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

State President G.Ulmanis is convinced that Latvian - Russian relations will not decline after Ye.Primakov has become the Prime Minister of Russia. G.Ulmanis admitted in his interview to the Latvian Radio that Ye.Primakov could stabilise the situation in Russia. It would be possible to make any judgements about the future of Latvian - Russian relations only when the Russian government is formed, and Latvian - Russian intergovernmental commission resume its work.

State President G.Ulmanis is convinced that Latvian - Russian relations will not decline after Ye.Primakov has become the Prime Minister of Russia. G.Ulmanis admitted in his interview to the Latvian Radio that Ye.Primakov could stabilise the situation in Russia. It would be possible to make any judgements about the future of Latvian - Russian relations only when the Russian government is formed, and Latvian - Russian intergovernmental commission resume its work. Neatkariga, Bizness & Baltiya

The State President has started to consider the possible candidate for the post of the Prime Minister. G.Ulmanis stressed in its interview to the Latvian Radio that the new Saeima will start its activities at the beginning of November, one month after the election. He also said that representatives of political parties did not want to have joint meetings with him because they are fighting for their electorate. But such meeting will take place after the election because there are several issues: citizenship, EU, agriculture, on which the State President has to agree with the parties. In its turn the

The State President has started to consider the possible candidate for the post of the Prime Minister. G.Ulmanis stressed in its interview to the Latvian Radio that the new Saeima will start its activities at the beginning of November, one month after the election. He also said that representatives of political parties did not want to have joint meetings with him because they are fighting for their electorate. But such meeting will take place after the election because there are several issues: citizenship, EU, agriculture, on which the State President has to agree with the parties. In its turn the New Party plans to start immediate consultations with other political parties to avoid the situation after the 6th Saeima when the new government was affirmed only 3 months after the election. This is the first case when some political force has announced in open for starting such a negotiation. So far the most popular parties or coalitions have avoided to name their possible partners. According to the unofficial information Diena has, on Tuesday New Party plans to start talks with Latvijas Cels and TB/LNNK. What concerns Peoples Party , the leader of the New Party has voiced his opinion on A.Skele as unacceptable candidate for the post of the Prime Minister . Diena, Chas

Sociologic poll data show that

Sociologic poll data show that Tevzemei un Brivibai/LNNK could achieve good success in this election, but the forecast of politicians show that the Prime Minister will not be from this party but from a more centric one. The leader of Latvijas Cels A.Pantelejevs points out that it would help not only to strengthen the centre but also stabilise relations with East and West. Most probably that the new Prime Minister will be from Peoples Party or Latvijas Cels, but it does not mean that the position will be given to A.Skele (PP) or V.Kristopans (LC). If none of the parties would receive the majority over the rest then formation of the new government would demand mutual concession. TB/LNNK is ready to name its candidate after the election, and it is up to the State President to decide the best option. But this party could have a problem because of the opinion, expressed by other parties, that a Prime Minister from Tevzemei un Brivibai/LNNK would not be the best option from the point of view of Latvias international relations. M.Grinblats acknowledged last week that formation of the new government would be difficult and let it understand that the party would not be inclined to receive the post of the Prime Minister. A.Pantelejevs did not deny that the Prime Minister could be some other person not mentioned either by Latvijas Cels or Tevzemei un Brivibai/LNNK . He also did not deny that, during a meeting with the State President, G.Ulmanis had said that he could suggest this party to nominate another person for this post. The same situation was with Peoples Party and A.Skele. When Diena tried to find out the opinion of politicians on the possible candidates for this post, not named so far, they mentioned two - the Mayor of Venspils A.Lembergs and the Director-General of the Agency of Privatisation J.Naglis. The Secretary-General of Peoples Party G.Berzins expressed an opinion that only A.Skele was strong enough personality who could lead the country in such a difficult situation. When asked whether the party could work in the government led by a Prime Minister from another party, G.Berzins answered that this post should be given to a party which would get the majority at the parliament. If it were Latvijas Cels, then this issue could be discussed but he did not think this to happen. Diena

Last week sittings of the Association of Free Latvians of the World took place in Aluksne and Riga, and they adopted a resolution stating that the amendments to the Law on Citizenship should be preserved. The Board of AFLW expressed their concern that the citizens who were naturalised due to these amendments could endanger Latvia’s moving to EU as well as the leading role of the Latvian language and culture in Latvia, but it was unacceptable risk for Latvia at the present situation to abolish these amendments, and Latvia could find itself in an international isolation.

Last week sittings of the Association of Free Latvians of the World took place in Aluksne and Riga, and they adopted a resolution stating that the amendments to the Law on Citizenship should be preserved. The Board of AFLW expressed their concern that the citizens who were naturalised due to these amendments could endanger Latvias moving to EU as well as the leading role of the Latvian language and culture in Latvia, but it was unacceptable risk for Latvia at the present situation to abolish these amendments, and Latvia could find itself in an international isolation. Diena

Estonian President L.Meri, opening the autumn sitting of the Parliament, asked the deputies to adopt the draft law that would grant citizenship to the children of non-citizens, born after restoration of Estonia’s independence. L.Meri reminded that this would allow 8000 children with no citizenship receive Estonian citizenship.

Estonian President L.Meri, opening the autumn sitting of the Parliament, asked the deputies to adopt the draft law that would grant citizenship to the children of non-citizens, born after restoration of Estonias independence. L.Meri reminded that this would allow 8000 children with no citizenship receive Estonian citizenship. Diena

According to the data of Estonian DCMA, there are at least 105 demobilised Russian military servicemen, illegally staying in Estonia, but their deportation from the country or legalisation is a too complicated process. It is possible that some of them have already left the country, but there are no precise data. According to the DCMA information, all together there are 30 000 illegal residents in Estonia, about 4000 of them have got registered.

According to the data of Estonian DCMA, there are at least 105 demobilised Russian military servicemen, illegally staying in Estonia, but their deportation from the country or legalisation is a too complicated process. It is possible that some of them have already left the country, but there are no precise data. According to the DCMA information, all together there are 30 000 illegal residents in Estonia, about 4000 of them have got registered. Diena

Press Attaché of Russian Embassy to Latvia V.Ivanov informed that 55% of all money, necessary for payments of pensions to Russian military pensioners, has been transferred to Latvia. This sum will be paid out this week, but no decision has been taken on the procedure of paying. Latvian party is interested in this problem because some number of these military pensioners could apply also for Latvian pensions because they have worked in Latvia for some time after demobilisation. The Minister of Well-being V.Makarovs said after a meeting with Russian Ambassador A.Udaltsov that it was necessary to do calculations what this sum could be in order to pay it from the social budget.

Press Attaché of Russian Embassy to Latvia V.Ivanov informed that 55% of all money, necessary for payments of pensions to Russian military pensioners, has been transferred to Latvia. This sum will be paid out this week, but no decision has been taken on the procedure of paying. Latvian party is interested in this problem because some number of these military pensioners could apply also for Latvian pensions because they have worked in Latvia for some time after demobilisation. The Minister of Well-being V.Makarovs said after a meeting with Russian Ambassador A.Udaltsov that it was necessary to do calculations what this sum could be in order to pay it from the social budget. Jauna Avize, Chas

Three parties, represented at the Saeima -

Three parties, represented at the Saeima - Latvijas Cels, TB/LNNK and Democratic Party Saimnieks , inviting also the New Party have started discussions on formation of the new government after the Saeima election. If these parties manage to collect enough votes to form a majority government , A.Skele with his Peoples Party will be left in opposition. The Chairman of Latvijas Cels faction explained that they discussed just theoretical possibilities to form the new government. But also in theory it is evident that only three -LC, TB/LNNK and NP will have to form the government because DPS, most probably, will not overcome the barrier of 5%. Lauku Avize, Chas

Lauku Avize

publishes an interview also with A.Skele where among other things he expresses his opinion on the possibility of their party to be in the opposition. He states that if being in the position would demand to leave their position or to make a compromises on unacceptable grounds, they would agree to be in opposition. But he would never wish anybody to have such an opposition. publishes an interview also with A.Skele where among other things he expresses his opinion on the possibility of their party to be in the opposition. He states that if being in the position would demand to leave their position or to make a compromises on unacceptable grounds, they would agree to be in opposition. But he would never wish anybody to have such an opposition. The leader of

The leader of Democratic Party Saimnieks Z.Cevers wrote a letter to the newspaper SM where he described activities of the party during the 6th Saeima, proving it to be a real defender of people with low income. He reminds that DPS was the initiator of the amendments to the Law on Citizenship and describes the fight for this amendments to be adopted and speaks about their attempts to improve relations with Russia. SM

Panorama Latvii

writes about the dramatic situation with the Victory Monument. 60% of all polished granite plates have been stolen. But these plates were made on money donated by the society, collected after the terror act at this monument. The monument itself is in very bad condition because the organisation made to be responsible for this monument, refuses to undertake responsibility for it. writes about the dramatic situation with the Victory Monument. 60% of all polished granite plates have been stolen. But these plates were made on money donated by the society, collected after the terror act at this monument. The monument itself is in very bad condition because the organisation made to be responsible for this monument, refuses to undertake responsibility for it. Senior Counsellor of the Russian Embassy A.Rylov answers the questions of the readers of the newspaper

Senior Counsellor of the Russian Embassy A.Rylov answers the questions of the readers of the newspaper Panorama Latvii concerning different aspects of Russian citizenship.