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

Today, at an extraordinary session the Saeima is voting of the new government. Yesterday there was no certainty that the government would be approved but the feeling was that it could be approved. The vote, according to the Saeima roll of Procedures must be open. The government forming parties signed a coalition agreement on forming the government and its operation principles. The faction of

Today, at an extraordinary session the Saeima is voting of the new government. Yesterday there was no certainty that the government would be approved but the feeling was that it could be approved. The vote, according to the Saeima roll of Procedures must be open. The government forming parties signed a coalition agreement on forming the government and its operation principles. The faction of Union of Social Democrats maintains its demand to vote on each candidate separately. If the Saeima does not agree with this proposal, USDL would ask for a break and decide what should be the next step. They have prepared several options. TB/LNNK considers that voting should be for the whole government. Peoples Party will take the decision on the proposal of the Union of Social Democrats this morning, but disregarding the decision the party will be against the government. Peoples Harmony Party will take their decision how to vote just before the meeting. Neatkariga, Diena, Jauna Avize, Chas, Bizness & Baltiya, Panorama Latvii

Diena publishes short biographies of the candidates to the minister posts.

Diena publishes short biographies of the candidates to the minister posts.

SM

, in its comments on the composition of the new government, states that this would be a government representing the absolute minority of Latvian citizens, but V.Kristopans, disregarding his repeated announcements on his wish to improve Latvias relation with Russia, have nominated , in its comments on the composition of the new government, states that this would be a government representing the absolute minority of Latvian citizens, but V.Kristopans, disregarding his repeated announcements on his wish to improve Latvia’s relation with Russia, have nominated TB/LNNKTB/LNNK representatives to the posts of tw power ministeries - Defense and Interior. representatives to the posts of tw power ministeries - Defense and Interior. Minister of Foreign Affairs V.Birkavs informed that

Minister of Foreign Affairs V.Birkavs informed that Peoples Harmony Party had organised its visit to Moscow without mediation of MFA or Latvian Embassy. Therefore party representatives had talked to Russian MFA officials as private persons. V.Birkavs repeated that Latvian policy towards Russia is the matter of the state, not one political party, and it should not speculate with its political connections with Russian politicians. Neatkariga

The leader of

The leader of Peoples Harmony Party J.Jurkans refuses the acquisitions, made by Latvian MFA representatives, that his political contacts with Moscow hinder normalisation of Latvian - Russian relations. He hopes that his contacts will be used to normalise these relations. Neatkariga, Diena, Panorama Latvii

SM, Panorama Latvii

and and ChasChas write about Jurkanss visit in more details, and write about Jurkans’s visit in more details, and SMSM quotes the words said by the Russian MFA Deputy Minister A.Avdeyev, We are often addressed by Russian businessmen with a request to soften the position of MFA concerning Latvia, due to economic reasons to close its eyes on the situation of national minorities in this country. But we stick to our position. No pressure will make Russian MFA, Russian administration in general, to change its course of defending its countrymen. This course will remained unchanged disregarding the fact who will be the president in 2000. quotes the words said by the Russian MFA Deputy Minister A.Avdeyev, “We are often addressed by Russian businessmen with a request to “soften” the position of MFA concerning Latvia, due to economic reasons to “close its eyes” on the situation of national minorities in this country. But we stick to our position. No pressure will make Russian MFA, Russian administration in general, to change its course of defending its countrymen. This course will remained unchanged disregarding the fact who will be the president in 2000.” Estonian Parliament did not adopt on Tuesday the amendments to the election law requiring PMs to know the Estonian language. The adoption was short of three votes. It is anticipated that the law would be soon submitted to the Parliament for reconsideration.

Estonian Parliament did not adopt on Tuesday the amendments to the election law requiring PMs to know the Estonian language. The adoption was short of three votes. It is anticipated that the law would be soon submitted to the Parliament for reconsideration. Diena

The Chairman of

The Chairman of Union of Social Democrats Saeima faction E.Baldzens comments on the policy of TB/LNNK and states that his party wants Social Democrats to support this minority government, but does not want to have any USDL ministers in it. He also thinks that there is a secret agreement between TB/LNNK and Peoples Party on division of minister posts. The only way out E.Baldzens sees in voting for all candidates individually, and Social Democrats would vote only for professionals such as V.Makarovs and G.Kristovskis. Jauna Avize

In her interview to the Russian speaking newspaper

In her interview to the Russian speaking newspaper Chas the Director of the Education Strategy Department of the Ministry of Education and Science B.Petersone speaks about the situation with minority schools in Latvia. She states that there were no Russian schools during Soviet times, just school with the Russian language as the language of tuition. And now the Ministry of Education and Science wants these people to remember their real nationality. To do away with the two community society in Latvia, the Ministry starts an education reform implementing a bilingual education in minority schools. It has elaborated three models of bilingual education. Chas