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

Latvian government still can not agree on the privatisation terms of Latvian Shipping Company. There are two versions of privatisation, and the government can not choose one of them. The Board of

Latvian government still can not agree on the privatisation terms of Latvian Shipping Company. There are two versions of privatisation, and the government can not choose one of them. The Board of Latvijas Cels discussed both versions, but in order to avoid any conflicts among their leaders and influential groups avoided to take any decision. Neatkariga, Diena

The Chairman of

The Chairman of Peoples Party Saeima faction G.Berzins admitted a possibility that as the government would have to submit the next year draft budget before that the results of the possible referendum on the pension law were available, and this draft budget could be elaborated taking into consideration the amendments to the pension law already adopted by the Parliament. Neatkariga

The Chairman of

The Chairman of Latvijas Cels A.Pantelejevs expressed his regret that the Minister of Justice, Latvijas Cels member V.Birkavs has been misunderstood or made a statement about abolishing the Satversme Court. Neatkariga

Tevzemei un Brivibai/LNNK

Saeima faction could take a decision about the expulsion from the faction of its member O.Grigs only at the end of August when the autumn sessions of the Saeima started. Saeima faction could take a decision about the expulsion from the faction of its member O.Grigs only at the end of August when the autumn sessions of the Saeima started. Neatkariga, Jauna AvizeNeatkariga, Jauna Avize Minister of Foreign Affairs I.Berzins met yesterday with the Mayor of Daugavpils A.Vidauskis and discussed possibilities to further cross border co-operation of Daugavpils Region with the neighbouring regions in Russian and Byelorussia.

Minister of Foreign Affairs I.Berzins met yesterday with the Mayor of Daugavpils A.Vidauskis and discussed possibilities to further cross border co-operation of Daugavpils Region with the neighbouring regions in Russian and Byelorussia. Neatkariga, Bizness & Baltiya

I.Berzins while meeting with the Ambassador of Lithuania in Latvia P.Vaitekuns called the Lithuanian party to ratify the Convention on Estimating the Ecological Damage in the cross border context.

I.Berzins while meeting with the Ambassador of Lithuania in Latvia P.Vaitekuns called the Lithuanian party to ratify the Convention on Estimating the Ecological Damage in the cross border context. Neatkariga

BNS informs that the possibility of the Baltic states joining NATO depends on Russian - USA Anti-Missile Defense Treaty. After expansion of NATO, nuclear weapons could be stationed in the Baltic states, therefore one of the conditions Russia puts forward is to include tactical weapons in the nuclear balance.

BNS informs that the possibility of the Baltic states joining NATO depends on Russian - USA Anti-Missile Defense Treaty. After expansion of NATO, nuclear weapons could be stationed in the Baltic states, therefore one of the conditions Russia puts forward is to include tactical weapons in the nuclear balance. Neatkariga

The newspaper

The newspaper Diena interviewed several experts about the trends in Latvian Russian relations. The experts acknowledged a presence of positive changes - stabilisation, even slight development of Latvian economy, increasing exports to Russia, decrease of unemployment in Latvia. Diena

A.Pantelejevs considers that a compromise will be found on the pensions law and the referendum on abolishing the amendments to this law could not cause any problems to the government. In his turn the Saeima Speaker J.Straume thinks that the abolishment of the amendments could cause unpredictable consequences because it could influence the adoption of the budget for 2000.

A.Pantelejevs considers that a compromise will be found on the pensions law and the referendum on abolishing the amendments to this law could not cause any problems to the government. In his turn the Saeima Speaker J.Straume thinks that the abolishment of the amendments could cause unpredictable consequences because it could influence the adoption of the budget for 2000. Diena

The Chairman of the Saeima Commission on Education, Culture and Science Dz.Abikis published an answer to a cartoon published in

The Chairman of the Saeima Commission on Education, Culture and Science Dz.Abikis published an answer to a cartoon published in Lauku Avize (12.08.99) where he sated that still considered that they should not step back from the most principal positions concerning the Language Law. Then it is better for the old law to be in force, using this time to persuade different European institutions and their experts about the necessity of one or another norm. The evidence to such a possibility is that these experts agreed to the norms regulating the use of the state language in private sphere. Lauku Avize

S.Zaletayev in

S.Zaletayev in Panorama Latvii comments on the announcement of the Saeima Speaker J.Straume, after the adopted Language Law was returned by the President to the Saeima for repeated consideration, that most probably this law could be adopted next year. And the reason for such an announcement is the planned meeting of the leaders of EU countries at the end of this year. The Speaker thinks that the law should be adopted after this meeting. Panorama Latvii