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

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs decided to extend the mandate of the OSCE Mission to Latvia for six moths. Last summer the Latvian Government stated the tasks set by the Mission mandate to be almost fulfilled with only few technical issues awaiting their final solution. The Government and the OSCE member countries will discuss other possible forms of co-operation with the OSCE.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs decided to extend the mandate of the OSCE Mission to Latvia for six moths. Last summer the Latvian Government stated the tasks set by the Mission mandate to be almost fulfilled with only few technical issues awaiting their final solution. The Government and the OSCE member countries will discuss other possible forms of co-operation with the OSCE. Neatkariga

According to several politicians, Sarmite Jegere may not be appointed Minister of Finance. Although she was named as the

According to several politicians, Sarmite Jegere may not be appointed Minister of Finance. Although she was named as the "Saimnieks" candidate, "Saimnieks" deputy Kezbergs told "DIENA" that the party has other candidates as well. Another "Saimnieks" member told "DIENA" that Prime-Minister Skele was not satisfied with Mrs. Jegere work in the Government. Still, he did not object openly to Jegere's candidature.

Vladlen Dozortsev told

Vladlen Dozortsev told "SM" that he might leave the Consultative Council on Nationalities. He criticized the Council for ignoring minority problems. He said that he, being a member of the Council, insisted on working out practical decisions to burning problems. Dozortsev suggested that the Council should deal with differences between the rights of citizens and non-citizens. Dozortsev believes that the Government should declare a moratorium on further restrictions of non-citizens' rights. Dozortsev also suggested that the President could personally monitor the situation with non-citizens' passports. Among Dozortsev's suggestions is also forming of national and cultural autonomies. Suggestions on education submitted by Mr. Dozortsev to the Council included state financing of Russian language schools and a signing of an agreement between the schools and the Government. The agreement should oblige the schools to ensure perfect knowledge of Latvian by their graduates. Dozortsev insisted on considering possible amendments to the Citizenship Law that would eliminate the "window" principle of naturalization. He believes that the President should support the Council by expressing his opinion to the Saeima. Otherwise, the Council would seem to be just an facade created to show the world that Latvia has no human rights and minority problems. SM