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

Yesterday party discussions on forming the new government gave no result. J.Bojars, a representative of

Yesterday party discussions on forming the new government gave no result. J.Bojars, a representative of Social Democrats announced to journalists that LSDA was ready to participate in the government only on the grounds of proportionate representation. But the leader of New Party A.Slesers assured that all participating parties had agreed not to discuss ministerial posts until the State President nominated a candidate for the post of the Prime Minister and an agreement of government coalition model was made. A.Pantelejevs, LC, said that Skele people had not answered to their main question whether Peoples Party was ready to participate in V.Kristopans government and that without an agreement on an exact candidate for the post of Prime Minister it was not possible to construct any abstract theories on ideology, etc. Similar were A.Skeles words, he assured that Latvijas Cels had not answered to their question whether LC wanted to see Social Democrats in the new government. Speaking about the current situation he said, Situation when three right wing parties can not agree and start normal discussion, is an evidence of the high level of political corruption in Latvia. TB/LNNK representative J.Straume stated that these discussions were constructive but not productive. In such a complicated situation TB/LNNK would evaluate this situation and make a decision on their future tactics during the Board meeting on October 31. Neatkariga, Diena, Jauna Avize, Chas, SM, Panorama Latvii, Bizness & Baltiya

Commentator V.Hermanis interviews Estonian scientist Klara Hallik, who is famous for her research on ethnic minorities and state policy concerning public integration issues. Ms.Hallik spoke about Estonian national integration program that was started to take away the obstacles preventing non-Estonians to participate in public life. The main target group of this program is children and youth. Although Estonians have preserved some psychological separateness, but there are no signs of increasing negativism from the side of Russians, they ethnically loyal but indifferent.

Neatkariga Majority of citizen would prefer a coalition of

Majority of citizen would prefer a coalition of PP, TB/LNNK and Latvijas Cels instead of Latvijas Cels, TB/LNNK , NP, and LSDA. This was found out in a public poll made by Baltic Data House. The most often named candidates for the post of Prime Minister were A.Skele and V.Kristopans. Diena

LC

Chairman A.Pantelejevs said after the consultations of parties on Tuesday that Latvijas Cels candidate to the post of Prime Minister from V.Kristopans would sum up all proposals received from parties about claim for posts in the Saeima and government and would give his opinion on the possible composition of the government. Seeing that consolations had come to a deadlock, Latvijas Cels proposed the parties, represented in the 7th Saeima, to keep aloof from forming the government agreeing just on the posts in the Saeima Presidium and commissions. Upon a proposal of the 6th Saeima Secretary of I.Berzins, representatives of all elected parties will come together next Monday to agree on the procedure how to select candidates to the Saeima Presidium, commission heads and distribute offices for factions. Diena

K.Zagorovskaya writes about the situation of the Russian language in Latvia. The attitude towards it has changed - it is no more the language of occupants but an international language. Many Latvian school students choose it as the second foreign language. But this language is driven out of office work and terminology, remaining a language of one of the minorities.

K.Zagorovskaya writes about the situation of the Russian language in Latvia. The attitude towards it has changed - it is no more the language of occupants but an international language. Many Latvian school students choose it as the second foreign language. But this language is driven out of office work and terminology, remaining a language of one of the minorities. Chas

N.Evteyev, Head of the Social Maintenance Section of Russian Embassy explained the situation with pension payments. The section is busy to cover debts for September, and there is not enough hard currency to pay all pensions. It is possible that in October these payments could be delayed.

N.Evteyev, Head of the Social Maintenance Section of Russian Embassy explained the situation with pension payments. The section is busy to cover debts for September, and there is not enough hard currency to pay all pensions. It is possible that in October these payments could be delayed. Panorama Latvii