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

The Saeima approved the amendments to the law on national voting elaborated by the Juridical Commission of the Saeima to avoid juridical contradictions between the Saeima election law and the law on national voting.

The Saeima approved the amendments to the law on national voting elaborated by the Juridical Commission of the Saeima to avoid juridical contradictions between the Saeima election law and the law on national voting. Diena

The Central Election Commission announced the official data of the signature collection campaign - 226 530; 225 024 of them collected in Latvia and 1506 - abroad and fixed the dates for organising the referendum along with the election to the 7th Saeima - October 3 and 4. Central Election Commission also decided about the wording of the question Latvian citizens would have to answer - “Do you support the abolishment of the amendments to the Law on Citizenship adopted by the Saeima on June 22, 1998?”

The Central Election Commission announced the official data of the signature collection campaign - 226 530; 225 024 of them collected in Latvia and 1506 - abroad and fixed the dates for organising the referendum along with the election to the 7th Saeima - October 3 and 4. Central Election Commission also decided about the wording of the question Latvian citizens would have to answer - Do you support the abolishment of the amendments to the Law on Citizenship adopted by the Saeima on June 22, 1998? Neatkariga, Diena, Jauna Avize, Chas

Yesterday a group of radical Russian speakers organised a picket at the Saeima building with an aim to achieve equal possibilities to study the Latvian language. It was organised by a group of deputy candidates from the union “Equality” to the Saeima ans Riga City COuncil. The people present voiced an opinion that the state should take care of preparation of qualified Latvian language teachers, taking into consideration the specific character of working at a Russian speaking school. Part of the participants expressed their distrust to the state authorities and asked to return to the Soviet times.

Yesterday a group of radical Russian speakers organised a picket at the Saeima building with an aim to achieve equal possibilities to study the Latvian language. It was organised by a group of deputy candidates from the union Equality to the Saeima ans Riga City COuncil. The people present voiced an opinion that the state should take care of preparation of qualified Latvian language teachers, taking into consideration the specific character of working at a Russian speaking school. Part of the participants expressed their distrust to the state authorities and asked to return to the Soviet times. Neatkariga, Chas, Panorama Latvii

The main issue of discussion between Minister of Education and Science J.Gaigals and the OSCE High Commissioner Max van der Stoel was the Latvian language teaching at Russian speaking schools. Latvia would need at least 20 million Lats to realise the National Latvian language training program for about 150 000 students. The Minister commented that EU was ready to grant large sums for this training. But the issue of citizenship concerns 100 000 children but there are 150 000 students at Russian speaking schools. Now it is up to Latvia to decide whether it wants to train only those 100 000 or using EU aid money, many more.

The main issue of discussion between Minister of Education and Science J.Gaigals and the OSCE High Commissioner Max van der Stoel was the Latvian language teaching at Russian speaking schools. Latvia would need at least 20 million Lats to realise the National Latvian language training program for about 150 000 students. The Minister commented that EU was ready to grant large sums for this training. But the issue of citizenship concerns 100 000 children but there are 150 000 students at Russian speaking schools. Now it is up to Latvia to decide whether it wants to train only those 100 000 or using EU aid money, many more. Neatkariga

Minister of Foreign Affairs V.Birkavs announced yesterday that there no changes might be expected in Latvian - Russian relations before the referendum and formation of the new government in Latvia. The situation could not be even influenced by resignation of B.Yelstsin, as demanded by some political forces. V.Birkavs said this after returning from the meeting of ministers of Foreign Affairs of Nordic and Baltic countries. Speaking on the possible Russian attitude if the amendments were abolished during the referendum, V.Birkavs pointed out three problems that Latvia could face. The first - formation of an integrated society would be delayed, second - no improvement in Latvian - Russian relations and the last - Latvia would not be invited to start talks on joining EU.

Minister of Foreign Affairs V.Birkavs announced yesterday that there no changes might be expected in Latvian - Russian relations before the referendum and formation of the new government in Latvia. The situation could not be even influenced by resignation of B.Yelstsin, as demanded by some political forces. V.Birkavs said this after returning from the meeting of ministers of Foreign Affairs of Nordic and Baltic countries. Speaking on the possible Russian attitude if the amendments were abolished during the referendum, V.Birkavs pointed out three problems that Latvia could face. The first - formation of an integrated society would be delayed, second - no improvement in Latvian - Russian relations and the last - Latvia would not be invited to start talks on joining EU. Neatkariga, Diena, Jauna Avize

The leader of

Peoples Party A.Skele, answering to the questions about PPs position on the referendum, said that Peoples Party was for adopting the amendments although opinions differ not only within one party but even in one family. But such a large political organization as PP would have a decisive role on the outcome of the referendum. So the party had to form its opinion. Speaking on the possible situation after the amendments were adopted or abolished, Skele said that public integration might not be decided by the question of 18 000 children of non-citizens. It will be decided by what amount the politicians, responsible for implementation of corresponding legal acts and concerning them, will ensure it. If there were no concrete action program that PP stands for, it would not be possible to answer the question if these amendments would make Latvia more Latvian. The answer could be positive only in the case when PP s program is realized and when training in state financed secondary and higher education institutions is carried out in Latvian. A.Skele also said that Peoples Party planed to explain its position on the referendum during their election campaign . Diena