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

Recent statements of a candidate for a post of Prime Minister Vilis Kristopans show that he is disposed towards a minority government which would be supported by 46 deputies. Mr. Kristopans is sure that it will be a stable government. Juris Bojars, a leader of Union of Social Democrats, told press that his party will not support a minority government, if Social democrats do not hold posts in the new government. During the talks on Monday, Mr. Kristopans has offered social democrats to have posts of some State Ministers, as well as a post in the National Human Rights office.

Recent statements of a candidate for a post of Prime Minister Vilis Kristopans show that he is disposed towards a minority government which would be supported by 46 deputies. Mr. Kristopans is sure that it will be a stable government. Juris Bojars, a leader of Union of Social Democrats, told press that his party will not support a minority government, if Social democrats do not hold posts in the new government. During the talks on Monday, Mr. Kristopans has offered social democrats to have posts of some State Ministers, as well as a post in the National Human Rights office. Diena

Procurator’s Office has repeatedly accused a deputy of the 7th Saeima Janis Adamsons (Union of the Social Democrats) of being a staff member of the KGB, and has filed a case to the court. If a court rules in favour of the Procurator’s Office, Janis Adamsons will loose his mandate of the Saeima deputy. Janis Adamsons denies his collaboration with the KGB.

Procurators Office has repeatedly accused a deputy of the 7th Saeima Janis Adamsons (Union of the Social Democrats) of being a staff member of the KGB, and has filed a case to the court. If a court rules in favour of the Procurators Office, Janis Adamsons will loose his mandate of the Saeima deputy. Janis Adamsons denies his collaboration with the KGB. Diena

Latvia continues receiving congratulation letters on the 80th anniversary of proclamation of its independence from high officials of foreign countries and leaders of international organisations including. Congratulation has come from presidents of India, Israel, Slovenia, Korea, as well as the HM Queen Elizabeth II of the Great Britain and the Northern Ireland.

Latvia continues receiving congratulation letters on the 80th anniversary of proclamation of its independence from high officials of foreign countries and leaders of international organisations including. Congratulation has come from presidents of India, Israel, Slovenia, Korea, as well as the HM Queen Elizabeth II of the Great Britain and the Northern Ireland. Neatkariga

Panorama Latvii publishes a comment of a director of Legal Department of the Naturalisation Board Vitaly Rutkovky about provisions of the Citizenship Law concerning restrictions on naturalisation. Panorama Latvii

Rigas Balss interviews the Chair of the Saeima Commission on Human Rights Antons Seiksts and the Chair of the Commission on Education, Culture and Science Dzintars Abikis about their future work in commissions. For Antons Seiksts, the first thing will be to ensure implementation of the Law on Protection of the Rights of Child. Secondly, there will be work on revising of legislative acts and bringing them in conformity with the Constitution and international conventions. For Dzintars Abikis, the work on a package of Education laws, including Law on Vocational Education, Law on General Education, and, possibly, Law on Education for Adults, needs to be completed.

Rigas Balss interviews the Chair of the Saeima Commission on Human Rights Antons Seiksts and the Chair of the Commission on Education, Culture and Science Dzintars Abikis about their future work in commissions. For Antons Seiksts, the first thing will be to ensure implementation of the Law on Protection of the Rights of Child. Secondly, there will be work on revising of legislative acts and bringing them in conformity with the Constitution and international conventions. For Dzintars Abikis, the work on a package of Education laws, including Law on Vocational Education, Law on General Education, and, possibly, Law on Education for Adults, needs to be completed. Rigas Balss

In an interview for 

In an interview forDiena in Russian the State President Guntis Ulmanis said that Latvia has always been an European country, and democratic principles have always been a basis for its existence. Besides, Latvia has always been a country with a multinational culture. I am glad that interethnic tension which characterised Latvia in the first years after regaining of independence, is reduced. There are more disagreements concerning the integration issues among politicians than among people, Guntis Ulmanis said. Speaking of the amendments to the Citizenship Law the State President stressed that they are more than just four amendments. They witness changes in thinking. Answering a question about the Education Law the State President said that sooner or later the Education law will be implemented. The law is correct, and everything will depend on how the Ministry of Education and the government will implement it.. (full text of the interview is enclosed). Diena