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 Report

Saeima

Deputy-Speaker Andris Ameriks and Chairman of the Deputy-Speaker Andris Ameriks and Chairman of the SaeimaSaeima Committee on European Affairs Edvins Inkens held a press-conference upon their return from the Western European Union Assembly in Paris. Ameriks and Inkens said that they had noted a considerable change in the attitude of the West toward the enlargement of NATO and the role of Russia in the process. The two Latvian politicians believe that NATO has succumbed to Russia="s" pressure by deciding to sign a special agreement with Russia on the enlargement of the block. Mr. Ameriks said that Latvia should improve its relations with Russia. According to Ameriks and Inkens, Latvia may not be admitted to the European Union if it fails to enter NATO during the first stage of its enlargement. The participants of the Assembly were trying to avoid discussing security of the Baltic states. The President of Poland in his speech made it clear that Poland would not welcome the admission of the Baltic states to the block on the first stage of its enlargement. According to Inkens, Spanish and Norwegian delegations have also changed their opinion on the issue after visiting Moscow. Committee on European Affairs Edvins Inkens held a press-conference upon their return from the Western European Union Assembly in Paris. Ameriks and Inkens said that they had noted a considerable change in the attitude of the West toward the enlargement of NATO and the role of Russia in the process. The two Latvian politicians believe that NATO has succumbed to Russia="s" pressure by deciding to sign a special agreement with Russia on the enlargement of the block. Mr. Ameriks said that Latvia should improve its relations with Russia. According to Ameriks and Inkens, Latvia may not be admitted to the European Union if it fails to enter NATO during the first stage of its enlargement. The participants of the Assembly were trying to avoid discussing security of the Baltic states. The President of Poland in his speech made it clear that Poland would not welcome the admission of the Baltic states to the block on the first stage of its enlargement. According to Inkens, Spanish and Norwegian delegations have also changed their opinion on the issue after visiting Moscow. DienaDiena Today the State Human Rights Office, the Council of Europe Information Center, and the Institute of Human Rights of the Latvian State University are organizing a Seminar on the implementation of the European Human Rights Convention. Its aim is to make lawyers aware of the effect of the Convention on their work. Latvia has signed the Convention and it is still to be ratified by the

Today the State Human Rights Office, the Council of Europe Information Center, and the Institute of Human Rights of the Latvian State University are organizing a Seminar on the implementation of the European Human Rights Convention. Its aim is to make lawyers aware of the effect of the Convention on their work. Latvia has signed the Convention and it is still to be ratified by the Saeima. Neatkariga

Co-chairmen of the Latvian Human Rights Committee Vladimir Buzayev and Gennady Kotov believe that UN refusal to review the minority problem in Latvia may "lead to grievous consequences". The Government is now free to unleash discrimination mechanisms that have been halted for a while. Among these are the Laws "On Education" and "On Languages". The Latvian Human Rights Committee is picketing the UNDP office today to mark the International Human Rights Day.

Co-chairmen of the Latvian Human Rights Committee Vladimir Buzayev and Gennady Kotov believe that UN refusal to review the minority problem in Latvia may "lead to grievous consequences". The Government is now free to unleash discrimination mechanisms that have been halted for a while. Among these are the Laws "On Education" and "On Languages". The Latvian Human Rights Committee is picketing the UNDP office today to mark the International Human Rights Day. SM