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

An Australian court on Tuesday ruled that alleged Nazi war criminal Konrads Kalejs should be extradited to Latvia where he is wanted on charges of war crimes and genocide. Kalejs' lawyers are appealing.

An Australian court on Tuesday ruled that alleged Nazi war criminal Konrads Kalejs should be extradited to Latvia where he is wanted on charges of war crimes and genocide. Kalejs' lawyers are appealing. BNS

As many as 65 percent of Latvians who have acquired the country's citizenship only recently support accession to the European Union, according to an opinion poll conducted among new citizens in April by Baltic social sciences institute. Results of the opinion poll conducted among naturalised citizens were revealed Monday in a conference called "Towards a Civic Society - 2001". The opinion poll shows that Latvia is made more attractive in the eyes of naturalised non-Latvians by the expected

As many as 65 percent of Latvians who have acquired the country's citizenship only recently support accession to the European Union, according to an opinion poll conducted among new citizens in April by Baltic social sciences institute. Results of the opinion poll conducted among naturalised citizens were revealed Monday in a conference called "Towards a Civic Society - 2001". The opinion poll shows that Latvia is made more attractive in the eyes of naturalised non-Latvians by the expected

accession to the EU. Answering to a question what circumstances may in the future give a chance to become the EU citizens, a half of respondents cited Latvia's citizenship as the first precondition. A significantly smaller portion of new citizens support Latvia's accession to NATO as only 31 new citizens regard it as desirable against 59 percent among "old" citizens. Accession to NATO is supported by only 26 percent of non-citizens. More new citizens than "old" citizens believe that Latvia needs a society integration program that should be headed by the state. 67 percent of new citizens relate society integration to the need to build sense of belonging to the country. Such view also is held by 57 percent of citizens and 49 percent of non-citizens. The poll questioned 404 people who acquired Latvia's citizenship between 1995 and 2001.

accession to the EU. Answering to a question what circumstances may in the future give a chance to become the EU citizens, a half of respondents cited Latvia's citizenship as the first precondition. A significantly smaller portion of new citizens support Latvia's accession to NATO as only 31 new citizens regard it as desirable against 59 percent among "old" citizens. Accession to NATO is supported by only 26 percent of non-citizens. More new citizens than "old" citizens believe that Latvia needs a society integration program that should be headed by the state. 67 percent of new citizens relate society integration to the need to build sense of belonging to the country. Such view also is held by 57 percent of citizens and 49 percent of non-citizens. The poll questioned 404 people who acquired Latvia's citizenship between 1995 and 2001. BNS, Diena, Neatkariga, Latvijas Vestnesis

A.Stroy in

A.Stroy in Chas comments these statements about the new Latvian citizens saying that these people have not lost their values – 73% of then still would like to have the Russian language as the second state language. Also Panorama Latvii

Vesti Segodnya comments this integration conference stating that for a real integration there is no need for any debates of state officials and MPs – the state just has to show that it respects its residents. The Head of the Naturalisation Board E.Aldermane reminded a simple formula Attitude creates attitude, but this simple formula is not observed in Latvia. The Head of the OSCE Mission to Latvia P.Semneby pointed out the fact that people in Latvia did trust authorities. And the reason for it is the scornful attitude towards people, especially those who speak not the right language.

Some 40 percent of Latvia's non-citizens want to live here but not change their status by becoming Latvia's citizens, Naturalisation Department head Eizenija Aldermane said in a conference. She said in address to the conference "Towards a Civic Society - 2001" that Latvia's civic society will lose the most part of residents if a dialogue with non-citizens is not developed at the state level. "The most important question at this point is -- how to influence that part of youths who at this point do no feel sense of belonging to the Latvian state and also to listen to opinions of people of other nationalities and proposals about society integration," said Aldermane. Justice Minister Ingrida Labucka in her opening address to the conference cited education as the most important aspect of society integration process to which should be devoted the utmost attention by promoting Latvian language learning by people of other nationalities.

Some 40 percent of Latvia's non-citizens want to live here but not change their status by becoming Latvia's citizens, Naturalisation Department head Eizenija Aldermane said in a conference. She said in address to the conference "Towards a Civic Society - 2001" that Latvia's civic society will lose the most part of residents if a dialogue with non-citizens is not developed at the state level. "The most important question at this point is -- how to influence that part of youths who at this point do no feel sense of belonging to the Latvian state and also to listen to opinions of people of other nationalities and proposals about society integration," said Aldermane. Justice Minister Ingrida Labucka in her opening address to the conference cited education as the most important aspect of society integration process to which should be devoted the utmost attention by promoting Latvian language learning by people of other nationalities. BNS

Director of Human Rights Office O.Bruveris so far was named as the only candidate for this post for the next four years term. The Saeima will vote on this issue on Wednesday. Some time ago Latvian Human Rights and Ethnic Studies Centre Director N.Muiznieks suggested that it would be more healthy to create competition for this post but parties seemed unwilling to have a strong human rights protector not to have strong control over situation and criticism of the government. N.Muiznieks suggested some more candidates – J.Briede Latvian University professor, lawyer E.Vebers, judge V.Krumina and diplomat A.Baumanis. In his turn Acting Director of Latvian University Human Rights Institute M.Mits named also former Human Rights Office lawyer I.Reine who was currently working in Kosovo.

Director of Human Rights Office O.Bruveris so far was named as the only candidate for this post for the next four years term. The Saeima will vote on this issue on Wednesday. Some time ago Latvian Human Rights and Ethnic Studies Centre Director N.Muiznieks suggested that it would be more healthy to create competition for this post but parties seemed unwilling to have a strong human rights protector not to have strong control over situation and criticism of the government. N.Muiznieks suggested some more candidates – J.Briede Latvian University professor, lawyer E.Vebers, judge V.Krumina and diplomat A.Baumanis. In his turn Acting Director of Latvian University Human Rights Institute M.Mits named also former Human Rights Office lawyer I.Reine who was currently working in Kosovo. Diena

On Monday Riga City Council official S.Zaletajev, whose state language proficiency level was doubted about, violated the state language law conducting a press conference in the Russian language. To this event he had invited only the journalists he preferred but later assured that it was not so.

On Monday Riga City Council official S.Zaletajev, whose state language proficiency level was doubted about, violated the state language law conducting a press conference in the Russian language. To this event he had invited only the journalists he preferred but later assured that it was not so. Diena

Coalition partners do not take seriously the criticism voiced by the People’s Party leader A.Skele at People’s Party congress.

Coalition partners do not take seriously the criticism voiced by the Peoples Party leader A.Skele at Peoples Party congress. Neatkariga

Almost a month has passed since Latvian Embassy in Russia sent 2 notes to the Russian MFA on staining Latvian Embassy building with paint but no official answer had been received so far.

Almost a month has passed since Latvian Embassy in Russia sent 2 notes to the Russian MFA on staining Latvian Embassy building with paint but no official answer had been received so far. Neatkariga, Rigas Balss

The newspaper

The newspaper Lauku Avize published comments of Latvian MPs after the meeting with Russian Ambassador I.Studennikov where he reproached Latvia for its wish to join NATO thus endangering Russia. FF/LNNK representative G.Krasts says that it was just voicing of former Russias position and it was Ambassadors duty to do it. G.Krasts thinks that Latvia should not worry much about this Russias position because it is a temporary current opinion. A.Kirsteins form Peoples Party thinks that relations with Russia will improve after Latvias joining NATO. What concerns accusations about violation in the education field, A.Kirsteins says that Latvia should not even start talking about this before in the Russian village Lejas Bulani where many Latvians reside is opened a Latvian school.

Today Polish President A.Kvasnevsky is coming on a working visit to Latvia. Soon after arrival he together with Latvian President will open an exhibit of Polish national economy. After this event will be the official meeting of both presidents.

Today Polish President A.Kvasnevsky is coming on a working visit to Latvia. Soon after arrival he together with Latvian President will open an exhibit of Polish national economy. After this event will be the official meeting of both presidents. Latvijas Vestnesis, Chas

The leader of Russian Party M.Gavrilov opposite to the opinion of other party members signed the coalition agreement with FF/LNNK, i.e. with the ruling coalition in Riga City Council.

The leader of Russian Party M.Gavrilov opposite to the opinion of other party members signed the coalition agreement with FF/LNNK, i.e. with the ruling coalition in Riga City Council. Panorama Latvii