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

NATO Secretary-General George Robertson considers the publicly voiced support to Lithuania and other countries to join the NATO unjust and not reasoned for this moment. This statement was announced after G.Robertson meeting with Latvia’s President.

NATO Secretary-General George Robertson considers the publicly voiced support to Lithuania and other countries to join the NATO unjust and not reasoned for this moment. This statement was announced after G.Robertson meeting with Latvias President. Diena

The Government adopted the regulations, which set the fee of LVL 15 to be paid if a person wants to refuse from the citizenship of Latvia or renew its registration. People falling in groups of the indigent have to pay LVL 5 instead of 15.

The Government adopted the regulations, which set the fee of LVL 15 to be paid if a person wants to refuse from the citizenship of Latvia or renew its registration. People falling in groups of the indigent have to pay LVL 5 instead of 15. Diena, Panorama Latvii, Vesti Segodnja

The EC voiced that it does not agree with the way Latvia’s Government distributed PHARE funds for social and economic equalisation for the year of 2001 and has informed the Prime Minister on this matter.

The EC voiced that it does not agree with the way Latvias Government distributed PHARE funds for social and economic equalisation for the year of 2001 and has informed the Prime Minister on this matter. Panorama Latvii

Panorama Latvii

discuss the National Programme on Latvian Language Learning. The author of article states that the state has set the examination of language proficiency as its priority instead of paying all attention to ensure learning process of the state language. Yesterday the Cabinet of Ministers was about to review the framework report of the MoES On the Further Development of State Language Proficiency Examination System, however, revision was postponed for a week. In this report MoES proposes to establish a new institution which would be in charge of all issues regarding Latvian language proficiency examination. The newspaper gives the amounts of money necessary to establish such institution and heavily doubts the usefulness for such expenditures. discuss the National Programme on Latvian Language Learning. The author of article states that the state has set the examination of language proficiency as its priority instead of paying all attention to ensure learning process of the state language. Yesterday the Cabinet of Ministers was about to review the framework report of the MoES “On the Further Development of State Language Proficiency Examination System”, however, revision was postponed for a week. In this report MoES proposes to establish a new institution which would be in charge of all issues regarding Latvian language proficiency examination. The newspaper gives the amounts of money necessary to establish such institution and heavily doubts the usefulness for such expenditures. In the framework report “On the Further Development of State Language Proficiency Examination System” the article on possibility to combine a centralised examination in Latvian at school with tests determined in the Laws on the State Language and Citizenship was included.

In the framework report On the Further Development of State Language Proficiency Examination System the article on possibility to combine a centralised examination in Latvian at school with tests determined in the Laws on the State Language and Citizenship was included.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs I.Berzins in the interview for Latvia’s radio said that in the sitting of OSCE Council of Ministers Latvia did not receive any criticism and was named as an example for other countries.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs I.Berzins in the interview for Latvias radio said that in the sitting of OSCE Council of Ministers Latvia did not receive any criticism and was named as an example for other countries. Vesti Segodnja

Vesti Segodnja

discusses the proposal of FF/LNNK deputy Dz.Kudums to introduce mandatory military training as a part of civic education at schools. discusses the proposal of FF/LNNK deputy Dz.Kudums to introduce mandatory military training as a part of civic education at schools. The Government of Austria adopted the decision to take responsibility for exploitation of people from the occupied territories during World War II – an extra ordinary allowance will be paid to people, who at the moment of deportation were the citizens of the USSR, were brought to Austria from Latvia, Lithuania and Russia and now live in the republics of the former USSR, but Byelorussia, Moldova, Ukraine and Estonia.

The Government of Austria adopted the decision to take responsibility for exploitation of people from the occupied territories during World War II – an extra ordinary allowance will be paid to people, who at the moment of deportation were the citizens of the USSR, were brought to Austria from Latvia, Lithuania and Russia and now live in the republics of the former USSR, but Byelorussia, Moldova, Ukraine and Estonia. Chas

Chas

draws the attention of the readers to the fact that two very close persons to the President – State Chancellery head M.Bondars and Presidents Advisor I.Vaidere – are named as FF/LNNK candidates for the municipal elections. draws the attention of the readers to the fact that two very close persons to the President – State Chancellery head M.Bondars and President’s Advisor I.Vaidere – are named as FF/LNNK candidates for the municipal elections. The Chairman of Latvia’s Democratic Party A.Ameriks took part in the Conference for the Parents of Russian Students. Respublika publishes his opinions about the current situation in education. The lack of professional teachers is the main obstacle to ensure good education.

The Chairman of Latvias Democratic Party A.Ameriks took part in the Conference for the Parents of Russian Students. Respublika publishes his opinions about the current situation in education. The lack of professional teachers is the main obstacle to ensure good education. Respublika

Respublika

discusses with the only moderator of news in Russian on Latvian Television V.Novodvorskij the possibility to have Russian television channel in Latvia. As very often the only obstacle to create such channel is money, however, there is also a lack of journalists who would be able to work for Russian audience on a high intellectual level. discusses with the only moderator of news in Russian on Latvian Television V.Novodvorskij the possibility to have Russian television channel in Latvia. As very often the only obstacle to create such channel is money, however, there is also a lack of journalists who would be able to work for Russian audience on a high intellectual level.

Diena

publishes and interview with UN Secretary-Generals Special Envoy for the Balkans Carl Bildt. The situation in Balkans, integration problems there and in Latvia, Latvia and Russia in the context of the EU, NATO were among the questions discussed in the interview. publishes and interview with UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for the Balkans Carl Bildt. The situation in Balkans, integration problems there and in Latvia, Latvia and Russia in the context of the EU, NATO were among the questions discussed in the interview.