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

Meetings of Riga city council delegation with Moscow City government officials Wednesday in Moscow exceeded, in terms of favourable attitude and readiness to co-operate, all expectations by the Latvian delegation, Riga mayor said. Remark by Gundars Bojars came following a lunch in the Moscow City government and meetings with a number of Moscow City government officials.

Meetings of Riga city council delegation with Moscow City government officials Wednesday in Moscow exceeded, in terms of favourable attitude and readiness to co-operate, all expectations by the Latvian delegation, Riga mayor said. Remark by Gundars Bojars came following a lunch in the Moscow City government and meetings with a number of Moscow City government officials. BNS

Latvian security structures Wednesday in Grebneva border checkpoint handed over to Russian border guard three National Bolsheviks from Russia who had crossed over into Latvia illegally and convicted for it. All three youths crossed the border at 4:10 p.m., eyewitnesses to the procedure reported to

Latvian security structures Wednesday in Grebneva border checkpoint handed over to Russian border guard three National Bolsheviks from Russia who had crossed over into Latvia illegally and convicted for it. All three youths crossed the border at 4:10 p.m., eyewitnesses to the procedure reported to BNS.

Latvian foreign minister Thursday will depart for a brief working visit in Denmark, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman told reporters. In Denmark Indulis Berzins is scheduled to meet Danish Foreign Minister Mogens Lykketof, Baltic development forum chairman as well as Danish parliament European affairs committee chairman.

Latvian foreign minister Thursday will depart for a brief working visit in Denmark, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman told reporters. In Denmark Indulis Berzins is scheduled to meet Danish Foreign Minister Mogens Lykketof, Baltic development forum chairman as well as Danish parliament European affairs committee chairman. BNS

In an interview to the Austrian newspaper Die Presse Latvian President V.Vike-Freiberga said that Russian President V.Putin criticising Latvia wanted to construct obstacles on its way to NATO. Latvian – Russian relations would improve with the time when Latvia joins NATO.

In an interview to the Austrian newspaper Die Presse Latvian President V.Vike-Freiberga said that Russian President V.Putin criticising Latvia wanted to construct obstacles on its way to NATO. Latvian – Russian relations would improve with the time when Latvia joins NATO. Neatkariga

Newspaper

Newspaper Lauku Avize published a letter of Latvian Human Rights and Ethnic Studies Centre Director N.Muiznieks where he explained misrepresentation of his statements in the Russian speaking newspaper Vesti Segodnya. N.Muiznieks gave his interview in the Latvian language and misinterpretation happened while translating it into Russian. Editor of Lauku Avize J.Krustins writes that it was not an accident but an intentional and impudent misrepresentation let with the mouth of a political scientist of Latvian nationality, trained in the USA, to herald to Russian speakers that the Russians are discriminated in Latvia as a nation and also with the help of the language. Mr. Krustins writes that it will serve a good lesson to N.Muiznieks in his relations with certain newspapers.

Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga believes that in parliamentary democracies there are no guarantees a government would live on through the next general elections but all depends on politicians. "I don't see any signs that would pose threat to this government but all is in the hands of politicians whether they are able to agree," the president told reporters Thursday following her address to the parliament.

Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga believes that in parliamentary democracies there are no guarantees a government would live on through the next general elections but all depends on politicians. "I don't see any signs that would pose threat to this government but all is in the hands of politicians whether they are able to agree," the president told reporters Thursday following her address to the parliament. BNS

Russia will become the Chairman of CBSS, and it Prime Minister M.Kasyanov announced that within the framework of this organisation had been established the following major directions for co-operation – co-operation in development of Kaliningrad Region, development of regional infrastructure of the Baltic Region, co-operation in environment protection.

Russia will become the Chairman of CBSS, and it Prime Minister M.Kasyanov announced that within the framework of this organisation had been established the following major directions for co-operation – co-operation in development of Kaliningrad Region, development of regional infrastructure of the Baltic Region, co-operation in environment protection. Lauku Avize

Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga Thursday in address to the parliament underscored role of internal security in successful movement of Latvia to the European Union and NATO. "Internal security of the country means capability to fight against corruption and organised crime so people are not cynically murdered in the light of day and the state treasury gets all the money it currently is short of," the President said.

Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga Thursday in address to the parliament underscored role of internal security in successful movement of Latvia to the European Union and NATO. "Internal security of the country means capability to fight against corruption and organised crime so people are not cynically murdered in the light of day and the state treasury gets all the money it currently is short of," the President said. BNS

Vesti Segodnya

published an article about the President of Latvia V.Vike-Freiberga and her two years term in the office. The President has been very active and independent, the qualities some of the ruling politicians do not like. And just recently, after a series of scandals she had realised that it was not wise to put ="" between Russia and USSR. It seems that the President wants to start relations with Russia from tabula rasa – forgetting former offences and prejudices. Without much advertising Consultative Council on National Minority Education Affairs was established at the Ministry of Education and Science. It seems that the state finally expressed a wish to consult with non-Latvians. The Council was established in February and so far had had two sittings that did not create any humanitarian overturn but at least there appeared a place where you might speak in favour of national minority education. And some people did. I.Pimenov, Chairman of Association of Russian Speaking Schools in Latvia, handed for consideration at the Council a draft alternative program for schools with the Russian language of tuition but T.Favorskaya – a draft on Russian national school. But these people once more ascertained that the law on education was solid. It is planned that from 2004 tuition in schools will be transferred to the Latvian language. And authorities do not yield to their letters, protests and pickets.

Without much advertising Consultative Council on National Minority Education Affairs was established at the Ministry of Education and Science. It seems that the state finally expressed a wish to consult with non-Latvians. The Council was established in February and so far had had two sittings that did not create any humanitarian overturn but at least there appeared a place where you might speak in favour of national minority education. And some people did. I.Pimenov, Chairman of Association of Russian Speaking Schools in Latvia, handed for consideration at the Council a draft alternative program for schools with the Russian language of tuition but T.Favorskaya – a draft on Russian national school. But these people once more ascertained that the law on education was solid. It is planned that from 2004 tuition in schools will be transferred to the Latvian language. And authorities do not yield to their letters, protests and pickets. Vesti Segodnya