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.

• Russia hopes that the US President George W.Bush will not avoid discussions of Russian-speakers problems in his visit to Riga
• Vesti Segodnya prints excerpts of an article about the implementation of the minority education reform in Latvia published by the BBC World Service

‘Russia expects that in his visit to Riga the US President George W.Bush as the leader of a democratic state will not avoid discussions about issues concerning Russian-speakers in Latvia,’ stated the Spokesman of the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Russia Alexander Yakovenko. The Russian official emphasised that democratic changes imply observation of international norms, including human rights. Yakovenko expressed a hope that ‘Latvia’s attempts to idealise SS soldiers will not be ignored either.’

‘Russia expects that in his visit to Riga the US President George W.Bush as the leader of a democratic state will not avoid discussions about issues concerning Russian-speakers in Latvia, stated the Spokesman of the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Russia Alexander Yakovenko. The Russian official emphasised that democratic changes imply observation of international norms, including human rights. Yakovenko expressed a hope that ‘Latvias attempts to idealise SS soldiers will not be ignored either. Telegraf, Vesti Segodnya

Vesti Segodnya prints excerpts of an article about the implementation of the minority education reform published by the BBC World Service. The article reflects the opinion of teacher of history of the Riga Secondary School Nr.22 Natalia Skestere. She believes that the Russian language has been gradually squeezed out of schools in Latvia and soon it will be spoken only at home. The teacher admits that she conducts her subject only in Russian and recognizes that it is a violation of the Law on Education. She argues that Latvian language proficiency of Russian students is not sufficient to comprehend complicated ideas, for instance, Greek democracy. The BBC journalist also quotes the Foreign Affairs Minister of Latvia Artis Pabriks who believes that the minority education reform provides minority children an opportunity to speak very well two languages – one spoken at home and the state language.