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 United States administration and the European Commission hail the announcement about closure of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) mission in Latvia at the end of this year as it believes the mission guidelines have been fulfilled. The US administration nevertheless will continue following developments in the human rights sphere in Latvia after the mission is closed, the information office said. While noting that international community will not cease to be interested in development in Latvia the statement says amending of electoral legislation to remove language requirements for candidates for the parliament would be particularly beneficial for Latvia.

The United States administration and the European Commission hail the announcement about closure of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) mission in Latvia at the end of this year as it believes the mission guidelines have been fulfilled. The US administration nevertheless will continue following developments in the human rights sphere in Latvia after the mission is closed, the information office said. While noting that international community will not cease to be interested in development in Latvia the statement says amending of electoral legislation to remove language requirements for candidates for the parliament would be particularly beneficial for Latvia. Diena, Neatkariga, Panorama Latvii, Latvijas Vestnesis

Dienas

correspondent from Brussels writes about the regulations on the language usage in the elected bodies of other countries. She writes that only the countries of Central Europe that have similar historical background with Latvia have this issue as a problem. She names Slovakia as the only country that regulates the language usage in the Parliament through the Election Law. K.Plamse also mentions the situation regarding language usage in the elected bodies in Belgium, Switzerland, Spain, France and Canada. correspondent from Brussels writes about the regulations on the language usage in the elected bodies of other countries. She writes that only the countries of Central Europe that have similar historical background with Latvia have this issue as a problem. She names Slovakia as the only country that regulates the language usage in the Parliament through the Election Law. K.Plamse also mentions the situation regarding language usage in the elected bodies in Belgium, Switzerland, Spain, France and Canada.

Neatkarigas

editorial is about the closure of the OSCE Mission to Latvia. The contributor writes that, in fact Missions closure will not put the end to speculations around language requirements for election candidates provided for by the Election Law and Latvia will experience even more pressure in this field because to the desired NATO membership. The author concludes that yielding of Latvian politicians to the international pressure to remove language requirements is frightening. editorial is about the closure of the OSCE Mission to Latvia. The contributor writes that, in fact Mission’s closure will not put the end to speculations around language requirements for election candidates provided for by the Election Law and Latvia will experience even more pressure in this field because to the desired NATO membership. The author concludes that yielding of Latvian politicians to the international pressure to remove language requirements is frightening. Prime Minister Andris Berzins backs lifting requirements for Latvian language skills in the Election Law. During the annual meeting of Latvian ambassadors abroad in Riga today, the premier pointed out that currently no specific document or proposals have been handed in pertaining to this issue. The premier stressed that the Latvian language must be protected at the same time the Election Law is to be amended but methods re to be found for protecting the language. Berzins expressed hope that the issue could be tackled by making joint efforts but declined to comment on possible co-operation of the ruling coalition. 2001 undoubtedly was a year of success in foreign policy for Latvia and now the state is close to the European Union (EU) and NATO in completing the task for attaining priorities in foreign policy, Minister of Foreign Affairs Indulis Berzins believes. In addressing Latvian ambassadors abroad during the annual meeting today, the foreign minister stressed that "good work is not only to be produced but also sold" and this year the ambassadors have succeeded in doing this. Regarding Latvia's move to NATO, the minister pointed out that Latvia's position has changed radically over the year. A year ago, the possibility of joining the alliance was discussed but now - the size of the NATO expansion wave. I. Berzins pointed to technical work for next year to become NATO member state. The foreign minister set four key tasks for Latvia’s move to NATO - firstly, participation in combating of terrorism, both in domestic and in foreign policy. Secondly, Latvia must be a democratic country, pointing to the necessity of amendments to the Election Law excluding the language norm for deputies and looking for other measures of language protection. Thirdly, the "issue of history" is very important for Latvia because there are countries where 5,000 neo-Nazis can exist and receive no international protests while Latvia "will be reprimanded if about ten old men place flowers at the monument." Fourthly, the people should back Latvia’s move to NATO and the minister called on the ambassadors to meet with the people and the mass media in order to explain their stance pertaining to foreign policy priorities. Among the achievements, Berzins noted Latvia’s presidency on the Council of Europe (CE), closing of CE monitoring and decision to close the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) mission in Latvia. The minister stressed that bilateral relations with neighbouring countries are as significant as foreign policy priorities. Berzins referred to Latvian-Russian relations as good "because they could have been worse". The minister admitted that there is still much to do in improving relations with Russia.

Prime Minister Andris Berzins backs lifting requirements for Latvian language skills in the Election Law. During the annual meeting of Latvian ambassadors abroad in Riga today, the premier pointed out that currently no specific document or proposals have been handed in pertaining to this issue. The premier stressed that the Latvian language must be protected at the same time the Election Law is to be amended but methods re to be found for protecting the language. Berzins expressed hope that the issue could be tackled by making joint efforts but declined to comment on possible co-operation of the ruling coalition. 2001 undoubtedly was a year of success in foreign policy for Latvia and now the state is close to the European Union (EU) and NATO in completing the task for attaining priorities in foreign policy, Minister of Foreign Affairs Indulis Berzins believes. In addressing Latvian ambassadors abroad during the annual meeting today, the foreign minister stressed that "good work is not only to be produced but also sold" and this year the ambassadors have succeeded in doing this. Regarding Latvia's move to NATO, the minister pointed out that Latvia's position has changed radically over the year. A year ago, the possibility of joining the alliance was discussed but now - the size of the NATO expansion wave. I. Berzins pointed to technical work for next year to become NATO member state. The foreign minister set four key tasks for Latvias move to NATO - firstly, participation in combating of terrorism, both in domestic and in foreign policy. Secondly, Latvia must be a democratic country, pointing to the necessity of amendments to the Election Law excluding the language norm for deputies and looking for other measures of language protection. Thirdly, the "issue of history" is very important for Latvia because there are countries where 5,000 neo-Nazis can exist and receive no international protests while Latvia "will be reprimanded if about ten old men place flowers at the monument." Fourthly, the people should back Latvias move to NATO and the minister called on the ambassadors to meet with the people and the mass media in order to explain their stance pertaining to foreign policy priorities. Among the achievements, Berzins noted Latvias presidency on the Council of Europe (CE), closing of CE monitoring and decision to close the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) mission in Latvia. The minister stressed that bilateral relations with neighbouring countries are as significant as foreign policy priorities. Berzins referred to Latvian-Russian relations as good "because they could have been worse". The minister admitted that there is still much to do in improving relations with Russia. Lauku Avize, Vesti Segodnja, Chas, Telegraf, Latvijas Vestnesis

Lauku Avize writes that if the State President submits the Parliament the draft to remove the language requirements for election candidates now it would not receive the support of the Parliament. The newspaper gives the stance and views on the issue of all Saeima parties.

Lauku Avize writes that if the State President submits the Parliament the draft to remove the language requirements for election candidates now it would not receive the support of the Parliament. The newspaper gives the stance and views on the issue of all Saeima parties.

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