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

Valdis Birkavs, Chair of “

Valdis Birkavs, Chair of Latvijas Cels, criticizes the plan proposed by Prime-Minister Andris Skele, according to which fractions should submit candidates for the vacant ministerial offices for the Prime-Ministers approval by August 4. Otherwise, the Prime-Minister himself would name the candidates. According to Birkavs, the Prime-Minister does not understand what parliamentary democracy means. He also expresses doubts that this plan could actually solve the governmental crisis. Ziedonis Cevers, Chair of Democratic Party Saimnieks, expresses incomprehension about the Prime-Ministers readiness to accept the resigned ministers as new candidates. Latvian Farmers Union has decided to start consultations with other parties, having in mind a possibility to form a government with a politically responsible Prime-Minister. Diena

DIENA (in Latvian) informs that the Cabinet has decided to work out a draft for amendments in Naturalization regulations that would incorporate the following principles: to lower the naturalization fees for students of state and technical schools, and for persons of limited means, as well as to lessen the period between the first and repeated exams.

DIENA (in Latvian) informs that the Cabinet has decided to work out a draft for amendments in Naturalization regulations that would incorporate the following principles: to lower the naturalization fees for students of state and technical schools, and for persons of limited means, as well as to lessen the period between the first and repeated exams.

Sixty draftees intensively study Latvian in the draftee-camp Licupe. A three week course of the Latvian language for draftees in the Latvian Army was worked out by specialists of the UNDP State Language Program and was sponsored by the UN. Almost all draftees who are taking this course come from Daugavpils, Preili, Ludza and Riga where the majority of the population speak Russian. As one of the teachers, Uldis Svinks, told “DIENA”, although it is impossible to learn Latvian within 21 days, the draftees will acquire the basics of spoken language as well as military terminology in Latvian. Mr. Svinks also stressed that the draftees have a positive attitude toward this course.

Sixty draftees intensively study Latvian in the draftee-camp Licupe. A three week course of the Latvian language for draftees in the Latvian Army was worked out by specialists of the UNDP State Language Program and was sponsored by the UN. Almost all draftees who are taking this course come from Daugavpils, Preili, Ludza and Riga where the majority of the population speak Russian. As one of the teachers, Uldis Svinks, told DIENA, although it is impossible to learn Latvian within 21 days, the draftees will acquire the basics of spoken language as well as military terminology in Latvian. Mr. Svinks also stressed that the draftees have a positive attitude toward this course.

TAVA BALSS, a local newspaper of Valka District, writes about the visit of OSCE Mission to Latvia representatives Mr. Falk Lange and Mr. Martin Jensen to Valka on Wednesday, July 16. The representatives have noted that the situation in Valka and Valga was more complicated than on the Latvian-Lithuanian border. The conclusion was that this situation had not only created inconveniences for inhabitants of Valka and Valga, but also had made obstacles for Valka’s development.

TAVA BALSS, a local newspaper of Valka District, writes about the visit of OSCE Mission to Latvia representatives Mr. Falk Lange and Mr. Martin Jensen to Valka on Wednesday, July 16. The representatives have noted that the situation in Valka and Valga was more complicated than on the Latvian-Lithuanian border. The conclusion was that this situation had not only created inconveniences for inhabitants of Valka and Valga, but also had made obstacles for Valkas development. Tava Balss