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

All attempts to avoid confrontations before the planned for Saturday election of Latvian Way Chairman have failed because both candidates – the present leader A.Pantelejevs and Prime Minister A.Berzins did not intend to give up their fight for this position. The party Council also did not support the proposal to elect the First Deputy Chairman that could decrease tension in the Party.

All attempts to avoid confrontations before the planned for Saturday election of Latvian Way Chairman have failed because both candidates – the present leader A.Pantelejevs and Prime Minister A.Berzins did not intend to give up their fight for this position. The party Council also did not support the proposal to elect the First Deputy Chairman that could decrease tension in the Party. Diena

After the meeting of MPs with the State President V.Vike-Freiberga, the Chairman of the Saeima Foreign Affairs Commission G.Krasts promised that Latvian – Australian agreement on extraditing persons would be submitted to the Saeima for consideration in the nearest future. Also the President did not see any obstacle to the ratification of this agreement.

After the meeting of MPs with the State President V.Vike-Freiberga, the Chairman of the Saeima Foreign Affairs Commission G.Krasts promised that Latvian – Australian agreement on extraditing persons would be submitted to the Saeima for consideration in the nearest future. Also the President did not see any obstacle to the ratification of this agreement. Diena

Vesti Segodnya

writes that it was the President who insisted that this agreement had to be ratified and the Deputies agreed to her. Only FF/LNNK representative A.Kirsteins kept his position saying that this law was written only for one person K.Kalejs and it should not be ratified in such a form. Adviser to Latvian Local Governments Union M.Pukis states that EU is not a charity organisation, and Latvia joining it will have to think how to represent its economic sectors and regions in the competition with sectors and regions of other countries. If the government would blindly follow any advise of the bureaucrats form Brussels, it could make much harm. And especially, when deciding about the territorial division of Latvia.

Adviser to Latvian Local Governments Union M.Pukis states that EU is not a charity organisation, and Latvia joining it will have to think how to represent its economic sectors and regions in the competition with sectors and regions of other countries. If the government would blindly follow any advise of the bureaucrats form Brussels, it could make much harm. And especially, when deciding about the territorial division of Latvia. Neatkariga

Today President V.Vike-Freiberga will take the solemn oath of loyalty to Latvia, the one that are taking persons when receiving Latvian citizenship. The ceremony will take place in the premises of the Naturalisation Board. After the ceremony will be a press conference where the officials of the Naturalisation Board will answer to all questions.

Today President V.Vike-Freiberga will take the solemn oath of loyalty to Latvia, the one that are taking persons when receiving Latvian citizenship. The ceremony will take place in the premises of the Naturalisation Board. After the ceremony will be a press conference where the officials of the Naturalisation Board will answer to all questions. Vesti Segodnya

Russian radio station Mix FM 102.7 kept silent yesterday. That was a decision of the National Council on Radio and TV “for catastrophic language norms violations”. The Council also sent to court a demand to close down “Russian Radio”. Deputy Chairman of the Council B.Apinis announced that this decision to stop broadcasting of Mix FM was just a warning. The Council had found out that all 100% of the broadcasts were in the Russian language, but the law stipulated that only 30% may be in a foreign language.

Russian radio station Mix FM 102.7 kept silent yesterday. That was a decision of the National Council on Radio and TV for catastrophic language norms violations. The Council also sent to court a demand to close down Russian Radio. Deputy Chairman of the Council B.Apinis announced that this decision to stop broadcasting of Mix FM was just a warning. The Council had found out that all 100% of the broadcasts were in the Russian language, but the law stipulated that only 30% may be in a foreign language. Vesti Segodnya

Daugavpils, almost Russian speaking city, reacted to the new language law by establishing a position of translator/interpreter in the City Council. About the plans of Riga, the newspaper

Daugavpils, almost Russian speaking city, reacted to the new language law by establishing a position of translator/interpreter in the City Council. About the plans of Riga, the newspaper Panorama Latvii interviewed the deputy from the faction For Human Rights in United Latvia A.Gilman. Mr. Gilman answered that they saw Daugavpils decision as an unsuccessful solution of this artificially created situation. All officials know the Russian language and could consider documents in the Russian language, at the same time the local government is forced to spend a lot of tax payers money to employ a translator. In Riga, there is an idea to establish a special structure – so called bureau to receive residents. The bureau could be established basing on the existing resources – by transferring to it people from the operating structures. Tasks of the Bureau would be more than just providing translations. It will assist any person to find the exact institution he needs, and only after the necessary institution is located; the visitor will be assisted in drawing up a correct document. Panorama Latvii