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

Yesterday Andris Skele introduced the draft agreement between factions and the draft Government Declaration. Both documents are now being reviewed by the factions planing to join the Cabinet (

Yesterday Andris Skele introduced the draft agreement between factions and the draft Government Declaration. Both documents are now being reviewed by the factions planing to join the Cabinet ("Latvijas Cels", "Tevzemei un Brivibai", "Saimnieks", the Farmers' Union, the Union of Christian Democrats, LNNK and "Tautai un Taisnibai"). "LC" and "TB" drafted their own version of the agreement that gave the factions the right to retain posts in the Cabinet in case of their members' resignation (the "succession principle"). Skele's draft does not guarantee such a possibility. The draft agreement by Skele also is more flexible as for the consensus principle required by the existing agreement for adopting any amendments to the Citizenship Law. The draft requires full consensus only for adopting significant amendments to the Law. The draft Government Declaration suggests reorganizing the self-government system and canceling "propiska". "LC" and "TB" leaders have already told the press that they will make important additions to the documents drafted by Skele.

Yesterday Skele had talks with

Yesterday Skele had talks with "Saimnieks" and "LC". "LC" has not changed its priorities and expects taking the posts in the areas of regional development, the European Union and communication. "Saimnieks" suggested its candidates for all posts (including Melnik for Minister of Finance). Skele told the press that he had suggested Chairman of the Saeima Budget and Finance Committee Roberts Zile ("TB") to take the office of Minister of Finance. Zile refused to accept the offer explaining that "TB" was expecting to hold the post of Minister of Economics and could not monopolize the entire economic sector. According to "DIENA" the list of possible candidates is as follows:

Minister of Defense -

Minister of Defense -

Andrejs Krastins (

Andrejs Krastins (LNNK/the Latvian Farmers' Party)

Ivars Redisons (

Ivars Redisons ("Saimnieks")

Karlis Julijs Druva (the Farmers' Union)

Karlis Julijs Druva (the Farmers' Union)

Minister of Communications -

Minister of Communications -

Vilis Kristopans (

Vilis Kristopans ("LC")

Leonards Teniss (

Leonards Teniss ("Saimnieks")

Minister of Foreign Affairs -

Minister of Foreign Affairs -

Valdis Birkavs (

Valdis Birkavs ("LC")

Olafs Bruvers (

Olafs Bruvers ("Saimnieks")

Minister of Welfare -

Minister of Welfare -

Vladimirs Makarovs (

Vladimirs Makarovs ("TB")

Ludmila Kuprijanova (

Ludmila Kuprijanova ("Saimnieks")

Minister of Finance -

Minister of Finance -

Vasily Melnik (

Vasily Melnik ("Saimnieks")

Minister of Environmental Protection and Regional Development - Anatolijs Gorbunovs (

Minister of Environmental Protection and Regional Development - Anatolijs Gorbunovs ("LC")

Eriks Zunda (

Eriks Zunda ("Saimnieks")

Minister of the Interior -

Minister of the Interior -

Dainis Turlais (

Dainis Turlais ("Saimnieks")

Minister of Culture -

Minister of Culture -

Rihards Piks (the Farmers' Union)

Rihards Piks (the Farmers' Union)

Aloizs Brencs (

Aloizs Brencs ("Saimnieks")

Minister of Education and Science -

Minister of Education and Science -

Peteris Cimdins (the Farmers' Union)

Peteris Cimdins (the Farmers' Union)

Juris Celmins (

Juris Celmins ("Saimnieks")

Minister of Agriculture -

Minister of Agriculture -

Roberts Dilba (the Farmers' Union)

Roberts Dilba (the Farmers' Union)

Modris Goba (

Modris Goba ("Saimnieks"); Minister for European Union Affairs - Aleksandrs Kirsteins (LNNK/the Latvian Farmers' Party); Ivars Kezbers ("Saimnieks"). Diena, B&B

A decree by the Minister of Education and Science of 18 December 1996 requires that all Russian language school teachers should pass the third category Latvian language test by 1 September 1998. The test includes writing an essay in Latvian. According to

A decree by the Minister of Education and Science of 18 December 1996 requires that all Russian language school teachers should pass the third category Latvian language test by 1 September 1998. The test includes writing an essay in Latvian. According to "PANORAMA LATVII", the requirement means the firing of a large number of highly professional teachers.

The National Council on TV and Radio Broadcasting demanded that feature films, currently dubbed in Russian and broadcasted with Latvian subtitles, should be dubbed in Latvian or broadcasted in their original language with Latvian subtitles. B.Tsilevich agrees that the requirement formally complies with the provisions of the "Law on Radio and Television". The Law also limits time of broadcasting in languages other than Latvian to 30% of the total broadcasting time of a TV or radio channel. Tsilevich believes that international human rights acts allow Russian-speakers to appeal to corresponding UN bodies on the issue.

The National Council on TV and Radio Broadcasting demanded that feature films, currently dubbed in Russian and broadcasted with Latvian subtitles, should be dubbed in Latvian or broadcasted in their original language with Latvian subtitles. B.Tsilevich agrees that the requirement formally complies with the provisions of the "Law on Radio and Television". The Law also limits time of broadcasting in languages other than Latvian to 30% of the total broadcasting time of a TV or radio channel. Tsilevich believes that international human rights acts allow Russian-speakers to appeal to corresponding UN bodies on the issue. SM