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.

• Saeima appoints Artis Pabriks to the post of Foreign Affairs Minister
• Picket against the Latvias education reform in Strasbourg
• Latvian Government plans to take steps to respond to the protest actions against the education reform planned by the Headquarters on 1 September
• President of the public relation agency RKT Publicitate Krisjanis Rozenvalds on societal integration in Latvia
• Museum ‘Russians in Latvia

The Saeima appointed the current Head of Saeima Foreign Affairs Committee Artis Pabriks (People’s Party) to the post of the Foreign Affairs Minister. Artis Pabriks was elected to the post thanks to the direct and indirect support of the opposition’s left-wing parties. 55 MPs from the coalition parties and People’s Harmony Party voted for Artis Pabriks, 31 (from the New Era and For Human Rights in the United Latvia) voted against, 7 MPs from the For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM abstained. MPs from Latvia’s Socialist Party did not participate in the vote thereby indirectly supporting the candidature of Artis Pabriks.

The Saeima appointed the current Head of Saeima Foreign Affairs Committee Artis Pabriks (Peoples Party) to the post of the Foreign Affairs Minister. Artis Pabriks was elected to the post thanks to the direct and indirect support of the oppositions left-wing parties. 55 MPs from the coalition parties and Peoples Harmony Party voted for Artis Pabriks, 31 (from the New Era and For Human Rights in the United Latvia) voted against, 7 MPs from the For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM abstained. MPs from Latvias Socialist Party did not participate in the vote thereby indirectly supporting the candidature of Artis Pabriks. Chas and Telegraf feature interviews with Artis Pabriks. Latvijas Vestnesis, Diena, Rigas Balss, Latvijas Avize, Neatkariga Rita Avize, Vesti Segodnya, Chas, Telegraf

Newspapers write about the picket against the Latvia’s education reform in Strasbourg in which young people from the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian-language Schools took part. While the Latvian mass media reports that the protest, as well as the press conference with the European Parliament (EP) MP Tatjana Zdanoka did not attract attention of EP deputies and foreign journalists, the Russian language newspapers evaluate the protest action as successful. Other Latvian MPs of the EP, who disagree with the protest actions, issued a statement. In their statement they condemn the activities of Tatjana Zdanoka stating that these activities have no relation to real concerns regarding the situation of minorities in Latvia.

Newspapers write about the picket against the Latvias education reform in Strasbourg in which young people from the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian-language Schools took part. While the Latvian mass media reports that the protest, as well as the press conference with the European Parliament (EP) MP Tatjana Zdanoka did not attract attention of EP deputies and foreign journalists, the Russian language newspapers evaluate the protest action as successful. Other Latvian MPs of the EP, who disagree with the protest actions, issued a statement. In their statement they condemn the activities of Tatjana Zdanoka stating that these activities have no relation to real concerns regarding the situation of minorities in Latvia. Diena, Rigas Balss, Latvijas Avize, Neatkariga Rita Avize, Vesti Segodnya, Chas, Telegraf

In the response to the planned protest actions against the implementation of the education reform scheduled on 1 September 2004, the government plans to organise several recreational events for students, announced the Prime Minister Indulis Emsis after the meeting with President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga.

In the response to the planned protest actions against the implementation of the education reform scheduled on 1 September 2004, the government plans to organise several recreational events for students, announced the Prime Minister Indulis Emsis after the meeting with President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga. Diena, Vesti Segodnya

Vesti Segodnya features an interview with the president of the public relation agency RKT Publicitate Krisjanis Rozenvalds about issues concerning Latvian Russian relations in Latvia. He critically talks about “Latvian mentality” and reproaches Latvians for being indifferent towards issues where their involvement is necessary, for example, prohibition of legionnaires demonstrations. However, he is convinced that Russia should recognise occupation of Latvia and that would help to eliminate many phobias still alive among Latvians.   

Vesti Segodnya features an interview with the president of the public relation agency RKT Publicitate Krisjanis Rozenvalds about issues concerning Latvian Russian relations in Latvia. He critically talks about Latvian mentality and reproaches Latvians for being indifferent towards issues where their involvement is necessary, for example, prohibition of legionnaires demonstrations. However, he is convinced that Russia should recognise occupation of Latvia and that would help to eliminate many phobias still alive among Latvians.

Chas reports that a number of Russian non-governmental cultural organisations have formed a working group which works at the formation of the museum ‘Russians in Latvia.