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

In an interview to the Latvian Radio Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga said that the time had come the close the OSCE Mission to Latvia because Latvia had fulfilled its obligations.

In an interview to the Latvian Radio Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga said that the time had come the close the OSCE Mission to Latvia because Latvia had fulfilled its obligations. Vesti Segodnya

The European Court of Human Rights Nov. 14 will hear parties in a case opened after complaint by a family of Russian military who sued Latvian state over violating their right to inviolability of family life by deporting the family from the country, the court reported. Latvian representative at the European Court of Human Rights, Kristine Malinovska, told BNS a panel of 17 judges in a hearing in the Grand Chamber will hear arguments and considerations by both the Shlivenko family and the Latvian state on whether the case falls into the court's competence and on the merit of the case and will then decide which part of the complaint should be accepted for consideration and which would be rejected.

The European Court of Human Rights Nov. 14 will hear parties in a case opened after complaint by a family of Russian military who sued Latvian state over violating their right to inviolability of family life by deporting the family from the country, the court reported. Latvian representative at the European Court of Human Rights, Kristine Malinovska, told BNS a panel of 17 judges in a hearing in the Grand Chamber will hear arguments and considerations by both the Shlivenko family and the Latvian state on whether the case falls into the court's competence and on the merit of the case and will then decide which part of the complaint should be accepted for consideration and which would be rejected. BNS, Neatkariga, Chas

All three Baltic countries want to boost cooperation with Russia, and the United States have been also informed about this goal, Minister of Foreign Affairs Indulis Berzins said in an interview on Latvian state radio today in commenting on the appeal made by the U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell requesting to set series of measures in order to facilitate the implementation of the U.S. and Baltic Partnership Charter. Berzins believes that Baltic-Russian cooperation noted in the letter from Powell is meant as a signal both for Russia and the Baltic countries. "We may offer good relations with Russia, and we have always done so," the minister stressed.

All three Baltic countries want to boost cooperation with Russia, and the United States have been also informed about this goal, Minister of Foreign Affairs Indulis Berzins said in an interview on Latvian state radio today in commenting on the appeal made by the U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell requesting to set series of measures in order to facilitate the implementation of the U.S. and Baltic Partnership Charter. Berzins believes that Baltic-Russian cooperation noted in the letter from Powell is meant as a signal both for Russia and the Baltic countries. "We may offer good relations with Russia, and we have always done so," the minister stressed. LETA, Latvijas Vestnesis

Newspaper

Newspaper Chas commentator L.Fedoseyev states that now Latvia could turn from a subject of international legislation into an object – not Latvia would decide but somebody would decide for it when the USA needs Russia to fight Afghan terrorists. And instead of subtle hints C.Powell spoke openly about the need for Latvia to make friends with Russia. Translated from the diplomatic language into a simple one it means – either you (Latvia) finally settle your problems with Russia or we (US and Russia) would decide how to act.

Lithuanian Prime Minister Algirdas Brazauskas and Estonian Prime Minister Mart Laar are visiting Latvia today in order to participate in the Baltic Sea region's E-business forum.

Lithuanian Prime Minister Algirdas Brazauskas and Estonian Prime Minister Mart Laar are visiting Latvia today in order to participate in the Baltic Sea region's E-business forum. LETA, Diena, Neatkariga, Latvijas Vestnesis

Yesterday, the new Latvian Ambassador to Sweden Artis Bertulis presented his credentials to the King of Sweden Carl XVI Gustaf. The ambassador told LETA that during the meeting, the Swedish Royal Family's cooperation with Latvia was discussed.

Yesterday, the new Latvian Ambassador to Sweden Artis Bertulis presented his credentials to the King of Sweden Carl XVI Gustaf. The ambassador told LETA that during the meeting, the Swedish Royal Family's cooperation with Latvia was discussed. LETA

Head of DCMA M.Bicevskis informed the Saeima Citizenship Law Implementation Commission that if the Saeima adopted in October the necessary amendments to laws Latvian residents might be able from the beginning of the next year to receive the new passports but the new ID cards could be issued no sooner that 2003. Now Saeima commissions discuss amendments to several laws to stipulate that in these new passports will be nether marriage or divorce record, but will be permission or prohibition to use the bearer’s body for medical purposes after his death.

Head of DCMA M.Bicevskis informed the Saeima Citizenship Law Implementation Commission that if the Saeima adopted in October the necessary amendments to laws Latvian residents might be able from the beginning of the next year to receive the new passports but the new ID cards could be issued no sooner that 2003. Now Saeima commissions discuss amendments to several laws to stipulate that in these new passports will be nether marriage or divorce record, but will be permission or prohibition to use the bearers body for medical purposes after his death. Diena

Also the newspaper

Also the newspaper Lauku Avize informs about the new passports but in more details. M.Bicevskis has said that already in June the Department had received 55 500 new passports. The Department is technically ready to issue them now but is not possible due to some legislative problems. During this meeting a strong discussion started why there was no demand to record persons ethnicity. Mr.Bicevskis explained the deputies that the page containing information on the person had to be made according international standards and would be machine readable therefore there was no record of ethnicity. He added that theoretically it could be done in some other page. MP from the faction Freedom and Fatherland P.Lace objected to this, and M.Bicevskis calmed the deputies down saying that information about persons ethnicity would be preserved in Residents Register and ethnicity could be recorded in the new ID cards if the received wished it.

Political scientist E.Vebers writes that according to the census in Latvia there are 57.6% of Latvians, 29.6% of Russians, 4.1% - Ukrainians, etc. but if you go to a countryside you can see that styles of living, behaving, traditions, everyday psychology are quite homogeneous, also conversations are only in two languages – Latvian and Russian. People do not feel this statistical ethnic diversity. We fool ourselves and the world saying that in Latvia exist large and strong national minorities.

Political scientist E.Vebers writes that according to the census in Latvia there are 57.6% of Latvians, 29.6% of Russians, 4.1% - Ukrainians, etc. but if you go to a countryside you can see that styles of living, behaving, traditions, everyday psychology are quite homogeneous, also conversations are only in two languages – Latvian and Russian. People do not feel this statistical ethnic diversity. We fool ourselves and the world saying that in Latvia exist large and strong national minorities. Neatkariga

Latvian Prime Minister A.Berzins during the two days spent in St.Petersburg had not discussed with Russian officials signing of bilateral agreements but just had pointed out the necessity to increase the activities of intergovernmental commission.

Latvian Prime Minister A.Berzins during the two days spent in St.Petersburg had not discussed with Russian officials signing of bilateral agreements but just had pointed out the necessity to increase the activities of intergovernmental commission. Lauku Avize

Newspaper

Newspaper The Baltic Times published an article about the launching of a free-of-charge Latvian language training program on September 19 in Riga and the process of naturalization in Latvia.

By December 6 Latvian government has to submit to the European Human Rights Court an answer to the questions the Court asked about the case of Ms.Zhdanok. She was elected a deputy to the Riga City Council and afterwards deprived of her mandate, and T.Zhdanok addressed this court.

By December 6 Latvian government has to submit to the European Human Rights Court an answer to the questions the Court asked about the case of Ms.Zhdanok. She was elected a deputy to the Riga City Council and afterwards deprived of her mandate, and T.Zhdanok addressed this court. Panorama Latvii