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

Latvijas Vestnesis publishes the interview with the Prime Minister Andris Berzins.

Regarding his promise to change the Election Law and the response of LatviaТs WayТs coalition partners to that the Prime Minister said, УLetТs stop playing hide and seek. If we understand and know our goal then we have to take measures to achieve this goalФ. When asked if the price for NATOТs membership is not too high the Prime Minister says that quite in opposite, because Latvian language will be more secured in the Satversme after the Saeima adopts the draft amendments developed by the ruling parties.

Regarding his promise to change the Election Law and the response of LatviaТs WayТs coalition partners to that the Prime Minister said, УLetТs stop playing hide and seek. If we understand and know our goal then we have to take measures to achieve this goalФ. When asked if the price for NATOТs membership is not too high the Prime Minister says that quite in opposite, because Latvian language will be more secured in the Satversme after the Saeima adopts the draft amendments developed by the ruling parties.

When meeting with the editors of the regional newspapers A.Bзrziтр said that Latvia will not ratify the Framework Convention on the Protection of National Minorities before all European Union states do so. Regarding the Election Law the Premier pointed out that the ruling coalition has already agreed on the necessary amendments to the Constitution and he expressed hope that they would be turned over to the Saeima in the near future. After amending the Constitution, the Election Law could be amended as well, Berzins explained. He also sharply criticized those political forces which are pretending that they do not understand the need to change the Election Law. "Citizens cannot be better and even more better. All citizens must have equal rights," Berzins said, pointing out that "classifying citizens is improper." At the same time, the Prime Minister stressed that deputies must know the Latvian language, predicting that in five to six years the problem would be forgotten and a situation where Latvian language skills are lacking - extraordinary. In the Premier's view, the Election Law should be amended by Prague Summit, November 21. However, it would be good to do it until the meeting of NATO foreign ministries in Reykjavik on May16, in which the NATO expansion matters could be one of the key issues, Berzins admitted

When meeting with the editors of the regional newspapers A.Bзrziтр said that Latvia will not ratify the Framework Convention on the Protection of National Minorities before all European Union states do so. Regarding the Election Law the Premier pointed out that the ruling coalition has already agreed on the necessary amendments to the Constitution and he expressed hope that they would be turned over to the Saeima in the near future. After amending the Constitution, the Election Law could be amended as well, Berzins explained. He also sharply criticized those political forces which are pretending that they do not understand the need to change the Election Law. "Citizens cannot be better and even more better. All citizens must have equal rights," Berzins said, pointing out that "classifying citizens is improper." At the same time, the Prime Minister stressed that deputies must know the Latvian language, predicting that in five to six years the problem would be forgotten and a situation where Latvian language skills are lacking - extraordinary. In the Premier's view, the Election Law should be amended by Prague Summit, November 21. However, it would be good to do it until the meeting of NATO foreign ministries in Reykjavik on May16, in which the NATO expansion matters could be one of the key issues, Berzins admitted. BNS, LETA

Jaunв

publishes considerations of the State President Vaira Vike-Freiberga concerning the Latvian language and NATO. The President believes that NATO does not cause threats to the Latvian language, on the contrary, NATO membership would ensure Latvian residents that they are guaranteed a democratic country and the state language in the long-term future. The President considers that the best measures to strengthen the status of the state language is to provide possibility to study the language, run positive language promoting campaigns, draw positive examples, as well as it is very important that the voters themselves supervises how effectively a deputy can use the state language. publishes considerations of the State President Vaira Vike-Freiberga concerning the Latvian language and NATO. The President believes that NATO does not cause threats to the Latvian language, on the contrary, NATO membership would ensure Latvian residents that they are guaranteed a democratic country and the state language in the long-term future. The President considers that the best measures to strengthen the status of the state language is to provide possibility to study the language, run positive language promoting campaigns, draw positive examples, as well as it is very important that the voters themselves supervises how effectively a deputy can use the state language.

Neatkarоgв

publishes data of the social poll whether Latvian residents feel any kind of discrimination in the country. 80% of the respondents admitted that there is a discrimination on the basis of age and health conditions and more than 60% believe that there is discrimination on ethnic grounds. publishes data of the social poll whether Latvian residents feel any kind of discrimination in the country. 80% of the respondents admitted that there is a discrimination on the basis of age and health conditions and more than 60% believe that there is discrimination on ethnic grounds.

Vecernaya Riga

interviews FHRUL SaeimaТs deputy Miroslav Mitrafanov who is representing DaugavpilТs region. In his opinion, the language issue is not of big importance in Daugavpils, as the city experiences some bigger problems, such as, very high rate of unemployment and poverty. interviews FHRUL SaeimaТs deputy Miroslav Mitrafanov who is representing DaugavpilТs region. In his opinion, the language issue is not of big importance in Daugavpils, as the city experiences some bigger problems, such as, very high rate of unemployment and poverty.

Vesti Segodnja

and and TelegrafTelegraf provide the opinion of Daugavpils City Mayor R.Eigims on the current language situation in the city. Eigims admits that the language situation is not the easy one, however, he rejects the statements that nothing has been done to improve the situation. He also notes that he will not tolerate any language repression and suggests that repression should be replaced with positive measures, such as, allotting more funding from the state budget for Latvian language courses. provide the opinion of Daugavpils City Mayor R.Eigims on the current language situation in the city. Eigims admits that the language situation is not the easy one, however, he rejects the statements that nothing has been done to improve the situation. He also notes that he will not tolerate any language repression and suggests that repression should be replaced with positive measures, such as, allotting more funding from the state budget for Latvian language courses.

Vesti Segodnja

publishes the comments of FHRUL SaeimaТs member Boriss Cilevics on RussiaТs comparison between Latvia and Macedonia. He admits that he is tired of Latvian authorities getting so concerned when Latvia is compared to Macedonia Уit looks like a racism. Why Latvia could not be compared to Macedonia? Both Latvia and Macedonia are candidates for the EU and NATO membership. The only difference is that national minorities in Latvia have not received all their rightsФ. publishes the comments of FHRUL SaeimaТs member Boriss Cilevics on RussiaТs comparison between Latvia and Macedonia. He admits that he is tired of Latvian authorities getting so concerned when Latvia is compared to Macedonia Уit looks like a racism. Why Latvia could not be compared to Macedonia? Both Latvia and Macedonia are candidates for the EU and NATO membership. The only difference is that national minorities in Latvia have not received all their rightsФ. The surviving members of Latvian Nazi Waffen SS unit or the so-called Latvian Legionnaires will not stage their annual procession this year not to threaten the Baltic state's bid for NATO membership. The Latvian Society of National Soldiers, organizing the traditional procession on March 16 every year to commemorate Latvian soldiers, that were forced to serve in Nazi army in World War Two, said there will not be any procession in Riga this year. The procession always causes great commotion in Latvia and abroad, therefore the Latvian Legionnaires will not march through Riga this year to prevent any possible provocations that may undermine Latvia's chances to get admitted to NATO.

The surviving members of Latvian Nazi Waffen SS unit or the so-called Latvian Legionnaires will not stage their annual procession this year not to threaten the Baltic state's bid for NATO membership. The Latvian Society of National Soldiers, organizing the traditional procession on March 16 every year to commemorate Latvian soldiers, that were forced to serve in Nazi army in World War Two, said there will not be any procession in Riga this year. The procession always causes great commotion in Latvia and abroad, therefore the Latvian Legionnaires will not march through Riga this year to prevent any possible provocations that may undermine Latvia's chances to get admitted to NATO. Chas, Telegraf, Panorama Latvii

Panorama Latvii interviews Socialist Party leader Alfreds Rubiks.

Panorama Latvii interviews Socialist Party leader Alfreds Rubiks.