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.

INTEGRATION AND MINORITY INFORMATION SERVICE

INTEGRATION AND MINORITY INFORMATION SERVICE

During his meeting with Prime Minister Andris Berzins yesterday, assistant secretary of the NATO and European policy division at the United States Department of Defense Ian Brzezinski highly commended Latvia's achievements on its way to NATO. NATO expansion could improve relations between Latvia and Russia, as well as benefit minorities, including Russians residing in the Baltic countries. The Prime Minister concluded the meeting by stating that he was confident Latvia would receive an invitation to join NATO during the Prague summit this fall.

During his meeting with Prime Minister Andris Berzins yesterday, assistant secretary of the NATO and European policy division at the United States Department of Defense Ian Brzezinski highly commended Latvia's achievements on its way to NATO. NATO expansion could improve relations between Latvia and Russia, as well as benefit minorities, including Russians residing in the Baltic countries. The Prime Minister concluded the meeting by stating that he was confident Latvia would receive an invitation to join NATO during the Prague summit this fall. Diena
Amendments to the election laws would affirm the maturity of Latvia's democracy and compliance of the country to the common values of NATO, said Ian Brzezinski. The remark by Brzezinski came Thursday in Riga in a meeting with Latvian Foreign Minister Indulis Berzins. Brzezinski also affirmed support of the United States to measures pursued by Latvian government in the area of integrating society. Neatkariga

Chas

publishes an interview with Ian Brzezinski. The newspaper highlights the statement of Ian Brzezinski that Latvias strength lies in Russians. Former leader of the Democratic Party Saimnieks Ziedonis Cevers is one of the most well known figure among 12 persons who announced their intentions to found a social liberal party Latvijas Briviba (Latvia’s Freedom). The party’s founding congress is scheduled for 25 May.

Former leader of the Democratic Party Saimnieks Ziedonis Cevers is one of the most well known figure among 12 persons who announced their intentions to found a social liberal party Latvijas Briviba (Latvias Freedom). The partys founding congress is scheduled for 25 May. Diena, Neatkariga, Jauna, Chas, Vesti Segodnja

Latvian National Committee “Western Russians” president Dmitry Nikolajevs writes about the Russian language press and its role in the integration process in Latvia. He writes “the mass media, such as

Latvian National Committee Western Russians president Dmitry Nikolajevs writes about the Russian language press and its role in the integration process in Latvia. He writes the mass media, such as Vesti Segodnja, Chas, Vesti, provide open support to FHRUL and give only a one-sided reflection of integration processes in Latvia. He states that the Russian language press, hiding behind the statement that this is what readers, watchers or voters want, continuously foment tensions and general dissatisfaction with life by skilfully using stereotypes regarding Latvians and national minorities. Nikolajevs believes that the main goal of the Russian language press is consolidation of voters around FHRUL. He concludes that the stance of the Russian language press masks topical political and social problems and is not aimed at building a political nation. Diena

Vecernaya Riga

introduces its readers to the NGO Civic Initiative – XXI. More than 350 persons have participated in courses organised by Civic Initiative –XXI to prepare for naturalisation examinations. The NGO is also planning to pay the state fee for naturalisation for members who have attended its courses. introduces its readers to the NGO “Civic Initiative – XXI”. More than 350 persons have participated in courses organised by “Civic Initiative –XXI” to prepare for naturalisation examinations. The NGO is also planning to pay the state fee for naturalisation for members who have attended its courses. Vecernaya RigaVecernaya Riga emphasises that these courses are special as their organisers believe that citizenship is not only a blue passport (citizens passport), but it also involves responsibility and rights, knowledge about the country and ways of getting involved in countrys political processes. According to the NGOs staff now the most active applicants are young women. They also note that such information campaigns as the recent Public Awareness and Citizenship Promotion Campaign are very necessary in the future as well. emphasises that these courses are special as their organisers believe that citizenship is not only a blue passport (citizen’s passport), but it also involves responsibility and rights, knowledge about the country and ways of getting involved in country’s political processes. According to the NGO’s staff now the most active applicants are young women. They also note that such information campaigns as the recent Public Awareness and Citizenship Promotion Campaign are very necessary in the future as well.

Vesti Segodnja

reports about the meeting of the Union of Citizens and Non-citizens and foundation Civic Initiative – XXI. The main discussion was about society integration in Latvia. Participants discussed whether there is integration in Latvia and whether it serves thepublic interests. reports about the meeting of the Union of Citizens and Non-citizens and foundation “Civic Initiative – XXI”. The main discussion was about society integration in Latvia. Participants discussed whether there is integration in Latvia and whether it serves thepublic interests.

Vecernaya Riga

interviews Union of Social Democrats leader Egils Baldzens. He states that his party supports only those economic and social proposals, which are approved by the majority of both Latvians and Russians. Baldzens believes that rather socio-economic differences and not national differences should be eliminated. In his opinion, it is not fair that non-citizens do not have full rights to own land or run a drug store. Regarding the education reform in 2004 he says that it was announced a long time ago. Therefore, everyone has had enough time to get ready for the transfer to studies at secondary school in Latvian. interviews Union of Social Democrats leader Egils Baldzens. He states that his party supports only those economic and social proposals, which are approved by the majority of both Latvians and Russians. Baldzens believes that rather socio-economic differences and not national differences should be eliminated. In his opinion, it is not fair that non-citizens do not have full rights to own land or run a drug store. Regarding the education reform in 2004 he says that it was announced a long time ago. Therefore, everyone has had enough time to get ready for the transfer to studies at secondary school in Latvian. The Ministry of Justice has developed amendments to the Regulations on the State Language. The amendments set the levels of state language proficiency for certain professions.

The Ministry of Justice has developed amendments to the Regulations on the State Language. The amendments set the levels of state language proficiency for certain professions. Chas writes that the amendments were developed specially for the red heads of local governments. The newspaper reasons that previously four professions – the executive director of a local government, his/her deputy, the head of a municipal institution and his/her deputy – were not included in the list at all. Now these professions are in the list and their language proficiency should correspond to the highest state language proficiency level - 3A. The newspaper also notes that for several professions, such as hairdresser and beauty specialist, the required level is decreased.

The remembrance event "Peace March" organized by the Shimon Dubnow Riga Jewish School took place yesterday at the memorial at the Bikernieki Forest in Riga. About 300 people took part in the event.

The remembrance event "Peace March" organized by the Shimon Dubnow Riga Jewish School took place yesterday at the memorial at the Bikernieki Forest in Riga. About 300 people took part in the event. Vesti Segodnja

Vesti Segodnja

interviews MP Ingrida Udre. She is indignant about the hypocrisy of the governing parties, in particular, their attitude towards the language requirement for election candidates. She states that the governing parties had agreed that the election laws should be amended, however, instead of honestly stating that to the public, right-wing parties started to fool their voters. Ingrida Udre stresses that amendments to the Constitution are aimed only at showing their voters that right-wing parties are the greatest patriots and state language supporters. interviews MP Ingrida Udre. She is indignant about the hypocrisy of the governing parties, in particular, their attitude towards the language requirement for election candidates. She states that “the governing parties had agreed that the election laws should be amended, however, instead of honestly stating that to the public, right-wing parties started to fool their voters”. Ingrida Udre stresses that amendments to the Constitution are aimed only at showing their voters that right-wing parties are the greatest patriots and state language supporters. The European Court of Human Rights ruling on the case of Podkolzina is "definite proof that Latvia has serious problems in securing the rights of Russian-speaking residents," claims the Russian Foreign Ministry. The Russian Foreign Ministry also notes "We must remind that Latvian legislation also discriminates against those people who were members of legal public organisations in 1991 by barring them from being candidates in elections."

The European Court of Human Rights ruling on the case of Podkolzina is "definite proof that Latvia has serious problems in securing the rights of Russian-speaking residents," claims the Russian Foreign Ministry. The Russian Foreign Ministry also notes "We must remind that Latvian legislation also discriminates against those people who were members of legal public organisations in 1991 by barring them from being candidates in elections." Panorama Latvii