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 State President Guntis Ulmanis met with representatives of the

Yesterday the State President Guntis Ulmanis met with representatives of the Latvian Way, Peoples Party and For Fatherland and Freedom. After the meeting the State President told journalists that he believes in a possibility to form a majority government consisting of these three parties plus the New Party. According to Mr. Ulmanis, Latvian Way, Peoples Party and For Fatherland and Freedom do not have serious contradictions concerning programmatic issues. Speaking of a candidate for the post of the Prime Minister, Mr. Ulmanis said that besides already named candidates - Vilis Kristopans and Andris Skele, he sees other possible nominees whose names he did not reveal. The State President is sure that on 3 November he will be able to name a candidate for the post of Prime Minister. Diena

Yesterday the Saeima adopted the Law on Education according to which in state or municipal education institutions education will be acquired in the state language. During the session approximately 50 people were picketing outside the parliament demanding the right to acquire education in the Russian language.

Yesterday the Saeima adopted the Law on Education according to which in state or municipal education institutions education will be acquired in the state language. During the session approximately 50 people were picketing outside the parliament demanding the right to acquire education in the Russian language. SM comments provisions of the Law related with the language of exams. It is unclear whether student will have to take an exam of the Russian literature in the Latvian language. Diena, SM

Yesterday the Saeima also adopted amendments to the Law on Mass Media according to which all foreign films will have to be dubbed or provided with subtitles in the state language. Furthermore, the number of programs which are broadcasted in a foreign language will be reduced to 25 % of all programs. Until now, 30 % of programs were broadcasted in foreign languages.

Yesterday the Saeima also adopted amendments to the Law on Mass Media according to which all foreign films will have to be dubbed or provided with subtitles in the state language. Furthermore, the number of programs which are broadcasted in a foreign language will be reduced to 25 % of all programs. Until now, 30 % of programs were broadcasted in foreign languages. Diena

The Saeima adopted a declaration about the Latvian legionnaires in the Second World War. An initiator of the declaration Janis Maulins said that several world mass media unfairly turned against a commemoration event of the Latvian legionnaires in March of 1998. In the declaration it is stated that two totalitarian states the USSR and Germany, by turns, occupied Latvia, and by violating international agreements, conscripted citizens of the occupied country. Forced presence in the Latvian legion which was fighting on the side of the German Armed forces, did not depend on the Latvian citizens. The Latvian legion did not participate in punitive actions against civilians, did not fight against anti-fascist coalition, but only against the Soviet Union, the declaration states.

The Saeima adopted a declaration about the Latvian legionnaires in the Second World War. An initiator of the declaration Janis Maulins said that several world mass media unfairly turned against a commemoration event of the Latvian legionnaires in March of 1998. In the declaration it is stated that two totalitarian states the USSR and Germany, by turns, occupied Latvia, and by violating international agreements, conscripted citizens of the occupied country. Forced presence in the Latvian legion which was fighting on the side of the German Armed forces, did not depend on the Latvian citizens. The Latvian legion did not participate in punitive actions against civilians, did not fight against anti-fascist coalition, but only against the Soviet Union, the declaration states. B&B calls this document an aggressively declarative. The newspaper argues that there are no doubts that this declaration will draw the Russias attention and also attention of Western countries. SM states that by adopting such a declaration, the Latvian parliamentarians question the verdict of the Nuremberg trial. Diena, B&B

20, 800 Russian military pensioners residing in Latvia have not received their pensions starting September. Advisor of the Russian Embassy in Latvia Vladimir Ivanov told BIZNES&BALTIYA; that due to a economic crisis in Russia the transferring of money for pensions has been delayed, but he assured that the payments will start no later than next Tuesday.

20, 800 Russian military pensioners residing in Latvia have not received their pensions starting September. Advisor of the Russian Embassy in Latvia Vladimir Ivanov told BIZNES&BALTIYA that due to a economic crisis in Russia the transferring of money for pensions has been delayed, but he assured that the payments will start no later than next Tuesday. B&B

Yesterday the speaker of the Saeima Alfreds Cepanis presented a memorial medal with a picture of the Saeima to the head of the OSCE Mission Richard Samuel. He expressed a hope that the co-operation with the OSCE will continue to be prolific also in the future.

Yesterday the speaker of the Saeima Alfreds Cepanis presented a memorial medal with a picture of the Saeima to the head of the OSCE Mission Richard Samuel. He expressed a hope that the co-operation with the OSCE will continue to be prolific also in the future. Chas

There will be no delay in opening of a refugee centre “Mucenieki” at the end of October or beginning of November. A couple days ago the government approved statutes of the centre.

There will be no delay in opening of a refugee centre Mucenieki at the end of October or beginning of November. A couple days ago the government approved statutes of the centre. Neatkariga