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

Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga signed the amendments to the Pension Law passed on August 5 that were the subject for the recent referendum as well as the alternative amendments passed November 5.

Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga signed the amendments to the Pension Law passed on August 5 that were the subject for the recent referendum as well as the alternative amendments passed November 5. Diena, Jauna Avize, Neatkariga, BB

Teachers plan to start a week-long strike this Friday since the Prime Minister Andris Skele is not ready to comply with the demands of the TeachersТ Trade Union to allot 14 million lats as of next January 1 for salary increase instead of the currently promised 8 million.

Teachers plan to start a week-long strike this Friday since the Prime Minister Andris Skele is not ready to comply with the demands of the TeachersТ Trade Union to allot 14 million lats as of next January 1 for salary increase instead of the currently promised 8 million. Diena, Neatkariga, Jauna Avize, BB, PL

In an interview to LNT TV channel Head of the PeopleТs Party Saeima faction Gundars Bзrziтр said that the education minister would definitely be from the PeopleТs Party and he himself would agree to take the position if the prime minister accepts resignation of the current minister Golde.

In an interview to LNT TV channel Head of the PeopleТs Party Saeima faction Gundars Bзrziтр said that the education minister would definitely be from the PeopleТs Party and he himself would agree to take the position if the prime minister accepts resignation of the current minister Golde. Neatkariga

After survey carried out by SKDS the number of patriotes of Latvia has grown to 70.4% compared to last yearТs 66.1%. 81.9% of Latvians and 55.7% of non-Latvians consider themselves patriotes of Latvia.

After survey carried out by SKDS the number of patriotes of Latvia has grown to 70.4% compared to last yearТs 66.1%. 81.9% of Latvians and 55.7% of non-Latvians consider themselves patriotes of Latvia. Neatkariga, Diena, Jauna Avize

Yesterday the Consul General of Russia in Liepaja Mr. Kurochkin had farewell ceremony. He will be replaced by Valery Polyakov from the Russian Embassy in Vilnius.

Yesterday the Consul General of Russia in Liepaja Mr. Kurochkin had farewell ceremony. He will be replaced by Valery Polyakov from the Russian Embassy in Vilnius. Chas

Latvijas Vestnesis runs the speech Andris Skele gave at OSCE Istanbul summit.

DienaТs

columnist Aivars Ozolins writes about the Istanbul summit as the turning point when Russia refused to become a civilized and democratic country and decided to take its У special roadФ. columnist Aivars Ozolins writes about the Istanbul summit as the turning point when Russia refused to become a civilized and democratic country and decided to take its У special roadФ.

Diena

interviews director of the French magazine Geoeconomics in connection with the autumn edition of the magazine devoted to the Baltics. He thinks that the presence of the ethnic minorities in the Baltics is an underestimated advantage: in 20-30 years when Russia becomes an economic superpower Latvia and Estonia could be a vangard of the EU in Russia's direction thanks to their Russian minorities. interviews director of the French magazine Geoeconomics in connection with the autumn edition of the magazine devoted to the Baltics. He thinks that the presence of the ethnic minorities in the Baltics is an underestimated advantage: in 20-30 years when Russia becomes an economic superpower Latvia and Estonia could be a vangard of the EU in Russia's direction thanks to their Russian minorities. Lauku Avize asks the opinion of parliamentarians on the fact that Skele has not mentioned Russia's move of trying to introduce economic sanctions against Latvia at the OSCE summit.

Lauku Avize asks the opinion of parliamentarians on the fact that Skele has not mentioned Russia's move of trying to introduce economic sanctions against Latvia at the OSCE summit.

Vaira Vike-Freiberga told the newspaper Argumenti I Fakti that there is a potential risk for Latvia that the Russian speaking residents may become the fifth column. She added that this threat will disappear in near future "when we will make the life in Latvia better than in other places."

Vaira Vike-Freiberga told the newspaper Argumenti I Fakti that there is a potential risk for Latvia that the Russian speaking residents may become the fifth column. She added that this threat will disappear in near future "when we will make the life in Latvia better than in other places." Lauku Avize