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

Announcing the official results of collecting signatures to initiate referendum against privatization of Latvenergo electricity utility, the head of the central Election Committee submitted to the President of the State the draft law against privatization of Latvenergo. The total number of signatures was 307,330 which is twice as much as1/10 of the voters necessary to start a referendum. The government will try to offer an alternative solution, however, it was not reached during weeks of negotiations.

Announcing the official results of collecting signatures to initiate referendum against privatization of Latvenergo electricity utility, the head of the central Election Committee submitted to the President of the State the draft law against privatization of Latvenergo. The total number of signatures was 307,330 which is twice as much as1/10 of the voters necessary to start a referendum. The government will try to offer an alternative solution, however, it was not reached during weeks of negotiations. Diena, Neatkariga, Chas

President Freiberga believes that it is not necessary for her to get involved in the process of developing language regulations. In the radio interview yesterday she said that the matter of the State Language Law should not be the subject for discussions; the regulations should be specific and clear, otherwise they can be a challenge for corruption among civil servants. The regulations should not be burdensome and difficult to apply. УI think that the law should further strengthening of the status of Latvian language and not to cause negative reactions. Diena, Lauku Avоze, Vesti, Chas, Panorama Latvii

President Freiberga believes that it is not necessary for her to get involved in the process of developing language regulations. In the radio interview yesterday she said that the matter of the State Language Law should not be the subject for discussions; the regulations should be specific and clear, otherwise they can be a challenge for corruption among civil servants. The regulations should not be burdensome and difficult to apply. УI think that the law should further strengthening of the status of Latvian language and not to cause negative reactions. Diena, Lauku Avоze, Vesti, Chas, Panorama Latvii

The conference of the worldТs Russian-language press editors and reporters has earned attention of high-ranking Latvian authorities. The conference will be opened by the Prime Minister Andris Bзrziтр, President Freiberga will receive representatives of the conference in her Jыrmala residence, RigaТs Mayor will invite to festive dinner. President Freiberga recognized the conference as important and by receiving the guests wants to state that Latvia is interested to have interesting and democratic press editions in Russian and allow the development of Russian culture as any other culture of ethnic minorities. During the radio interview she said that the press editions in Latvian and in Russian represent quite different spaces of information which is not good for society integration.

The conference of the worldТs Russian-language press editors and reporters has earned attention of high-ranking Latvian authorities. The conference will be opened by the Prime Minister Andris Bзrziтр, President Freiberga will receive representatives of the conference in her Jыrmala residence, RigaТs Mayor will invite to festive dinner. President Freiberga recognized the conference as important and by receiving the guests wants to state that Latvia is interested to have interesting and democratic press editions in Russian and allow the development of Russian culture as any other culture of ethnic minorities. During the radio interview she said that the press editions in Latvian and in Russian represent quite different spaces of information which is not good for society integration. Diena, Chas, Panorama Latvii

The government committee yesterday accepted the draft law on declaring the place of residence that provides for giving up the current system of registration at the place of residence. The draft law provides that a person will have to declare his/her main place of residence at the town authority. The information will be entered in residentsТ register. The law is supposed to become effective as of July 1, 2001.

The government committee yesterday accepted the draft law on declaring the place of residence that provides for giving up the current system of registration at the place of residence. The draft law provides that a person will have to declare his/her main place of residence at the town authority. The information will be entered in residentsТ register. The law is supposed to become effective as of July 1, 2001. Diena, Jauna Avоie, Chas

The government committee supported the amendments to the law on foreigners and stateless persons entering and staying in the territory of Latvia. The amendments state that permanent residence permits will be issued to foreigners who had permanent registration in the Republic of Latvia after July 1 of 1992 with a condition that at the moment of requesting the permit they are registered in residentsТ register and have declared their main place of residence in the territory of Latvia. Jaunв Avоze

The government committee supported the amendments to the law on foreigners and stateless persons entering and staying in the territory of Latvia. The amendments state that permanent residence permits will be issued to foreigners who had permanent registration in the Republic of Latvia after July 1 of 1992 with a condition that at the moment of requesting the permit they are registered in residentsТ register and have declared their main place of residence in the territory of Latvia. Jaunв Avоze

A team of school-children from Smiltene, the winners of the competition УOn the Way to Civil SocietyФ organized by the Naturalization Board and other institutions, won a trip to Check Republic.

A team of school-children from Smiltene, the winners of the competition УOn the Way to Civil SocietyФ organized by the Naturalization Board and other institutions, won a trip to Check Republic. Diena

Lauku Avize looks at the main organizers of rallies against the language regulations, like Tatjana Zdanoka, Viktors Alksnis, Feliks Kacs, Alfreds Rubiks, and their activities 10 years ago as activists of Interfront, an organization that fought against independence of Latvia and for returning to the Soviet Union.

Chas

publishes the results of the telephone interview with the Education Minister Karlis Greiskalns when readers of publishes the results of the telephone interview with the Education Minister Karlis Greiskalns when readers of ChasChas could call and ask questions directly: about bilingual education, plans concerning payment for university education, etc. could call and ask questions directly: about bilingual education, plans concerning payment for university education, etc.