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.

• Sandra Kalniete on relations between Russia and Latvia
• President of European Parliament Pat Cox views on the recall of Martinjan Bekasov from EP observers status
• Eizenija Aldermane on the integration of minority youth
• Proposal of Peoples Harmony Party to lower naturalization fee
• Representatives of Russian language schools about the schools readiness for the education reform
• MP Aldis Kuskis on the prohibition for ex-staff of the State Security Committee to stand as candidate for elections
• FederalRepublic of Germany award to the director of the museum Jews in Latvia Marger Vesterman

Telegraf reports about the press briefing of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Latvia Sandra Kalniete during the NATO Foreign Ministers meeting at Alliance Headquarters in Brussels on 4 and 5 December. During the briefing Sandra Kalniete reminded about the complicated relationships between Russia and Latvia. The statement by Minister for Foreign Affairs of Russia Igor Ivanov that Russia reserves the right to military intervention in Latvia based on violation of minority rights shows that it is impossible to have a dialogue with Russia. The Latvian foreign minister also indicated that the pre-election time in Russia precludes constructive dialogue.

Neatkariga Rita Avize reports that the President of the European Parliament (EP) Pat Cox, commenting on the recall of observer Martijan Bekasov, has stated that it is not only a legal, but even more a political problem, said the EP President press secretary David Harley. For EU observers the freedom of speech standards should be the same as for deputies, continued David Harley, and if these are fully guaranteed by the Latvian parliament there should be no problem.

Head of Naturalization Board Eizenija Aldermane explained her remarks at the recent conference on minority youth where she talked about the lack of patriotic education and alientation from the state by youth.  Ms Aldermane explains that dividing youth into Latvians, Russians, Ukrainians is incorrect and that she had in mind the alienation of all youth.  She admits, however, that the Russian-language schools are a special case, because they provide no civic education in secondary school grades. Another problem Ms Aldermane points to is the tendency of the Russian-speaking families to receive news information only from Russian channels. 

Head of Naturalization Board Eizenija Aldermane explained her remarks at the recent conference on minority youth where she talked about the lack of patriotic education and alientation from the state by youth. Ms Aldermane explains that dividing youth into Latvians, Russians, Ukrainians is incorrect and that she had in mind the alienation of all youth. She admits, however, that the Russian-language schools are a special case, because they provide no civic education in secondary school grades. Another problem Ms Aldermane points to is the tendency of the Russian-speaking families to receive news information only from Russian channels. Telegraf

The People’s Harmony Party (PHP) has appealed to the Minister of Justice Aivars Aksenoks, requesting a reduction of the naturalization fee. The head of Naturalization Board Eizenija Aldermane points to the recent decision of the government to reduce the naturalization fee for non-citizens with low income.

The Peoples Harmony Party (PHP) has appealed to the Minister of Justice Aivars Aksenoks, requesting a reduction of the naturalization fee. The head of Naturalization Board Eizenija Aldermane points to the recent decision of the government to reduce the naturalization fee for non-citizens with low income. Chas, Telegraf, Vechernaya Riga

An article in

An article in Chas presents various opinions of discontented representatives of Riga Russian-language schools about the schools readiness for the education reform of 2004, criticizing the Ministry of Educations recent statement that the schools are ready and will include even more classes in Latvian than the required minimum.

Diena features an article by MP Aldis Kuskis (The New Era), arguing that it is necessary to prohibit ex-staff of the SSC to stand as candidate for elections, especially since as members of the EP they would be representing Latvia at one of the most important institutions of the European Union.

The Ambassador of Germany in Latvia Herold Eckart has presented a Federal Republic of Germany award to the director of the museum “Jews in Latvia” Marger Vesterman.  The award is in recognition of his merits in studying Jewish life, history and the Holocaust in Latvia.

The Ambassador of Germany in Latvia Herold Eckart has presented a Federal Republic of Germany award to the director of the museum Jews in Latvia Marger Vesterman. The award is in recognition of his merits in studying Jewish life, history and the Holocaust in Latvia. Latvijas Avize