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

Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga will be on a working visit in Bulgaria 4-5 October to join the summit of Vilnius Nine group which will be attended also by top NATO officials and representatives of non-governmental organisation. And 16-18 October is scheduled for a state visit in Hungary for talks with Hungarian president, parliament speaker and Budapest mayor.

Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga will be on a working visit in Bulgaria 4-5 October to join the summit of Vilnius Nine group which will be attended also by top NATO officials and representatives of non-governmental organisation. And 16-18 October is scheduled for a state visit in Hungary for talks with Hungarian president, parliament speaker and Budapest mayor. Latvijas Vestnesis

Russia may reconsider its opposition to the enlargement of NATO into countries of the former Soviet bloc, if the alliance transforms into a political organisation, Russian President Vladimir Putin said in Brussels on Wednesday. Latvian foreign affairs minister I.Berzins considers it as a positive sign; in the opinion of Prime Minister A.Berzins it is a logic step. FF/LNNK parliament member G.Krasts hopes that “the words will be followed by real actions” and he was not surprised at the statement as he expected that Russia would try to move toward West. Foreign policy expert N.Neilands voices that Putin’s statement is very “interesting” and it could reduce the tension in Latvia Russia relations.

Russia may reconsider its opposition to the enlargement of NATO into countries of the former Soviet bloc, if the alliance transforms into a political organisation, Russian President Vladimir Putin said in Brussels on Wednesday. Latvian foreign affairs minister I.Berzins considers it as a positive sign; in the opinion of Prime Minister A.Berzins it is a logic step. FF/LNNK parliament member G.Krasts hopes that the words will be followed by real actions and he was not surprised at the statement as he expected that Russia would try to move toward West. Foreign policy expert N.Neilands voices that Putins statement is very interesting and it could reduce the tension in Latvia Russia relations. Neatkariga, Chas

Diena

provides the article by provides the article by Dr.histDr.hist. L.Dribins about whether Russians should be considered a national minority in Latvia. He expresses the support to the ratification of the EC Framework Convention on the Protection of National Minorities and sees Russians as alive and healthy national minority in Latvia. . L.Dribins about whether Russians should be considered a national minority in Latvia. He expresses the support to the ratification of the EC Framework Convention on the Protection of National Minorities and sees Russians as “alive and healthy national minority” in Latvia.

Neatkariga

reports about the tendencies in naturalisation process. On average the number of applicants for naturalisation per month this year (992v applications) has dropped in comparison to 1999 (1265 applications). reports about the tendencies in naturalisation process. On average the number of applicants for naturalisation per month this year (992v applications) has dropped in comparison to 1999 (1265 applications).

Lauku Avize

talks to Latvian foreign affairs minister I.Berzins and defence minister G.Kristovskis. The main discussion subject is the current international situation in regard to the recent terrorism attack in the USA and what influence it could have on Latvia. When asked about the statements voiced by national radicals that Latvia will experience ethnic crisis, foreign affairs minister states that radicals start to understand that Latvia is getting closer to the EU and NATO and thus Latvia in a way slipps out and gets to much safer positions. Also defence minister G.Kristovskis would like to see more support from non-citizens to Latvias membership to NATO. Foreign affair minister reproaches Latvian mass media published in Russian for not publishing his opinion on the statements coming from Russia on comparison between Latvia and Macedonia, as well as I.Berzins does not see any grounds for nervous articles in these newspapers that Latvia have to change its foreign policy. talks to Latvian foreign affairs minister I.Berzins and defence minister G.Kristovskis. The main discussion subject is the current international situation in regard to the recent terrorism attack in the USA and what influence it could have on Latvia. When asked about the statements voiced by national radicals that Latvia will experience ethnic crisis, foreign affairs minister states that radicals start to understand that Latvia is getting closer to the EU and NATO and thus Latvia in a way slipps out and gets to much safer positions. Also defence minister G.Kristovskis would like to see more support from non-citizens to Latvia’s membership to NATO. Foreign affair minister reproaches Latvian mass media published in Russian for not publishing his opinion on the statements coming from Russia on comparison between Latvia and Macedonia, as well as I.Berzins does not see any grounds for “nervous articles” in these newspapers that Latvia have to change its foreign policy. Latvian politicians voices their opinion on the statement of People Harmony Party leaders J.Jurkans and N.Neilands regarding “the necessity to review Latvian foreign policy and give up using the term “occupation””. Social Democrat J.Bojars says that it is just a word game and that “Jurkans has always tried to realise foreign policy of their party, however, up to now they have never succeeded”. Baltic Strategic Research Centre Director T.Jundzis does not consider the suggested changes could have any influence on Latvia Russia relations

Latvian politicians voices their opinion on the statement of People Harmony Party leaders J.Jurkans and N.Neilands regarding the necessity to review Latvian foreign policy and give up using the term occupation. Social Democrat J.Bojars says that it is just a word game and that Jurkans has always tried to realise foreign policy of their party, however, up to now they have never succeeded. Baltic Strategic Research Centre Director T.Jundzis does not consider the suggested changes could have any influence on Latvia Russia relations. Lauku Avize

Minister of Justice I.Labucka is taking part in the European Conference of Justice Ministers in Moscow till 5 October

Minister of Justice I.Labucka is taking part in the European Conference of Justice Ministers in Moscow till 5 October. Lauku Avize

Lauku Avize

reports that in Latgale three groups of non-citizens will have a possibility to attend Latvian language courses free of charge and as the only sponsor of the project the newspaper names the OSCE Mission to Latvia. reports that in Latgale three groups of non-citizens will have a possibility to attend Latvian language courses free of charge and as the only sponsor of the project the newspaper names the OSCE Mission to Latvia. One of Riga movie theatres was fined for violating Article 17 of the State Language Law. The movie theatre showed a movie in Russian and did not provide the subtitles in the state language. As the director of the movie explains “we wanted to introduce our audience with the film as soon as possible, so we did not have time to produce subtitles”. The penalty could be in the form of warning or a fine even up to LVL 100.

One of Riga movie theatres was fined for violating Article 17 of the State Language Law. The movie theatre showed a movie in Russian and did not provide the subtitles in the state language. As the director of the movie explains we wanted to introduce our audience with the film as soon as possible, so we did not have time to produce subtitles. The penalty could be in the form of warning or a fine even up to LVL 100. Chas

Chas

publishes speculations about the chances of left-wing parties at the 8th Saeima election. The estimation of the newspaper is that Social Democrats and FHRUL will have 40% of the votes in 2002 election. However, as the threat could be the new parties, as the part of voters in Latvia (20%) are ready to vote exclusively for the new parties. publishes speculations about the chances of left-wing parties at the 8th Saeima election. The estimation of the newspaper is that Social Democrats and FHRUL will have 40% of the votes in 2002 election. However, as the threat could be the new parties, as the part of voters in Latvia (20%) are ready to vote exclusively for the new parties.

Vesti Segodnja

reports about the meeting of Saeima Education, Science and Human Rights Committee members with Czech MP during which also FHRUL members had a possibility to express their opinion, in particular, about violation of the rights of Russian-speakers in Latvia. reports about the meeting of Saeima Education, Science and Human Rights Committee members with Czech MP during which also FHRUL members had a possibility to express their opinion, in particular, about violation of the rights of Russian-speakers in Latvia. Vesti SegodnyaVesti Segodnya writes that after the meeting FHRUL Y.Cilevich received reproaches from right wing party members for discrediting Latvias image. writes that after the meeting FHRUL Y.Cilevich received reproaches from right wing party members for “discrediting Latvia’s image”.