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

U.S. Ambassador to NATO Nicholas Burns begins an official visit in Latvia today. During the visit, he will hold meetings with Latvia's top officials. The goal of Burns's diplomatic visit is to held a "very open discussion" in order to show the governments what they must accomplish before the NATO Summit in Prague in November. Another goal is to give the governments a chance to work out effective long-term action plans to prepare for NATO membership.

U.S. Ambassador to NATO Nicholas Burns begins an official visit in Latvia today. During the visit, he will hold meetings with Latvia's top officials. The goal of Burns's diplomatic visit is to held a "very open discussion" in order to show the governments what they must accomplish before the NATO Summit in Prague in November. Another goal is to give the governments a chance to work out effective long-term action plans to prepare for NATO membership. Chas, Panorama Latvii

One or several persons describing themselves as "young communists" have assumed responsibility over the last week's blast outside the Citizenship and Migration Affairs Department in Riga and demand Russian language be granted status of state language as well as legalization of Communist Party. The security police would check on the case and exert all efforts to find authors of the letter.

One or several persons describing themselves as "young communists" have assumed responsibility over the last week's blast outside the Citizenship and Migration Affairs Department in Riga and demand Russian language be granted status of state language as well as legalization of Communist Party. The security police would check on the case and exert all efforts to find authors of the letter. Diena

Today’s all newspapers devote attention to the problems, in particular concerning language, of the second biggest Latvian city Daugavpils. People’s Party invited State Language Center director Dzintra Hirsa and Daugavpil’s language inspector to discuss the language situation in the city. People’s Party concluded that although the State Language Center is short of language inspectors it should not be considered the reason for bad situation in this area. “The Center needs to better administrative work and distribution of jobs”, believes People’s Party. The language inspector responsible for Daugavpil’s and Kraslava region is assigned to follow the work of Daugavpils City Council more closely.

Todays all newspapers devote attention to the problems, in particular concerning language, of the second biggest Latvian city Daugavpils. Peoples Party invited State Language Center director Dzintra Hirsa and Daugavpils language inspector to discuss the language situation in the city. Peoples Party concluded that although the State Language Center is short of language inspectors it should not be considered the reason for bad situation in this area. The Center needs to better administrative work and distribution of jobs, believes Peoples Party. The language inspector responsible for Daugavpils and Kraslava region is assigned to follow the work of Daugavpils City Council more closely. Diena,Lauku Avize, Chas, Telegraf, Panorama Latvii

Vesti Segodnja writes that very soon the delegation of the members of the State Language Commission headed by chairperson Mara Zalite will visit Daugavpils. The newspaper inquires Daugavpils’ local people and FHRUL members regarding the language situation in the city. All of them believe that the issue has been politicized and that actual language environment in Daugavpils is improving.

Vesti Segodnja writes that very soon the delegation of the members of the State Language Commission headed by chairperson Mara Zalite will visit Daugavpils. The newspaper inquires Daugavpils local people and FHRUL members regarding the language situation in the city. All of them believe that the issue has been politicized and that actual language environment in Daugavpils is improving.

Two recent incidents when two girls from Daugavpils voiced publicly their protest against NATO incited

Two recent incidents when two girls from Daugavpils voiced publicly their protest against NATO incited Dienas journalist to write about the views of Daugavpils Russian students about Latvia. The inquired students said although they disapprove the actions of two girls, however, they also disapprove Latvias membership to the EU and NATO. They also admitted that they lack information and a possibility to discuss these issues.

British newspaper

British newspaper The Times writes that the Baltic States are the favorites of the USA on their way to NATO. The newspaper also notes that the possible favorable position of the Baltic States in Washington D.C have caused dissatisfaction of other NATO member states diplomats. Diena, Neatkariga, Lauku Avize

Lauku Avize

inquires Latvian politicians about NATO Secretary General G.Robertsons visit to Latvia. FF/LNNK member Dz.Rasnacs says, George Robertson did not indicated very clearly that Latvia has to amend the Election Law. He referred that actually it is Presidents initiative and that he supports it. Rasnacs also believes that this issue will no be crucial when Latvias possible membership to NATO is discussed. Latvias Way member Valdis Birkavs and Peoples Party member Vaira Paegle say that Lord Robertson did not come up with any new statements, but both deputies noted Robertsons statement that Latvia can expect new requirements. inquires Latvian politicians about NATO Secretary General G.Robertson’s visit to Latvia. FF/LNNK member Dz.Rasnacs says, “George Robertson did not indicated very clearly that Latvia has to amend the Election Law. He referred that actually it is President’s initiative and that he supports it”. Rasnacs also believes that this issue will no be crucial when Latvia’s possible membership to NATO is discussed. Latvia’s Way member Valdis Birkavs and People’s Party member Vaira Paegle say that Lord Robertson did not come up with any new statements, but both deputies noted Robertson’s statement that Latvia can expect new requirements.

Lauku Avizes

Board member Voldemars Krustins when commenting George Robertsons visit to Latvia writes that politicians have to inform public about the price Latvia will pay for NATO membership and he concludes lets amend our laws reasonably, get into NATO and the EU and when we are there we will take care of ourselves". Board member Voldemars Krustins when commenting George Robertson’s visit to Latvia writes that politicians have to inform public about “the price Latvia will pay for NATO membership” and he concludes “let’s amend our laws reasonably, get into NATO and the EU and when we are there we will take care of ourselves".

Lauku Avize

interviews Constitution Court Chairperson Aivars Endzins. First, Aivars Endzinsreports on the amendments Latvia has to introduce concerning its membership to the EU. The second part of the interview is devoted to the widely discussed amendments to the Election Law. He says Article 4 of the Constitution already provides for that the Latvian language is the state language in Latvia. It is disputable issue should it be necessary to add anything else to this article. Also Saeimas Rules of Order provide for that the Latvian language is the working language of the Saeima. Regarding the amendments to the Election Law the Chairperson believes that language requirement for election candidates should not be lifted. interviews Constitution Court Chairperson Aivars Endzins. First, Aivars Endzins reports on the amendments Latvia has to introduce concerning its membership to the EU. The second part of the interview is devoted to the widely discussed amendments to the Election Law. He says “Article 4 of the Constitution already provides for that the Latvian language is the state language in Latvia. It is disputable issue should it be necessary to add anything else to this article. Also Saeima’s Rules of Order provide for that the Latvian language is the working language of the Saeima”. Regarding the amendments to the Election Law the Chairperson believes that language requirement for election candidates should not be lifted.

Lauku Avize

gives summary of two cases – Sisojevi and Kolosovska - from Latvia with the European Court of Human Rights. gives summary of two cases – Sisojevi and Kolosovska - from Latvia with the European Court of Human Rights. FF/LNNK chairperson Maris Grinblats informs

FF/LNNK chairperson Maris Grinblats informs Rigas Balss about the draft amendments to the Constitution in order to secure the status of the state language. The amendments are planned to be considered by the Saeima already at the beginning of March. One of the key amendments is that only Latvian citizens can have rights to participate at municipal elections. Grinblats comments that the EU has not set the requirement that non-citizens should have rights to vote and run for the seats in municipalities. If such requirements are set then they would be rejected, because they are unacceptable in Latvias situation.

According to the draft of national standard the number of Russian literature classes at Russian schools will be reduced as of the new academic year. Teachers from Russian schools strictly oppose the project.

According to the draft of national standard the number of Russian literature classes at Russian schools will be reduced as of the new academic year. Teachers from Russian schools strictly oppose the project. Vecernaya Riga

FHRUL Saeima’s member Jakov Pliner writes about the results of the research conducted by the group of independent experts concerning the situation in bilingual education in Latvia. He provides the conclusions of the group of the experts and believes that there are three further development directions: first, continue education in mother tongue, second, improve Latvian language learning programs, and third, gradually, according to one’s will, introduce bilingual education.

FHRUL Saeimas member Jakov Pliner writes about the results of the research conducted by the group of independent experts concerning the situation in bilingual education in Latvia. He provides the conclusions of the group of the experts and believes that there are three further development directions: first, continue education in mother tongue, second, improve Latvian language learning programs, and third, gradually, according to ones will, introduce bilingual education. Chas