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

It seems that the State President has requested V.Kristopans and A.Skele to stop their fighting for the post of the Prime Minister. Now, when these two parties have realised that the choice should be left to the President, more important becomes a question about the possible co-operation in the coalition basing on programmatic documents - i.e. whether they are able to write a declaration where one article does not contradict to any other.

It seems that the State President has requested V.Kristopans and A.Skele to stop their fighting for the post of the Prime Minister. Now, when these two parties have realised that the choice should be left to the President, more important becomes a question about the possible co-operation in the coalition basing on programmatic documents - i.e. whether they are able to write a declaration where one article does not contradict to any other. Neatkariga interviewed V.Kristopans and the Secretary General of PP G.Berzins. V.Kristopans told journalists that there should be three main topics in the declaration: 1) to determine the most urgent steps to favour Latvian integration into EU; 2) how to limit the impact of the world economic crises on the economy of Latvia; 3) to have an education system that would ensure that those Latvian citizens who have received their citizenship in accordance with this referendum would know the Latvian language upon the moment of receiving their passports. In his turn, G.Berzins said that Peoples Partys most important concern of the new government should be the budget of 1999 because it had been elaborated disregarding the real situation. Neatkariga

Representatives of Latvian MFA meet with experts from several foreign countries to agree on re-admission of illegal immigrants. The first meeting was with Polish delegation, and there are planned meetings with Spanish and Portuguese delegations.

Representatives of Latvian MFA meet with experts from several foreign countries to agree on re-admission of illegal immigrants. The first meeting was with Polish delegation, and there are planned meetings with Spanish and Portuguese delegations. Neatkariga

Director General of the National Privatisation Agency J.Naglis announced on Wednesday that if left wing parties were included in the government, it could create obstacles for privatisation of large enterprises. This announcement followed the information about a meeting of

Director General of the National Privatisation Agency J.Naglis announced on Wednesday that if left wing parties were included in the government, it could create obstacles for privatisation of large enterprises. This announcement followed the information about a meeting of Social Democrat J.Adamsons with the Mayor of Venspils A.Lembergs, whom J.Adamsons has already named as a possible candidate for the post of the Prime Minister. Also A.Pantelejevs has commented on the role modern Social Democrats in Europe, making newspapers to wonder why Latvijas Cels could prefer Social Democrats to Peoples Party. One of the possible explanations was the influence of those party sponsors - enterprises of Venspils and Parex Bank on politicians to keep A.Skele away from the government. Diena

The Chairman of the Saeima Commission on Education, Culture and Science Dz.Abikis evaluates the activities of the Commission during the 6th Saeima and suggests things the next Commission should start with.

The Chairman of the Saeima Commission on Education, Culture and Science Dz.Abikis evaluates the activities of the Commission during the 6th Saeima and suggests things the next Commission should start with. Rigas Balss

The Head of Naturalization board E.Aldermane speaks about the conception of the national integration program that has been completed. This program consists of 10 sub-programs. The most important is the education program, next comes the language program, followed by the culture, citizenship issues, repatriation and migration, etc. programs. E.Aldermane acknowledges that work on this integration program has been started seven years too late - if it were started on time, most of problems could have been solved already.

The Head of Naturalization board E.Aldermane speaks about the conception of the national integration program that has been completed. This program consists of 10 sub-programs. The most important is the education program, next comes the language program, followed by the culture, citizenship issues, repatriation and migration, etc. programs. E.Aldermane acknowledges that work on this integration program has been started seven years too late - if it were started on time, most of problems could have been solved already. Fokuss

Also Russian version of

Also Russian version of Diena publishes an interview with E.Aldermane where she tells about the new functions and perspectives for the Naturalisation Board, opened by the last amendments to the Law on Citizenship.

B.Treimanis in

B.Treimanis in Diena writes about the language situation in Latvia. He finds the referendum and all the discussions on the status of the state language only one part of the problem, because due to the real situation, when many foreign businesses are coming to Latvia, a person should now at least 3 - 4 languages. But Latvian education system is not able to produce secondary school graduates knowing even one foreign language, thus denying them a possibility to compete in the world labour market. But the very learning of a language is not enough, it should be practised. Therefore very important is a tolerant attitude towards language mistakes in the society. Diena (Russian version)

A representative of

A representative of Latvijas Cels, Saeima Secretary I.Berzins, answering to the questions of Panorama Latvii, said that a possibility for A.Skele to take part in formation of the new government was very little after the last consultations because already five parties had expressed their support or at least did not have any objections to V.Kristopans as the future Prime Minister. Panorama Latvii

Yesterday’s to be “marathon” Saeima session was closed after a half an hour. On the agenda there was the question of granting citizenship for special merits. This was blocked by nationally orientated deputies, who, revenging for the outcome of the referendum, did not vote and the Speaker was forced to close the meeting and announce a break.

Yesterdays to be marathon Saeima session was closed after a half an hour. On the agenda there was the question of granting citizenship for special merits. This was blocked by nationally orientated deputies, who, revenging for the outcome of the referendum, did not vote and the Speaker was forced to close the meeting and announce a break. Panorama Latvii