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.

• Newspapers report on the board meeting of the union For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM
• Telegraf continues discussions about statements of the Head of Saeima Foreign Affairs Committee Aleksandrs Kirsteins about the necessity to promote the emigration of non-citizens to other countries
• Saeimas member Ina Druviete about the role of the Latvian language in the formation of the Latvian identity
• Day centre for minority children from socially disadvantaged families to be opened in Jurmala
• Discussions on the opening of files of former agents of the State Security Committees of the Soviet Republic of Latvia go on
• State Security Police have to report on their reposnse to the activities of the national-radical political organisation Union of National Strength
• Opinion poll: 36% Russians in Russia would not support marriage between their close relative and a Latvian or Estonian

Newspapers report on the board meeting of the union For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM. During the meeting the Board re-confirmed the key points in the party’s programme for the following three years. The party promises to maintain the prohibitions for non-citizens to participate in municipal elections and give Latvian citizenship only to those, who respect the Latvian language, culture and state. The party is also planning to demand the recognition of Latvia’s occupation and condemnation of Communist regime.

Newspapers report on the board meeting of the union For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM. During the meeting the Board re-confirmed the key points in the partys programme for the following three years. The party promises to maintain the prohibitions for non-citizens to participate in municipal elections and give Latvian citizenship only to those, who respect the Latvian language, culture and state. The party is also planning to demand the recognition of Latvias occupation and condemnation of Communist regime. Latvijas Avize, Vesti Segodnya, Chas

Telegraf continues discussions about statements of the Head of Saeima Foreign Affairs Committee Aleksandrs Kirsteins about the necessity to promote the emigration of non-citizens of Latvia to the USA, Russia and other European Countries. Aleksandrs Kirsteins believes that it is necessary to work seriously on the strategy of deportation of non-citizens to the USA, Russia or other countries, because it is naďve to believe that all 450,000 non-citizens would naturalise. The members of the Aleksandrs Kirsteins party (Peoples Party) – Minister of Justice Vineta Muizniece and Foreign Affairs Minister Artis Pabriks – disassociate with the Kirsteins statements and stress that his opinion does not reflect the position of the party. Moreover, Artis Pabriks calls non-citizens to naturalise.

Latvijas Avize prints an article by the professor and Saeima member Ina Druviete about the role of the Latvian language in the formation of the Latvian identity in Latvia and Europe. According to the MP, the Latvian language has not become a decisive indicator of ones national identity. However, she notes that the number of people whose second language is Latvian has increased among minority representatives from 23% in 1989 to 53% in 2000. However, Ina Druviete is not satisfied with the situation because better Latvian language proficiency is observable among members of such minorities as Lithuanians, Estonians and Roma, while Latvian language proficiency of Russians, Belorussians and Ukrainians is remarkably lower. Approximately 50% of minority representatives have poor or no knowledge of Latvian.

‘A day centre for minority children from socially disadvantaged families is planned to be open in Jurmala. The key aim of the centre will be integration of Romani children in society’ stated the Mayor of Jurmala Juris Hlevickis during the meeting with the Special Tasks Minister for Social Integration Nils Muiznieks. The Mayor believes that a social programme addressing specifically all Roma is needed as well.

‘A day centre for minority children from socially disadvantaged families is planned to be open in Jurmala. The key aim of the centre will be integration of Romani children in society stated the Mayor of Jurmala Juris Hlevickis during the meeting with the Special Tasks Minister for Social Integration Nils Muiznieks. The Mayor believes that a social programme addressing specifically all Roma is needed as well. Latvijas Avize

The Head of the Centre of Documenting the Consequences of Totalitarianism Indulis Zalite comments on an intention of MPs to open only those files of former agents, who were ideological informants of the State Security Committee of the Soviet Republic of Latvia, thus persons, who at that time fought against criminal activities, would be protected. Indulis Zalite states that in Latvia there are only registration cards containing names of former agents, while descriptions of their tasks are in Moscow and this information will not be available for several decades. The critical stance of Zalite has led to discussions among MPs about the eligibility of Indulis Zalite to hold  the post if he continues to be negative towards suggestions made by MPs and do not offer any alternative solutions.

The Head of the Centre of Documenting the Consequences of Totalitarianism Indulis Zalite comments on an intention of MPs to open only those files of former agents, who were ideological informants of the State Security Committee of the Soviet Republic of Latvia, thus persons, who at that time fought against criminal activities, would be protected. Indulis Zalite states that in Latvia there are only registration cards containing names of former agents, while descriptions of their tasks are in Moscow and this information will not be available for several decades. The critical stance of Zalite has led to discussions among MPs about the eligibility of Indulis Zalite to hold the post if he continues to be negative towards suggestions made by MPs and do not offer any alternative solutions. Neatkariga Rita Avize

Members of the Saeima National Security Committee are planning to question the head of the State Security Police Janis Reiniks to clarify the planned response of the Police towards the activities of the national-radical political organisation Union of National Strength. The radical organisation published envelopes with the picture of the Latvian pilot Herberts Cukurs who in the World War Two participated in the Holocaust.

Members of the Saeima National Security Committee are planning to question the head of the State Security Police Janis Reiniks to clarify the planned response of the Police towards the activities of the national-radical political organisation Union of National Strength. The radical organisation published envelopes with the picture of the Latvian pilot Herberts Cukurs who in the World War Two participated in the Holocaust. Latvijas Avize

‘36% Russians living in Russia would not support the marriage between their close relative and a Latvian or Estonian. 31% of respondents have stated that they would not mind, while 33% would support such marriage,’ reveals the public opinion poll conducted on the request by the Russia newspaper ‘Izvestia.’ Russians are more negative towards a possible marriage between their close relatives and Chechens – 65% of respondents would not support the marriage between a Chechen and their relative.  

‘36% Russians living in Russia would not support the marriage between their close relative and a Latvian or Estonian. 31% of respondents have stated that they would not mind, while 33% would support such marriage, reveals the public opinion poll conducted on the request by the Russia newspaper ‘Izvestia. Russians are more negative towards a possible marriage between their close relatives and Chechens – 65% of respondents would not support the marriage between a Chechen and their relative.