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

A total of 79 MPs supported the amendments to the Constitution aimed at securing the status of the state language in the first reading. FHRUL deputies did not take part in the discussions and vote. Latvia’s Way called on other MPs to start discussions on lifting requirement for election candidates from the Election Law. FF/LNNK referred to the decision adopted at its party congress, which does not provide support to the abolishment of language requirement. However, the decision also says that the party will foster Latvia’s membership to NATO and the EU. FF/LNNK member, minister Roberts Zile in

A total of 79 MPs supported the amendments to the Constitution aimed at securing the status of the state language in the first reading. FHRUL deputies did not take part in the discussions and vote. Latvias Way called on other MPs to start discussions on lifting requirement for election candidates from the Election Law. FF/LNNK referred to the decision adopted at its party congress, which does not provide support to the abolishment of language requirement. However, the decision also says that the party will foster Latvias membership to NATO and the EU. FF/LNNK member, minister Roberts Zile in Lauku Avize says that obviously FF/LNNK will be the only party which will vote against the abolishment of language requirement, however, we have to consider our special responsibility towards Latvia Diena, Neatkariga, Latvijas Vestnesis, Lauku Avize, Vecernaja Riga, Vesti Segodnja, Telegraf

Yesterday Latvian Center for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies held a conference “The OSCE and Latvia: Past, Present and Future” where high OSCE officials, Latvian and foreign politicians and international experts discussed the activities and contribution of the OSCE and its Mission to Latvia. One of the most topical and discussed issues was language requirement for election candidates in Latvian legislation. Foreign diplomats and politicians stressed that Latvia should lift language requirement for election candidates from the Election Law in order to join NATO. The statement of OSCE ODIHR Director Gerard Stoudmann that Latvia should grant Russian the status of the second state language has brought fuss and some incomprehension in Latvian society.

Yesterday Latvian Center for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies held a conference The OSCE and Latvia: Past, Present and Future where high OSCE officials, Latvian and foreign politicians and international experts discussed the activities and contribution of the OSCE and its Mission to Latvia. One of the most topical and discussed issues was language requirement for election candidates in Latvian legislation. Foreign diplomats and politicians stressed that Latvia should lift language requirement for election candidates from the Election Law in order to join NATO. The statement of OSCE ODIHR Director Gerard Stoudmann that Latvia should grant Russian the status of the second state language has brought fuss and some incomprehension in Latvian society. Diena and Telegraf say that latter on Gerard Stoudmann explained that he did not say that Russian should have the status of the state language, but only stimulated to note in some way that the Russian language exists, too. However, according to Telegraf, France Press journalist voices that he has recorded Stoudmanns statements where he says official status for the Russian language. Stoudmann also suggested to review the Law on Citizenship advising to grant Latvian citizenship to elderly people and disabled persons without any examinations. Neatkariga, Chas, Vesti Segodnja.

Telegrafs

editorial is regarding the statements made by Stoudmann about granting Russian the status of the state language. The newspaper notes that after some time Stoudmann denied that he had made such statement. The newspaper draws parallels between this case and similar case when the Commission of Europe Head Romano Prodi made similar statements afterwards also denied of making them. editorial is regarding the statements made by Stoudmann about granting Russian the status of the state language. The newspaper notes that after some time Stoudmann denied that he had made such statement. The newspaper draws parallels between this case and similar case when the Commission of Europe Head Romano Prodi made similar statements afterwards also denied of making them. TelegrafTelegraf believes that officials had made such statements intentionally to see the response of public. believes that officials had made such statements intentionally to see the response of public. Latvian Prime Minister Andris Berzins and head of his Latvia's Way party parliament faction Kristiana Libane are indignant over appeal, expressed Wednesday by director of OSCE ODIHR to Latvia to consider granting Russian language status of official state language in Latvia, premier's spokesman told

Latvian Prime Minister Andris Berzins and head of his Latvia's Way party parliament faction Kristiana Libane are indignant over appeal, expressed Wednesday by director of OSCE ODIHR to Latvia to consider granting Russian language status of official state language in Latvia, premier's spokesman told BNS. Arnis Lapins said Prime Minister Andris Berzins and faction head Kristiana Libane underscored "Latvian is and will be and will remain the only state language in Latvia". Both Berzins and Libane regard such a statement by Gerard Stoudmann as irresponsible. Berzins and Libane believe "that man [Stoudmann] who is in Latvia for the first time, obviously, does not understand what he is saying. They believe Stoudmann should resign from his office", said Lapins. Therefore the Prime Minister asked organizers of the conference provide exact information about the official position of both Stoudmann and OSCE High Commissioner Rolf Ekeus concerning the language issue. Lapins said "as the conference organizers affirm, Stoudmann said one thing in the official part of the conference and completely another to journalists." Stoudmann Wednesday called on Latvia to consider granting Russian language status of official state language in Latvia. "Having two state languages would reflect the de facto reality -- look at the news stands and posters in the streets where you see Cyrillic text -- why not confirm it de jure? One shouldn't get paranoid about this," he told journalists. But at the close of the conference he underscored that the opinion he voiced is neither OSCE opinion, nor recommendation and has nothing to do with today's situation but with the future perspective. He also said his remarks were meant in long-term context saying he understands the wish of many of Latvia's politicians to strengthen the Latvian language but hopes the state language issue will lose its dramatic qualities in a longer term and will not be seen as a problem any more. BNS

Remarks by the Director of OSCE ODIHR Gerard Stoudmann, about granting Russian the status of the second state language in Latvia, which he made to several reporters, do not comply with OSCE language policy, which says that every country is free to choose its state language and preserve its culture, President Vaira Vike-Freiberga and ex-Prime Minister of Sweden, U.N.Envoy Carl Bildt said during the discussion "Baltic Issue", aired live by Latvian Independent Television LNT last evening. Bildt, who himself attended the conference on the OSCE and Latvia’s cooperation yesterday, said that no such proposals had been made during Stoudmann's speech, OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Rolf Ekeus had also said this was not OSCE's stance. According to the President, such a statement, if it indeed was made, can only be regarded as Stoudmann's personal viewpoint, which has nothing to do with the actual situation. Latvia has been doing everything in its power so that the situation complies with international requirements, Vike-Freiberga stressed.

Remarks by the Director of OSCE ODIHR Gerard Stoudmann, about granting Russian the status of the second state language in Latvia, which he made to several reporters, do not comply with OSCE language policy, which says that every country is free to choose its state language and preserve its culture, President Vaira Vike-Freiberga and ex-Prime Minister of Sweden, U.N.Envoy Carl Bildt said during the discussion "Baltic Issue", aired live by Latvian Independent Television LNT last evening. Bildt, who himself attended the conference on the OSCE and Latvias cooperation yesterday, said that no such proposals had been made during Stoudmann's speech, OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Rolf Ekeus had also said this was not OSCE's stance. According to the President, such a statement, if it indeed was made, can only be regarded as Stoudmann's personal viewpoint, which has nothing to do with the actual situation. Latvia has been doing everything in its power so that the situation complies with international requirements, Vike-Freiberga stressed. LETA

Latvia's Foreign Minister Indulis Berzins has told BNS that he hopes the statements made by the director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights concerning official language status for Russian in Latvia is a misunderstanding. Berzins said that neither NATO country nor EU official, nor any organization - be it NATO, the OSCE or any other - has ever proposed such an idea. And this, according to Berzins, is understandable, as introducing bilingualism in Latvia would mean "the destruction of everything we have done in the past ten years in relation to both social integration and other issues." "Everybody has the right to voice his opinion and the Foreign Ministry regards these remarks by Stoudmann as "unsuccessful impromptu" considering how fast he was correcting his earlier remarks," said Latvian MoFA. Citing support to Latvian as the only state language in Latvia, expressed by OSCE High Commissioner for National Minorities Rolf Ekeus, the Foreign Ministry points out that only the commissioner is "entitled to give recommendations" and the OSCE has not issued any recommendations whatsoever concerning this issue.

Latvia's Foreign Minister Indulis Berzins has told BNS that he hopes the statements made by the director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights concerning official language status for Russian in Latvia is a misunderstanding. Berzins said that neither NATO country nor EU official, nor any organization - be it NATO, the OSCE or any other - has ever proposed such an idea. And this, according to Berzins, is understandable, as introducing bilingualism in Latvia would mean "the destruction of everything we have done in the past ten years in relation to both social integration and other issues." "Everybody has the right to voice his opinion and the Foreign Ministry regards these remarks by Stoudmann as "unsuccessful impromptu" considering how fast he was correcting his earlier remarks," said Latvian MoFA. Citing support to Latvian as the only state language in Latvia, expressed by OSCE High Commissioner for National Minorities Rolf Ekeus, the Foreign Ministry points out that only the commissioner is "entitled to give recommendations" and the OSCE has not issued any recommendations whatsoever concerning this issue.

Diena

informs that the representatives of some local Daugavpils mass media were not allowed to enter the congress of political organization Latgales Light, which took place on Saturday in Daugavpils. informs that the representatives of some local Daugavpil’s mass media were not allowed to enter the congress of political organization Latgale’s Light, which took place on Saturday in Daugavpils. People’s Party MP Vaira Paegle comments on the situation regarding language requirement for election candidates and President’s initiative to abolish it. She believes that the current situation is the outcome of unprofessional foreign policy realized by Latvia and that the biggest mistake was that the State President made the promise that requirements will be abolished as in fact only the Saeima has rights to amend laws. In her opinion, now Latvia has no way out and has to lift requirement to save good reputation of Latvia.

Peoples Party MP Vaira Paegle comments on the situation regarding language requirement for election candidates and Presidents initiative to abolish it. She believes that the current situation is the outcome of unprofessional foreign policy realized by Latvia and that the biggest mistake was that the State President made the promise that requirements will be abolished as in fact only the Saeima has rights to amend laws. In her opinion, now Latvia has no way out and has to lift requirement to save good reputation of Latvia. Lauku Avize

The round table discussions among the representatives of Latvia and United Kingdom about Latvia’s aspirations to NATO organized by British Association for Central and East Europe took place in the Saeima.

The round table discussions among the representatives of Latvia and United Kingdom about Latvias aspirations to NATO organized by British Association for Central and East Europe took place in the Saeima. Laiku Avize

Lauku Avize

talks to Jelgava Municipality Mayor about the situation concerning education and society integration in Jelgava. The Mayor says although one of Jelgavas Russian schools protested against transfer of Russian secondary schools to education in Latvian as a sole instruction language, Jelgava will fully implement education reform in 2004. talks to Jelgava Municipality Mayor about the situation concerning education and society integration in Jelgava. The Mayor says although one of Jelgava’s Russian schools protested against transfer of Russian secondary schools to education in Latvian as a sole instruction language, Jelgava will fully implement education reform in 2004.