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

Speaking at the plenary meeting of Latvia University scientific conference Monday, Latvian Foreign Affairs Minister Berzins said that one of the key principles for the future EU should be the idea of equal partners "where interests of large and small, old and newly-admitted members carry the same weight," where "national peculiarities of each member state are important and taken into consideration."

Speaking at the plenary meeting of Latvia University scientific conference Monday, Latvian Foreign Affairs Minister Berzins said that one of the key principles for the future EU should be the idea of equal partners "where interests of large and small, old and newly-admitted members carry the same weight," where "national peculiarities of each member state are important and taken into consideration."

The Minister also referred to the very topical issue, assuring that “giving up language proficiency requirement under the Latvian election laws while strengthening the state language under other laws will not harm Latvia's interests”. "The Latvian language has by no means to be sacrificed on the altar of our foreign policy interests because protecting and developing the language is in no way contradictory to Latvia's foreign policy," said the foreign minister. He said he hoped Latvia could defend the Latvian language interests well also "after giving up a disputable provision under elections laws."

The Minister also referred to the very topical issue, assuring that giving up language proficiency requirement under the Latvian election laws while strengthening the state language under other laws will not harm Latvia's interests. "The Latvian language has by no means to be sacrificed on the altar of our foreign policy interests because protecting and developing the language is in no way contradictory to Latvia's foreign policy," said the foreign minister. He said he hoped Latvia could defend the Latvian language interests well also "after giving up a disputable provision under elections laws." Vesti Segodnja, Diena

USA Ambassador Brian Carlson and USA Howard University professor, political scientist Michael Fraser took part in the discussion on Civic Rights and Equality in the USA organized by Latvian Journalist Association.

USA Ambassador Brian Carlson and USA Howard University professor, political scientist Michael Fraser took part in the discussion on Civic Rights and Equality in the USA organized by Latvian Journalist Association. Latvijas Vestnesis asked the opinion of political scientist Fraser concerning the requirement of the USA State Department for Latvia to amend its election laws. Professor gives his personal opinion and compares the situation with a family where very often the members of a family have to yield to each other even without getting the desired in return.

Lauku Avize

inquires MPs whether deputies speak Russian in the sittings and sessions of Saeima committees. All inquired deputies representing both left and right wings assured that they have not heard anybody speaking other languages but Latvian at Saeima Committees sittings and sessions. inquires MPs whether deputies speak Russian in the sittings and sessions of Saeima committees. All inquired deputies representing both left and right wings assured that they have not heard anybody speaking other languages but Latvian at Saeima Committees’ sittings and sessions. If the Cabinet of Ministers backs the proposed Cabinet's Rules of Procedure, the distribution of documents within the government will be changed, and the people will take a more active part in decision making. "The Cabinet's Rules of Procedure allow society for the first time, in fact, to directly influence the process of decisions approved by the Cabinet," told the State Chancellery's director Gunta Veismane.

If the Cabinet of Ministers backs the proposed Cabinet's Rules of Procedure, the distribution of documents within the government will be changed, and the people will take a more active part in decision making. "The Cabinet's Rules of Procedure allow society for the first time, in fact, to directly influence the process of decisions approved by the Cabinet," told the State Chancellery's director Gunta Veismane.

The draft Rules of Procedure for the Cabinet envisage several substantial changes - status of state secretaries’ meeting will be promoted, the rules also specify the procedure for developing claims on the budget and foresee that society be reported on time about working out bills of vital importance to residents.

The draft Rules of Procedure for the Cabinet envisage several substantial changes - status of state secretaries meeting will be promoted, the rules also specify the procedure for developing claims on the budget and foresee that society be reported on time about working out bills of vital importance to residents. Diena, Neatkariga, Vesti Segodnja, Chas

Lauku Avize

publishes article under the headline Whose Recommendations We Are Listening to. In the article the information is provided about OSCE HCNM Raulf Ekeus background and activities. publishes article under the headline “Whose Recommendations We Are Listening to”. In the article the information is provided about OSCE HCNM Raulf Ekeus’ background and activities. Lauku AvizeLauku Avize quotes Latvian journalist Veinberga residing in Sweden Lately rhetoric of the supporters of requirements is based on the statements of odious western politicians who rather openly support Moscows ideas. The newspaper writes that the OSCE Mission to Latvia is closed, however, high commissioners can be satisfied as the Latvians adopted the Language and Citizenship Law taking into account the OSCE recommendations. We accepted these recommendations without any objections, like a dictate. quotes Latvian journalist Veinberga residing in Sweden “Lately rhetoric of the supporters of requirements is based on the statements of odious western politicians who rather openly support Moscow’s ideas”. The newspaper writes that the OSCE Mission to Latvia is closed, however, “high commissioners can be satisfied as the Latvians adopted the Language and Citizenship Law taking into account the OSCE recommendations. We accepted these recommendations without any objections, like a dictate.”

Vecernaja Riga

writes about discrimination on ethnic basis in Latvia and provides the views of political scientist Artis Pabriks on the issue. Pabriks believes that one of the problems is that Russian-speakers have low representation at state and municipal institutions and that the number of Russian-speakers working for governmental institutions should be increased thus their trust in this country would raise, too. writes about discrimination on ethnic basis in Latvia and provides the views of political scientist Artis Pabriks on the issue. Pabriks believes that one of the problems is that Russian-speakers have low representation at state and municipal institutions and that the number of Russian-speakers working for governmental institutions should be increased thus their trust in this country would raise, too. Former Consul of Honor of Latvia in Chicago Klaucçns responds to USA Ambassador to Latvia Carlson’s open letter concerning the abolishment of language requirement for election candidates published in

Former Consul of Honor of Latvia in Chicago Klaucçns responds to USA Ambassador to Latvia Carlsons open letter concerning the abolishment of language requirement for election candidates published in Lauku Avize. Klaucens asks to look at the history of Latvia objectively when the USA, EU and NATO are building relationship with Latvia. In his opinion, the Latvians and not the Russians are under threat in Latvia. Jauna

Chas

gives its speculations about the meetings of the Latvian President with high USA officials in Washington D.C. The newspaper does not exclude the possibility that suddenly also the USA President G.Bush could join the Latvian Presidents meeting with U.S. Vice President Richard Cheney and U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell, however, the newspaper considers that the lower level of Latvian Presidents visit is due to Latvias problems with non-citizens and language. gives its speculations about the meetings of the Latvian President with high USA officials in Washington D.C. The newspaper does not exclude the possibility that suddenly also the USA President G.Bush could join the Latvian President’s meeting with U.S. Vice President Richard Cheney and U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell, however, the newspaper considers that the lower level of Latvian President’s visit is due to Latvia’s problems with non-citizens and language.

Vesti Segodnja

interviews Latvian Foreign Policy Institution director Atis Lejins. He thinks, the USA acted not very nice towards us regarding the Election Law. They know very well how sensitive this issue is for us. Why did they have to tackle this issue exactly this year when we are having parliamentary election?. However, he believes that Latvia should amend the Election Law for the sake of NATOs membership. He also refers to the closure of the OSCE Mission to Latvia and emphasizes that although there were couple European countries, which were against the closure, the USA and Sweden supported the closure. Lejins believes that the Latvia can rely on the support of the Americans on its way to NATO. When asked about the situation concerning the Latvian language usage in the country, he says that he sees positive tendencies and developments. interviews Latvian Foreign Policy Institution director Atis Lejins. He thinks, “the USA acted not very nice towards us regarding the Election Law. They know very well how sensitive this issue is for us. Why did they have to tackle this issue exactly this year when we are having parliamentary election?”. However, he believes that Latvia should amend the Election Law for the sake of NATO’s membership. He also refers to the closure of the OSCE Mission to Latvia and emphasizes that although there were couple European countries, which were against the closure, the USA and Sweden supported the closure. Lejins believes that the Latvia can rely on the support of the Americans on its way to NATO. When asked about the situation concerning the Latvian language usage in the country, he says that he sees positive tendencies and developments.

Telegraf

publishes the article about integration by Y.Abizov. He sees integration in Latvia as a big mechanism with many people working for it, however, this mechanism is running idle. In his opinion integration in Latvia is perceived as simply giving up ones nationality, culture and taking over Latvian culture, traditions and language. publishes the article about integration by Y.Abizov. He sees integration in Latvia as a big mechanism with many people working for it, however, this mechanism is “running idle”. In his opinion integration in Latvia is perceived as simply giving up one’s nationality, culture and taking over Latvian culture, traditions and language.