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

Finnish President Tarja Halonen, whose reserved comments about admission of the Baltic states to NATO have recently caused much publicity in Latvia, today starts her state visit to Latvia. On Wednesday Halonen is expected to meet with Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga, who told Finnish media before Halonen's visit that she would like to hear the Finnish president to explain Finland's position concerning Baltic membership in NATO. Halonen is also scheduled to talk to Latvian premier Andris Berzins and deliver lecture in Latvia University.

Finnish President Tarja Halonen, whose reserved comments about admission of the Baltic states to NATO have recently caused much publicity in Latvia, today starts her state visit to Latvia. On Wednesday Halonen is expected to meet with Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga, who told Finnish media before Halonen's visit that she would like to hear the Finnish president to explain Finland's position concerning Baltic membership in NATO. Halonen is also scheduled to talk to Latvian premier Andris Berzins and deliver lecture in Latvia University. Diena, Jauna

Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga has refused to meet left-wing alliance For Human Rights in a United Latvia (FHRUL) representatives on Tuesday, as the alliance's parliament members were to be accompanied to the meeting by former communism activists Tatyana Zhdanok and Alfreds Rubiks. The President's office, however, put the issue another way - claiming that the president wanted to meet lawmakers and not any other representatives. FHRUL faction leader Janis Jurkans said that the president had told him that she would not be meeting the leftists in their suggested composition, suggesting that parliament members see her on Friday.

Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga has refused to meet left-wing alliance For Human Rights in a United Latvia (FHRUL) representatives on Tuesday, as the alliance's parliament members were to be accompanied to the meeting by former communism activists Tatyana Zhdanok and Alfreds Rubiks. The President's office, however, put the issue another way - claiming that the president wanted to meet lawmakers and not any other representatives. FHRUL faction leader Janis Jurkans said that the president had told him that she would not be meeting the leftists in their suggested composition, suggesting that parliament members see her on Friday.

"I will not go on Friday either, because if the president can't meet the leaders of parties represented at parliament and the Riga City Council, then there is something wrong with democracy in our country," said Jurkans.

"I will not go on Friday either, because if the president can't meet the leaders of parties represented at parliament and the Riga City Council, then there is something wrong with democracy in our country," said Jurkans.

As the left-wing has a different attitude towards Latvian NATO accession and defence spending, the president wants to meet with them separately, in order to discuss the issues in more detail.

As the left-wing has a different attitude towards Latvian NATO accession and defence spending, the president wants to meet with them separately, in order to discuss the issues in more detail. Diena, Neatkariga, Panorama Latvii, Respublika

Vesti Segodnja comments that “it proves once again that Society Integration Programme is only for the West”.

Vesti Segodnja comments that it proves once again that Society Integration Programme is only for the West.

The President, Saeima and Prime Minister have decided not to ask for the resignation of the Defence Minister G.V.Kristovskis.

The President, Saeima and Prime Minister have decided not to ask for the resignation of the Defence Minister G.V.Kristovskis. Diena, Neatkariga, Jauna, Panorama Latvii

The faculty of the Riga Aviation University would not file a claim about closing the University with the European Human Rights Court, if the state pays out the debt, which is constituted of salary and social tax payments till the end of May.

Neatkariga.

On the occasion of Victory Day Russian President V.Putin met with Soviet soldiers of II World War and stated that Russia will do everything to keep its promises given to Russian-speakers residing in the Baltic countries. Not only does Russia remember about its citizens but also it hopes to have their support as they can rely on ours, said V.Putin. Jauna, Vesti Segodnja, Respublika

According to unofficial sources of information the next Latvian ambassador to Russia will be current Minister of Transport A.Gorbunovs.

According to unofficial sources of information the next Latvian ambassador to Russia will be current Minister of Transport A.Gorbunovs. Chas

Newspapers in Russian –

Newspapers in Russian – Vesti Segodnja, Chas, Panorama Latvii - devote their first pages to articles and photos about Victory Day.

Chas

interviews Foreign Affair Minister I.Berzins. Mostly the minister answered the questions about the EU and Latvias role in it. In his opinion Latvias movement towards the West will make relations with Russia only closer. When asked about the possibility to review the Law on Citizenship if there is a pressure of the Western countries, the minister made very certain answer No, as also EU and OSCE do not require to enter any changes in the Law. interviews Foreign Affair Minister I.Berzins. Mostly the minister answered the questions about the EU and Latvia’s role in it. In his opinion Latvia’s movement towards the West will make relations with Russia only closer. When asked about the possibility to review the Law on Citizenship if there is a pressure of the Western countries, the minister made very certain answer “No”, as also EU and OSCE do not require to enter any changes in the Law.

Panorama Latvii

interviews Riga City Council vice mayor S.Dolgopolov who presents FHRUL at the Council. S.Dolgopolov talks about the every-day work at the Council, as well as accounts for two scandals at the Council. In regard to language issue he says that all deputies of FHRUL speaks Latvian quite well and if the State Language Centre wants to examine something, it should examine the commissions who issued state language certificates to these deputies. interviews Riga City Council vice mayor S.Dolgopolov who presents FHRUL at the Council. S.Dolgopolov talks about the every-day work at the Council, as well as accounts for two scandals at the Council. In regard to language issue he says that all deputies of FHRUL speaks Latvian quite well and if “the State Language Centre wants to examine something, it should examine the commissions who issued state language certificates to these deputies”.