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

The Soros Foundation Latvia presented its annual Social Harmony Awards, awarded for special contribution to promotion of harmony between ethnic groups and healthy inter-ethnic environment as well as to strengthening democracy. The awards went to Aina Balasko, head expert of ethnic minority rights at the Naturalisation Board, Aina Priedite, the head of the national program for the Latvian language teaching, and Ramona Umblija, the city council deputy executive director in Ventspils, western Latvia.

The Soros Foundation Latvia presented its annual Social Harmony Awards, awarded for special contribution to promotion of harmony between ethnic groups and healthy inter-ethnic environment as well as to strengthening democracy. The awards went to Aina Balasko, head expert of ethnic minority rights at the Naturalisation Board, Aina Priedite, the head of the national program for the Latvian language teaching, and Ramona Umblija, the city council deputy executive director in Ventspils, western Latvia. Diena, Jauna, Chas, Respublika

FF/LNNK stated that they want stability in Riga Council and that is possible only if the four parties – FF/LNNK, Social Democrats, LW and People’s Party – form a coalition. FF/LLNK council also wants to have an ultimate answer regarding if Social Democrats considers co-operation with FHRUL. “Inability to name the candidate for the post of Mayor shows the lack of unity in the party”, commented FF/LNNK chairman M.Grinblats.

FF/LNNK stated that they want stability in Riga Council and that is possible only if the four parties – FF/LNNK, Social Democrats, LW and Peoples Party – form a coalition. FF/LLNK council also wants to have an ultimate answer regarding if Social Democrats considers co-operation with FHRUL. Inability to name the candidate for the post of Mayor shows the lack of unity in the party, commented FF/LNNK chairman M.Grinblats. Diena

Among 28 European countries Latvia takes the 25th place in students civic education. Latvian teachers are aware of the flaws in civic education therefore new curriculum for social sciences is developed in the framework of the education project funded by the World Bank.

Among 28 European countries Latvia takes the 25th place in students civic education. Latvian teachers are aware of the flaws in civic education therefore new curriculum for social sciences is developed in the framework of the education project funded by the World Bank. Diena

The most real and possible candidate of the Social Democrats to the post of Mayor G.Bojars claims to have a university degree, however, he has an official prove only from his father university which are providing only post graduate studies.

The most real and possible candidate of the Social Democrats to the post of Mayor G.Bojars claims to have a university degree, however, he has an official prove only from his father university which are providing only post graduate studies. Diena, Neatkariga

The Latvian parliament Thursday rejected Social Democrats request for resignation of Interior Minister Mareks Seglins, accused by Social Democrats in lack of professionalism in heading the Interior Ministry.

The Latvian parliament Thursday rejected Social Democrats request for resignation of Interior Minister Mareks Seglins, accused by Social Democrats in lack of professionalism in heading the Interior Ministry. Chas, Neatkariga

According to unofficial information big parties want to split FHRUL in order to form a coalition with only one part of it - People’s Harmony Party headed by J.Jurkans.

According to unofficial information big parties want to split FHRUL in order to form a coalition with only one part of it - Peoples Harmony Party headed by J.Jurkans. Neatkariga

Yesterday Russia’s Government issued the directive providing 19,1 million roubles for the allowances for military pensioners residing in the Baltic countries and not possessing Russia’s citizenship. The amount of the allowance is 417 roubles or three times minimum pension in Russia (about LVL 9) for a military pensioner and 139 roubles for a widow of a military pensioner.

Yesterday Russias Government issued the directive providing 19,1 million roubles for the allowances for military pensioners residing in the Baltic countries and not possessing Russias citizenship. The amount of the allowance is 417 roubles or three times minimum pension in Russia (about LVL 9) for a military pensioner and 139 roubles for a widow of a military pensioner. Chas, Vesti Segodnja, Panorama Latvii

Panorama Latvii

interviews private school director O.Isakova who participated at the conference Russian compatriots: from the Support to Co-operation. O.Isakova talks about the possible role of Russia in education of Russian speaking students in Latvia. interviews private school director O.Isakova who participated at the conference “Russian compatriots: from the Support to Co-operation”. O.Isakova talks about the possible role of Russia in education of Russian speaking students in Latvia. The Lithuanian president is proposing leaders from all nine candidate countries for NATO membership make a joint appeal to the new US administration to declare their resolve to continue down the path towards NATO membership. Latvian president Vaira Vike-Freiberga originally proposed the Baltic states make such an appeal during her current state visit in Vilnius. Adamkus liked the idea, but said he felt an appeal by all nine candidates would carry more weight and would be more likely heard than one by the 3 Baltic states. The Latvian president agreed to Adamkus' proposal.

The Lithuanian president is proposing leaders from all nine candidate countries for NATO membership make a joint appeal to the new US administration to declare their resolve to continue down the path towards NATO membership. Latvian president Vaira Vike-Freiberga originally proposed the Baltic states make such an appeal during her current state visit in Vilnius. Adamkus liked the idea, but said he felt an appeal by all nine candidates would carry more weight and would be more likely heard than one by the 3 Baltic states. The Latvian president agreed to Adamkus' proposal. Vesti Segodnja, Respublika

The announcement of the official election results has been postponed for a day, however, the discussions among the parties go on. Social Democrats chairman J.Bojars said that they could offer to FF/LNNK to co-operate on such conditions, that they would not be able to refuse. FF/LNNK chairman M.Grinblats comments that the good offer probably means either seats at Riga Free Port Board or the seat of G.Bojars in the Presidium of the Saeima, however, FF/LNNK considers that they could have these seats without the help of Social Democrats.

The announcement of the official election results has been postponed for a day, however, the discussions among the parties go on. Social Democrats chairman J.Bojars said that they could offer to FF/LNNK to co-operate on such conditions, that they would not be able to refuse. FF/LNNK chairman M.Grinblats comments that the good offer probably means either seats at Riga Free Port Board or the seat of G.Bojars in the Presidium of the Saeima, however, FF/LNNK considers that they could have these seats without the help of Social Democrats. Chas

Other 2 chairpersons of Russian Party blames the third for his self-initiative in signing co-operation agreement with Democratic Party, Labour Party and Latvian Farmers Union to form a coalition Centrs at Riga City Council. Russian Party representative at Riga Council was not authorised to sign the agreement.

Other 2 chairpersons of Russian Party blames the third for his self-initiative in signing co-operation agreement with Democratic Party, Labour Party and Latvian Farmers Union to form a coalition Centrs at Riga City Council. Russian Party representative at Riga Council was not authorised to sign the agreement. Chas, Vesti Segodnja

Chas

columnist L.Fedosejev writes that Latvian Russians are fed up with feeling afraid and they start to feel themselves as a real and influential power and ready to co-operate, however, now it is up to Latvian politicians and mass media in the Latvian language what happens next. columnist L.Fedosejev writes that Latvian Russians are fed up with feeling afraid and they start to feel themselves as a real and influential power and ready to co-operate, however, now it is up to Latvian politicians and mass media in the Latvian language what happens next.

Vesti Segodnja

comes to the conclusion that the best coalition partners for Social Democrats are FHRUL as in that case Social Democrats would have the post of Riga mayor, control over Riga Port and the possibility to implement their programme. comes to the conclusion that the best coalition partners for Social Democrats are FHRUL as in that case Social Democrats would have the post of Riga mayor, control over Riga Port and the possibility to implement their programme. The surviving members of Latvian Nazi Waffen SS unit or the so-called Latvian Legionnaires on Friday traditionally commemorated their fallen brethren-in-arms but the ceremony was more low-key than in previous years.

The surviving members of Latvian Nazi Waffen SS unit or the so-called Latvian Legionnaires on Friday traditionally commemorated their fallen brethren-in-arms but the ceremony was more low-key than in previous years.

This year the Legionnaires had to give up their annual procession to the Freedom Monument in Riga centre, as the monument is under the renovation at the moment, but the commemoration service in the Dome Church was held as usual.

This year the Legionnaires had to give up their annual procession to the Freedom Monument in Riga centre, as the monument is under the renovation at the moment, but the commemoration service in the Dome Church was held as usual. Respublika