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 continue discussions on the political declaration submitted by Russia
• Latvian National Television will close the morning show broadcasted on the Channel 7 in the Russian language
• Janis Jurkans: the Peoples Harmony Party will run for municipal elections with its own list
• Interview with the Ukrainian Ambassador to Latvia Miron Yankiv
• Deputy Head of the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia Aleksey Ostrovskij comments on the Latvian Presidents declaration addressed to the international community

Newspapers continue to discuss the political declaration submitted by Russia to the Latvian government. According to the daily

Newspapers continue to discuss the political declaration submitted by Russia to the Latvian government. According to the daily Diena, the declaration stipulates that both parties promise to comply with international standards in the area of minority rights, eliminate all obstacles, which prevent integration, and grant equal rights to their residents in the areas of employment and education. The resolution also includes commitments of both countries to maintain traditions of those residents who do not belong to countrys core nation and to strengthen the Russian language in Latvia and the Latvian language in Russia. Chas reports that the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Latvia has developed its changes to the document. Diena, Latvijas Avize, Chas

As of February 2005 the Channel 7 of the Latvian National Television will stop broadcast of the morning show in the Russian language. Officials of the National Television claim that the company

As of February 2005 the Channel 7 of the Latvian National Television will stop broadcast of the morning show in the Russian language. Officials of the National Television claim that the company Forma Pro, which produces the show, has not met the requirements set in the agreement, in particular, has not implemented a social integration project. Diena, Neatkariga Rita Avize, Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

Yesterday the leader of People’s Harmony Party Janis Jurkans announced that the party will run for municipal elections with its own list. Thus attempts to form one list of candidates from two left-wing political forces (the People’s Harmony Party and The New Centre) have failed.

Yesterday the leader of Peoples Harmony Party Janis Jurkans announced that the party will run for municipal elections with its own list. Thus attempts to form one list of candidates from two left-wing political forces (the Peoples Harmony Party and The New Centre) have failed. Chas features a commentary of the member of Riga City Council Aleksandr Gilman (For Human Rights in the United Latvia) on these issues. Diena, Chas, Vesti Segodnya

Latvijas Avize features an interview with the Ambassador of Ukraine to Latvia Miron Yankiv about the situation of Ukrainians in Latvia. The Ambassador believes that the key issue is the low speed of naturalisation among Ukrainians: more than 80% of 60,000 Ukrainians living in Latvia are non-citizens. The Ambassador believes that Ukrainians who tie their future with Latvia should naturalise so they would have the right to participate and run for elections and hold offices in state administration. The Ambassador states that ‘many Ukrainians speak the Latvian language and know its culture; they just have to pull themselves together to go to the Naturalisation Board and pass exams. The Ambassador, however, notes that older applicants experience difficulties to pass naturalisation exams.

Vesti Segodnya features comments of the Deputy Head of the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia Aleksey Ostrovskij on the Latvian Presidents Vaira Vike-Freiberga resolution addressed to the international society concerning World War II and its outcomes for Latvia. Aleksey Ostrovskij says that the statements of the Latvian President are ‘a big political impudence. The politician also states that the leader of the party is preparing a declaration, which calls the Russian President Vladimir Putin to suspend diplomatic relations with Latvia.