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

Latvijas Vestnesis publishes the National Framework Program on Latvian Language Development.

Latvijas Vestnesis

interviews Saeima Speaker Janis Straume. He is very cautious with forecasting whether the amendments to the Election Law will be introduced, however, he says that this issue should be solved in the upcoming months. interviews Saeima Speaker Janis Straume. He is very cautious with forecasting whether the amendments to the Election Law will be introduced, however, he says that this issue should be solved in the upcoming months.

Dienas

columnist Aivars Ozolins gives a brief commentary on OSCE HCNM Rolf Ekeus visit to Latvia. He writes probably very many were disappointed with the visit and the stance of Ekeus - the ones who use human rights to cover their desire for the empire, as well as those Latvians, who can feel politically comfortable only if they experience a pressure which they must not yield in. columnist Aivars Ozolins gives a brief commentary on OSCE HCNM Rolf Ekeus’ visit to Latvia. He writes “probably very many were disappointed with the visit and the stance of Ekeus - the ones who use human rights to cover their desire for the empire, as well as those Latvians, who can feel politically comfortable only if they experience a pressure which they must not yield in”.

Neatkariga

publishes FHRUL leader Jurkans open letter to State Language Commission Chairperson Mara Zalite. Janis Jurkans accuses her of acting not for the sake of democracy but on the basis of mercantile political considerations, that is, Mara Zalite wants to remove language requirement from the Election Law but only because its presence there could prevent Latvias membership to NATO. publishes FHRUL leader Jurkans’ open letter to State Language Commission Chairperson Mara Zalite. Janis Jurkans accuses her of acting not for the sake of democracy but on the basis of mercantile political considerations, that is, Mara Zalite wants to remove language requirement from the Election Law but only because its presence there could prevent Latvia’s membership to NATO.

Lauku Avize

talks to the principles of Russian schools in Latvia who recently attended international seminar on education in Moscow. The principles informed that Moscow wants and is ready to support Russian teachers teaching outside Russia. Moscow offered training courses for teachers, study books, student exchange programs, as well as its scientific base and potential. talks to the principles of Russian schools in Latvia who recently attended international seminar on education in Moscow. The principles informed that Moscow wants and is ready to support Russian teachers teaching outside Russia. Moscow offered training courses for teachers, study books, student exchange programs, as well as its scientific base and potential.

Rigas Balss

analysis situation within FF/LNNK as lately few its publicly well known members have left the party. Former Riga Mayor and FF/LNNK member Andris Argalis claims that the party experiences heavy crisis and he believes that the party will not get into the 8th Saeima. Political scientist Runcis opposes Argalis and believes that these are just some disagreements among the members. analysis situation within FF/LNNK as lately few its publicly well known members have left the party. Former Riga Mayor and FF/LNNK member Andris Argalis claims that the party experiences heavy crisis and he believes that the party will not get into the 8th Saeima. Political scientist Runcis opposes Argalis and believes that these are just some disagreements among the members. The Minister of Justice Ingrida Labucka is planning to conduct examination of the State Language Center in the closest future. Labucka is seriously concerned whether the Center is performing its functions according to the regulations on the Centre. According to the minister, the performance of the Center could not be assessed as satisfactory. The Center is working in the responding regime, but is not enough.

The Minister of Justice Ingrida Labucka is planning to conduct examination of the State Language Center in the closest future. Labucka is seriously concerned whether the Center is performing its functions according to the regulations on the Centre. According to the minister, the performance of the Center could not be assessed as satisfactory. The Center is working in the responding regime, but is not enough. Vesti Segodnja, Telegraf

Telegraf interviews TV Channel 5 program director Gunta Lidaka. She is indignant about the provisions in the TV Law concerning the determined limitations on programs in languages other than Latvian. She thinks that the Government has taken a hypocrite position regarding integration and language issues, as in Lidaka’s opinion it spends enormous amounts of money for integration but does nothing to teach people the language. She believes that the TV Law will be amended.

Telegraf interviews TV Channel 5 program director Gunta Lidaka. She is indignant about the provisions in the TV Law concerning the determined limitations on programs in languages other than Latvian. She thinks that the Government has taken a hypocrite position regarding integration and language issues, as in Lidakas opinion it spends enormous amounts of money for integration but does nothing to teach people the language. She believes that the TV Law will be amended.

Panorama Latvii

publishes FHRUL member Pliners article concerning problems of bilingual education. He believes that Russian students should study in Russian as the quality of education is under threat when they would study in the Latvian language. He believes that it should be up to the students and their parents to choose a language of the studies. publishes FHRUL member Pliner’s article concerning problems of bilingual education. He believes that Russian students should study in Russian as the quality of education is under threat when they would study in the Latvian language. He believes that it should be up to the students and their parents to choose a language of the studies. Technical closure of the OSCE mission in Latvia could be completed by mid-May, as

Technical closure of the OSCE mission in Latvia could be completed by mid-May, as LETA learned at the OSCE offices. Even though the OSCE mission has ended its operations in Latvia, there are still some employees in the office who are sorting files to be turned over. LETA