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.

• Russian Ambassador to Latvia Igor Studennikov held a reception for representatives of the mass media in Latvia
• Alfreds Rubiks-led Latvian Socialist Party wants to revive Latvias Communist Party
• Latvian Foreign Affairs Minister Sandra Kalniete about integration
• Vesti Segodnya comments on the recent statement of head of the Delegation of the European Commission Andrew Rasbash

On December 20 Russian Ambassador to Latvia Igor Studennikov held a reception for representatives of the mass media in Latvia. Ambassador Studennikov said that he reads Latvian newspapers with a great interest and stressed that people in Latvia will understand each other when Latvians start reading Russian newspapers and Russians – Latvian.

On December 20 Russian Ambassador to Latvia Igor Studennikov held a reception for representatives of the mass media in Latvia. Ambassador Studennikov said that he reads Latvian newspapers with a great interest and stressed that people in Latvia will understand each other when Latvians start reading Russian newspapers and Russians – Latvian. Vesti Segodnya

The Alfreds Rubiks-led Latvian Socialist Party wants to revive Latvia’s Communist Party, which was opposed to Latvia’s independence and was dissolved after the putsch in August 1991. However, LSP’s move could cause problems within For Human Rights In A United Latvia, because LSP’s partner – the National Harmony Party – is against such a proposal.

The Alfreds Rubiks-led Latvian Socialist Party wants to revive Latvias Communist Party, which was opposed to Latvias independence and was dissolved after the putsch in August 1991. However, LSPs move could cause problems within For Human Rights In A United Latvia, because LSPs partner – the National Harmony Party – is against such a proposal. Diena, Neatkariga, Vechernaya Riga, Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Panorama Latvii

Vesti Segodnya reports on the TV show “From the Position of Power” with the participation of Latvian Foreign Affairs Minister Sandra Kalniete. In the show she stated that Latvia should not ratify the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities while the discussion about ratification has not been held among Latvians. The Minister is also convinced that language restrictions in the Law on Radio and Television should not be abolished and the education reform should be implemented in 2004.

Vesti Segodnya reports on the TV show From the Position of Power with the participation of Latvian Foreign Affairs Minister Sandra Kalniete. In the show she stated that Latvia should not ratify the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities while the discussion about ratification has not been held among Latvians. The Minister is also convinced that language restrictions in the Law on Radio and Television should not be abolished and the education reform should be implemented in 2004. Panorama Latvii

Vesti Segodnya

comments on the recent statement of head of the Delegation of the European Commission Andrew Rasbash about the complicated situation when Latvia joins the EU - Latvian non-citizens will not be entitled to vote in municipal elections while citizens of other EU countries after residing in Latvia for 6 months will have the right to participate in municipal elections. The newspaper interprets that statement of Andrew Rasbash was a new requirement and pressing from the EU on Latvia as the EU has nevertalked about this issue before. about the complicated situation when Latvia joins the EU - Latvian non-citizens will not be entitled to vote in municipal elections while citizens of other EU countries after residing in Latvia for 6 months will have the right to participate in municipal elections. The newspaper interprets that statement of Andrew Rasbash was a new requirement and pressing from the EU on Latvia as the EU has never talked about this issue before.