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

Latvijas Cels

has started an active political campaign to achieve that the majority of Latvian people would support the amendments to the Law on Citizenship at the national voting. has started an active political campaign to achieve that the majority of Latvian people would support the amendments to the Law on Citizenship at the national voting. Latvijas CelsLatvijas Cels considers that at this national voting a decision will be made on Latvian orientation to the West or to the East and hopes that people will take the correct decision. considers that at this national voting a decision will be made on Latvian orientation to the West or to the East and hopes that people will take the correct decision. Latvijas CelsLatvijas Cels plans to allocate a part of its election campaign money to explain the essence of the law and their position, to publish propaganda materials and paid advertisements in mass media. The campaign will be based on exact figures but not on emotional slogans. plans to allocate a part of its election campaign money to explain the essence of the law and their position, to publish propaganda materials and paid advertisements in mass media. The campaign will be based on exact figures but not on emotional slogans. DienaDiena, , Jauna AvizeJauna Avize The Chairman of Central Election Commission thinks that the national voting could be organised two weeks after the election to the Saeima. If the Central Election Commission members vote according to their party positions, it is possible that the voting will be held simultaneously with the election. Almost all political parties hold the opinion that the voting has to take place simultaneously with the election - it would guarantee participation of the majority of electorate in the voting. Central Election Commission plans to start discussions on this topic on Friday.

The Chairman of Central Election Commission thinks that the national voting could be organised two weeks after the election to the Saeima. If the Central Election Commission members vote according to their party positions, it is possible that the voting will be held simultaneously with the election. Almost all political parties hold the opinion that the voting has to take place simultaneously with the election - it would guarantee participation of the majority of electorate in the voting. Central Election Commission plans to start discussions on this topic on Friday. Diena

On Wednesday the Chairman of

On Wednesday the Chairman of Peoples Party A.Skele voiced two different personal opinions on the amendments to the Law on Citizenship - in the interview to Rigas Balss he said that he was for declining the amendments but at the same day to TV broadcast Panorama - that they should be kept. On Thursday the representative of Peoples Party J.Liepnieks voiced even the third opinion of A.Skele - he was for none of the options, but PP would forward a new draft Law on Citizenship. Diena

Ministry of Education and Science representative informed that 820 teachers could not pass the language certification by August 19. This number is twice as big as it was planned by the Ministry in June. The Minister of Education told the press that contracts would be concluded with teachers, who had the necessary higher pedagogical education, giving them a possibility to pass the state language test till December 31, 1998. Teachers not corresponding to this criteria must be dismissed. There is no reason to worry about the lack of teachers because present situation in the labor market allows to find substitutes with no problem.

Ministry of Education and Science representative informed that 820 teachers could not pass the language certification by August 19. This number is twice as big as it was planned by the Ministry in June. The Minister of Education told the press that contracts would be concluded with teachers, who had the necessary higher pedagogical education, giving them a possibility to pass the state language test till December 31, 1998. Teachers not corresponding to this criteria must be dismissed. There is no reason to worry about the lack of teachers because present situation in the labor market allows to find substitutes with no problem. Diena, Neatkariga

Jauna Avize

informs about the visit of High Commissioner Max van der Stoel to Latvia. MFA representative A.Pildegovics explained that the visit had been planned long time ago and was not connected with the referendum. The High Commissioner would have meetings with the State President, MFA State Secretary M.Riekstins, Minister of Education and Science J.Gaigals and other officials. informs about the visit of High Commissioner Max van der Stoel to Latvia. MFA representative A.Pildegovics explained that the visit had been planned long time ago and was not connected with the referendum. The High Commissioner would have meetings with the State President, MFA State Secretary M.Riekstins, Minister of Education and Science J.Gaigals and other officials. A.Daukste, commenting on the referendum in

A.Daukste, commenting on the referendum in Rigas Balss, states that a great part of people who signed for the referendum did not know the essence of the amendments and had not read the Law on Citizenship itself. They just gave in to the slogans Latvian, do not yieldor Away with Russians. The driving force that made them go to the signature collecting districts was the old archetype now we will show those Russians how to learn the Latvian language. The hysterics was heated up by Tevzemei un Brivibai/LNNK by involving famous Latvian artists, state officials, even their party member Prime Minister G.Krasts. Assuming that the signers are the potential voters for Tevzemei un Brivibai/LNNK during the 7th Saeima election, it may be concluded that a polarization of the electorate has taken place, and it was caused indirectly by this spring events and Russias attack campaign against Latvia.

A.Pantelejevs, as the Chairman of the National Security Commission, informed about the meeting where they discussed the situation with Skrunda Radar station. Latvian authorities consider that it will be closed down by August 31, and the personnel will leave the territory of Latvia, taking their equipment with them.

A.Pantelejevs, as the Chairman of the National Security Commission, informed about the meeting where they discussed the situation with Skrunda Radar station. Latvian authorities consider that it will be closed down by August 31, and the personnel will leave the territory of Latvia, taking their equipment with them. Rigas Balss

Yesterday

Yesterday Peoples Harmony Party Chairman J.Jurkans and Our Home Russia Chairman V.Chernomirdin signed an agreement on co-operation. This agreement anticipates three basic things - regular meetings, some mutual activities and agreement of positions on the level of international organizations, e.g. on the level of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. Chas, Bizness & Baltiya