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

Former Minister of Economics A.Slesers after his firing from the government announced that the state was led by A.Lembergs but not by V.Kristopans and proved his statement.

Former Minister of Economics A.Slesers after his firing from the government announced that the state was led by A.Lembergs but not by V.Kristopans and proved his statement. LC Chairman A.Pantelejevs finds this action of Slesers unacceptable and regards it as a revenge for losing his post. On the other hand, the opposition leader A.Skele said that these events had proved V.Kristopanss incapability to lead the government and that the government had always depended on outside influence. Anybody who would agree to take the post of the Minister of Economics would agree to work in a puppet government. To avoid this situation Peoples Party has taken a decision to pass a vote of non-confidence to the government. Although the ruling coalition has the majority in the Saeima, A.Skele assured that most of the deputies had conscience. Neatkariga, Jauna Avize, Diena, Bizness & Baltiya, Chas, Panorama Latvii

In Russian version of

In Russian version of Diena A.Skele published an article explaining the policy of Peoples Party. They consider it is a high time for V.Kristopans to step down and let PP to form the new government.

This week a meeting of the ministers of Foreign Affairs from the Nordic and Baltic states and Russia would take place in Saint Petersburg to discuss different issues. Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs V.Birkavs told the Latvian Radio that he planned to meet his Russian colleague I.Ivanov to discuss the bilateral relations.

This week a meeting of the ministers of Foreign Affairs from the Nordic and Baltic states and Russia would take place in Saint Petersburg to discuss different issues. Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs V.Birkavs told the Latvian Radio that he planned to meet his Russian colleague I.Ivanov to discuss the bilateral relations. Neatkariga. Diena, Jauna Avize, Panorama Latvii

Prime Minister V.Kristopans signed the decree of dismissal of the Minister of Economics A.Slesers and Parliamentary Secretary A.Tocs not waiting for the 48 hours stipulated by the coalition agreement. The opinions of

Prime Minister V.Kristopans signed the decree of dismissal of the Minister of Economics A.Slesers and Parliamentary Secretary A.Tocs not waiting for the 48 hours stipulated by the coalition agreement. The opinions of New Party politicians whether to remain in the government differ, but the rest of the government forming factions are sure that NP will stick to the coalition. A meeting of the representatives of the New Party and Latvijas Cels took place on Tuesday night, and A.Pantelejevs commenting this meeting, said that the both parties were interested in keeping this government. A.Pantelejevs stressed that it would be necessary to enlarge the coalition, by inviting Social Democrats as full-fledged members, and conclude a new coalition agreement. Tevzemei un Brivibai/LNNK is not ready for such a step yet. They have to see what course will be chosen by the Social Democrats at their party congress on May 29. Diena

Peoples Party

leader A.Skele announced that PP was ready to organize a referendum on the state language law should the OSCE recommendations were adopted. While meeting with the voters, he promised not to allow the amendments, proposed by the OSCE, to be adopted. Diena

About 200 000 non-citizens have not applied to receive their non-citizen passports and about 100 000 of them will not do it till the beginning of the next year. They will have no valid ID because the former USSR passports would become invalid. But these people will have no problems to receive passports even after this date.

About 200 000 non-citizens have not applied to receive their non-citizen passports and about 100 000 of them will not do it till the beginning of the next year. They will have no valid ID because the former USSR passports would become invalid. But these people will have no problems to receive passports even after this date. Diena

The social issues working groups of the intergovernmental Latvian - Russian commission restarted their activities in Moscow on Wednesday. The experts discussed the agreement on co-operation in the social welfare issues.

The social issues working groups of the intergovernmental Latvian - Russian commission restarted their activities in Moscow on Wednesday. The experts discussed the agreement on co-operation in the social welfare issues. Diena

In the nearest future a government formed working group will announce a tender on printing new citizen passports and other IDs necessary for traveling. The Director of MFA Consular Department S.Mellupe told the news agency Leta, the working group would prepare the tender regulations by May 15 and by October 1 they had to submit the results of this tender to the government.

In the nearest future a government formed working group will announce a tender on printing new citizen passports and other IDs necessary for traveling. The Director of MFA Consular Department S.Mellupe told the news agency Leta, the working group would prepare the tender regulations by May 15 and by October 1 they had to submit the results of this tender to the government. Diena

S.Mihailov in

S.Mihailov in Panorama Latvii comments the results of the TV discussion of Latvian top politicians on the national program of integration. A.Seikts thinks that the lines of people at the offices of the Naturalisation Board is an evidence that these people are integrated, Dz.Abikis sees the main goal of integration in including non-Latvians into the Latvian environment. J.Jurkans perceives integration as something suggested by some Western experts otherwise Latvia could have problems in joining EU. The author comes to a conclusion that the tops would like integration , but the bottoms (Latvians themselves) have many reasons to dislike it. And the other part of the population has their experiences making them to be cautious about it. Panorama Latvii