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 Report

Press Report

Yesterday was the last day of President’s V.Vike-Freiberga visit to Brussels. The President is very satisfied with the visit and the general opinion about Latvia given to her by high EU officials. Today’s is the first day of President’s visit to Finland.

Yesterday was the last day of Presidents V.Vike-Freiberga visit to Brussels. The President is very satisfied with the visit and the general opinion about Latvia given to her by high EU officials. Todays is the first day of Presidents visit to Finland. Diena, Jauna, Neatkariga, Lauku Avize, Vesti Segodnja, Chas

On Wednesday Prime Minister A.Berzins launched the biggest anti-corruption campaign in the history of Latvia. The total expenses of the campaign will amount to LVL 2 million and it is financed by EU Phare programme. The main activities of this campaign are to provide information to public about problems related to corruption, issue bulletins and place advertisements on the streets of Riga. The main target audience of the campaign will be young people.

On Wednesday Prime Minister A.Berzins launched the biggest anti-corruption campaign in the history of Latvia. The total expenses of the campaign will amount to LVL 2 million and it is financed by EU Phare programme. The main activities of this campaign are to provide information to public about problems related to corruption, issue bulletins and place advertisements on the streets of Riga. The main target audience of the campaign will be young people. Diena, Jauna, Neatkariga, Lauku Avize, Chas

The prosecutor office charges all three national bolshevists, detained for “occupation” of St.Peter church, with terrorism and illegal border passing. They could be sentenced to 15-20 years in jail.

The prosecutor office charges all three national bolshevists, detained for occupation of St.Peter church, with terrorism and illegal border passing. They could be sentenced to 15-20 years in jail. Diena, Chas, Respublika

On Wednesday the working group, headed by the Minister of Justice I.Labucka and which has to develop amendments to the Constitution till 1 March, 2001, agreed to include new the voting procedure for Latvia’s people. Respective amendments are planned to be entered to the law on the People Voting and the law on Initiating the Law.

On Wednesday the working group, headed by the Minister of Justice I.Labucka and which has to develop amendments to the Constitution till 1 March, 2001, agreed to include new the voting procedure for Latvias people. Respective amendments are planned to be entered to the law on the People Voting and the law on Initiating the Law. Diena, Neatkariga

Saeima Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs insists on an urgent meeting with the President mainly because of the necessity to discuss the case of Kalejs (ratification of the agreement on delivering war felons with Australia). According to the information provided the President agreed to have a meeting, however, not in the Saeima, as the deputies proposed it, but in her palace. The committee member J.Jurkans says “the meetings taking place at the residency are mostly not very effective. However, we have real serious problems with our domestic policy – and very often these problems are caused by the President herself”.

Saeima Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs insists on an urgent meeting with the President mainly because of the necessity to discuss the case of Kalejs (ratification of the agreement on delivering war felons with Australia). According to the information provided the President agreed to have a meeting, however, not in the Saeima, as the deputies proposed it, but in her palace. The committee member J.Jurkans says the meetings taking place at the residency are mostly not very effective. However, we have real serious problems with our domestic policy – and very often these problems are caused by the President herself. Vesti Segodnja

On 6 December from 10 am to 2 PM Naturalisation Board invites people attend the open door day event at Naturalisation Board. During this day interested people will have a possibility to ask all kind of questions to the officials of Naturalisation Board. The possibility will be offered to test their knowledge by taking trial tests for naturalisation, after the tests people receive the analysis of the omitted mistakes and suggestions regarding the fields of improvement. These tests will not have legal power. It is hoped that the President will take part in the event.

On 6 December from 10 am to 2 PM Naturalisation Board invites people attend the open door day event at Naturalisation Board. During this day interested people will have a possibility to ask all kind of questions to the officials of Naturalisation Board. The possibility will be offered to test their knowledge by taking trial tests for naturalisation, after the tests people receive the analysis of the omitted mistakes and suggestions regarding the fields of improvement. These tests will not have legal power. It is hoped that the President will take part in the event. Chas

Today the Saeima reviews the draft of the state budget for the year 2001 in the second final reading.

Today the Saeima reviews the draft of the state budget for the year 2001 in the second final reading. Jauna, Diena, Respublika

Neatkariga continues to provide information about problems in paying extra allowances to the teachers of Latvian or bilingual teachers working at minority schools. As amount of extra allowances are to be determined according to the qualification of the teacher and teaching quality, it is up to the school board decide the amount of the pay to be paid to an individual teacher.

Neatkariga continues to provide information about problems in paying extra allowances to the teachers of Latvian or bilingual teachers working at minority schools. As amount of extra allowances are to be determined according to the qualification of the teacher and teaching quality, it is up to the school board decide the amount of the pay to be paid to an individual teacher.

In the context of upcoming municipal elections

In the context of upcoming municipal elections Lauku Avize publishes an interview with State Central Electorate chairman A.Cimdars where he gives more detailed information about the difference between municipal and parliamentarian elections and what has been done to make participation at the election more available.

FHRUL faction Saeima deputy, M.Mitrafanov informs about the try to enter amendments to the Law on the Complaints and Applications Submission Procedure in the relation to the new Law on the State Language. As the Language Law sets out that written communication with civil officers has to be exclusively in Latvian, FHRUL proposed that people complaints and applications could be presented in an oral form in any language and then put down by a civil officer in Latvian. The proposal was turned down.

FHRUL faction Saeima deputy, M.Mitrafanov informs about the try to enter amendments to the Law on the Complaints and Applications Submission Procedure in the relation to the new Law on the State Language. As the Language Law sets out that written communication with civil officers has to be exclusively in Latvian, FHRUL proposed that people complaints and applications could be presented in an oral form in any language and then put down by a civil officer in Latvian. The proposal was turned down. Panorama Latvii