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

Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga has chosen the former head of prime minister’s office Martins Bondars to head her office, the journalist and poet Rimants Ziedonis to become her press secretary, the former Environment State Minister Inese Vaidere to advise her on political and economic issues.

Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga has chosen the former head of prime ministers office Martins Bondars to head her office, the journalist and poet Rimants Ziedonis to become her press secretary, the former Environment State Minister Inese Vaidere to advise her on political and economic issues.

After draft amendments developed by the Welfare Ministry and submitted to the government July 26, pension age for both men and women possibly will be gradually raised to 62 years increasing it by 6 months every January 1.

After draft amendments developed by the Welfare Ministry and submitted to the government July 26, pension age for both men and women possibly will be gradually raised to 62 years increasing it by 6 months every January 1.

Diena runs an article about the plans of the new Justice Minster Valdis Birkavs in his office. Naturalisation Board is one of the institutions under supervision of the Justice Ministry. The minister wants to strengthen the institution and change its structure by putting in one hands all issues related to ethnic minorities. By this September the concept of the state program Society Integration In Latvia should be finished and submitted to the government so that by the end of the year specific draft programs can be developed and the concept turns into real activity. Also, Justice Ministry will be responsible for developing the necessary regulations after the State Language Law is passed this autumn.

Central Election Committee in co-operation with the regional newspapers has started a survey by asking people to fill in questionnaires in order to find out the public opinion about several issues related to elections. The first questionnaire will be published in the regional newspapers in the last week of July. The questions will be about accessibility of information during election time. The next questionnaires will be published to find out the opinion about the election system and referendum. The Committee plans to keep the dialogue with the constituents till the local government elections scheduled for March of 2001.

Central Election Committee in co-operation with the regional newspapers has started a survey by asking people to fill in questionnaires in order to find out the public opinion about several issues related to elections. The first questionnaire will be published in the regional newspapers in the last week of July. The questions will be about accessibility of information during election time. The next questionnaires will be published to find out the opinion about the election system and referendum. The Committee plans to keep the dialogue with the constituents till the local government elections scheduled for March of 2001. Diena

An article in

An article in Vesti Segodna (the former CM) doubts that there is a chance for the current government to sign the border agreement with Russia as it was earlier optimistically predicted by the Latv. Prime Minister Andris Skele and Foreign Minister Indulis Berzins. Referring to a source in Russian Foreign Ministry the paper notes that before signing the agreement there has to be an improvement of the political climate between the two countries which is said to become possible only in the case if Latvian authorities change their attitude towards ethnic Russians and Russian citizens residing in Latvia.

Ventspils mayor Aivars Lembergs in a press conference on July 26 said he had information about major economic sanctions against Latvia being discussed and prepared in Russia to become effective this autumn. After Lembergs, the move was caused by the Language Law passed in Latvia.

Ventspils mayor Aivars Lembergs in a press conference on July 26 said he had information about major economic sanctions against Latvia being discussed and prepared in Russia to become effective this autumn. After Lembergs, the move was caused by the Language Law passed in Latvia. Neatkariga did not get confirmation of the above information neither in Latvian Foreign Ministry nor Economic Ministry. Neatkariga, Chas, BB, Panorama Latvii

The official paper

The official paper Latvijas Vestnesis gives a short report about Latvian Foreign Minister Indulis Berzins meeting head of the OSCE Mission to Latvia David Johnson on July 23.