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

Outgoing US Ambassador to Latvia, James Holmes, will Thursday make his last public speech before leaving his office, reported the embassy. Holmes will make his last public address as the US ambassador to Latvia at the meeting of the Association of Latvian Graduates of American Universities on Sept. 6 in Riga.

Outgoing US Ambassador to Latvia, James Holmes, will Thursday make his last public speech before leaving his office, reported the embassy. Holmes will make his last public address as the US ambassador to Latvia at the meeting of the Association of Latvian Graduates of American Universities on Sept. 6 in Riga. BNS

The European Commission's Director-General for Enlargement, Eneko Landaburu, will be in Riga on Sept. 17-18 for the seventh meeting of the EU-Latvia Joint Parliamentary Committee, said a spokesman for the Latvian Foreign Ministry.

The European Commission's Director-General for Enlargement, Eneko Landaburu, will be in Riga on Sept. 17-18 for the seventh meeting of the EU-Latvia Joint Parliamentary Committee, said a spokesman for the Latvian Foreign Ministry. BNS

Two more non-Latvian families may be able to return to countries of their ethnic origin with the help of funds provided by a group organized by Latvian lawmakers to support repatriation of non-Latvians. The repatriation support group received a letter from the Leonovs family, a mother with three children, wishing to move to Russia and asking for 250 Lats (USD 400) to cover the costs. In another letter, Ms. Fila Antonina asked for 200 liters of gasoline and USD 40 to be able to return for permanent residence in Ukraine. A support group member, Social Democrat lawmaker Janis Leja, pledged to help the two families. He said he would ask prominent businessmen to donate funds required to cover their repatriation costs. The Latvian lawmakers, members of the repatriation support group, have already help 11 people to leave Latvia. Two families got one USD 1,000 and the other USD 3,000 supplied by Leja, and one more family was able to repatriate because the related costs were paid by Fatherland and Freedom (FF)/LNNK faction MPs.

Two more non-Latvian families may be able to return to countries of their ethnic origin with the help of funds provided by a group organized by Latvian lawmakers to support repatriation of non-Latvians. The repatriation support group received a letter from the Leonovs family, a mother with three children, wishing to move to Russia and asking for 250 Lats (USD 400) to cover the costs. In another letter, Ms. Fila Antonina asked for 200 liters of gasoline and USD 40 to be able to return for permanent residence in Ukraine. A support group member, Social Democrat lawmaker Janis Leja, pledged to help the two families. He said he would ask prominent businessmen to donate funds required to cover their repatriation costs. The Latvian lawmakers, members of the repatriation support group, have already help 11 people to leave Latvia. Two families got one USD 1,000 and the other USD 3,000 supplied by Leja, and one more family was able to repatriate because the related costs were paid by Fatherland and Freedom (FF)/LNNK faction MPs. BNS

Latvian foreign minister Indulis Berzins will visit the United States from Sept. 10 to 15 to attend the fourth meeting of the US-Baltic Partnership Commission expected to discuss ways to step up further cooperation, said a spokesman for the Latvian Foreign Ministry.

Latvian foreign minister Indulis Berzins will visit the United States from Sept. 10 to 15 to attend the fourth meeting of the US-Baltic Partnership Commission expected to discuss ways to step up further cooperation, said a spokesman for the Latvian Foreign Ministry. BNS, Neatkariga

Latvia's Foreign Minister Indulis Berzins will be headed for Belgium on September 9 to take part in an informal meeting between EU member and EU candidate country foreign ministers to discuss issues related to the future of the European Union.

Latvia's Foreign Minister Indulis Berzins will be headed for Belgium on September 9 to take part in an informal meeting between EU member and EU candidate country foreign ministers to discuss issues related to the future of the European Union. BNS

Due to the fact that not all necessary changes in the legislation have been made, Latvian residents will be able to receive their new travel passports no sooner than March 1. This forecast was made by MFA Consular Department Head A.Vanaga. She pointed out that the government and Saeima needed to adopt amendments concerning making records in the new passports because they had been planned to use as a travel document.

Due to the fact that not all necessary changes in the legislation have been made, Latvian residents will be able to receive their new travel passports no sooner than March 1. This forecast was made by MFA Consular Department Head A.Vanaga. She pointed out that the government and Saeima needed to adopt amendments concerning making records in the new passports because they had been planned to use as a travel document. Neatkariga

Journalist Z.Kac writes in the newspaper

Journalist Z.Kac writes in the newspaper Respublika about the proposal of Naturalization Board Rezekne Office Head R.Zommere concerning the vast joint project of Naturalization Board, UNDP and OSCE Mission to Latvia to give free of charge Latvian language training to 800 residents of Latvia. Financing for this project is provided by Swedish and US governments. R.Zommere finds the situation that all financing is given by foreign donors abnormal and suggests that also local municipalities and entrepreneurs should join it. Thus the number of people trained could be enlarged and speed of naturalization increased.

On Wednesday Saeima commission conceptually adopted the draft repatriation law. But with one essential pretext. It concerns the amendments to the law concerning repatriation of foreigners and appatrids. The draft law, prepared by the government, gives the list of persons who could be regarded as repatriates and stipulates their rights to receive a financial aid. Commission members did not like that the draft law described only on way repatriation – to Latvia, and they asked the Saeima Human Rights and Public Affairs Commission to pay attention to developing the principle of two-way repatriation.

On Wednesday Saeima commission conceptually adopted the draft repatriation law. But with one essential pretext. It concerns the amendments to the law concerning repatriation of foreigners and appatrids. The draft law, prepared by the government, gives the list of persons who could be regarded as repatriates and stipulates their rights to receive a financial aid. Commission members did not like that the draft law described only on way repatriation – to Latvia, and they asked the Saeima Human Rights and Public Affairs Commission to pay attention to developing the principle of two-way repatriation. Panorama Latvii

Vesti Segodnya

informs about the donation of 1.8 million USD made by Canadian government to establish National Translation and Terminology Center. Official representation of this project will take place today. informs about the donation of 1.8 million USD made by Canadian government to establish National Translation and Terminology Center. Official representation of this project will take place today. MP Y.Pliner, B.Zelcerman and Dr. V.Buhalov comment on the interviews given to Russian-speaking newspapers by Minister of Education K.Greiskalns and speak about 4 myths the Minister used: 1. Transition program to tuition in the Latvian language in Russian-speaking schools by 2004 is well developed and does not need any corrections; 2. education in the state language increases competitiveness of graduates in the labor market; 3. transition to the tuition in the Latvian language will increase the quality of education; 4. Using the experience of New-Latvian K.Barons as a proof for the change of tuition language.

MP Y.Pliner, B.Zelcerman and Dr. V.Buhalov comment on the interviews given to Russian-speaking newspapers by Minister of Education K.Greiskalns and speak about 4 myths the Minister used: 1. Transition program to tuition in the Latvian language in Russian-speaking schools by 2004 is well developed and does not need any corrections; 2. education in the state language increases competitiveness of graduates in the labor market; 3. transition to the tuition in the Latvian language will increase the quality of education; 4. Using the experience of New-Latvian K.Barons as a proof for the change of tuition language. Vesti Segodnya

Newspaper

Newspaper Lauku Avize interviewed the new Polish Ambassador to Latvia T.Fishbach. When speaking about his compatriots residing in Latvia, he said that they made great achievements here but also had great needs, especially in the field of education. The Ambassador was glad about the fact that those people completely identified them with the Latvian State. They are a minority that does not cause any problems for Latvia and enrich its culture.