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

Original version of the news provided by news agency Leta:

“Saeima Legal Commission backs closing OSCE mission. As Latvia has observed all of its liabilities and tasks, the mandate of the OSCE mission in Latvia should not be prolonged, deputies of Saeima's Legal Commission concluded today. Peteris Elferts from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs told deputies that the OSCE mission in Latvia, which was opened in 1993, has accomplished its goals. No representative of the OSCE mission participated in the Legal Commission's meeting today, however, the Head of Mission Peter Semneby stressed in a letter to the commission it is important that language restrictions included in the law on elections are revoked, just as the Estonian parliament decided last week, lifting the requirement that persons who participate in elections must have a good command of the state language. Whereas Elferts said that the law on elections presents no grounds for prolonging the OSCE mission's mandate. The commission's deputy Dzintars Rasnacs believes that even if Latvia lost a case linked with the above matter, it would not mean Latvia had to amend the law on elections. Meanwhile, Semneby stresses there are several reasons why the language restrictions need to be revoked in the law on elections. According to Semneby, electors must have a right to elect anybody they believe is good for defending their interests. Secondly, any political restrictions due to language are discriminatory and therefore unacceptable, says Semneby. Several deputies of the commission stressed that the language restrictions in the law on elections mean positive discrimination, and such restrictions are justified. Rasnacs said that the task of the restrictions is to protect what is endangered. "In Latvia, more people understand Russian than Latvian, therefore the Latvian language is still endangered, which is why the restrictions must be kept," said the ex-minister of justice. Deputies said however that the respective amendments to the law could be considered in several years. Wheras the OSCE mission believes that the law on elections is not the correct instrument for protection of the state language.”

Saeima Legal Commission backs closing OSCE mission. As Latvia has observed all of its liabilities and tasks, the mandate of the OSCE mission in Latvia should not be prolonged, deputies of Saeima's Legal Commission concluded today. Peteris Elferts from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs told deputies that the OSCE mission in Latvia, which was opened in 1993, has accomplished its goals. No representative of the OSCE mission participated in the Legal Commission's meeting today, however, the Head of Mission Peter Semneby stressed in a letter to the commission it is important that language restrictions included in the law on elections are revoked, just as the Estonian parliament decided last week, lifting the requirement that persons who participate in elections must have a good command of the state language. Whereas Elferts said that the law on elections presents no grounds for prolonging the OSCE mission's mandate. The commission's deputy Dzintars Rasnacs believes that even if Latvia lost a case linked with the above matter, it would not mean Latvia had to amend the law on elections. Meanwhile, Semneby stresses there are several reasons why the language restrictions need to be revoked in the law on elections. According to Semneby, electors must have a right to elect anybody they believe is good for defending their interests. Secondly, any political restrictions due to language are discriminatory and therefore unacceptable, says Semneby. Several deputies of the commission stressed that the language restrictions in the law on elections mean positive discrimination, and such restrictions are justified. Rasnacs said that the task of the restrictions is to protect what is endangered. "In Latvia, more people understand Russian than Latvian, therefore the Latvian language is still endangered, which is why the restrictions must be kept," said the ex-minister of justice. Deputies said however that the respective amendments to the law could be considered in several years. Wheras the OSCE mission believes that the law on elections is not the correct instrument for protection of the state language.

Diena

informs that for the time being there is no possibility to ease visa requirements for travellers who come from Russia to Latvia, as Russia is in EUs black list, states Latvias Foreign Affairs Ministry. informs that for the time being there is no possibility to ease visa requirements for travellers who come from Russia to Latvia, as Russia is in EU’s “black list”, states Latvia’s Foreign Affairs Ministry. After the statement of FHRUL leader J.Jurkans that Repse, the leader of to-be-established party, is “exploring also FHRUL’s electorate”, E.Repse comes out with the statement where he denies any possibility to co-operate with FHRUL in the Government after the 8th Saeima election.

After the statement of FHRUL leader J.Jurkans that Repse, the leader of to-be-established party, is exploring also FHRULs electorate, E.Repse comes out with the statement where he denies any possibility to co-operate with FHRUL in the Government after the 8th Saeima election. Diena

Neatkarigas

columnist V.Avotins writes about the conference of Russian students parents. He admits that the alternative education models developed by the Association for Support of the Russian Language Schools in Latvia (ASRLSL) are professional and includes also the studies of the Latvian language, however, he thinks that this issue has been politicised therefore attaining of the positive solution to this issue can take very long time or even it cannot happen at all. columnist V.Avotins writes about the conference of Russian students’ parents. He admits that the alternative education models developed by the Association for Support of the Russian Language Schools in Latvia (ASRLSL) are professional and includes also the studies of the Latvian language, however, he thinks that this issue has been politicised therefore attaining of the positive solution to this issue can take very long time or even it cannot happen at all.

Lauku Avize

publishes the article about the conference under the title Against the State Language. publishes the article about the conference under the title “Against the State Language”.

Vecernaja Riga

gives the reflection of the conference. gives the reflection of the conference. The number of Latvian residents who believe that the government in general does not respect public opinion has increased over past year, according to the survey conducted by the market and public opinion centre SKDS. 76.1 percent of respondents said that the government in general does not respect public opinion. The statement that the Government in general takes into account the opinion of society was completely accepted by 18.4 percent of respondents this September. Non-citizens agreed to the statement that the government in general respects public opinion more than citizens. 19.2 percent of non-citizens and 18.1 percent of citizens agreed to the above statement.

The number of Latvian residents who believe that the government in general does not respect public opinion has increased over past year, according to the survey conducted by the market and public opinion centre SKDS. 76.1 percent of respondents said that the government in general does not respect public opinion. The statement that the Government in general takes into account the opinion of society was completely accepted by 18.4 percent of respondents this September. Non-citizens agreed to the statement that the government in general respects public opinion more than citizens. 19.2 percent of non-citizens and 18.1 percent of citizens agreed to the above statement. Neatkariga, Lauku Avize, Vesti Segodnja

The new United States ambassador to Latvia who Tuesday afternoon arrived in Riga pledged to continue work launched by the previous US ambassador on joint Latvian-US projects as well as promote Latvia's Euro-Atlantic integration and expand trade and investment between Latvian and the US. Braien Carlson told reporters on his arrival in Latvia that one of priorities in his work, like for his government, will be work on anti-terrorism campaign and, he predicted this fight will be long.

The new United States ambassador to Latvia who Tuesday afternoon arrived in Riga pledged to continue work launched by the previous US ambassador on joint Latvian-US projects as well as promote Latvia's Euro-Atlantic integration and expand trade and investment between Latvian and the US. Braien Carlson told reporters on his arrival in Latvia that one of priorities in his work, like for his government, will be work on anti-terrorism campaign and, he predicted this fight will be long.

Carlson said he regards as important factor nearing of Latvia and Russia in the general context of nearing between Russia and the West which also is a part of America's policy.

Carlson said he regards as important factor nearing of Latvia and Russia in the general context of nearing between Russia and the West which also is a part of America's policy. Lauku Avize, Panorama Latvii

Rigas Balss interviews President V.Vike-Freiberga. The President talks about Latvia’s chances to join NATO, relations between Russia and Latvia, corruption in Latvia, chances for Repđe’s party at the Saeima election, language policy. When asked if the officials of other countries have made the pressure on her to introduce the two language system, the President says that there is no pressure, with the exception from Russian President Putin.

Rigas Balss interviews President V.Vike-Freiberga. The President talks about Latvias chances to join NATO, relations between Russia and Latvia, corruption in Latvia, chances for Repđes party at the Saeima election, language policy. When asked if the officials of other countries have made the pressure on her to introduce the two language system, the President says that there is no pressure, with the exception from Russian President Putin.

At the beginning of the next year FHRUL is planning to establish the Naturalisation Foundation which would cover the state fee for naturalisation for people with very low income.

At the beginning of the next year FHRUL is planning to establish the Naturalisation Foundation which would cover the state fee for naturalisation for people with very low income. Vesti Segodnja.

Vesti Segodnja

links the visit of the Rumanian President to Latvia with the issue concerning the closure of the OSCE Mission to Latvia. The newspaper emphasises that Estonia has amended the Election Law, but Latvias party FF/LNNK is just planning to re-establish the norm to the Statutes of the State Language Centre which would provide the rights to the language inspectors examine state language proficiency for election candidates. links the visit of the Rumanian President to Latvia with the issue concerning the closure of the OSCE Mission to Latvia. The newspaper emphasises that Estonia has amended the Election Law, but Latvia’s party FF/LNNK is just planning to re-establish the norm to the Statutes of the State Language Centre which would provide the rights to the language inspectors examine state language proficiency for election candidates. Today

Today Chas announced on-line discussion on the following themes I received the blue passport (citizens passport), because… and I am not going to take naturalisation examinations, because..

Chas

publishes the summary of the on-line discussion with Latvian Prime Minister A.Berzins. About the possible co-operation between his party Latvias Way and FHRUL he says never say never, but I do not see such possibility in the closest future. As the possible Prime Minister for the next Saeima he names the list of people, including I.Berzins, K.Petersone, L.Mucins and D.Rozenfelds. One of the discussion participants asked if in A.Bçrziňđ opinion the new naturalisation promotion campaign is like the deal between a non-citizen and the state and whether he finds it amoral. The Prime Minister disagrees and emphasises that the main difference between the statuses of citizens and non-citizens is election rights. publishes the summary of the on-line discussion with Latvian Prime Minister A.Berzins. About the possible co-operation between his party Latvia’s Way and FHRUL he says “never say never, but I do not see such possibility in the closest future”. As the possible Prime Minister for the next Saeima he names the list of people, including I.Berzins, K.Petersone, L.Mucins and D.Rozenfelds. One of the discussion participants asked if in A.Bçrziňđ’ opinion the new naturalisation promotion campaign is like the deal between a non-citizen and the state and whether he finds it amoral. The Prime Minister disagrees and emphasises that the main difference between the statuses of citizens and non-citizens is election rights.