Integration and Minority Information Service

Integration and Minority Information Service
of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies

Yesterday President Vaira Vike-Freiberga took part at the Latvian Intelligentsia Conference on an integrated civil society in Latvia and the European Union. In her speech she stressed that Latvia's foreign policy goals - the European Union and NATO - do not concern only the foreign policy of Latvia, but are its national goals and influence all aspects of people's lives in Latvia. The President stated that all members of society should support the aspirations of non-citizens for integration and they should not be reproached for the lack of Latvian language skills. Non-citizens, in their turn, have to realise that integration is not assimilation and nobody calls on them to forget their roots. Vaira Vike Freiberga said that “the great number of non-citizens is a heritage of the Soviet occupation, however, we are able to deal with this and other heritages of the occupation in an excellent way.”

Yesterday President Vaira Vike-Freiberga took part at the Latvian Intelligentsia Conference on an integrated civil society in Latvia and the European Union. In her speech she stressed that Latvia's foreign policy goals - the European Union and NATO - do not concern only the foreign policy of Latvia, but are its national goals and influence all aspects of people's lives in Latvia. The President stated that all members of society should support the aspirations of non-citizens for integration and they should not be reproached for the lack of Latvian language skills. Non-citizens, in their turn, have to realise that integration is not assimilation and nobody calls on them to forget their roots. Vaira Vike Freiberga said that the great number of non-citizens is a heritage of the Soviet occupation, however, we are able to deal with this and other heritages of the occupation in an excellent way. Neatkariga, Lauku Avize, BNS, LETA

Latvijas Vestnesis publishes the full speech of the President.

Latvijas Vestnesis publishes the full speech of the President.

Vesti Segodnya

interprets the statements of the President as an effort to turn Russians into Latvians. The newspaper notes that as usual when discussing integration issues, the objects of integration were not present. interprets the statements of the President as an effort to turn Russians into Latvians. The newspaper notes that as usual when discussing integration issues, “the objects of integration” were not present. Vesti SegodnyaVesti Segodnya concludes that Latvian authorities are so far from national minorities that they do not have the slightest idea about their real lives and problems. concludes that Latvian authorities are so far from national minorities that they do not have the slightest idea about their real lives and problems.

Lauku Avize

questions employees of the State Language Centre about their new director Agris Timuska. They claim that he is an internationally well known scientist and therefore he will be a presentable director. Former director of the State Language Centre Dzintra Hirsa states that Agris Timuska has his own strong opinion about language policy in Latvia and it could be changed only on the basis of arguments. Agris Timuska says that one of his long-term tasks will be providing information to society about the latest developments in the realm of language and language policy questions employees of the State Language Centre about their new director Agris Timuska. They claim that he is an internationally well known scientist and therefore he will be a presentable director. Former director of the State Language Centre Dzintra Hirsa states that Agris Timuska has his own strong opinion about language policy in Latvia and it could be changed only on the basis of arguments. Agris Timuska says that one of his long-term tasks will be providing information to society about the latest developments in the realm of language and language policy. Lauku Avize. Lauku Avize

Telegraf

reports that today the National Television and Radio Council will review the framework development programme of broadcasting organisations in Latvia. The newspaper reports that the NTRC suggests amending the Law on Radio and Television, namely, to abolish the norm which stipulates that only up to 25% of programmes can be aired in a foreign language. Member of the National Television and Radio Council Ilmars Slapins says that radios are specific means of broadcasting… and artificially included programmes in another language do not do any good. He also adds, sooner or later Latvia will have to ratify the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities. reports that today the National Television and Radio Council will review the framework development programme of broadcasting organisations in Latvia. The newspaper reports that the NTRC suggests amending the Law on Radio and Television, namely, to abolish the norm which stipulates that only up to 25% of programmes can be aired in a foreign language. Member of the National Television and Radio Council Ilmars Slapins says that “radios are specific means of broadcasting… and artificially included programmes in another language do not do any good.” He also adds, “sooner or later Latvia will have to ratify the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities.”

Vechernaya Riga

reports on the current differences in the status of Latvian citizens and non-citizens determined by Riga City Council. Just recently Riga City Council abolished the provision which banned non-citizens from the right to be elected in commissions and working groups formed at Riga City Council. For the time being this provision is effective only in regard to the Audit Commission of Riga City Council. Another still existing restriction at municipal level includes bans non-citizens from the right to privatise rooms which previously were dormitories. reports on the current differences in the status of Latvian citizens and non-citizens determined by Riga City Council. Just recently Riga City Council abolished the provision which banned non-citizens from the right to be elected in commissions and working groups formed at Riga City Council. For the time being this provision is effective only in regard to the Audit Commission of Riga City Council. Another still existing restriction at municipal level includes bans non-citizens from the right to privatise rooms which previously were dormitories.

Vechernaya Riga

describes the role of the Russian language in Latvia in the previous centuries. The newspaper notes that the Russian language was widely used and no restrictions regarding the usage of Russian were introduced. describes the role of the Russian language in Latvia in the previous centuries. The newspaper notes that the Russian language was widely used and no restrictions regarding the usage of Russian were introduced.

Vesti Segodnya

reports that it has the biggest number of subscribers and it is the most printed and sold newspaper among the Russian language newspapers – about 175,000 people read the newspaper every day. reports that it has the biggest number of subscribers and it is the most printed and sold newspaper among the Russian language newspapers – about 175,000 people read the newspaper every day.

Integration and Minority Information Service

Integration and Minority Information Service
of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies

Newspapers report on the names of MPs of the 8th Saeima.

Newspapers report on the names of MPs of the 8th Saeima. Diena emphasises that about half of the new MPs have never worked in the parliament.

The Russian language press stress that according to official results of the 8th Saeima elections FHRUL received one more seat in the Parliament while the People’s Party lost one.

The Russian language press stress that according to official results of the 8th Saeima elections FHRUL received one more seat in the Parliament while the Peoples Party lost one. Panorama Latvii also notes that leader of FHRUL Janis Jurkans received the biggest support of Latvian voters. Although BNS reports that the most supported election candidate was Einars Repse, followed by Janis Jurkans and Andris Skele. Neatkariga, Vechernaya Riga, Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Panorama Latvii

The Cabinet of Ministers approved Agris Timuska for the post of the director of the State Language Centre. He had previously served as deputy director under former director Dzintra Hirsa. In the interview for

The Cabinet of Ministers approved Agris Timuska for the post of the director of the State Language Centre. He had previously served as deputy director under former director Dzintra Hirsa. In the interview for Rigas Balss, Agris Timuska states that control of language usage, in particular in the business sphere, is insufficient. According to Agris Timuska one of his first tasks will be the review of the responsibilities of the State Language Centre and the delegation of some of them to other institutions. Linguist Ina Druviete (the candidacy of the New Era for the post of the Minister of Societal Integration) comments that nothing has changed with the appointment of the new director and that Latvian authorities will have to pay more attention to securing the position of the state language. She suggests that up till now Latvia has yield to the pressure of Europe too much. Neatkariga, Rigas Balss, Vechernaya Riga

The French police detained 5 persons who very likely are related to alleged sale of Latvian citizenship in Paris. For the time being no “customers” of Latvian citizenship have been discovered. 5 persons had founded a firm which offered its clients to “legally” obtain Latvian, Estonian or French citizenship for USD 20,000. The police do not disclose the names of suspects.

The French police detained 5 persons who very likely are related to alleged sale of Latvian citizenship in Paris. For the time being no customers of Latvian citizenship have been discovered. 5 persons had founded a firm which offered its clients to legally obtain Latvian, Estonian or French citizenship for USD 20,000. The police do not disclose the names of suspects. Diena, Neatkariga, Chas

When analysing the activities of the emerging governing coalition,

When analysing the activities of the emerging governing coalition, Neatkarigas columnist Viktors Avotins states that the formation of a ministry which will exclusively deal only with integration issues is not a reasonable decision as almost all existing ministries already deal with different aspects and areas of integration.

Chas

publishes a letter of a Russian from Daugavpils who states that education in Latvia should be in Latvian already from the first grade. The newspaper comments that some officials of the Ministry of Education share the opinion and these officials declare that many parents of Russian students support education in the state language. publishes a letter of a Russian from Daugavpils who states that education in Latvia should be in Latvian already from the first grade. The newspaper comments that some officials of the Ministry of Education share the opinion and these officials declare that many parents of Russian students support education in the state language. The anti-NATO NGO “Prata Speks” which organises Latvian language courses for naturalisation applicants free of charge asked President Vaira Vike-Freiberga to come up with an initiative to ask the Saeima to allot money for its activities. The President suggested that it apply for funding in the Integration Foundation.

The anti-NATO NGO Prata Speks which organises Latvian language courses for naturalisation applicants free of charge asked President Vaira Vike-Freiberga to come up with an initiative to ask the Saeima to allot money for its activities. The President suggested that it apply for funding in the Integration Foundation. Panorama Latvii

Integration and Minority Information Service

Integration and Minority Information Service
of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies

Yesterday political forces involved in forming the government agreed on allocation of three Cabinet posts that were expected to cause the greatest struggle. Today parties will have to agree on Cabinet posts for which no nominees have been selected yet, and allocate the posts of welfare, justice and culture ministers. According to the leader of the New Era Einars Repse, each of the three largest parties will have to assume one post. The New Era agreed that the Union of Greens and Farmers will assume responsibility for the Ministry of Agriculture (their candidacy - Martins Roze), whereas the Latvian First Party will be responsible for the Ministry of Economy (their candidacy – Ainars Slesers) and FF/LNNK - the Ministry of Transport (Guntars Krasts or Roberts Zile). Valdis Dombrovskis (the New Era) has been nominated for the post of Finance Minister.

Yesterday political forces involved in forming the government agreed on allocation of three Cabinet posts that were expected to cause the greatest struggle. Today parties will have to agree on Cabinet posts for which no nominees have been selected yet, and allocate the posts of welfare, justice and culture ministers. According to the leader of the New Era Einars Repse, each of the three largest parties will have to assume one post. The New Era agreed that the Union of Greens and Farmers will assume responsibility for the Ministry of Agriculture (their candidacy - Martins Roze), whereas the Latvian First Party will be responsible for the Ministry of Economy (their candidacy – Ainars Slesers) and FF/LNNK - the Ministry of Transport (Guntars Krasts or Roberts Zile). Valdis Dombrovskis (the New Era) has been nominated for the post of Finance Minister.

The Latvian First Party announced its second candidacy for the post of Societal Integration Minister – the former Latvian ambassador to Russia Janis Peters.

The Latvian First Party announced its second candidacy for the post of Societal Integration Minister – the former Latvian ambassador to Russia Janis Peters. Diena, Neatkariga, Lauku Avize, Rigas Balss, Vechernaya Riga, Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf, Panorama Latvii

The candidacy of the New Era for the post of the Minister of Societal Integration Ina Druviete comments on statements of George Soros, who said that Latvia should foster bilingual education and the usage of the Russian language. Ina Druviete believes that the reason for such statements is that George Soros received only one-sided information. According to Ina Druviete, one of the key tasks of the to-be-established Ministry of Integration will be providing information about the key national concepts regarding integration to Latvian society and foreign countries. Concerning language issues, Ina Druviete states that the status of the Latvian language as a communication language in the family and culture is secured. However, she is concerned that the usage of the Latvian language is decreasing in the business sphere and that Latvian is still not the main communication language in society. The candidacy of the Latvian First Party for the post of the Minister of Societal Integration Aleksandrs Brandavs says that the response of the press and officials to these statements was overly sensitive. He states that if somebody had such an impression it means that the problem exists.

The candidacy of the New Era for the post of the Minister of Societal Integration Ina Druviete comments on statements of George Soros, who said that Latvia should foster bilingual education and the usage of the Russian language. Ina Druviete believes that the reason for such statements is that George Soros received only one-sided information. According to Ina Druviete, one of the key tasks of the to-be-established Ministry of Integration will be providing information about the key national concepts regarding integration to Latvian society and foreign countries. Concerning language issues, Ina Druviete states that the status of the Latvian language as a communication language in the family and culture is secured. However, she is concerned that the usage of the Latvian language is decreasing in the business sphere and that Latvian is still not the main communication language in society. The candidacy of the Latvian First Party for the post of the Minister of Societal Integration Aleksandrs Brandavs says that the response of the press and officials to these statements was overly sensitive. He states that if somebody had such an impression it means that the problem exists. Lauku Avize

Lauku Avize

interviews journalist from the Russian Federation Otto Lacis about relations between Latvians and Russians. He believes that the education reform of 2004 is violent and hasty assimilation. He states that Russia could exert pressure on Latvia when the year of 2004 comes closer, but it will do it for its own benefit and not for the sake of Russians residing in Latvia. However, Otto Lacis believes that in the future relations between Latvia and Russia will improve. interviews journalist from the Russian Federation Otto Lacis about relations between Latvians and Russians. He believes that the education reform of 2004 is violent and hasty assimilation. He states that Russia could exert pressure on Latvia when the year of 2004 comes closer, but it will do it for its own benefit and not for the sake of Russians residing in Latvia. However, Otto Lacis believes that in the future relations between Latvia and Russia will improve.

Chas

columnist Leonid Fedoseyev compares the Saeima elections in Latvia to the municipal elections in Estonia. He stresses that in Estonia non-citizens have the right to participate in municipal elections. The columnist notes that in Estonia during the pre-election campaign none of the parties was stamped with the image of an enemy as it was with FHRUL in Latvia. columnist Leonid Fedoseyev compares the Saeima elections in Latvia to the municipal elections in Estonia. He stresses that in Estonia non-citizens have the right to participate in municipal elections. The columnist notes that in Estonia during the pre-election campaign none of the parties was stamped with the image of an enemy as it was with FHRUL in Latvia.

Chas

talks to head of the newly formed Roma NGO Ame Roma Vanda Zamicka. She states that the top priorities of her NGO are education, social welfare, employment and humanitarian aid. Vanda Zamicka says that unfortunately foreign countries are more interested in solving Roma problems in Latvia than Latvian authorities. talks to head of the newly formed Roma NGO “Ame Roma” Vanda Zamicka. She states that the top priorities of her NGO are education, social welfare, employment and humanitarian aid. Vanda Zamicka says that unfortunately foreign countries are more interested in solving Roma problems in Latvia than Latvian authorities.

Panorama Latvii

reports on the annual meeting of the Association of Ukrainians in Latvia. Participants of the meeting stressed that nowadays Ukrainian NGOs have to deal not only with cultural and socio-economic but also with political issues. One of the speakers called on all Ukrainians to naturalise and resultantly exercise their voting rights. reports on the annual meeting of the Association of Ukrainians in Latvia. Participants of the meeting stressed that nowadays Ukrainian NGOs have to deal not only with cultural and socio-economic but also with political issues. One of the speakers called on all Ukrainians to naturalise and resultantly exercise their voting rights.

Integration and Minority Information Service

Integration and Minority Information Service
of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies

Neatkariga

features an article by columnist Viktors Avotins about Russian parties in Latvia. He states that all other so-called Russian parties did not manage to compete with FHRUL. Also the only centrist party Latvias Way, which managed to attract the electorate of Russian-speakers in the previous elections, did not succeed in these elections. He states that the Russian electorate considers FHRUL as the only more or less reliable party. He suggests three solutions on how Latvian parties could receive the support of Russian-speakers: first, they could ruin FHRUL by fomenting a split; second, Latvian parties could stop playing hypocritical games and admit that there are Latvian and Russian parties and that ethno-political features are important for both and that actually parties need a two-community society; and third, Latvian could learn to build a dialogue instead of dictating their requirements. features an article by columnist Viktors Avotins about “Russian” parties in Latvia. He states that all other so-called Russian parties did not manage to compete with FHRUL. Also the only centrist party “Latvia’s Way,” which managed to attract the electorate of Russian-speakers in the previous elections, did not succeed in these elections. He states that the Russian electorate considers FHRUL as the only “more or less reliable party.” He suggests three solutions on how “Latvian” parties could receive the support of Russian-speakers: first, they could ruin FHRUL by fomenting a split; second, “Latvian” parties could stop playing hypocritical games and admit that there are Latvian and Russian parties and that ethno-political features are important for both and that actually parties need a two-community society; and third, Latvian could learn to build a dialogue instead of dictating their requirements.

Telegraf

interviews deputy mayor of the Riga City Council Sergey Dolgopolov. He stresses that one fourth of Latvian society supports FHRUL, but taking into account that FHRUL is the only party which voices the interests of non-citizens, the number of people who supports FHRUL is even higher and it would be stupid to ignore FHRUL. Regarding the switch of minority secondary school to instruction in Latvian in 2004, the deputy mayor states that he knows the actual situation at schools and schools are not ready for the switch even technically. interviews deputy mayor of the Riga City Council Sergey Dolgopolov. He stresses that one fourth of Latvian society supports FHRUL, but taking into account that FHRUL is the only party which voices the interests of non-citizens, the number of people who supports FHRUL is even higher and it would be stupid to ignore FHRUL. Regarding the switch of minority secondary school to instruction in Latvian in 2004, the deputy mayor states that he knows the actual situation at schools and schools are not ready for the switch even technically. The Russian language press –

The Russian language press – Vechernaya Riga, Chas – reports on the success of the concert of Latvian rock star Ainars Mielavs who this time sang the majority of his songs in Russian. The press notes that the concert was sold out and the attitude of people who came to the concert – mostly Russian-speakers – was very warm.

Integration and Minority Information Service

Integration and Minority Information Service
of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies

Diena features a long article by professor of the University of Latvia, linguist and translator Andrejs Veisbergs about the Latvian language in the global context. Andrejs Veisbergs is convinced that even taking into account globalisation and Latvia’s move towards the EU, the Latvian language is not endangered and will be able to take the pressure of both the English and Russian languages.

Diena features a long article by professor of the University of Latvia, linguist and translator Andrejs Veisbergs about the Latvian language in the global context. Andrejs Veisbergs is convinced that even taking into account globalisation and Latvias move towards the EU, the Latvian language is not endangered and will be able to take the pressure of both the English and Russian languages.

Chas

reports on the presentation of the book Russians in Latvia. From the History and Culture of Old Believers. The book is the third publication in this series and compiles articles written by well-known Latvian writers, researchers and publicists about old-believers in Latvia. reports on the presentation of the book “Russians in Latvia. From the History and Culture of Old Believers.” The book is the third publication in this series and compiles articles written by well-known Latvian writers, researchers and publicists about old-believers in Latvia.

Diena

reports about the successful performance of famous Latvian rock star Ainars Mielavs. The biggest part of the songs sang at the concert were translated into Russian. The reporter of reports about the successful performance of famous Latvian rock star Ainars Mielavs. The biggest part of the songs sang at the concert were translated into Russian. The reporter of DienaDiena notes that Mielavs was very warmly welcomed by the audience which was mainly composed of Russians. When addressing the audience Mielavs stated that it is hoped that soon Latvian society will not be split into two communities – Latvian and Russian. notes that Mielavs was very warmly welcomed by the audience which was mainly composed of Russians. When addressing the audience Mielavs stated that it is hoped that soon Latvian society will not be split into two communities – Latvian and Russian.