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 OSCE Permanent Council prolonged the mandate of the OSCE Mission to Latvia until 30 June 1999, the Latvian Foreign Affairs Ministry informs. An identical decision was passed concerning the OSCE Mission to Estonia.

The OSCE Permanent Council prolonged the mandate of the OSCE Mission to Latvia until 30 June 1999, the Latvian Foreign Affairs Ministry informs. An identical decision was passed concerning the OSCE Mission to Estonia. Diena

Maris Grinblats, a leader of the

Maris Grinblats, a leader of the For Fatherland and Freedom, told the press that social democrats support to the government of Vilis Kristopans gives a possibility to decision making institutions of the Fatherland and Freedom to revise a negative attitude towards the Union of Social Democrats.Chas in Mondays issue speculates that it is possible that today (30 November) government forming fractions will agree to ask the Union of Social Democrats to nominate their candidates for posts of the Minister of Agriculture and the State Minister of Higher Education and Science. Still, Maris Grinblats insists that leaders of the social democrats who have collaborated with the KGB, should not be included in the government. Besides, no coalition agreement will be signed with the social democrats. Diena, Chas

Concerning a chapter on education, several persons related with education sphere told that the declaration does not provide clear answers on how the stated problems will be solved. In the declaration, it is stated that in order to ensure that everybody who finishes primary school knows the language, qualitative instruction of the Latvian language shall be provided. However, the declaration does not explain how to attain this goal. Minister of Education Janis Gaigals promised 

Concerning a chapter on education, several persons related with education sphere toldthat the declaration does not provide clear answers on how the stated problems will be solved. In the declaration, it is stated that in order to ensure that everybody who finishes primary school knows the language, qualitative instruction of the Latvian language shall be provided. However, the declaration does not explain how to attain this goal. Minister of Education Janis Gaigals promisedDiena that in a half of a month everything will be made more clear. The governmental policy does not say much also about the state language policy. The declaration does not state a term by which the Law on State Language should be adopted, said Dzintars Abikis.

The Russian Foreign Affairs Ministry has positively evaluated statements by the Latvian Prime Minister Vilis Kristopans to work on improvement of the Latvian - Russian relations. Vladimir Rahmanin, official representative of the Russian MFA, expressed a hope that these statements will be proved by particular deeds, since Latvia is aware of Russia’s priorities. Deputy Director of administration of the Russian State President, Sergey Prihodko told SM that Russia has certain optimism related with the new government of Latvia and hopes that it will carefully deal with a solution of problems of Latvian -Russian relationship.

The Russian Foreign Affairs Ministry has positively evaluated statements by the Latvian Prime Minister Vilis Kristopans to work on improvement of the Latvian - Russian relations. Vladimir Rahmanin, official representative of the Russian MFA, expressed a hope that these statements will be proved by particular deeds, since Latvia is aware of Russias priorities. Deputy Director of administration of the Russian State President, Sergey Prihodko told SM that Russia has certain optimism related with the new government of Latvia and hopes that it will carefully deal with a solution of problems of Latvian -Russian relationship. Diena, SM

The State President Guntis Ulmanis in an interview for the Russian newspaper Komersant said that during the last months the Latvian-Russian relations have improved, and he completely supports further talks between two countries. In the same interview, Guntis Ulmanis stated that the amendments to the Citizenship Law should have been adopted three four years later when the society would have been ready for it. According to the Press Secretary of the President Vita Savicka, what the President meant by saying it, was that the amendments were adopted fast and without wide discussion in the society.

The State President Guntis Ulmanis in an interview for the Russian newspaper Komersant said that during the last months the Latvian-Russian relations have improved, and he completely supports further talks between two countries. In the same interview, Guntis Ulmanis stated that the amendments to the Citizenship Law should have been adopted three four years later when the society would have been ready for it. According to the Press Secretary of the President Vita Savicka, what the President meant by saying it, was that the amendments were adopted fast and without wide discussion in the society. Diena

On Friday the Baltic Assembly rejected a proposal of the Russian-Belorussian Assembly to meet in order to discuss a possibility for the Baltic States to join the Commonwealth of the Independent States. The Latvian Foreign Affairs Ministry told DIENA that Latvia’s goal is to join the EU, while the accession to the CIS is not included in the foreign affairs conception of Latvia.

On Friday the Baltic Assembly rejected a proposal of the Russian-Belorussian Assembly to meet in order to discuss a possibility for the Baltic States to join the Commonwealth of the Independent States. The Latvian Foreign Affairs Ministry told DIENA that Latvias goal is to join the EU, while the accession to the CIS is not included in the foreign affairs conception of Latvia. Diena