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

The Board of

The Board of LC in a secret ballot passed a vote of confidence to two its members - Prime Minister V.Kristopans and Director General of the Privatisation Agency J.Naglis. The Chairman of LC A.Pantelejevs said that if the both persons respect the decision of the Board they should try to co-operate. Neatkariga, Diena, Jauna Avize, Chas, SM, Bizness & Baltiya

The Cabinet of Ministers has postponed for three months the population census, and the new date will be March 31, 2000.

Neatkariga LC member A.Gorbunovs agreed to run for presidency and explained this decision with not being able to avoid responsibility endlessly and ignore the decisions of the party Board and congress, as well as the promises given to the electors. At the same time he stated that he did not have much hope for being elected.

LC member A.Gorbunovs agreed to run for presidency and explained this decision with not being able to avoid responsibility endlessly and ignore the decisions of the party Board and congress, as well as the promises given to the electors. At the same time he stated that he did not have much hope for being elected. Neatkariga, Diena, Jauna Avize, Chas

President G.Ulmanis considers that, disregarding the dismissal of the Minister of Economics A.Slesers, V.Kristopans’s government should continue working. He acknowledged that the government should act more decisively in such a situation.

President G.Ulmanis considers that, disregarding the dismissal of the Minister of Economics A.Slesers, V.Kristopanss government should continue working. He acknowledged that the government should act more decisively in such a situation. Neatkariga

The Director of Human Rights Institute, LU I.Ziemele writes in

The Director of Human Rights Institute, LU I.Ziemele writes in Diena that people have realised the success of public integration, stability and future development of the state to depend on the solution of the language problem. And it is evident that there are no ready remedies because the state language policy in Western counties has been formed in different time and environment. Diena

The Saeima European Affairs Commission stated that there were many vague juridical points and inaccuracies in the draft language law, therefore it might be necessary to exchange it structure. The Commission plans to discuss exact proposals that would not be political. The draft law is being prepared for the final reading, and the Commission head E.Inkens stressed that there was no special need for rush.

The Saeima European Affairs Commission stated that there were many vague juridical points and inaccuracies in the draft language law, therefore it might be necessary to exchange it structure. The Commission plans to discuss exact proposals that would not be political. The draft law is being prepared for the final reading, and the Commission head E.Inkens stressed that there was no special need for rush. Diena

Evaluating the possible duration of the public integration process in Estonia, two thirds of Estonians and half of non-Estonians admit that even in 2025 non-Estonians will live in their territories and study in their own schools separately from Estonians. A public opinion poll showed that more than 25 years would be needed to carry out the integration process.

Evaluating the possible duration of the public integration process in Estonia, two thirds of Estonians and half of non-Estonians admit that even in 2025 non-Estonians will live in their territories and study in their own schools separately from Estonians. A public opinion poll showed that more than 25 years would be needed to carry out the integration process. Diena

Minister of Foreign Affairs V.Birkavs, during his meeting with his Russian counterpart I.Ivanov, proposed to sign the already prepared agreements. But the Minister is not very optimistic about such a possibility because it was just a proposal.

Minister of Foreign Affairs V.Birkavs, during his meeting with his Russian counterpart I.Ivanov, proposed to sign the already prepared agreements. But the Minister is not very optimistic about such a possibility because it was just a proposal. Jauna Avize

After his visit to Russia, Birkavs hold a press briefings about the results and the future of bilateral relations. He did not think that these relations could be influenced by Latvia’s position on Kosovo, rather by the draft language law. Latvia should take care to make this law corresponding to international standards. And the most time during the negotiations with I.Ivanov was spent on this issue. The next visit of the Minister will be to the USA.

After his visit to Russia, Birkavs hold a press briefings about the results and the future of bilateral relations. He did not think that these relations could be influenced by Latvias position on Kosovo, rather by the draft language law. Latvia should take care to make this law corresponding to international standards. And the most time during the negotiations with I.Ivanov was spent on this issue. The next visit of the Minister will be to the USA. Diena (Russian version)

The newspaper

The newspaper SM verified the information on the possible visit of I.Ivanov to Latvia in Moscow and got a confirmation that this official would come to Riga after one month.

A DCMA working group has completed its work on the draft law on domicile registration. The law establishes a new procedure how the residents’ domiciles should be declared and registered, at the same time abolishing the current domicile registration system. Thus the human right of free motion within the state would be insured according to European standards.

A DCMA working group has completed its work on the draft law on domicile registration. The law establishes a new procedure how the residents domiciles should be declared and registered, at the same time abolishing the current domicile registration system. Thus the human right of free motion within the state would be insured according to European standards. Jauna Avize, Panorama Latvii, Bizness & Baltiya

Jauna Avize interviewed the leader of the union of left wing parties A.Rubiks. Among other things said, he predicted that V.Kristopans’s government would last no longer than 8 - 12 months.

Jauna Avize interviewed the leader of the union of left wing parties A.Rubiks. Among other things said, he predicted that V.Kristopanss government would last no longer than 8 - 12 months.

Bizness & Baltiya

tried to calculate the possible future leaders of the state. According to this newspaper, if A.Gorbunovs becomes the President, R.Zîle or J.Naglis could take the post of the Prime Minister and the post of the Speaker would be given to a tried to calculate the possible future leaders of the state. According to this newspaper, if A.Gorbunovs becomes the President, R.Zîle or J.Naglis could take the post of the Prime Minister and the post of the Speaker would be given to a People’s PartyPeoples Party member. But there is a doubt that A.Gorbunovs could receive a majority vote. In such a case the three leading parties: member. But there is a doubt that A.Gorbunovs could receive a majority vote. In such a case the three leading parties: People’s PartyPeoples Party, , Latvijas CelsLatvijas Cels and TB/LNNK would have to trade and three new leaders could appear - V.Birkavs as the President, A.Gorbunovs as the Speaker and R.Zile as the Prime Minister. and TB/LNNK would have to trade and three new leaders could appear - V.Birkavs as the President, A.Gorbunovs as the Speaker and R.Zile as the Prime Minister. T.Judina came to the editor’s office of

T.Judina came to the editors office of Panorama Latvii and told he following story. She had been working as a janitor for 15 years, but one day a neighbour sent a complain about her state language knowledge to the State Language Inspection. The officials reacted immediately and called Ms.Judina on phone, informing that they would come to inspect her language skills. The poor woman was afraid to fail this test, and remembering the time when she had to pay for the test from her miniature wage - 50 Ls before taxes, did not feel very happy. But the very idea that a janitor should be requested the state language knowledge seemed strange to her. Panorama Latvii