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

Yesterday the leader of the People’s Party Andris Skele informed about the resolution of the Board of the party to invite the Fatherland and Freedom to bilateral talks about the formation of the coalition. Maris Grinblats, leader of the Fatherland and Freedom, told journalists that in government forming process a lot will depend on an agreement between the People’s Party and the Latvian Way. At the same time, the leader of the Latvian Way Andrejs Pantelejevs does not see any fundamental contradictions between the Latvian Way, For Fatherland and Freedom and the New Party that would hinder the formation of the government. However, last night the board of the Latvian Way adopted a resolution stating that if the Fatherland and Freedom insists on amending the Citizenship Law by ignoring the outcome of the referendum, the talks about formation of a coalition with this party will bring no results. At a meeting of representatives of the Fatherland and Freedom and the Latvian Way yesterday Mr. Juris Dobelis explained the position of the party and said that what the party actually meant was to have a control over the naturalization process. According to Vilis Kristopans, the Latvian Way agreed with this notion in principle.

Yesterday the leader of the Peoples Party Andris Skele informed about the resolution of the Board of the party to invite the Fatherland and Freedom to bilateral talks about the formation of the coalition. Maris Grinblats, leader of the Fatherland and Freedom, told journalists that in government forming process a lot will depend on an agreement between the Peoples Party and the Latvian Way. At the same time, the leader of the Latvian Way Andrejs Pantelejevs does not see any fundamental contradictions between the Latvian Way, For Fatherland and Freedom and the New Party that would hinder the formation of the government. However, last night the board of the Latvian Way adopted a resolution stating that if the Fatherland and Freedom insists on amending the Citizenship Law by ignoring the outcome of the referendum, the talks about formation of a coalition with this party will bring no results. At a meeting of representatives of the Fatherland and Freedom and the Latvian Way yesterday Mr. Juris Dobelis explained the position of the party and said that what the party actually meant was to have a control over the naturalization process. According to Vilis Kristopans, the Latvian Way agreed with this notion in principle. Rigas Balss, SM, Chas, Neatkariga

Chascomments the announcement of the Fatherland and Freedom about the possible amendments to the Citizenship Law, and a reaction of the Latvian Way to that. The Latvian Way not only supported an idea of formation of some type of commissions supervising the naturalization process, but also agreed to participate in this project. Parties agreed. The law will not be amended. Europe will be satisfied. And the percentage of citizens naturalized by the next elections will not undermine the political stability of the national state.

Commenting the government forming process, Janis Ikstens argues that there are two realistic possibilities: the first, coalition of the Latvian Way, New Party, People’s Party and For Fatherland and Freedom, and the second, coalition of the Latvian Way, Poeple’s Party and For Fatherland and Freedom. The Latvian Way supports the first variant which would ensure bigger party’s influence in the new government. For the People’s Party more acceptable would be a three rather than a four party coalition. It seems that the Fatherland and Freedom holds similar opinion. Janis Ikstens argues that the Fatherland and Freedom will play a decisive role in the government forming process.

Commenting the government forming process, Janis Ikstens argues that there are two realistic possibilities: the first, coalition of the Latvian Way, New Party, Peoples Party and For Fatherland and Freedom, and the second, coalition of the Latvian Way, Poeples Party and For Fatherland and Freedom. The Latvian Way supports the first variant which would ensure bigger partys influence in the new government. For the Peoples Party more acceptable would be a three rather than a four party coalition. It seems that the Fatherland and Freedom holds similar opinion. Janis Ikstens argues that the Fatherland and Freedom will play a decisive role in the government forming process. Rigas Balss

On Tuesday the Prime Minister Guntars Krasts demanded a resignation of the Defence Minister Talavs Jundzis. As a main reason for that was named inability of the minister to carry out his responsibilities. The Defence Minister agreed to resign.

On Tuesday the Prime Minister Guntars Krasts demanded a resignation of the Defence Minister Talavs Jundzis. As a main reason for that was named inability of the minister to carry out his responsibilities. The Defence Minister agreed to resign. Diena

Yesterday the new US Ambassador in Latvia James H. Holmes presented his credentials to the Latvian State President. The ambassador also handed over letters of US President Bill Clinton and State Secretary Madelein Albright in which they acknowledge close co-operation and friendly relationship between Latvia and the United States. In his letter the US President pledged to help Latvia with the implementation of the Citizenship Law. The State Secretary, in her turn, informed that the US will co-operate with the OSCE in order to ensure that the work to be done in the spheres of language, education and labor legislature is accomplished as soon as possible.

Yesterday the new US Ambassador in Latvia James H. Holmes presented his credentials to the Latvian State President. The ambassador also handed over letters of US President Bill Clinton and State Secretary Madelein Albright in which they acknowledge close co-operation and friendly relationship between Latvia and the United States. In his letter the US President pledged to help Latvia with the implementation of the Citizenship Law. The State Secretary, in her turn, informed that the US will co-operate with the OSCE in order to ensure that the work to be done in the spheres of language, education and labor legislature is accomplished as soon as possible. Diena

In the first six months of 1998 the Migration Service of the Russian Federation has registered 891 persons who have moved for permanent residence to Russia from the Baltic State, including 343 persons from Latvia. According to the Migration Service, almost all these persons have moved “under pressure” and only two persons from Latvia have been granted a refugee status.

In the first six months of 1998 the Migration Service of the Russian Federation has registered 891 persons who have moved for permanent residence to Russia from the Baltic State, including 343 persons from Latvia. According to the Migration Service, almost all these persons have moved under pressure and only two persons from Latvia have been granted a refugee status. Diena

Residence permits (service visas) of 40 military persons currently working on dismantling of the Skrunda Radar Station, will be prolonged, Deputy Director of the DCMA Andris Lejins informed BNS

Residence permits (service visas) of 40 military persons currently working on dismantling of the Skrunda Radar Station, will be prolonged, Deputy Director of the DCMA Andris Lejins informed BNS. Jauna Avize

Panorama Latvii publishes an interview with Mr. Jan Sorensen, UNDP resident representative in Latvia, in which he informs about spheres of UNDP activities in Latvia, like assistance in development of an efficient system of the state administration and solution of social problems created by the transition to the market economy. Mr. Sorensen also emphasises the importance of the State Language Training Program developed and implemented by the UNDP.

The Movement “For Equality” invites everybody who supports “true integration” participate in a picket tomorrow when the Saeima will be considering the Education Law in final reading.

The Movement For Equality invites everybody who supports true integration participate in a picket tomorrow when the Saeima will be considering the Education Law in final reading. Panorama Latvii