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

Latvian President G.Ulmanis is an optimist an thinks that even if at the EU Council meeting in Vienna on December 11 and 12 it will not be announced when Latvia is able to start discussions on joining this organisation, it will be invited for discussions in 1999.

Latvian President G.Ulmanis is an optimist an thinks that even if at the EU Council meeting in Vienna on December 11 and 12 it will not be announced when Latvia is able to start discussions on joining this organisation, it will be invited for discussions in 1999. Neatkariga, Jauna Avize

Prime Minister V.Kristopans chose yesterday the minister of Agriculture from the six candidates offered by the

Prime Minister V.Kristopans chose yesterday the minister of Agriculture from the six candidates offered by the Social Democrats and it was P.Salkazanovs. V.Kristopans also announced that there could be created a post of the Minister of State Administration Reform, Local Government and Forest Affairs. Neatkariga, Diena

OSCE experts are coming to Latvia today to inspect the dismantling of Skrunda Radar Station. As MFA Press Secretary T.Baumanis said, it would be the first inspection concerned with dismantling. Representatives from France, Norway and Great Britain will examine also the influence of dismantling activities upon the environment and station security. Mr.Baumanis added that Latvian MFA was satisfied with the job done so far by the Russia party and had no complaints.

OSCE experts are coming to Latvia today to inspect the dismantling of Skrunda Radar Station. As MFA Press Secretary T.Baumanis said, it would be the first inspection concerned with dismantling. Representatives from France, Norway and Great Britain will examine also the influence of dismantling activities upon the environment and station security. Mr.Baumanis added that Latvian MFA was satisfied with the job done so far by the Russia party and had no complaints. Neatkariga, Jauna Avize

Foreign ministers of EU member states, after examining the EC report on progress made by the candidate states, did not suggest to invite any more candidates for discussion. From the wording of the final document of this meeting one can guess that it is not planned to evaluate progress made in any of the second group candidate states.

Foreign ministers of EU member states, after examining the EC report on progress made by the candidate states, did not suggest to invite any more candidates for discussion. From the wording of the final document of this meeting one can guess that it is not planned to evaluate progress made in any of the second group candidate states. Diena

At the TB/LNNK Saeima faction meeting, Andrejs Pozarnovs was unanimously elected the Chairman of the faction.

At the TB/LNNK Saeima faction meeting, Andrejs Pozarnovs was unanimously elected the Chairman of the faction. Jauna Avize

Latvian, Lithuanian and Estonian

Latvian, Lithuanian and Estonian Social Democrats stressed during a meeting with their Western partners in Stockholm that integration of the Baltic states into EU should proceed simultaneously. Latvian Social Democrats intend to realise their ideas very actively by participating in several Saeima Commissions. They have some very experienced foreign affairs specialists working in Saeima European and Foreign Affairs Commissions , as well as in the Presidium of the Saeima therefore they have real possibilities to influence the foreign policy of Latvia. Jauna Avize

Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs V.Birkavs met with his Russian counterpart I.Ivanov during the meeting of ministers of foreign affairs of the OSCE member states. Both ministers agreed that the activities of the intergovernmental commission should be resumed, as well as the relations of MPs of both countries - developed. The ministers discussed preparation of their possible meeting either in Moscow or in Riga.

Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs V.Birkavs met with his Russian counterpart I.Ivanov during the meeting of ministers of foreign affairs of the OSCE member states. Both ministers agreed that the activities of the intergovernmental commission should be resumed, as well as the relations of MPs of both countries - developed. The ministers discussed preparation of their possible meeting either in Moscow or in Riga. Rigas Balss (07.12.98)

“I can not imagine any other European state that would favor so much the right of minorities to receive elementary and secondary education in their mother tongue,” announced Latvian President G.Ulmanis during his presentation in Copenhagen University. He explained Danish students that Latvia was not a mono-ethnic country, therefore the Republic of Latvia took into account also the interests of national minorities in the field of education. G.Ulmanis also announced that they have started to work on creation of a NEW NATION.

I can not imagine any other European state that would favor so much the right of minorities to receive elementary and secondary education in their mother tongue, announced Latvian President G.Ulmanis during his presentation in Copenhagen University. He explained Danish students that Latvia was not a mono-ethnic country, therefore the Republic of Latvia took into account also the interests of national minorities in the field of education. G.Ulmanis also announced that they have started to work on creation of a NEW NATION. SM

Minister of Foreign Affairs V.Birkavs, while participating in the conference “ How secure are the Baltic states?”, spoke very much about Latvian - Russian relations. He did not hide that this was due to the policy of the new government which had announced this direction as a priority one. And this government intends to conduct a dialogue on very pragmatic base - with no historic and ideological prejudices.

Minister of Foreign Affairs V.Birkavs, while participating in the conference How secure are the Baltic states?, spoke very much about Latvian - Russian relations. He did not hide that this was due to the policy of the new government which had announced this direction as a priority one. And this government intends to conduct a dialogue on very pragmatic base - with no historic and ideological prejudices. SM

SM

interviews A.Prieditis, Director of Daugavpils Centre of Multinational Culture, about his ideas on the national program for integrating national minorities. Mr.Prieditis is positive about the idea as such and finds there some new things and statements. One of them is the statement that Latvia is a multi-cultural state. But he disagrees with the idea that the Latvian language should play the main role in the process of integration. interviews A.Prieditis, Director of Daugavpils Centre of Multinational Culture, about his ideas on the national program for integrating national minorities. Mr.Prieditis is positive about the idea as such and finds there some new things and statements. One of them is the statement that Latvia is a multi-cultural state. But he disagrees with the idea that the Latvian language should play the main role in the process of integration. SMSM Already in August, activists of the Society of Russians in Latvia announced signing up for the Latvian language training courses. Interest was huge. There were 90 applicants on the first day and in total - 700 people. Mostly they were teachers from schools and kindergartens who felt threat to be dismissed from their job for not knowing the Latvian language. But it turned out that there would be no financing for this program. SRiL activists addressed the Head of UNDP Mr. Sorensen for explanations and describe things experienced in the UNDP office.

Already in August, activists of the Society of Russians in Latvia announced signing up for the Latvian language training courses. Interest was huge. There were 90 applicants on the first day and in total - 700 people. Mostly they were teachers from schools and kindergartens who felt threat to be dismissed from their job for not knowing the Latvian language. But it turned out that there would be no financing for this program. SRiL activists addressed the Head of UNDP Mr. Sorensen for explanations and describe things experienced in the UNDP office. SM

Panorama Latvii

writes about certification process of Russian speaking teachers as a humiliation and a real ban on profession. writes about certification process of Russian speaking teachers as a humiliation and a real ban on profession.