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

The article published in

The article published in Diena with the title Language – the Key to NATO. Latvia's chances at getting invited to join NATO at the alliance's summit in Prague this November are most directly tied to the removal of language qualifications under existing election laws, said NATO Secretary General George Robertson on a visit to Riga. Addressing Latvian lawmakers on Thursday, Robertson said the Alliance will watch attentively at all actions taken by Latvia this year, being in the focus of attention. Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga hopes that comments by visiting NATO Secretary General George Robertson on the language issue would make Latvian lawmakers to realize that election laws have to be amended to remove language qualifications for candidates. MPs of the ruling parties inquired by news agency LETA were rather sceptical after the meeting and did not voice readiness to amend the Election Law in the closest future. Addressing the Parliament NATO Secretary General did not deny that new requirements could be set till the summit in Prague, as "democracy is a dynamic process." Lord Robertson also stressed that these possible requirements will not be intentionally created to prevent Latvia from NATO membership and they will definitely are not going to be linked with Russias influence. Robertson urged candidate countries to follow up on keeping democratic standards according to the needs of society. Only the current 19 NATO member states will decide about the acceptance of the new member states, other countries will not have any influence on this decision, said NATOs top official. G.Robertson denied that the decision on which candidate countries should be invited to join NATO is already taken, noting that the decision will be taken in November, and till that time correspondence of the candidate countries to NATO standards will be evaluated. NATO Secretary General assured that Latvia has all chances to be invited, emphasizing that NATO membership is not only honor but also huge responsibility.

At the talks with the Latvian foreign minister in Riga on Thursday NATO Secretary General George Robertson again inquired about possibility of the Baltic State changing its elections laws to abolish language qualifications for candidates.

At the talks with the Latvian foreign minister in Riga on Thursday NATO Secretary General George Robertson again inquired about possibility of the Baltic State changing its elections laws to abolish language qualifications for candidates.

In regard to NATO Secretary General visit to Latvia an incident took place on Thursday. A girl who claim to be a representative of national bolshevists protested against NATO enlargement by handcuffing herself to a decorative fencing in Riga center.

In regard to NATO Secretary General visit to Latvia an incident took place on Thursday. A girl who claim to be a representative of national bolshevists protested against NATO enlargement by handcuffing herself to a decorative fencing in Riga center. Diena, Neatkariga, Chas, Vesti Segodnja, Panorama Latvii

Foreign Policy Institute director Atis Lejins provides arguments why Latvia should join NATO. Lejins writes that NATO membership is neither caprice of politicians nor a harsh necessity. It is a simple reality of today’s world”. He believes that Latvia’s membership to NATO will bring different perception about the Latvians themselves - “then we will become really free and independent”. Second, when Latvia becomes NATO member state Russia will have to sign and ratify border agreement and, third, Latvia will be involved in building relationship between NATO and Russia.

Foreign Policy Institute director Atis Lejins provides arguments why Latvia should join NATO. Lejins writes that NATO membership is neither caprice of politicians nor a harsh necessity. It is a simple reality of todays world. He believes that Latvias membership to NATO will bring different perception about the Latvians themselves - then we will become really free and independent. Second, when Latvia becomes NATO member state Russia will have to sign and ratify border agreement and, third, Latvia will be involved in building relationship between NATO and Russia.

Jauna

interviews Russian Ambassador to Latvia Igor Studennikov. The Ambassador talks about the issues concerning Russian speakers in Latvia. When asked if he would call on non-citizens to acquire Latvian citizenship through naturalization, Studennikov says that naturalization procedure should be made easier or, ideally, zero alternative should be introduced. The Ambassador also thinks that in order to improve the situation of national minorities Latvia has to ratify the Framework Convention on the Protection of National Minority Rights. Regarding the work of the Latvian Russian intergovernmental committee the ambassador says that now it is Latvias turn to play. interviews Russian Ambassador to Latvia Igor Studennikov. The Ambassador talks about the issues concerning Russian speakers in Latvia. When asked if he would call on non-citizens to acquire Latvian citizenship through naturalization, Studennikov says that naturalization procedure should be made easier or, ideally, zero alternative should be introduced. The Ambassador also thinks that in order to improve the situation of national minorities Latvia has to ratify the Framework Convention on the Protection of National Minority Rights. Regarding the work of the Latvian Russian intergovernmental committee the ambassador says that “now it is Latvia’s turn to play”. High school students met with Naturalization Board head Eizenija Aldermane to discuss naturalization, integration and benefits of holding the status of a Latvian citizen.

High school students met with Naturalization Board head Eizenija Aldermane to discuss naturalization, integration and benefits of holding the status of a Latvian citizen. Vechernaya Riga

Rigas Balss editorial is about NATO requirement for Latvia to amend election laws by its editor-in-chief Anita Daukste. She writes “NATO’s rather strict and illogic requirement brought up unnecessary orgies of the election year.” In conclusion she says, “amendments to legislation are almost of none importance in comparison to the hidden signals it radiates to public. If Latvian lawmakers show “flexibility” and demonstrate bezierunu obedience than the country is in big troubles.”

Rigas Balss editorial is about NATO requirement for Latvia to amend election laws by its editor-in-chief Anita Daukste. She writes NATOs rather strict and illogic requirement brought up unnecessary orgies of the election year. In conclusion she says, amendments to legislation are almost of none importance in comparison to the hidden signals it radiates to public. If Latvian lawmakers show flexibility and demonstrate bezierunu obedience than the country is in big troubles.

An official delegation from the Moscow City Duma, headed by Platonov, is on the visit to Riga in order to sign a cooperation agreement between the Riga City Council and Moscow Duma. Yesterday the members of the delegation met with former Soviet soldiers of World War II.

An official delegation from the Moscow City Duma, headed by Platonov, is on the visit to Riga in order to sign a cooperation agreement between the Riga City Council and Moscow Duma. Yesterday the members of the delegation met with former Soviet soldiers of World War II. Vesti Segodnja notes that this visit is much more important for the residents of Latvia than George Robertsons visit to Latvia. Panorama Latvii