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 Minister of Transportation A. Gorbunovs who yesterday returned from the official visit to Moscow, thinks that the turning point in the Latvian-Russian relations have been achieved, since he believes that the meeting with the Russian Co-chairman of the intergovernmental committee R. Abdulatipov was successful. This time the Russian side in the person of Mr. R. Abdulatipov had not presented any political requirements and problems. “It, of course, does not mean that during the work process the Russian side will not raise the political questions, but they will be solved during the normal discussion,” Mr. Gorbunovs told journalists.

The Minister of Transportation A. Gorbunovs who yesterday returned from the official visit to Moscow, thinks that the turning point in the Latvian-Russian relations have been achieved, since he believes that the meeting with the Russian Co-chairman of the intergovernmental committee R. Abdulatipov was successful. This time the Russian side in the person of Mr. R. Abdulatipov had not presented any political requirements and problems. It, of course, does not mean that during the work process the Russian side will not raise the political questions, but they will be solved during the normal discussion, Mr. Gorbunovs told journalists. Neatkariga, Jauna Avize, Panorama Latvii

The fraction

The fraction For Human Rights has prepared several amendments to the Law on Education which has recently been opened for amendments related with the financing of the pre-school education institutions. MP Jakov Pliner told SM, that the fraction proposes to include into the law a provision guaranteeing the right to obtain education in the languages of the national minorities at the state and municipal schools. Besides, the fraction suggests to establish an institution within the Ministry of Education which would deal with the issues of the minority education. The main proposal, however, is that the Ministry of Education might only recommend what disciplines it would be advisable to teach in the Latvian language. The fraction For Human Rights hopes to attract the attention of the experts of the Council of Europe and OSCE who will visit Riga on 4-5 May to discuss the draft language law, also to these issues. SM

Only 64 children born after the restoration of the independence have been granted the Latvian citizenship at the request of their parents, even though some 20 000 children have such a right. The organization of the referendum concerning this issue cost almost 400, 000 Lats. Still, the initiators of the referendum -

Only 64 children born after the restoration of the independence have been granted the Latvian citizenship at the request of their parents, even though some 20 000 children have such a right. The organization of the referendum concerning this issue cost almost 400, 000 Lats. Still, the initiators of the referendum - the For Fatherland and Freedom - think that they fought for the principle and it paid off. Diena

According to the information provided by the Head of the Naturalisation Board E. Aldermane, the percentage of the applicants who have failed the naturalisation exams in Daugavpils last month has reached 23%. The applicants mainly fail the language exam. Speaking about the transition to the education in Latvian as the language of instruction, Mr. Aldermane said that the subjects in schools should be taught only in the good Latvian language. If it is impossible, it is, then, better not to teach in Latvian at all.

According to the information provided by the Head of the Naturalisation Board E. Aldermane, the percentage of the applicants who have failed the naturalisation exams in Daugavpils last month has reached 23%. The applicants mainly fail the language exam. Speaking about the transition to the education in Latvian as the language of instruction, Mr. Aldermane said that the subjects in schools should be taught only in the good Latvian language. If it is impossible, it is, then, better not to teach in Latvian at all. SM

Lauku Avize publishes the full text of the proposals for the 3rd reading of the draft language law submitted to the Saeima Standing Committee on Education by the Prime Minister V. Kristopans.

Lauku Avize also interviews the Chair of the Standing Committee on Education Dzintars Abikis concerning the proposals to the draft language law. Mr. Abikis thinks that Mr. van der Stoel and other advisors should be heard out, because Latvia should go to Europe, but Latvia cannot simply yield as the Latvian government has done concerning the language issue.