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

A.Lejins, Director of Latvian Foreign Policy Institute, analyses the results of the meeting of Latvian and Russian Presidents. He sees it as a positive event. Time for this meeting was chosen right because the policy of Russian MFA concerning Latvia was very aggressive; it imposed its opinions but did not want to keep a dialogue and co-operation. And lately it even doubted the OSCE opinion on Russian speakers’ situation in Latvia. Of course, not openly.

A.Lejins, Director of Latvian Foreign Policy Institute, analyses the results of the meeting of Latvian and Russian Presidents. He sees it as a positive event. Time for this meeting was chosen right because the policy of Russian MFA concerning Latvia was very aggressive; it imposed its opinions but did not want to keep a dialogue and co-operation. And lately it even doubted the OSCE opinion on Russian speakers situation in Latvia. Of course, not openly. Diena

It seems that Latvia will not succeed in avoiding ratifying the Framework convention on national minorities despite the fact that several EU countries have neither signed nor ratified it. But all these countries did not undertake any obligations in this field at the time of joining EU as Latvia did when signing this convention. Estonia is in a similar position, but it added to the convention one definition, stating that Russian minority in Estonia was only those Russians who had lived there historically and now were Estonian citizens. Similar situation is with Turks in Germany. Some EU official voiced an opinion that Latvia could face huge opposition if it tried to adopt a similar definition.

It seems that Latvia will not succeed in avoiding ratifying the Framework convention on national minorities despite the fact that several EU countries have neither signed nor ratified it. But all these countries did not undertake any obligations in this field at the time of joining EU as Latvia did when signing this convention. Estonia is in a similar position, but it added to the convention one definition, stating that Russian minority in Estonia was only those Russians who had lived there historically and now were Estonian citizens. Similar situation is with Turks in Germany. Some EU official voiced an opinion that Latvia could face huge opposition if it tried to adopt a similar definition. Diena

Speaker of the Saeima J.Straume in a TV interview spoke about Latvian integration program. The government has accepted the concept in general, and specialists are working on several tens of programs. An important issue under discussion now is how these resources, provided by international organizations – both governmental and non-governmental, are accumulated and how the mechanism will work. The Saeima adopted the draft law on integration fund in the first reading that caused wide debates. Both position and opposition deputies expressed many objections. It seems that for the second reading this draft law will have to be redrafted. Answering about the reaction to this program from the side of his party colleagues (FF/LNNK), J.Straume said that not only FF/LNNK members were against many aspects of this program, also the left wing block politicians did not like it. Speaker himself finds this program well balanced, and there is a good sample in Estonia where such a fund operates in close co-operation with Western donor countries.

Speaker of the Saeima J.Straume in a TV interview spoke about Latvian integration program. The government has accepted the concept in general, and specialists are working on several tens of programs. An important issue under discussion now is how these resources, provided by international organizations – both governmental and non-governmental, are accumulated and how the mechanism will work. The Saeima adopted the draft law on integration fund in the first reading that caused wide debates. Both position and opposition deputies expressed many objections. It seems that for the second reading this draft law will have to be redrafted. Answering about the reaction to this program from the side of his party colleagues (FF/LNNK), J.Straume said that not only FF/LNNK members were against many aspects of this program, also the left wing block politicians did not like it. Speaker himself finds this program well balanced, and there is a good sample in Estonia where such a fund operates in close co-operation with Western donor countries. Latvijas Vestnesis

Latvian Social Democratic Workers’ Party and the New Faction agreed on common actions in a united block concerning economic, social, energy and privatization issues if a new government were formed.

Latvian Social Democratic Workers Party and the New Faction agreed on common actions in a united block concerning economic, social, energy and privatization issues if a new government were formed. Neatkariga, Jauna Avize, Respublika

As it was expected the Saeima position deputies rejected the proposal of Social Democrats to express non-confidence to the Minister of Economics A.Kalvitis.

As it was expected the Saeima position deputies rejected the proposal of Social Democrats to express non-confidence to the Minister of Economics A.Kalvitis. Neatkariga, Jauna Avize, Vesti Segodnya

The leader of the Union For Human Rights in United Latvia J.Jurkans sent a letter to the Chairman of the National Radio and TV Council O.Rubenis about the statements made by journalists concerning the visit of this faction to Moscow. A decision whether to file a claim with a court will be taken within a week. During a TV show “View from a side” journalists K.Streips and S.Benfelde said that the faction had been financed by some political forces in Russia, thus the faction had violated the law on financing political organizations.

The leader of the Union For Human Rights in United Latvia J.Jurkans sent a letter to the Chairman of the National Radio and TV Council O.Rubenis about the statements made by journalists concerning the visit of this faction to Moscow. A decision whether to file a claim with a court will be taken within a week. During a TV show View from a side journalists K.Streips and S.Benfelde said that the faction had been financed by some political forces in Russia, thus the faction had violated the law on financing political organizations. Jauna Avize, Panorama Latvii, Vesti Segodnya, Chas

National Radio and TV Council decided to close for one day - February 28, close TV station in Daugavpils “TV Million” for violating the State language law norms. After analyzing the broadcasts of this station the council came to a conclusion that 85% of them were in the Russian language.

National Radio and TV Council decided to close for one day - February 28, close TV station in Daugavpils TV Million for violating the State language law norms. After analyzing the broadcasts of this station the council came to a conclusion that 85% of them were in the Russian language. Respublika

S.Mihailov from

S.Mihailov from Panorama Latvii interviewed Russian education experts about the national minority education situation in Latvia. E.Goncharov, Deputy Chairman of Russian Community told about the situation when graduates from Russian speaking schools in Latvia were not able to enter higher education institutions in Russia because of differences in curricula. All people interviewed stated that there was no national Russian school in Latvia and the existence of national minority schools was endangerd here.

The term of Latvian Ambassador to Russia I.Daudiss expires after one moth but struggle for this position has started.

The term of Latvian Ambassador to Russia I.Daudiss expires after one moth but struggle for this position has started. Vesti Segodnya writes about the potential candidates: Deputy Chairman of Latvian Way A.Pantelejevs, MFA Deputy State Secretary M/Virsis, MPs S.Dreimane and R.Piks, as well the Minister of Communications A.Gorbunovs. Chas

Yesterday Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs I.Ivanov criticized the situation with national minority human rights in Latvia. He found abnormal the situation when 1/3 of population did not have any citizenship. Minister pointed out that Russia did not demand for its compatriots anything more than any national minority representative had in any European country.

Yesterday Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs I.Ivanov criticized the situation with national minority human rights in Latvia. He found abnormal the situation when 1/3 of population did not have any citizenship. Minister pointed out that Russia did not demand for its compatriots anything more than any national minority representative had in any European country. Vesti Segodnya

Latvian – Russian relations have become very active, also from the practical point of view. A few days ago in Riga was finished the third round of negotiations on the draft agreement on social welfare. After two weeks Russia will submit its proposals, and Latvia’s turn will be in March. The final meeting could take place in April – May.

Latvian – Russian relations have become very active, also from the practical point of view. A few days ago in Riga was finished the third round of negotiations on the draft agreement on social welfare. After two weeks Russia will submit its proposals, and Latvias turn will be in March. The final meeting could take place in April – May. Vesti Segodnya, Chas