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.

Press Review

Press Review

OSCE experts yielded to the opinion on the Saeima Education, Science and Culture Commission that use of the state language should also be regulated in private businesses. Before this, the experts had objections that a state should interfere in this sphere, but yesterday, meeting with the Commission members, they agreed to their arguments. The head of the Commission Dz.Abikis announced it to be a great progress and said that the law most probably would be adopted by the present Saeima, but suggested to do it after the election day.

OSCE experts yielded to the opinion on the Saeima Education, Science and Culture Commission that use of the state language should also be regulated in private businesses. Before this, the experts had objections that a state should interfere in this sphere, but yesterday, meeting with the Commission members, they agreed to their arguments. The head of the Commission Dz.Abikis announced it to be a great progress and said that the law most probably would be adopted by the present Saeima, but suggested to do it after the election day. Neatkariga, Diena, Lauku Avize, Chas, Bizness & Baltiya

Refugees Affairs Appeal Council of the Interior Ministry has refused an appeal on granting the status of a refugee in Latvia to a family of two persons because it had found no grounds for such an appeal. Since March of this year the Council has returned 4 cases for reconsideration to the DCMA but three more cases are pending.

Refugees Affairs Appeal Council of the Interior Ministry has refused an appeal on granting the status of a refugee in Latvia to a family of two persons because it had found no grounds for such an appeal. Since March of this year the Council has returned 4 cases for reconsideration to the DCMA but three more cases are pending. Neatkariga

Riga Council Finance Committee decided to support establishment of a Byelorussian elementary school in Riga. But the deputies put forward a condition that in two years there have to be at least 100 students, but if during one school year the average student number would be less, the school should be closed down.

Riga Council Finance Committee decided to support establishment of a Byelorussian elementary school in Riga. But the deputies put forward a condition that in two years there have to be at least 100 students, but if during one school year the average student number would be less, the school should be closed down. Neatkariga

Russian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs A.Avdeyev organised a press conference in Swedish city Vesteros where he was attending the meeting of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Nordic and Baltic countries. Mr. Avdeyev mostly dealt with the problem of “blocking of rights of national minorities in Latvia”, “hopelessly shy steps of the Latvian government to achieve positive changes in the human sphere” and that Latvia should have to observe OSCE recommendations for all 100 %. Only then the situation could be “normal” and Latvia would be able to normalise its relations with Russia and EU. From these expressions one may conclude that, even after Latvia would implement all OSCE recommendations, Russia would go on with observing the humanitarian situation in Latvia.

Russian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs A.Avdeyev organised a press conference in Swedish city Vesteros where he was attending the meeting of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Nordic and Baltic countries. Mr. Avdeyev mostly dealt with the problem of blocking of rights of national minorities in Latvia, hopelessly shy steps of the Latvian government to achieve positive changes in the human sphere and that Latvia should have to observe OSCE recommendations for all 100 %. Only then the situation could be normal and Latvia would be able to normalise its relations with Russia and EU. From these expressions one may conclude that, even after Latvia would implement all OSCE recommendations, Russia would go on with observing the humanitarian situation in Latvia. Neatkariga, Diena

Jauna Avize quotes Swedish newspapers which pointed out some differences in the position of Russia, stating that it could be softening of Russia’s originally tough position.

Jauna Avize quotes Swedish newspapers which pointed out some differences in the position of Russia, stating that it could be softening of Russias originally tough position.

The Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Nordic countries in their common communiqué expressed their regret about problems still existing in Latvian - Russian relations and stressed that Russia’s economic sanctions against Latvia were unacceptable and preventing regional development. They called Russia to sign a border treaty with Latvia. The ministers also welcomed the amendments to the Latvian Law on Citizenship and expressed their hope that the amendments would be adopted by the referendum.

The Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Nordic countries in their common communiqué expressed their regret about problems still existing in Latvian - Russian relations and stressed that Russias economic sanctions against Latvia were unacceptable and preventing regional development. They called Russia to sign a border treaty with Latvia. The ministers also welcomed the amendments to the Latvian Law on Citizenship and expressed their hope that the amendments would be adopted by the referendum. Jauna Avize, Chas, Bizness & Baltiya

The Board of

The Board of Peoples Party made a decision at its yesterdays sitting to call people to support the amendments to the Law on Citizenship. The party did not consider these amendments to be ideal, but they had to be adopted to be able to move forwards. They informed also the State President about their decision who had planned political consultations with all major parties on the issue of citizenship. In their turn, PP representatives received support from the State President for their action program in solving language and education issues. Neatkariga (Chas and Bizness & Baltiya write that the State President reprimanded Skele and his party for their passive position concerning the referendum).

Diena

publishes the full text of the announcement, publishes the full text of the announcement, PPPP circulated to explain its position on the referendum. circulated to explain its position on the referendum. R.Petersons, a commentator of

R.Petersons, a commentator of Neatkariga, writes about the OSCE High Commissioner Max van der Stoel, saying that Latvians should not make a myth out of him and not to mix OSCE with EU. The High Commissioner represents an organisation that Latvia is a full-fledged member of, and where all major decision are taken according to the principle of consensus, and the High Commissioner has no authority to issue a pass to EU. His task is to supervise whether there are any signs of an escalation of an ethnic conflict in any of 55 OSCE member states. And he has the right to choose those states which need special attention and to put forward recommendations what should be done (in his opinion) to avoid a deterioration of the situation in these countries. So, it is possible to conclude that Max van der Stoels recommendations for Latvia are his personal opinion, but they are based on European schemes, used to define the situation of national minorities. Neatkariga

Kaliningrad newspaper

Kaliningrad newspaper Zavtra informs that Russia and Germany had signed a secret agreement in 1996 on gradual handing over of Kaliningrad Region under German jurisdiction in exchange for financial injections. Neatkariga, Lauku Avize

The Saeima Juridical Commission intends to amend urgently the law on national voting to avoid juridical uncertainties and allow voting by mail abroad. In its turn, the Central Election Commission could announce the date of the referendum on Thursday and, not later that Friday, announce the exact number of signatures for the referendum.

The Saeima Juridical Commission intends to amend urgently the law on national voting to avoid juridical uncertainties and allow voting by mail abroad. In its turn, the Central Election Commission could announce the date of the referendum on Thursday and, not later that Friday, announce the exact number of signatures for the referendum. Diena

Prime Minister G.Krasts acknowledged yesterday that the Director of the NHRO O.Bruveris should resign. The government forming factions have not discussed the situation with the NHRO so far.

Prime Minister G.Krasts acknowledged yesterday that the Director of the NHRO O.Bruveris should resign. The government forming factions have not discussed the situation with the NHRO so far. Diena

Diena

publishes precise numbers of signatures collected in all regions and cities of Latvia during the campaign for the proposal of a referendum. Sociologists consider that the great activity of people during this campaign was raised by advertising the opinion of popular people such as poets M.Zalite and I.Ziedonis, etc. It also could be some kind of protest against the political elite of the country which has alienated from the nation. Sociologic research also shows that the amendments could be abolished, although scientists refused to predict the outcome of the referendum because the situation could change. The Chairman of the Central Election Commission A.Cimdins, after consultations with the heads of regional and city election commissions has come to a conclusion that the referendum should be organised separately from the election to the 7th Saeima and gives his reasons for this position.

The Chairman of the Central Election Commission A.Cimdins, after consultations with the heads of regional and city election commissions has come to a conclusion that the referendum should be organised separately from the election to the 7th Saeima and gives his reasons for this position. Diena

St.Chernichenko, Director of Russian International Rights and Humanitarian Problems Centre writes about the events of 1940 as a pretext for the authorities of Baltic states to discriminate Russian speakers in this region.

St.Chernichenko, Director of Russian International Rights and Humanitarian Problems Centre writes about the events of 1940 as a pretext for the authorities of Baltic states to discriminate Russian speakers in this region. Diena

Lauku Avize

publishes an interview with OSCE High Commissioner Max van der Stoel where Mr.Stoel speaks about his understanding of the situation in Latvia and possible developments here in the future. Russian representative at the PACE S.Glotov informed

Russian representative at the PACE S.Glotov informed SM that today the date should be fixed when to discuss and a concrete decision taken on the human rights situation in Latvia. It could be this September or January of the next year. When asked if Russia would continue its economic sanctions against Latvia, Mr.Glotov answered that currently this pressure was performed on the level of individual regions, and there was no government decision on it. Of course, applying the principle transit in exchange for human rights could be a very serious means to protect the rights of Russian speakers in Latvia. SM

Panorama Latvii

writes about the history of the draft language law, recommendations of the OSCE High Commissioner and the position of the State President G.Ulmanis and Latvian MPs who consider that strengthening of the position of the state language is more important than friendship with Europe. writes about the history of the draft language law, recommendations of the OSCE High Commissioner and the position of the State President G.Ulmanis and Latvian MPs who consider that “strengthening of the position of the state language is more important than friendship with Europe.” European Commission found Latvian attempts to join EU already in 2002 too ambitious thus evaluating the Latvian National Program of Integration but the document itself rather optimistic. The Commission pointed out that the Program lacked description of processes that should take place in social and regional policy as well as the monetary system.

European Commission found Latvian attempts to join EU already in 2002 too ambitious thus evaluating the Latvian National Program of Integration but the document itself rather optimistic. The Commission pointed out that the Program lacked description of processes that should take place in social and regional policy as well as the monetary system. Bizness & Baltiya