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 Report

Press Report

The leader of Social Democrats J. Bojars explains why during the discussion of opposition factions about their further activities concerning the referendum on the pension law the decision was taken not to try to avoid the referendum. The representatives of these parties came to a conclusion that they had no authority to stop the referendum when so many people voted for it, and now it was for the nation to decide about the pension system.

The leader of Social Democrats J. Bojars explains why during the discussion of opposition factions about their further activities concerning the referendum on the pension law the decision was taken not to try to avoid the referendum. The representatives of these parties came to a conclusion that they had no authority to stop the referendum when so many people voted for it, and now it was for the nation to decide about the pension system. Neatkariga

US President B.Clinton and Norway Prime Minister K.M.Bondevik promised to continue their support for the Baltic States in the future and pointed out the importance of integration and participation of these states in European and transatlantic structures. The leaders also promised to continue supporting the language training programs in Latvia and Estonia.

US President B.Clinton and Norway Prime Minister K.M.Bondevik promised to continue their support for the Baltic States in the future and pointed out the importance of integration and participation of these states in European and transatlantic structures. The leaders also promised to continue supporting the language training programs in Latvia and Estonia. Neatkariga

The Cabinet of Ministers confirmed the list of delegates who will represent Latvia in the negotiations on joining EU. There will be representatives from 24 different ministries, and the leader of the delegation will be the MFA Deputy State Secretary A.Kesteris.

The Cabinet of Ministers confirmed the list of delegates who will represent Latvia in the negotiations on joining EU. There will be representatives from 24 different ministries, and the leader of the delegation will be the MFA Deputy State Secretary A.Kesteris. Neatkariga, Diena

Yesterday the Cabinet of Ministers decided to establish a consultative council that would co-ordinate the national foreign economical policy. One of the main tasks of this council would be to elaborate a common policy and collect information.

Yesterday the Cabinet of Ministers decided to establish a consultative council that would co-ordinate the national foreign economical policy. One of the main tasks of this council would be to elaborate a common policy and collect information. Neatkariga

Lithuanian parliamentarians unanimously supported the sea border agreement with Latvia, and now it is up to the Seim to vote for the ratification of this agreement.

Lithuanian parliamentarians unanimously supported the sea border agreement with Latvia, and now it is up to the Seim to vote for the ratification of this agreement. Neatkariga

BNS informed that the Deputy Chairman of Defence Committee of the Russian National Council A.Arbatov stood for increasing military troops in the West part of Russia if the Baltic States would join NATO.

BNS informed that the Deputy Chairman of Defence Committee of the Russian National Council A.Arbatov stood for increasing military troops in the West part of Russia if the Baltic States would join NATO. Neatkariga

Russian Embassy in Riga sent a note of protest to the Latvian MFA concerning the started court proceedings against some Russian citizens. Ambassador Udaltsov says that a wish for revenge has gained the upper hand over common sense and attempts to consolidate the society.

Russian Embassy in Riga sent a note of protest to the Latvian MFA concerning the started court proceedings against some Russian citizens. Ambassador Udaltsov says that a wish for revenge has gained the upper hand over common sense and attempts to consolidate the society. Neatkariga, Panorama Latvii

The National Language Training Program Latvian has broadcasted new Latvian language training programs on Latvian TV2, Latvian Radio Channel 2 and Internet. The NLTR Head A.Priedite says that it is an illusion to hope that one could master the language with these programs, but they are interesting and not didactic and could give a positive motivation to learn the language more profoundly.

The National Language Training Program Latvian has broadcasted new Latvian language training programs on Latvian TV2, Latvian Radio Channel 2 and Internet. The NLTR Head A.Priedite says that it is an illusion to hope that one could master the language with these programs, but they are interesting and not didactic and could give a positive motivation to learn the language more profoundly. Diena

National Language Training Program organised a discussion how to create a positive motivation for learning the Latvian language. In the discussion participated the representatives of the Program and different public organisations, officials and teachers. Before the discussion the Program presented their new teaching programs.

National Language Training Program organised a discussion how to create a positive motivation for learning the Latvian language. In the discussion participated the representatives of the Program and different public organisations, officials and teachers. Before the discussion the Program presented their new teaching programs. Diena

On Tuesday the Lithuania Seim ratified with a huge majority the border agreement with Russia. The agreement determines the land border, as well as exclusive borders of economic zones and divides the continental shelf in the Baltic Sea.

On Tuesday the Lithuania Seim ratified with a huge majority the border agreement with Russia. The agreement determines the land border, as well as exclusive borders of economic zones and divides the continental shelf in the Baltic Sea. Diena

The Director of National Human Rights and Ethnic Research Centre N.Muiznieks thinks that the issue of ratification of the General Convention on Protection of National Minorities could become more important with the adoption of the Language law. According to N.Muiznieks after the adoption of the Language law the international pressure could increase, thus furthering the process of ratification.

The Director of National Human Rights and Ethnic Research Centre N.Muiznieks thinks that the issue of ratification of the General Convention on Protection of National Minorities could become more important with the adoption of the Language law. According to N.Muiznieks after the adoption of the Language law the international pressure could increase, thus furthering the process of ratification. Diena

The Latvian language Olympiad of schools of national minority took place yesterday. A journalist, talking with the participants and their teachers, learned that the Latvian language did not create special problems for pupils. Methodologist of Central Region School Board I.Gudevica acknowledged that there present situation could not be compared with the situation five years ago.

The Latvian language Olympiad of schools of national minority took place yesterday. A journalist, talking with the participants and their teachers, learned that the Latvian language did not create special problems for pupils. Methodologist of Central Region School Board I.Gudevica acknowledged that there present situation could not be compared with the situation five years ago. Diena

Tomorrow Latvian Parliament will consider the draft law “On the budget of 2000” and amendments to the 33 line laws. According to the information received by the Newspaper

Tomorrow Latvian Parliament will consider the draft law On the budget of 2000 and amendments to the 33 line laws. According to the information received by the Newspaper Bizness & Baltiya, contradictions arose in the positions of TB/LNNK and Peoples Party already in the Commissions where this law was discussed. As it seems, Latvijas Cels will have to act as the mediator between these two parties.

The representative of TB/LNNK J.Dobelis has come to a conclusion that Russia is just threatening and will not impose sanctions against Latvia. He made this statement at the conference of the Council of Parliaments.

The representative of TB/LNNK J.Dobelis has come to a conclusion that Russia is just threatening and will not impose sanctions against Latvia. He made this statement at the conference of the Council of Parliaments. Vesti Segodnya