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

In the discussions of three leading parties a tendency was observed that the representatives of Peoples Party make a pressure on TB/LNNK to keep J.Naglis as the Head of the Privatisation Agency. People’s Party is ready to do more than Latvijas Cels whose member J.Naglis is. According to one version the real reason for this is the position of TB/LNNK to replace Naglis. People’s Party lately had consultations with the faction For Human Rights in United Latvia and New Party, and it could prove that a new model of A.Skele’s government is under construction, leaving TB/LNNK outside the coalition.

In the discussions of three leading parties a tendency was observed that the representatives of Peoples Party make a pressure on TB/LNNK to keep J.Naglis as the Head of the Privatisation Agency. Peoples Party is ready to do more than Latvijas Cels whose member J.Naglis is. According to one version the real reason for this is the position of TB/LNNK to replace Naglis. Peoples Party lately had consultations with the faction For Human Rights in United Latvia and New Party, and it could prove that a new model of A.Skeles government is under construction, leaving TB/LNNK outside the coalition. Neatkariga,

TB/LNNK leader M.Grinblats admitted a possibility that if the candidate, proposed by Minister of Economics V.Makarovs, would not be adopted there was a possibility to achieve the dismissal of the Minister from his post.

TB/LNNK leader M.Grinblats admitted a possibility that if the candidate, proposed by Minister of Economics V.Makarovs, would not be adopted there was a possibility to achieve the dismissal of the Minister from his post. Diena

Today Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs I.Berzins is going to visit Norway to discuss the political and economical co-operation of both countries.

Today Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs I.Berzins is going to visit Norway to discuss the political and economical co-operation of both countries. Neatkariga

The Commission on the CIS matters and Compatriots of the Russian National Council started to prepare in the third reading the draft law on imposing sanctions on Latvia for violating the rights of Russian citizens and compatriots. And some other com-missions started to become active in this field. Thus, N.Bezborodov from MPs group “Russian Regions” warned Russian society of his intention to submit for discussion a question on a serious necessity to reconsider the whole complex of political and economic relations with Latvia and Estonia.

The Commission on the CIS matters and Compatriots of the Russian National Council started to prepare in the third reading the draft law on imposing sanctions on Latvia for violating the rights of Russian citizens and compatriots. And some other com-missions started to become active in this field. Thus, N.Bezborodov from MPs group Russian Regions warned Russian society of his intention to submit for discussion a question on a serious necessity to reconsider the whole complex of political and economic relations with Latvia and Estonia. Vesti Segodnya

Answering to this I.Berzins announced that one should not overestimate the role of Russian National Council, and President and the Government have more possibilities to form Russia’s foreign policy. In an interview to the Latvian Radio I.Berzins acknowledged that Russian President and Government had more possibilities to establish good relations or make a pressure on some country. The Minister repeated that until Presidential election nothing would change in Latvian – Russian relations.

Answering to this I.Berzins announced that one should not overestimate the role of Russian National Council, and President and the Government have more possibilities to form Russias foreign policy. In an interview to the Latvian Radio I.Berzins acknowledged that Russian President and Government had more possibilities to establish good relations or make a pressure on some country. The Minister repeated that until Presidential election nothing would change in Latvian – Russian relations. Neatkariga

The Saeima faction Latvijas Cels deputy H.Soldatyonoka after discussions with the leaders of the party and faction decided not to leave the faction and continue her work in the faction.

The Saeima faction Latvijas Cels deputy H.Soldatyonoka after discussions with the leaders of the party and faction decided not to leave the faction and continue her work in the faction. Neatkariga

Although the leaders of the New Party do not anticipate breaking up of the party, the existing contradictions could damage the unity of the Saeima faction and turn the party to an unreliable coalition partner. The Chairman of the Board A.Slesers denies that changes in the composition of the Board were made after his agreement with Prime Minister A.Skele to have to 2 minister posts in the Government. The Party Chairman R.Pauls acknowledged that there were two camps in the Party. On Tuesday the Saeima faction leader S.Dreimane refused to act in the Board and replace I.Udre who had left the board. Also the Party Press Secretary D.Balode decided to quit her post due to moral reasons.

Although the leaders of the New Party do not anticipate breaking up of the party, the existing contradictions could damage the unity of the Saeima faction and turn the party to an unreliable coalition partner. The Chairman of the Board A.Slesers denies that changes in the composition of the Board were made after his agreement with Prime Minister A.Skele to have to 2 minister posts in the Government. The Party Chairman R.Pauls acknowledged that there were two camps in the Party. On Tuesday the Saeima faction leader S.Dreimane refused to act in the Board and replace I.Udre who had left the board. Also the Party Press Secretary D.Balode decided to quit her post due to moral reasons. Diena, Jauna Avize, Respublika

On Thursday the Saeima will have to discuss once more whether to include in the Saeima Commission investigating paedophilia case representatives of Peoples Party. The Chairman of this Commission J.Adamsons said that it could be possible only in the Saeima would prolong the authority of the Commission that terminated on February 15.

On Thursday the Saeima will have to discuss once more whether to include in the Saeima Commission investigating paedophilia case representatives of Peoples Party. The Chairman of this Commission J.Adamsons said that it could be possible only in the Saeima would prolong the authority of the Commission that terminated on February 15. Diena

Ukrainian Government decided to expand the usage of the Ukrainian language and decrease the usage of the Russian language in some different spheres. The draft decree of the Cabinet of Ministers “On additional steps to enlarge the functions of the Ukrainian – state language” was accepted by the Presidential Language Policy Council.

Ukrainian Government decided to expand the usage of the Ukrainian language and decrease the usage of the Russian language in some different spheres. The draft decree of the Cabinet of Ministers On additional steps to enlarge the functions of the Ukrainian – state language was accepted by the Presidential Language Policy Council. Diena

S.Belugina in

S.Belugina in Vesti Segodnya writes about the Lithuanian experience in solving national minorities issues basing it on the presentations of Lithuanian experts at the seminar organised in Liepaja Integration through culture and education. Comparing it with the situation in Liepaja, she states that Latvian authorities practice policy discriminating part of the local society – national minorities.

The first political opinion poll of 2000 showed that the belief in political parties represented in the Saeima was falling. Comparing to the situation in December, the most popular – Peoples Party lost 0.8% supporters, TB/LNNK – 0.3%, Latvijas Cels – 1.6%. Only Social Democrats increased their popularity for 1.8%.

The first political opinion poll of 2000 showed that the belief in political parties represented in the Saeima was falling. Comparing to the situation in December, the most popular – Peoples Party lost 0.8% supporters, TB/LNNK – 0.3%, Latvijas Cels – 1.6%. Only Social Democrats increased their popularity for 1.8%. Respublika

Yesterday Russian Ambassador to Estonia A.Gluhov made an announcement in which he advised not to celebrate the 70th anniversary of Tartus Peace Treaty. “It was a treaty between Bolshevistic Russia and Estonia, in which the Government of Lenin recognised the independence of former Province and handed over to the newly formed state part of Russian territories of Pskov Region and Narva (Zanarovye).

Yesterday Russian Ambassador to Estonia A.Gluhov made an announcement in which he advised not to celebrate the 70th anniversary of Tartus Peace Treaty. It was a treaty between Bolshevistic Russia and Estonia, in which the Government of Lenin recognised the independence of former Province and handed over to the newly formed state part of Russian territories of Pskov Region and Narva (Zanarovye). Bizness & Baltiya

Political scientist A.Vasilyev writes about the situation within Latvijas Cels and states that the last half a year was not lucky for it. They lost the post of the Prime Minister, then barely made into the Government. Now the mutiny of the younger generation party member – H.Soldatyonova, the decision of former Prime Minister V.Kristopans to leave active politics and the fight with Peoples Party to keep J.Naglis as the head of the Privatisation Agency. He finds that all talks about breaking up the Party to be over exaggerated.

Political scientist A.Vasilyev writes about the situation within Latvijas Cels and states that the last half a year was not lucky for it. They lost the post of the Prime Minister, then barely made into the Government. Now the mutiny of the younger generation party member – H.Soldatyonova, the decision of former Prime Minister V.Kristopans to leave active politics and the fight with Peoples Party to keep J.Naglis as the head of the Privatisation Agency. He finds that all talks about breaking up the Party to be over exaggerated. Bizness & Baltiya