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.

• MPs commenting on the split within the society revealed by the conflict in Georgia
• NRA prints an article on integration policy in Latvia
• Latvijas Avize prints an interview with a salesperson of a shop Narvesen who refused to speak Russian to a costumer

The MP Sandra Kalniete (the Civil Union) has stated that national integration program should be revised because it does not work. According to Mrs. Kalniete, failure of integration policy is demonstrated by different reactions of Russian speaking residents of Latvia and ethnic Latvians on the military conflict in Georgia. As reported, biggest Russian NGOs in Latvia voiced their support for South Ossetia and Russia, while Latvian state officials condemned Russia and supported Georgia. In an interview with

The MP Sandra Kalniete (the Civil Union) has stated that national integration program should be revised because it does not work. According to Mrs. Kalniete, failure of integration policy is demonstrated by different reactions of Russian speaking residents of Latvia and ethnic Latvians on the military conflict in Georgia. As reported, biggest Russian NGOs in Latvia voiced their support for South Ossetia and Russia, while Latvian state officials condemned Russia and supported Georgia. In an interview with Chas, the MP Boriss Cilevics (the Concord Centre) has stated that the conflict in Georgia did not split Latvian society but demonstrated how deep the split is. Latvijas Avize, Chas

NRA prints an article on integration policy in Latvia. The columnist of the newspaper considers that activities, speeches and draft laws proposed by Latvian politicians often are contrary to national integration program, therefore, integration in Latvia is halted. The columnist states that principles of integration should not be seen as a mere part of a list of activities. Instead, the principles should run trough every political decision and be in politicians spinal cord. The author also believes that the word integration should not be used so often because for many it is associated with the word suppression.

Latvijas Avize prints an interview with a salesperson of a shop Narvesen who refused to speak Russian to a costumer (reported on 9 August). The woman believes that all residents of Latvia should speak Latvian and that state language policy should be more severe. The woman states that Latvians are owners of Latvia and it is not normal when non-Latvian refuse to speak Latvian.