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

Yesterday The New York Times published the information that the US State Secretary Madeleine Albright sent a letter to the Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Yevgeny Primakov in which she expressed concern about the dangerous tension in relations between Latvia and Russia, as well as warned against the imposing of economic sanctions. Diena, B&B, SM

At the meeting with press the CBSS Commissioner for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights Ole Espersen praised the Latvia's decision to amend the Citizenship Law and hoped that Russia would appreciate this move. He also said that he would acquaint the Russian officials with his opinion about the developments in Latvia when visiting Moscow. At the meeting with the Speaker of the Saeima Alfreds Cepanis, the Commissioner expressed a hope that the governmental decision to amend the Language Law and the Labor Law Code in accordance with the OSCE recommendations, would be implemented.

At the meeting with press the CBSS Commissioner for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights Ole Espersen praised the Latvia's decision to amend the Citizenship Law and hoped that Russia would appreciate this move. He also said that he would acquaint the Russian officials with his opinion about the developments in Latvia when visiting Moscow. At the meeting with the Speaker of the Saeima Alfreds Cepanis, the Commissioner expressed a hope that the governmental decision to amend the Language Law and the Labor Law Code in accordance with the OSCE recommendations, would be implemented. Neatkariga, Diena, SM

Prime Minister started consultations with parties which could participate in formation of the government. Yesterday he met with the representatives of

Prime Minister started consultations with parties which could participate in formation of the government. Yesterday he met with the representatives of the National Reform Party and the Green Party to discuss the possibility of offering the post of the Minister of Economics to this faction. Today the Prime Minister will meet with the Latvijas Cels and the Farmers Union representatives. Kristiana Libane told Chas that the Latvijas Cels has not been asked to nominate its candidates for the vacant ministerial offices. According to Libane, it is a bit strange that Prime Minister consults with the deputies who formerly represented the opposition to the government before talking with the government forming parties. According to the CHAS, there are rumors that the Green Party and the Latvijas Cels might, in fact, not support the Krasts government. Diena

It is not clear how the government is going to implement its decision to support the adoption of the State Language Law in accordance with the international legal norms. On Wednesday at the extraordinary meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers the government expressed the support to the OSCE recommendations concerning the Citizenship Law, Labor Law Code, Language Law. The Saeima Commission on Education and Science believes that the OSCE recommendations could be taken into consideration during the third reading of the draft Language Law which is scheduled for the fall of this year.

It is not clear how the government is going to implement its decision to support the adoption of the State Language Law in accordance with the international legal norms. On Wednesday at the extraordinary meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers the government expressed the support to the OSCE recommendations concerning the Citizenship Law, Labor Law Code, Language Law. The Saeima Commission on Education and Science believes that the OSCE recommendations could be taken into consideration during the third reading of the draft Language Law which is scheduled for the fall of this year. Diena

Valerie Nesterushkin, Representative of the Russian Foreign Affairs Ministry, said that the amendments to the Citizenship was the move in right direction. He also said that it would be desirable that the “specialists on the humanitarian issues” provide the analysis of these amendments, and then it would be possible to asses how they affect the situation in Latvia.

Valerie Nesterushkin, Representative of the Russian Foreign Affairs Ministry, said that the amendments to the Citizenship was the move in right direction. He also said that it would be desirable that the specialists on the humanitarian issues provide the analysis of these amendments, and then it would be possible to asses how they affect the situation in Latvia. Diena

Yesterday Latvian businessmen sent a letter to the Speaker of the Saeima Alfreds Cepanis in which they asked the parliament to asses the ability of the government to overcome the economic, political and social crisis in the country.

Yesterday Latvian businessmen sent a letter to the Speaker of the Saeima Alfreds Cepanis in which they asked the parliament to asses the ability of the government to overcome the economic, political and social crisis in the country. B&B

Panorama Latvii informs about the rally on social issues organized by Social Democrats on Saturday in the Doma Square in the Center of Riga City.