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

Saeima’s majority turned down FHRUL’s proposal to lift language requirement for election candidates from the Election Law. The ruling parties also announced that they will not discuss the possibility to abolish language requirement while the status of the state language is not secured in the Constitution.

Saeimas majority turned down FHRULs proposal to lift language requirement for election candidates from the Election Law. The ruling parties also announced that they will not discuss the possibility to abolish language requirement while the status of the state language is not secured in the Constitution. Diena, Rigas Balss, Chas, Telegraf

British Ambassador to Latvia Thursday in a meeting with Latvia's Naturalization Board Head, held as part of series of his farewell visits to Latvian officials, discussed the Board's plans for further informing society about naturalization and society integration process in Latvia. Nash inquired about what kind of "positive signals" Latvian government and politicians are planning to send to the country's non-citizen population to promote their naturalization. The two officials were unanimous that with "certain confrontation" emerging in the society the government and politicians "should not close their eyes in front of stateless persons, there should be more positive signals coming from the state". Aldermane voiced that "some manifestations of confrontation in society are even growing". Speaking about financial side of the Naturalization Board Aldermane said that financing required for society information projects is threatening to decrease because financing provided by foreign donators from now on will be available only through Society Integration Foundation while the state budget has allocated "not a single santim" for the board's public awareness campaign. Nash also inquired about the possibility to simplify citizenship acquisition process but Aldermane voiced doubts concerning amendments to the Citizenship Law. Nash praised the work of the Naturalization Board and pledged to keep the naturalization process in Latvia.

British Ambassador to Latvia Thursday in a meeting with Latvia's Naturalization Board Head, held as part of series of his farewell visits to Latvian officials, discussed the Board's plans for further informing society about naturalization and society integration process in Latvia. Nash inquired about what kind of "positive signals" Latvian government and politicians are planning to send to the country's non-citizen population to promote their naturalization. The two officials were unanimous that with "certain confrontation" emerging in the society the government and politicians "should not close their eyes in front of stateless persons, there should be more positive signals coming from the state". Aldermane voiced that "some manifestations of confrontation in society are even growing". Speaking about financial side of the Naturalization Board Aldermane said that financing required for society information projects is threatening to decrease because financing provided by foreign donators from now on will be available only through Society Integration Foundation while the state budget has allocated "not a single santim" for the board's public awareness campaign. Nash also inquired about the possibility to simplify citizenship acquisition process but Aldermane voiced doubts concerning amendments to the Citizenship Law. Nash praised the work of the Naturalization Board and pledged to keep the naturalization process in Latvia. BNS

Baltic Prime Ministers hold meeting with British Premier Blair in London. The meeting focused on issues related to NATO, the European Union and relations with Russia. Latvian Prime Minister Andris Berzins officially invited Blair to Riga July 5-7 for the NATO summit.

Neatkariga, Latvijas Vestnesis Fate of the B&B; Russian radio station Krievu radio Riga, which was closed down by the decision of the National Radio and TV Council because of violating copyrights, becomes hot issue.

Fate of the B&B Russian radio station Krievu radio Riga, which was closed down by the decision of the National Radio and TV Council because of violating copyrights, becomes hot issue. Diena commentator Askolds Rodins opines that "everything can be politicized, especially if it has "ethnic clout". If this year we wont have the convenient legionnaires march, then we can make amends with the shutdown of a radio station". Vesti Segodnja commented the closure of the station as destroying the big part of information space in Russian.

Yesterday Naturalization Board Head Eizenija Aldermane asked the Ministry of Justice provide additional funding to ensure more security at naturalization examinations. The Naturalization Board wants to install video cameras in the examination rooms and establish one more examination commission in Riga.

Yesterday Naturalization Board Head Eizenija Aldermane asked the Ministry of Justice provide additional funding to ensure more security at naturalization examinations. The Naturalization Board wants to install video cameras in the examination rooms and establish one more examination commission in Riga. Chas

The newspaper also publishes an informative article, which briefs about the differences between the statuses of a Latvian citizen and non-citizen, what is EU citizenship and the rights of a EU citizen.

The newspaper also publishes an informative article, which briefs about the differences between the statuses of a Latvian citizen and non-citizen, what is EU citizenship and the rights of a EU citizen.

Vesti Segodnja

interviews professor, political scientist Mavriks Vulfsons about political situation in Latvia. He believes that Latvia should not rush with NATOs membership because Latvia is not ready for that yet and it is too expensive for the country. Vulfsons also does not agree with the views of the majority of Latvian politicians that the Latvian language is under threat, in his opinion, national minorities have realized that they have to know Latvian. He is also very skeptic about Latvias foreign policy realized by politicians. Vulfsons considers that Latvias foreign policy should be oriented to European countries, in particular, Germany, and not to the USA. interviews professor, political scientist Mavriks Vulfsons about political situation in Latvia. He believes that Latvia should not rush with NATO’s membership because Latvia is not ready for that yet and it is too expensive for the country. Vulfsons also does not agree with the views of the majority of Latvian politicians that the Latvian language is under threat, in his opinion, national minorities have realized that they have to know Latvian. He is also very skeptic about Latvia’s foreign policy realized by politicians. Vulfsons considers that Latvia’s foreign policy should be oriented to European countries, in particular, Germany, and not to the USA.

Vesti Segodnja

conducts research about the crimes of Latvian policemen in Byelorussia in 1944 publishing the article under the title To Kill as Many Russians as Possible. conducts research about the crimes of Latvian policemen in Byelorussia in 1944 publishing the article under the title “To Kill as Many Russians as Possible”. Yesterday the National TV and Radio Council (NTRC) adopted directive on registering the amounts of languages used in the programs aired by commercial broadcasting stations. The directive will become internal NTRC document that will allow to control whether the norm in the Law on Radio and TV providing for language quotas in radio programs, is observed. Now according to the directive NTRC and commercial broadcasting stations have to record language usage on the basis of a common approach. The new method provides for that the amount of foreign languages spoken will be registered in each individual program and then put together.

Yesterday the National TV and Radio Council (NTRC) adopted directive on registering the amounts of languages used in the programs aired by commercial broadcasting stations. The directive will become internal NTRC document that will allow to control whether the norm in the Law on Radio and TV providing for language quotas in radio programs, is observed. Now according to the directive NTRC and commercial broadcasting stations have to record language usage on the basis of a common approach. The new method provides for that the amount of foreign languages spoken will be registered in each individual program and then put together. Telegraf.

Riga City Council monument board rejected a proposal by some of authors of monument located in Riga's Uzvaras Parks park (Victory Park) to rename the monument as memorial ensemble and transform it into a sign of commemoration to all countries-members of anti-hitlerist coalition. Board chairman Ojars Sparitis said there are political grounds for the rejection of the proposal because Latvian-Russian agreement provides for retention of memorial constructions but not their transformation. The monument issue could be considered repeatedly after the fate of Uzvaras Parks park is decided.

Riga City Council monument board rejected a proposal by some of authors of monument located in Riga's Uzvaras Parks park (Victory Park) to rename the monument as memorial ensemble and transform it into a sign of commemoration to all countries-members of anti-hitlerist coalition. Board chairman Ojars Sparitis said there are political grounds for the rejection of the proposal because Latvian-Russian agreement provides for retention of memorial constructions but not their transformation. The monument issue could be considered repeatedly after the fate of Uzvaras Parks park is decided. Diena, Neatkariga, Chas, Vesti Segodnja, Telegraf, Panorama Latvii