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

Head of the Latvian delegation Maris Riekstins told

Head of the Latvian delegation Maris Riekstins told DIENA a basic agreement with Lithuania might be reached by the end of next week. Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Povilas Gilis says a recent meeting with his Latvian colleague allows to hope Latvia will recognise the Kursh Spit a Lithuanian territory. Riekstins believes next round of marine border talks with Lithuania to be held soon. Diena, Neatkariga

Governing factions received a draft of a “supplementary agreement on co-operation”. Andrejs Pantelejevs” (“

Governing factions received a draft of a supplementary agreement on co-operation. Andrejs Pantelejevs (Latvijas Cels) says none of the factions has any objections against the document. It was drafted by a working group formed upon the Prime-Ministers initiative. The initial agreement between was opposed by Saimnieks, Tevzemei un Brivibai, and the Unity Party. Other factions also would not agree to excluding the principle of consensus from the agreement. The new agreement requires a unanimous voting on amendments to the Satversme or the Citizenship Law. Diena

President Yeltsin’s Press-Secretary Yastrzhembsky says Russia cannot under any circumstance be considered responsible for the policy of the former USSR toward the Baltic states. He interprets Latvia’s and Estonia’s calls for recognising the continuity of their 1920 agreements with Soviet Russia as an attempt to put territorial claims. Recognition of the 1920 agreements would lead to “introducing an even more severe regime for Russian-speakers in Latvia and Estonia”. “The Russian federation considers the Riga and the Yuryev agreements as having lost their force after 1940 when Latvia and Estonia joined the USSR,” says Yastrzhembovsky.

President Yeltsins Press-Secretary Yastrzhembsky says Russia cannot under any circumstance be considered responsible for the policy of the former USSR toward the Baltic states. He interprets Latvias and Estonias calls for recognising the continuity of their 1920 agreements with Soviet Russia as an attempt to put territorial claims. Recognition of the 1920 agreements would lead to introducing an even more severe regime for Russian-speakers in Latvia and Estonia. The Russian federation considers the Riga and the Yuryev agreements as having lost their force after 1940 when Latvia and Estonia joined the USSR, says Yastrzhembovsky.

Minister of the Interior Turlais fired former CID Deputy-Director Ugis Sulcs. After being relieved of a Deputy-Director’s duties Sulcs have been employed by the CID as a consultant on a contract basis. Current Deputy-Director Dombrovskis admits Sulcs “made mistakes” but still was an indispensable expert. Neatkariga

Minister of the Interior Turlais fired former CID Deputy-Director Ugis Sulcs. After being relieved of a Deputy-Directors duties Sulcs have been employed by the CID as a consultant on a contract basis. Current Deputy-Director Dombrovskis admits Sulcs made mistakes but still was an indispensable expert. Neatkariga

Most Russian schools find it difficult to implement amendments to the Law on Education. The amendments, to be observed starting September 1, demand mandatory teaching of several subjects in Latvian in elemntary schools. Although all teachers have passed at least the “second category” Latvian language tests, the command of the language is not sufficient to deliver lectures in Latvian. The situation is also complicated by a shortage of funds required for additional training of school teachers.

Most Russian schools find it difficult to implement amendments to the Law on Education. The amendments, to be observed starting September 1, demand mandatory teaching of several subjects in Latvian in elemntary schools. Although all teachers have passed at least the second category Latvian language tests, the command of the language is not sufficient to deliver lectures in Latvian. The situation is also complicated by a shortage of funds required for additional training of school teachers. Diena

On September 3 Chairman of the

On September 3 Chairman of the Saeima Human Rights Committee Antons Seiksts suggested amending the Citizenship Law to grant ethnic Poles the right for extraordinary naturalisation. The amendment would apply to all Poles permanently residing in Latvia who had been Polish citizens before 17 September 1939 and to their descendants. The idea is strongly opposed by the nationalists. They refer to the agreement between governing factions on not amending the Citizenship Law. The nationalists may be also concerned about the increase in the number of non-Latvian citizens not likely to vote for nationalistic parties. 55.3 thousand Poles might apply for citizenship in case amendments are adopted. 61.4 % of Poles are Latvian citizens. The author of the article in SM still believes the Saeima could finally accept the amendments since the step would help to improve Latvias image. SM