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

Swedish Foreign Minister Anna Lindh is on a visit to Latvia.

Swedish Foreign Minister Anna Lindh is on a visit to Latvia. Diena informs that she was shocked over appeal voiced last week by OSCE official Gerard Stoudmann to Latvia to consider granting Russian language status of the second state language in Latvia. She reaffirmed the question on bilingualism in Latvia is not a European Union requirement either from the part of member countries or institutions. Lindh said Sweden like many other EU member countries has only one state language and, the state language issue "fully rests with Latvia". She also voiced satisfaction over proposals expressed by the Latvian government concerning amendments to the Election Law. It shows "Latvia is meeting all requirements to become a full-fledged EU member country". Lindh added that after accession to the EU, Latvia, like other EU member countries, will be able to use Latvian language in the EU work. Neatkariga, Chas, Telegraf

The number of the applications for naturalization in February has remained at the same high level as in January and even exceeded the total of January’s applications for 50 applications. It could be explained by the Public Awareness and Citizenship Promotion Campaign run by the Naturalization Board.

The number of the applications for naturalization in February has remained at the same high level as in January and even exceeded the total of Januarys applications for 50 applications. It could be explained by the Public Awareness and Citizenship Promotion Campaign run by the Naturalization Board. Diena

Following three years in the office the British ambassador to Latvia, Stephen Nash, has left the country while the new ambassador, Andrew Tesoriere, is expected arriving in Riga during the Easter Holidays.

Following three years in the office the British ambassador to Latvia, Stephen Nash, has left the country while the new ambassador, Andrew Tesoriere, is expected arriving in Riga during the Easter Holidays. Diena, Neatkariga

Lauku Avizes

editorial is by newspapers board chairperson Voldemar Krustins about the statement made by OSCE ODIHR director Stoudmann that Latvia should consider granting Russian the status of the state language. Krustins thinks that Latvia does not have any guarantees that more and more such statements will follow from NATO and the EU. editorial is by newspaper’s board chairperson Voldemar Krustins about the statement made by OSCE ODIHR director Stoudmann that Latvia should consider granting Russian the status of the state language. Krustins’ thinks that Latvia does not have any guarantees that more and more such statements will follow from NATO and the EU.

Vesti Segodnja

talks with political technologist, FHRUL member Jurij Petropavlovskij about the current political situation in Latvia. He believes that the recent statement by the OSCE official Stoudmann was a planned statement in order to see the response of Latvia. Regarding American Ambassador to Latvia Brian Carlsons negative reaction to the statement Petropavlovskij says that it shows how these two parties – Europe and the USA - are trying to divide the spheres of influence. He also says that the politicians who protect the rights of national minorities in Latvia will act only in accordance with their intentions and convictions and not because they want to be good and right in the eyes western politicians. talks with political technologist, FHRUL member Jurij Petropavlovskij about the current political situation in Latvia. He believes that the recent statement by the OSCE official Stoudmann was a planned statement in order to see the response of Latvia. Regarding American Ambassador to Latvia Brian Carlson’s negative reaction to the statement Petropavlovskij says that it shows how these two parties – Europe and the USA - are trying to divide the spheres of influence. He also says that the politicians who protect the rights of national minorities in Latvia will act only in accordance with their intentions and convictions and not because they want to be good and right in the eyes western politicians.

Chas

journalist Aleksand Vasiljev comments the situation regarding the statement and the response to it. He writes the back luck of our politicians most probably was that they did not managed to work at Stoudmanns views and it seems that his views about the development of situation in Latvia are based on studies made by western countries. The journalist believes that Latvian politicians overreacted because they are afraid that such statements will follow more and more. journalist Aleksand Vasiljev comments the situation regarding the statement and the response to it. He writes “the back luck of our politicians most probably was that they did not managed to “work at” Stoudmann’s views and it seems that his views about the development of situation in Latvia are based on studies made by western countries”. The journalist believes that Latvian politicians overreacted because they are afraid that such statements will follow more and more.

Chas

criticizes the work of Society Integration Foundation. It writes that the Foundation becomes a simple feeding trough and does not solve any integration problems on a practical level. criticizes the work of Society Integration Foundation. It writes that “the Foundation becomes a simple feeding trough and does not solve any integration problems on a practical level”. ChasChas journalist Lebedeva criticizes the terms for granting Foundations money, in particular, that only NGOs or organizations that have partnership with NGOs can apply for Foundations as many establishments who deal with Russian culture at the given circumstances had to change their legal status and become limited companies. ’ journalist Lebedeva criticizes the terms for granting Foundation’s money, in particular, that only NGOs or organizations that have partnership with NGOs can apply for Foundation’s as many establishments who deal with Russian culture at the given circumstances had to change their legal status and become limited companies.