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.

Press Report

Press Report

The Chairman OF Latvijas Cels A.Pantelejevs expressed his regret concerning the announcement of his colleague H.Soldatjonoka on her possible seceding from Latvijas Cels but considers that this was not a political step and explained it with lack of human contacts.

The Chairman OF Latvijas Cels A.Pantelejevs expressed his regret concerning the announcement of his colleague H.Soldatjonoka on her possible seceding from Latvijas Cels but considers that this was not a political step and explained it with lack of human contacts. Neatkariga, Chas, Lauku Avize

Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs submitted a protest note on the regular act of vandalism against Latvian diplomatic representatives in Russia It was done after the consulate in Sanktpetersburg was thrown at with containers of black paint.

Neatkariga

Lauku Avize

informs that one of the vandals has been detainedinforms that one of the vandals has been detained..

Latvian President V.V.Freiberga met E.Zurof from Vizentahl Centre during her visit to Sweden. E.Zurof expressed his incomprehension of the fact that Latvia was not active enough to achieve extradition of A.Kalejs and trying K.Ozols. During the meeting E.Zurof did not hand over any evidences, just promised to send the list of witnesses.

Diena, Jauna Avize, Vesti Segodnya, Chas, Panorama Latvii, Bizness & Baltiya,

Rigas Balss writes that Latvian President will not apologise for holocaust in Latvia but plans to give her opinion on this problem.

Diena

published the speech of USA Deputy State Secretary S.Talbot in Tallin on January 24 where he spoke about the USA position towards the Baltic States and the importance of this region.

A.Pantelejevs from Latvijas Cels published in article in Diena where he accused this article of sticking labels to his party and writing about an ideological crisis in the party. According to him the party is strictly following its platform trying to establish a developed capitalism in Latvia.

Political parties have reopened discussion on the possibility to publicise the content of the KGB sacks, but the opinions differ. Jauna Avize, Chas, Bizness & Baltiya

On January 29 will take place a New Party congress where it is planned to re-elect the party leaders. Party members are sure that R.Pauls will remain the head of the party, without him it would face many problems or even break up. Lauku Avize

The head of the Naturalisation Board E.Aldermane acknowledged that due to the lack of financing the process of naturalisation could last longer – up to eight months. The Board is forced to dismiss 15 employees. Rigas Balss

Deputy editor of the newspaper Vesti Segodnya writes about the process of integration stating that instead of two way process, as it should be, it goes only one way – persons integrated should respect the culture and language of those who integrate. As a sample she mentions the case when she took her daughter to the Riga Students’ Palace to sign her up for some circle. They received an information booklet in three languages – Latvian, English and German, but no Russian. Does it mean that Russian children are not accepted there? No, they are! It just shows that some mystical English or German speaking children are more important for the Centre that the Russian speaking residents of Latvia.

Deputy editor of the newspaper Vesti Segodnya writes about the process of integration stating that instead of two way process, as it should be, it goes only one way – persons integrated should respect the culture and language of those who integrate. As a sample she mentions the case when she took her daughter to the Riga Students Palace to sign her up for some circle. They received an information booklet in three languages – Latvian, English and German, but no Russian. Does it mean that Russian children are not accepted there? No, they are! It just shows that some mystical English or German speaking children are more important for the Centre that the Russian speaking residents of Latvia. Vesti Segodnya