they will become Russian citizens only after 5 years and only after that they will be able to receive pension.

Newspaper Telegraf commenting the situation after adoption the new citizenship law in Russia, cites FF/LNNK representative J.Vidins, who said that Russias citizenship policy was contradicting the call of Russian President V.Putin to compatriots to return to Russia. If these people return they will become Russian citizens only after 5 years and only after that they will be able to receive pension. Telegraf

There are nine months left until Latvia might be invited to join NATO. Now Latvian authorities have to rush to solve the “Russian issue”. Otherwise there will be no time “to kill those bastards”. The newspaper already wrote about the solemn pledge for Russian-speaking deputies, but simple Russian people would be treated differently, They will be just “mochitj” (slang word for “to slaughter”). And they will start in Daugavpils where the Russian language is used the most.

There are nine months left until Latvia might be invited to join NATO. Now Latvian authorities have to rush to solve the Russian issue. Otherwise there will be no time to kill those bastards. The newspaper already wrote about the solemn pledge for Russian-speaking deputies, but simple Russian people would be treated differently, They will be just mochitj (slang word for to slaughter). And they will start in Daugavpils where the Russian language is used the most. Vesti Segodnya

Former Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Soviet Latvian republic N.Neilans thinks that the statement made by G.Robertson concerning the link between amending the election laws and Latvia’s joining NATO should not be taken as an ultimatum. Still the Secretary General of NATO told Latvian authorities about democratic values observed in NATO. And NATO has to compare with e.g. Estonia. Estonians did not receive any ultimatum, they themselves solved the language problems, allowed foreigners to vote in local government elections, etc.

Former Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Soviet Latvian republic N.Neilans thinks that the statement made by G.Robertson concerning the link between amending the election laws and Latvias joining NATO should not be taken as an ultimatum. Still the Secretary General of NATO told Latvian authorities about democratic values observed in NATO. And NATO has to compare with e.g. Estonia. Estonians did not receive any ultimatum, they themselves solved the language problems, allowed foreigners to vote in local government elections, etc. Chas