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 provisions of the draft language law concerning the use of the language at the public events and in open announcements raised most disagreements between the Saeima deputies and the OSCE experts, the head of the Saeima Standing Committee on Education Dz. Abikis told the press. The OSCE experts support the free choice of the language used at the public events which are not organised by the state or municipal institutions. The Saeima deputies, on contrary, think that the Latvian language should be used at all public events or if a foreign language is used, the translation into the state language should be provided.

The provisions of the draft language law concerning the use of the language at the public events and in open announcements raised most disagreements between the Saeima deputies and the OSCE experts, the head of the Saeima Standing Committee on Education Dz. Abikis told the press. The OSCE experts support the free choice of the language used at the public events which are not organised by the state or municipal institutions. The Saeima deputies, on contrary, think that the Latvian language should be used at all public events or if a foreign language is used, the translation into the state language should be provided.
Concerning open announcements, advertisements and information, the OSCE experts suggest alongside the texts in the Latvian language to allow the translation into the foreign language, while some deputies believe that the public information forms the language environment and therefore it should be only in the state language. Mr. Abikis admits that the Saeima and the OSCE might no have the same opinion concerning these issues. According to Mr. Abikis, compromises are possible on other issues. For example, the phrase where there is the legitimate public interest could be included in the provisions about the knowledge and use of the Latvian language for employees. As Mr. Abikis told Neatkariga, more successful formulation of these provisions would satisfy the experts.

As the language specialist I. Druviete told

As the language specialist I. Druviete told Diena, the OSCE experts look at the draft law only from the legal aspect, but the socio-linguistic and political aspects should be also taken into account. Diena, Neatkariga

SM writes that the mission of the OSCE experts who arrived to prevent Latvia from the international scandal might turn out to be a failure, since there are doubts that the OSCE recommendations would be taken into account when adopting the draft language law. SM

The foreign investors working in Latvia believe that the adoption of the draft language law in the present version will create financial burden and administrative obstacles to foreign enterpreneurship in Latvia. It will in turn, cause the price rise or lower salaries for employees.

The foreign investors working in Latvia believe that the adoption of the draft language law in the present version will create financial burden and administrative obstacles to foreign enterpreneurship in Latvia. It will in turn, cause the price rise or lower salaries for employees. Diena

Dienain Russian publishes the interview with the Head of the OSCE Mission to Latvia David Johnson.

At the meeting of the representatives of the party For Human Rights with the Russian deputies from the party Jabloko the provisions of the draft language law, concept document of the State Integration Program, as well as the Russian-Latvian relations were discussed.

At the meeting of the representatives of the party For Human Rights with the Russian deputies from the party Jabloko the provisions of the draft language law, concept document of the State Integration Program, as well as the Russian-Latvian relations were discussed. Neatkariga

Co-chairman of the Union of the Ukrainians in Latvia V. Stroy comments the chapter on Information of the concept document of the State Integration Program and argues that it only discusses the integration of ethnic minorities and ignores the integration of other social groups. The Union of the Ukrainians in Latvia believe that this concept documents is not acceptable and offers its participation in the drafting new version.

Co-chairman of the Union of the Ukrainians in Latvia V. Stroy comments the chapter on Information of the concept document of the State Integration Program and argues that it only discusses the integration of ethnic minorities and ignores the integration of other social groups. The Union of the Ukrainians in Latvia believe that this concept documents is not acceptable and offers its participation in the drafting new version. Panorama Latvii

According to the regulations adopted by the Cabinet of Ministers non-citizen who will leave Latvia for the permanent residence in a foreign country, will receive compensation of the travel expenses and the allowance to obtain the apartment in the foreign country. The regulations will come into effect on 1 January 2001.

According to the regulations adopted by the Cabinet of Ministers non-citizen who will leave Latvia for the permanent residence in a foreign country, will receive compensation of the travel expenses and the allowance to obtain the apartment in the foreign country. The regulations will come into effect on 1 January 2001. SM

In the interview for the SM, Director of the Lithuanian Department on Emigration and National Minority Affairs R. Motuzas argues that the Lithuanian school in Latvia needs the state support the Lithuanian school in Latvia in order to survive.

In the interview for the SM, Director of the Lithuanian Department on Emigration and National Minority Affairs R. Motuzas argues that the Lithuanian school in Latvia needs the state support the Lithuanian school in Latvia in order to survive. SM

The students of the Driceni secondary school who are winners of the competition for the pupils “Towards the Civil Society” organised by the Naturalisation Board, believe that the social integration in Latvia is a long term process, and it will be more successful if by using the bilingual teaching methods schools gradually introduce the instruction only in the state language. The Head of the Naturalisation Board Eizenija Aldermane said that 20% of schools that participated in the competition were schools with the Russian as the language of instruction. She believes that if such a competition will be organised following years, more non-Latvian schools will take part in it.

The students of the Driceni secondary school who are winners of the competition for the pupils Towards the Civil Society organised by the Naturalisation Board, believe that the social integration in Latvia is a long term process, and it will be more successful if by using the bilingual teaching methods schools gradually introduce the instruction only in the state language. The Head of the Naturalisation Board Eizenija Aldermane said that 20% of schools that participated in the competition were schools with the Russian as the language of instruction. She believes that if such a competition will be organised following years, more non-Latvian schools will take part in it. Diena