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

Saturday Latvia’s President V.Vike-Freiberga met with Russia’s President V.Putin. The majority of discussion time (90%) was devoted to the issues concerning non- citizens, court proceedings on cases of II World War Soviet soldiers, state language learning, and repatriation. Latvia’s joining NATO was not mentioned at all, as “the views on this issues of the two countries are too diverse to discuss them at the very first meeting”, said V.Putin. At the disposal of Russia’s President was specific information on particular cases when the rights of Russian speaking people of Latvia are not observed, informs

Saturday Latvias President V.Vike-Freiberga met with Russias President V.Putin. The majority of discussion time (90%) was devoted to the issues concerning non- citizens, court proceedings on cases of II World War Soviet soldiers, state language learning, and repatriation. Latvias joining NATO was not mentioned at all, as the views on this issues of the two countries are too diverse to discuss them at the very first meeting, said V.Putin. At the disposal of Russias President was specific information on particular cases when the rights of Russian speaking people of Latvia are not observed, informs Vesti Segodnja. We are not asking anything special for our citizens, who reside in the Baltic States, including Latvia. We are just asking that they would also be the subjects of the regulations which apply to national minorities in Europe. No specific agreements were signed. Diena, Jauna, Neatkariga, Chas, Respublika

Russia’s ambassador to Latvia A.Udalcov comments this meeting as a positive signal, however, real improvements in the relations are possible on the condition that situation in the human sphere improves in Latvia. Also other politicians consider that as a positive signal and the beginning of new relationship era.

Russias ambassador to Latvia A.Udalcov comments this meeting as a positive signal, however, real improvements in the relations are possible on the condition that situation in the human sphere improves in Latvia. Also other politicians consider that as a positive signal and the beginning of new relationship era. Vesti Segodnja, Respublika

Panorama Latvii publishes a part of the press conference given by the President after the meeting with Russia’s President.

Panorama Latvii publishes a part of the press conference given by the President after the meeting with Russias President.

Vesti Segodnja

publishes an article about Russian speaking community attitude towards Latvias joining NATO. The main reason why Russians do not want Latvia join NATO is that after Latvia becomes a member they will be separated from their ethnic motherland with an iron curtain and thus possibilities to cultivate their culture, language and traditions would be very limited. publishes an article about Russian speaking community attitude towards Latvia’s joining NATO. The main reason why Russians do not want Latvia join NATO is that after Latvia becomes a member they will be separated from their ethnic motherland with an iron curtain and thus possibilities to cultivate their culture, language and traditions would be very limited. FHRUL faction at Riga Council has developed proposals in regard to the establishment of the Consultative Council on Non-citizen Matters at Riga City Council.

FHRUL faction at Riga Council has developed proposals in regard to the establishment of the Consultative Council on Non-citizen Matters at Riga City Council. Diena gives more detailed information about the possible responsibilities and activities of the institution.

School optimisation policy developed by the Ministry of Science turns out to be attempts to push out Russian schools from the centre to city’s outskirts. Students and their parents of one of such schools turned for the help to the President V.Vike-Freiberga. Non-sufficient number of students is the reason for closing the school given by officials.

School optimisation policy developed by the Ministry of Science turns out to be attempts to push out Russian schools from the centre to citys outskirts. Students and their parents of one of such schools turned for the help to the President V.Vike-Freiberga. Non-sufficient number of students is the reason for closing the school given by officials. Vesti Segodnja

Sweden vice Prime Minister Lena Helma Vallen is on one-day visit to Riga. Together with V.Vike-Freiberga she will participate at the presentation of the book “Tell About That to Your Children” which is devoted to Holocaust.

Sweden vice Prime Minister Lena Helma Vallen is on one-day visit to Riga. Together with V.Vike-Freiberga she will participate at the presentation of the book Tell About That to Your Children which is devoted to Holocaust. Vesti Segodnja, Neatkariga

Yesterday Poland Seima Vice Marshal Jan Krul arrived in Latvia. He has scheduled meetings with V.Vike-Freiberga, Saeima Speaker J.Straume and Foreign Affair Minister I.Berzins.

Jauna, Neatkariga Naturalisation Board Head E.Aldermane talks about the Social Integration Programme and gives a brief description of some projects and their aims.

Naturalisation Board Head E.Aldermane talks about the Social Integration Programme and gives a brief description of some projects and their aims. Neatkariga

Panorama Latvii

publishes the interview of the radio Svoboda journalist A.Babicky with Latvias President. He asked the President about Latvias integration to NATO, language, Framework Convention ratification and the norms restricting foreign language usage in radio and TV broadcasts. publishes the interview of the radio “Svoboda” journalist A.Babicky with Latvia’s President. He asked the President about Latvia’s integration to NATO, language, Framework Convention ratification and the norms restricting foreign language usage in radio and TV broadcasts. “There are no nuclear weapons in Kaliningrad”, says FHRUL deputy S.Dolgopolov after his visit to Kaliningrad where he took part in the international conference. He also had a meeting with the Head of Kaliningrad region V.Jegorov.

There are no nuclear weapons in Kaliningrad, says FHRUL deputy S.Dolgopolov after his visit to Kaliningrad where he took part in the international conference. He also had a meeting with the Head of Kaliningrad region V.Jegorov. Chas