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

 The OSCE mission to Estonia is likely to close its activities in Estonia already this year after the Riigikogu abolished language requirements to MPs and municipal councils. The OSCE mission to Estonia said on Friday that the Head of the mission, ambassador Doris Hertrampf will present her report to the Permanent Council in Vienna on December 13 and will propose the delegations to consider the mission as fulfilled.

The OSCE mission to Estonia is likely to close its activities in Estonia already this year after the Riigikogu abolished language requirements to MPs and municipal councils. The OSCE mission to Estonia said on Friday that the Head of the mission, ambassador Doris Hertrampf will present her report to the Permanent Council in Vienna on December 13 and will propose the delegations to consider the mission as fulfilled. Diena

Russia's President Vladimir Putin has expressed support for beginning co-operation between Moscow and Riga, and hopes that Latvia's president will voice similar support. Latvia's presidential spokesperson told that Latvia's President Vaira

Russia's President Vladimir Putin has expressed support for beginning co-operation between Moscow and Riga, and hopes that Latvia's president will voice similar support. Latvia's presidential spokesperson told that Latvia's President Vaira

Vike-Freiberga has always been open to Latvian-Russian dialogue and supportive of contacts on various levels - parliamentarian, municipal, business circles and others - as this promotes co-operation between the two countries. A number of Moscow city representatives are currently in Riga for the meeting. Protocols of intent are signed for joint projects in the spheres of culture, economy and education, as well as others.

Vike-Freiberga has always been open to Latvian-Russian dialogue and supportive of contacts on various levels - parliamentarian, municipal, business circles and others - as this promotes co-operation between the two countries. A number of Moscow city representatives are currently in Riga for the meeting. Protocols of intent are signed for joint projects in the spheres of culture, economy and education, as well as others.

Before signing the intention protocol, D.Ivans expressed sharp criticism in regard to the Latvian Foreign Affairs Ministry for “its bad performance in co-ordinating relations between the two countries”.

Before signing the intention protocol, D.Ivans expressed sharp criticism in regard to the Latvian Foreign Affairs Ministry for its bad performance in co-ordinating relations between the two countries. Diena, Neatkariga, Vesti Segodnja, Panorama Latvii, Chas.

Telegraf talks with Riga City Council Mayor G.Bojars about the visit. The Mayor partly agrees with the statement of the journalist that the City Council performs the functions of Latvia’s Foreign Affairs Ministry.

Telegraf talks with Riga City Council Mayor G.Bojars about the visit. The Mayor partly agrees with the statement of the journalist that the City Council performs the functions of Latvias Foreign Affairs Ministry.

Romanian President Ion Iliescu had a two-day state visit to Latvia on Nov. 27 and 28, the first during the decade-long history of Latvian-Romanian relations. Iliescu met with Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga, prime minister Andris Berzins, Riga mayor Gundars Bojars, and foreign minister Indulis Berzins, said the Latvian president's press office.

Romanian President Ion Iliescu had a two-day state visit to Latvia on Nov. 27 and 28, the first during the decade-long history of Latvian-Romanian relations. Iliescu met with Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga, prime minister Andris Berzins, Riga mayor Gundars Bojars, and foreign minister Indulis Berzins, said the Latvian president's press office. Diena

A first group of East European countries, which want to join the European Union, could become members before elections to the European Parliament in June 2004, EU Enlargement Commissioner Gunter Verheugen said.

A first group of East European countries, which want to join the European Union, could become members before elections to the European Parliament in June 2004, EU Enlargement Commissioner Gunter Verheugen said. Diena, Neatkariga

Latvia's Constitutional Protection Office has begun investigation on the claimed collaboration of Latvia's Socialist Party headed by former communist leader A.Rubiks with the radical Russian Communist Party Union - Soviet Union Communist Party (CPU-SUCP). The CPU-SUCP promotes the renewal of the communist party, currently banned in Latvia, and renewal of the crumbled Soviet Union.

Latvia's Constitutional Protection Office has begun investigation on the claimed collaboration of Latvia's Socialist Party headed by former communist leader A.Rubiks with the radical Russian Communist Party Union - Soviet Union Communist Party (CPU-SUCP). The CPU-SUCP promotes the renewal of the communist party, currently banned in Latvia, and renewal of the crumbled Soviet Union. Diena, Neatkariga, Vesti Segodnja, Telegraf, Panorama Latvii

Neatkariga

interviews Peoples Harmony Party chairperson J.Jurkans. His opinion is that Latvias foreign policy is produced in Washington D.C., Brussels and maybe Stockholm and Copenhagen and definitely not in Riga – we are policy takers. In regard to language policy he voices most likely an MP understands that Latvia needs to abolish the language requirement as did Estonia, but s/he is also aware of the upcoming Saeimas election next year. That is typical for Latvia – to consider only the interests of a party and not the country. About the relations between the two countries Russia and Latvia he says, in order to improve relations with Russia, the first thing is to want to improve them. Up till now, we actually did not want that. J.Jurkans also provides his vision about the body of the next Saeima – he expects that FHRUL will have at least 20 seats and also admits that Repses party should be considered as the most serious political power. interviews People’s Harmony Party chairperson J.Jurkans. His opinion is that Latvia’s foreign policy is produced in Washington D.C., Brussels and maybe Stockholm and Copenhagen and definitely not in Riga – “we are policy takers”. In regard to language policy he voices “most likely an MP understands that Latvia needs to abolish the language requirement as did Estonia, but s/he is also aware of the upcoming Saeima’s election next year. That is typical for Latvia – to consider only the interests of a party and not the country”. About the relations between the two countries Russia and Latvia he says, “in order to improve relations with Russia, the first thing is to want to improve them. Up till now, we actually did not want that”. J.Jurkans also provides his vision about the body of the next Saeima – he expects that FHRUL will have at least 20 seats and also admits that Repse’s party should be considered as the most serious political power.

Lauku Avize

informs about the first activities – information booth in Imanta (suburb district of Riga City) – in the framework of Public awareness campaign. Although the weather was bad, the interest of people was high – about 150 people visited the booth within 8 hours and asked different questions about the possibilities to acquire Latvian citizenship. informs about the first activities – information booth in Imanta (suburb district of Riga City) – in the framework of Public awareness campaign. Although the weather was bad, the interest of people was high – about 150 people visited the booth within 8 hours and asked different questions about the possibilities to acquire Latvian citizenship. TelegrafTelegraf

Chas

informs that Prime Minister A.Berzins took part in Chas on-line internet forum. The Prime Minister received more than 70 questions. The newspaper will publish the summary of the forum in the upcoming issues. informs that Prime Minister A.Berzins took part in Chas on-line internet forum. The Prime Minister received more than 70 questions. The newspaper will publish the summary of the forum in the upcoming issues.

Chas

interviews Peoples Harmony vice-chairperson J.Urbanovics. He admits that he fears that the party may not meet the expectationsof their voters and loose at the next Saeimas election. J.Urbanovics is very sceptical about Latvias chances to join the EU in the closest future and in regard to NATO in his opinion the membership of the Baltic States to NATO depends on the agreement between the USA and Russia. interviews People’s Harmony vice-chairperson J.Urbanovics. He admits that he fears that the party may not meet the expectationsof their voters and loose at the next Saeima’s election. J.Urbanovics is very sceptical about Latvia’s chances to join the EU in the closest future and in regard to NATO in his opinion the membership of the Baltic States to NATO depends on the agreement between the USA and Russia.

Chas

draws the parallels between minority education policies of the first independent Latvias state (1918-1940) and todays Latvia. draws the parallels between minority education policies of the first independent Latvia’s state (1918-1940) and today’s Latvia.

Chas

publishes the article by FHRUL deputy J.Pliners and V.Buhvalovs, Dr.Ed.sc. The contributors asks the parents of Russian students to take the problem concerning transfer to education in the state language more seriously and consider the ways of protest against the education reform in 2004. publishes the article by FHRUL deputy J.Pliners and V.Buhvalovs, Dr.Ed.sc. The contributors asks the parents of Russian students to take the problem concerning transfer to education in the state language more seriously and consider the ways of protest against the education reform in 2004. Friday the Media Seminar “The Media in Latvia – Integrated or Divided” took place in Riga. Two studies about the role and performance of Russian and Latvian press were discussed. The conclusion of the majority of speakers were that information about society integration in Latvia spread by the local media in both languages is not promoting the process because both Latvian and Russian journalists are encouraging development of stereotypes about Russians and Latvians. The authors of the study said that although the Russian and Latvian media are reflecting the same information in a different light several public opinion polls have proved the attitude of the population towards integration is a lot more positive and the society itself is much more integrated than could be judged by the media. The authors underscored that Latvian and Russian press reflect two monologues rather than a dialogue, namely, the monologue of the Latvian press does not discuss the problems of Russian speakers whereas the Russian press is "consolidating for the fight against nationalist radicals" and thus creating the atmosphere of fight within society. Naturalisation Board Head Eizenija Aldermane said the media in Latvia have a trend to build a divided society. She voiced regret over the fact that Latvia's community has divided by the language principle with Russian speakers reading only the Russian language press and Latvians only the Latvian press, which results in both these groups getting different information about the same issues. The seminar is held by Latvia's Human Rights and Ethnic Studies Center, Friedrich Naumann foundation in co-operation with the OSCE Mission to Latvia.

Friday the Media Seminar The Media in Latvia – Integrated or Divided took place in Riga. Two studies about the role and performance of Russian and Latvian press were discussed. The conclusion of the majority of speakers were that information about society integration in Latvia spread by the local media in both languages is not promoting the process because both Latvian and Russian journalists are encouraging development of stereotypes about Russians and Latvians. The authors of the study said that although the Russian and Latvian media are reflecting the same information in a different light several public opinion polls have proved the attitude of the population towards integration is a lot more positive and the society itself is much more integrated than could be judged by the media. The authors underscored that Latvian and Russian press reflect two monologues rather than a dialogue, namely, the monologue of the Latvian press does not discuss the problems of Russian speakers whereas the Russian press is "consolidating for the fight against nationalist radicals" and thus creating the atmosphere of fight within society. Naturalisation Board Head Eizenija Aldermane said the media in Latvia have a trend to build a divided society. She voiced regret over the fact that Latvia's community has divided by the language principle with Russian speakers reading only the Russian language press and Latvians only the Latvian press, which results in both these groups getting different information about the same issues. The seminar is held by Latvia's Human Rights and Ethnic Studies Center, Friedrich Naumann foundation in co-operation with the OSCE Mission to Latvia. Diena, Vesti Segodnja

Vesti Segodnja

interviews MoEducation, General Education Integration Department deputy head E.Papule about the education reform in 2004. The opinion of the Ministry is that the problems concerning bilingual education are transitional. interviews MoEducation, General Education Integration Department deputy head E.Papule about the education reform in 2004. The opinion of the Ministry is that the problems concerning bilingual education are transitional.