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

Latvia's seaside resort town Jurmala will be staging a conference from May 30 to June 1 called "The World in 2002. Worries and Hopes" organized by Baltijas Forums (the Baltic Forum), participated by scientists and political scientists form Latvia, Russia, Estonia, Denmark, Sweden, Finland and the U.S. The conference will be discussing the new economic situation in the world after the tragic events of September 11 last year, and the change this has made on the Baltic Sea region, reported Baltijas Forums. President of Baltijas Forums, Nikolajs Neilands, said that the events in the U.S last September made the world change and face a common enemy - terrorism, adding that one of the main topics for the conference will be Russian-U.S. relations.

Latvia's seaside resort town Jurmala will be staging a conference from May 30 to June 1 called "The World in 2002. Worries and Hopes" organized by Baltijas Forums (the Baltic Forum), participated by scientists and political scientists form Latvia, Russia, Estonia, Denmark, Sweden, Finland and the U.S. The conference will be discussing the new economic situation in the world after the tragic events of September 11 last year, and the change this has made on the Baltic Sea region, reported Baltijas Forums. President of Baltijas Forums, Nikolajs Neilands, said that the events in the U.S last September made the world change and face a common enemy - terrorism, adding that one of the main topics for the conference will be Russian-U.S. relations. BNS

Russia has once again voiced its objections to closure of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) missions in Latvia and Estonia, reported a Latvian daily,

Russia has once again voiced its objections to closure of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) missions in Latvia and Estonia, reported a Latvian daily, Diena. Speaking at the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly in Vienna this week, Russian State Duma chairman Gennady Seleznev objected to technical closure of OSCE missions in Latvia and Estonia without the Permanent Council resolution approving of the move. Seleznev, who heads the Russian parliamentary delegation to OSCE, claimed there were "human rights problems still unsolved in both countries." Seleznev also expressed hope that the Permanent Council, the key decision-making body within the OSCE, would soon find a way to adopt a resolution about extending mandates of OSCE missions to Latvia and Estonia.

Diena

commentator A.Ozolins states sarcastically that language politicians got what they wanted – a clear NATO or EU statement that Latvias joining these organizations is linked with abolishing the language proficiency norms. commentator A.Ozolins states sarcastically that language politicians got what they wanted – a clear NATO or EU statement that Latvia’s joining these organizations is linked with abolishing the language proficiency norms. Russia does not wish to intervene in NATO's sovereignty, NATO Secretary General George Robertson said in an interview to the newspaper "

Russia does not wish to intervene in NATO's sovereignty, NATO Secretary General George Robertson said in an interview to the newspaper "Lauku Avize". According to Robertson, he has concluded after his meetings with the Russian president and other officials that Russia will not put obstacles when NATO adopts its own decisions. NATO candidate states still have much to do in order to attain the high military and political standards of NATO, Robertson said in commenting on possible requirements for Latvia prior its entry into NATO. Robertson and NATO must be confident that defense is being allotted sufficient financing, and that Latvia will contribute to common security, not only benefit from it, Robertson said.

Delegation of the Moscow City Duma today concludes its official visit in Riga. During the visit, Moscow City Duma Chairman Vladimir Platonov and Riga City Council Chairman, Mayor Gundars Bojars signed an agreement protocol on Friday (February 22) that sets future cooperation in several stages. The Riga city council reported that the protocol was signed with both sides expressing their desire to facilitate the development and the strengthening of Latvian-Russian relations, devoting primary attention to the development of partner relations between both capitals based on the principles of equality and mutual admiration.

Delegation of the Moscow City Duma today concludes its official visit in Riga. During the visit, Moscow City Duma Chairman Vladimir Platonov and Riga City Council Chairman, Mayor Gundars Bojars signed an agreement protocol on Friday (February 22) that sets future cooperation in several stages. The Riga city council reported that the protocol was signed with both sides expressing their desire to facilitate the development and the strengthening of Latvian-Russian relations, devoting primary attention to the development of partner relations between both capitals based on the principles of equality and mutual admiration. LETA

Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga forwarded the open letter of Daugavpils society concerning state language violations in this city asking the Mayer to inform about the situation there. The open letter was forwarded also to the Saeima Speaker and State Language Center.

Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga forwarded the open letter of Daugavpils society concerning state language violations in this city asking the Mayer to inform about the situation there. The open letter was forwarded also to the Saeima Speaker and State Language Center. Diena

Newspaper

Newspaper Lauku Avize published the full text of this open letter

Chas calls it a language attack on Daugavpils.

Council of government forming coalition agreed yesterday on amending 4 articles in the constitution – 18, 21, 101 and 104. Amendments in Article 18 stipulate that in the solemn pledge of a deputy is included a norm on protecting the Latvian language , Article 21 stipulates that working language of the Saeima is Latvian. Amendments in Article 101 envisage that local governments are elected by citizens and working language there is Latvian. In its turn amendments in Article 104 provide that everybody has the right to address state and local government institutions and receive an answer in the Latvian language.

Council of government forming coalition agreed yesterday on amending 4 articles in the constitution – 18, 21, 101 and 104. Amendments in Article 18 stipulate that in the solemn pledge of a deputy is included a norm on protecting the Latvian language , Article 21 stipulates that working language of the Saeima is Latvian. Amendments in Article 101 envisage that local governments are elected by citizens and working language there is Latvian. In its turn amendments in Article 104 provide that everybody has the right to address state and local government institutions and receive an answer in the Latvian language. Neatkariga, Chas

Newspaper

Newspaper Lauku Avize interviewed Latvian Ambassador to the USA A.Ronis after his repot to the Saeima Foreign, Defense and Interior Affairs Commission. According to A.Ronis MPs wanted to find out what was the US opinion on amending the election laws and how this opinion had formed.

In an Interview to the Latvian newspaper

In an Interview to the Latvian newspaper Jauna Avize Russian Ambassador I.Studennikov among other things spoke about problem issues in Latvia. One of them is the attitude towards the Russian language. He is worried about the fate of non-citizens in Latvia. The Ambassador called to simplify the Naturalization procedure let more non-citizens could receive Latvian citizenship.

Yesterday the Integration Foundation received 10 applications from companies that are ready to organize Latvian language training courses for to-be citizens. For this purpose the Foundation has allotted 32 000 LVL.

Yesterday the Integration Foundation received 10 applications from companies that are ready to organize Latvian language training courses for to-be citizens. For this purpose the Foundation has allotted 32 000 LVL. Chas

Internal investigation was completed at the Naturalization Board. Head of the Board E.Aldermane told journalists about the findings and the proposals of the investigation commission. The conclusion is that it is almost impossible to “help an inside man” during examinations, the weak point is the so-called “human factor”. And it seems that dishonest applicants most likely have been cheated. But a consequence of this scandal is that FF/LNNK is after the head of E.Aldermane – they wand her dismissal.

Internal investigation was completed at the Naturalization Board. Head of the Board E.Aldermane told journalists about the findings and the proposals of the investigation commission. The conclusion is that it is almost impossible to help an inside man during examinations, the weak point is the so-called human factor. And it seems that dishonest applicants most likely have been cheated. But a consequence of this scandal is that FF/LNNK is after the head of E.Aldermane – they wand her dismissal.

To protest against the slow procedure of issuing certificates of return several illegal immigrants kept in Olaine Illegal Immigrants Camp went on a hunger strike.

To protest against the slow procedure of issuing certificates of return several illegal immigrants kept in Olaine Illegal Immigrants Camp went on a hunger strike. Vesti Segodnya, Neatkariga (25.02)