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.

LATVIAN MEDIA REVIEW

LATVIAN MEDIA REVIEW

 Dutch foreign minister Monday in Lisbon called on Portugal, the presiding country of the OSCE, to support cooperation between OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities and Latvia concerning amendments to Latvia's Election Law. Jozias van Aartsen did not suggest consider appointing a new High Commissioner in Latvia to continue supervising the attitude of the Baltic country towards its Russian speaker minority as it was reported by BNS/Reuters.

Dutch foreign minister Monday in Lisbon called on Portugal, the presiding country of the OSCE, to support cooperation between OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities and Latvia concerning amendments to Latvia's Election Law. Jozias van Aartsen did not suggest consider appointing a new High Commissioner in Latvia to continue supervising the attitude of the Baltic country towards its Russian speaker minority as it was reported by BNS/Reuters.

OSCE member countries met Monday in Lisbon to coordinate monitoring missions at the world hot spots and the role of the OSCE in fight against terrorism.

OSCE member countries met Monday in Lisbon to coordinate monitoring missions at the world hot spots and the role of the OSCE in fight against terrorism. Diena, Chas, Vesti Segodnja, Panorama Latvii

The Latvian President believes the reserved attitude of politicians towards Election Law amendments is related to upcoming general elections due this fall and their reluctance to think about what happens after the elections, including movement of Latvia to the European Union and NATO. "Everything else, including Latvia's likely invitation to NATO, is subordinate to election day,” the President said. She underscored that attitude of all residents of Latvia is important in order to promote amendments to the Election Law because "presently the politicians feel kind of hostages to these elections, to the public."

The Latvian President believes the reserved attitude of politicians towards Election Law amendments is related to upcoming general elections due this fall and their reluctance to think about what happens after the elections, including movement of Latvia to the European Union and NATO. "Everything else, including Latvia's likely invitation to NATO, is subordinate to election day, the President said. She underscored that attitude of all residents of Latvia is important in order to promote amendments to the Election Law because "presently the politicians feel kind of hostages to these elections, to the public."

Politcal scientist Nils Muiznieks suggests the President turn to the Constitutional Court to tackle the issue concerning the removal of language requirement from the Election Law. In his opinion, the Constitutional Court would rule that the norm is in contradiction to the Latvian Constitution and it should be abolished. The President said that for the time being she has not considered turning to the Constitutional Court to achieve amendments to the Election Law initiated by her. "That would require very long time and I believe that in this matter the attitude of parties represented in the parliament and factions will be of great importance during the coming four months until NATO foreign ministers meeting in Reykjavik that already will present assessment of candidate countries readiness," said Vike-Freiberga. The President has not given any information about her next step.

Politcal scientist Nils Muiznieks suggests the President turn to the Constitutional Court to tackle the issue concerning the removal of language requirement from the Election Law. In his opinion, the Constitutional Court would rule that the norm is in contradiction to the Latvian Constitution and it should be abolished. The President said that for the time being she has not considered turning to the Constitutional Court to achieve amendments to the Election Law initiated by her. "That would require very long time and I believe that in this matter the attitude of parties represented in the parliament and factions will be of great importance during the coming four months until NATO foreign ministers meeting in Reykjavik that already will present assessment of candidate countries readiness," said Vike-Freiberga. The President has not given any information about her next step. Diena, Neatkariga, Chas, Telegraf, Panorama Latvii

Vesti Segodnja writes that now the President will not hurry with asking the Parliament to remove language requirement. The newspaper sees two options for the further President’s steps: first, the President forgets about the initiative for couple months, but while in the visit to the USA she promises that the amendments are introduced till May and asks the Americans for moral support, that is, pressure on Latvian MPs; the second, submit the draft bill to the Parliament just before the leaving for the USA or while already in Washington D.C.

Vesti Segodnja writes that now the President will not hurry with asking the Parliament to remove language requirement. The newspaper sees two options for the further Presidents steps: first, the President forgets about the initiative for couple months, but while in the visit to the USA she promises that the amendments are introduced till May and asks the Americans for moral support, that is, pressure on Latvian MPs; the second, submit the draft bill to the Parliament just before the leaving for the USA or while already in Washington D.C.

Latvijas Vestnesis

provides the full printed version of Latvian Presidents interview concerning language issue for the National Radio. provides the full printed version of Latvian President’s interview concerning language issue for the National Radio.

Diena

refers to the articles in refers to the articles in Dagens NyheterDagens Nyheter where former Swede Prime Minister Karl Bildt criticizes OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Ralf Ekeus for Ekeus attempts to justify Moscows lies about sending submarines to Sweden. where former Swede Prime Minister Karl Bildt criticizes OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Ralf Ekeus for Ekeus’ attempts to justify Moscow’s lies about sending submarines to Sweden. The European Council has signed the co-operation agreement with Society Integration Foundation. It is planned that the European Council Information Bureau will provide funding for organizing seminars and conferences addressing national integration issues.

The European Council has signed the co-operation agreement with Society Integration Foundation. It is planned that the European Council Information Bureau will provide funding for organizing seminars and conferences addressing national integration issues. Diena

Dienas

editorial is about the response of MPs towards Presidents initiative to amend the Election Law. Columnist Aivars Ozolins says that it seems, judging by what representatives of Saeima factions told the press after their meeting with the President on Monday, that they might hope to tackle international issues, vital to the countrys long-term security, through putting to use the same skills they have developed in tackling private-domestic policy matters. That is, tell people one thing, say something else in private, agree on everything among themselves, deceive everyone and win again. The columnist writes that the issue is very simple either we amend the Law or do fail in already almost achieved membership to NATO. Ozolins believes that the deputies have therefore internationally discredited the President, let down Latvias strongest supporters, the Americans, and showed that no one can rely on Latvias word of honor as far as international relations are concerned. He also warns that thus Latvia could get back the OSCE and this time with completely new requirements in addition to language requirement. editorial is about the response of MPs towards President’s initiative to amend the Election Law. Columnist Aivars Ozolins says that it seems, judging by what representatives of Saeima factions told the press after their meeting with the President on Monday, that they might hope to tackle international issues, vital to the country’s long-term security, through putting to use the same skills they have developed in tackling private-domestic policy matters. That is, tell people one thing, say something else in private, agree on everything among themselves, deceive everyone and win again. The columnist writes that the issue is very simple either we amend the Law or do fail in already almost achieved membership to NATO. Ozolins believes that the deputies have therefore internationally discredited the President, let down Latvia’s strongest supporters, the Americans, and showed that no one can rely on Latvia’s word of honor as far as international relations are concerned. He also warns that thus Latvia could get back the OSCE and this time with completely new requirements in addition to language requirement. The Latvian government Tuesday supported the draft law on identification cards (ID cards) and passports outlining the types of valid ID cards and passports, their content and usage procedure. It is expected that the Law comes into effect on 1 July 2002 if Saeima approves it.

The Latvian government Tuesday supported the draft law on identification cards (ID cards) and passports outlining the types of valid ID cards and passports, their content and usage procedure. It is expected that the Law comes into effect on 1 July 2002 if Saeima approves it. Diena, Chas, Panorama Latvii

Chas

columnist Leonid Fedosejev writes about language requirement and the newly established Language Commission. In his opinion the removal of language requirement is useless if other stricter norms are introduced into language legislation. columnist Leonid Fedosejev writes about language requirement and the newly established Language Commission. In his opinion the removal of language requirement is useless if other stricter norms are introduced into language legislation.

Chas

comments the response of FHRUL to Presidents initiative to amend the Election Law. The newspaper considers that FHRUL has planned the meeting to the smallest detail: the party sent second level leadership to the meeting with the President and based their stance to refrain from the voting on the assumption that resultantly other stricter language norms will be introduced. comments the response of FHRUL to President’s initiative to amend the Election Law. The newspaper considers that FHRUL has planned the meeting to the smallest detail: the party sent second level leadership to the meeting with the President and based their stance to refrain from the voting on the assumption that resultantly other stricter language norms will be introduced. ChasChas conclusion is that removal of language requirement will concern only one faction in the Saeima and that is FHRUL. In its turn, that could increase competition for the seats in the Parliament within the party. conclusion is that “removal of language requirement will concern only one faction in the Saeima and that is FHRUL. In its turn, that could increase competition for the seats in the Parliament within the party.”

Panorama Latvii

editorial comments the latest developments concerning language issue. The columnist reminds that editorial comments the latest developments concerning language issue. The columnist reminds that Panorama LatviiPanorama Latvii already forecasted the current situation: the OSCE Mission to Latvia is closed but the language issue is not solved. Now the commentator forecasts that deputies will keep saying no to the amendments to the Election Law, but after the 8th Saeima election they say yes as they want not only to be MPs but also Latvia to be the member of NATO. already forecasted the current situation: the OSCE Mission to Latvia is closed but the language issue is not solved. Now the commentator forecasts that deputies will keep saying “no” to the amendments to the Election Law, but after the 8th Saeima election they say “yes” as they want not only to be MPs but also Latvia to be the member of NATO.

Vesti Segodnja

comments on National TV Show where Liga Muzikante member of National Front, which is headed by A.Garda, participated and expressed her views about relations between the Latvians and Russian-speakers in Latvia. Muzikante said that the relations between the two nations have never been good and this year will become the first year of de-colonization of Latvia. She also voiced that the National Front will fight for the seats in the Saeima as now there is no party that protects the rights of the Latvians. comments on National TV Show where Liga Muzikante member of National Front, which is headed by A.Garda, participated and expressed her views about relations between the Latvians and Russian-speakers in Latvia. Muzikante said that “the relations between the two nations have never been good and this year will become the first year of de-colonization of Latvia”. She also voiced that the National Front will fight for the seats in the Saeima as now there is no party that protects the rights of the Latvians.