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

The Union of Social Democrats

and the and the People’s Harmony PartyPeoples Harmony Party hope that Vilis Kristopans will fulfil promises given before the voting on new government. Vilis Kristopans said the government forming fractions agreed to give social democrats a post of the Chair of Commission on Economics, Agricultural, Environmental and Regional Policy which is currently held by a deputy of the hope that Vilis Kristopans will fulfil promises given before the voting on new government. Vilis Kristopans said the government forming fractions agreed to give social democrats a post of the Chair of Commission on Economics, Agricultural, Environmental and Regional Policy which is currently held by a deputy of the People’s PartyPeoples Party Atis Slakteris. Social democrats, however, hope to get the post of the Minster of Agriculture and State Minister of Higher Education and Science. Speaking of Atis Slakteris. Social democrats, however, hope to get the post of the Minster of Agriculture and State Minister of Higher Education and Science. Speaking of People’s Harmony Party’sPeoples Harmony Partys claims, Vilis Kristopans said that he had no agreements with this Party. Juris Dobelis ( claims, Vilis Kristopans said that he had no agreements with this Party. Juris Dobelis (For Fatherland and FreedomFor Fatherland and Freedom) who represents a party that was against appointment of the social democrats to the government, told DIENA that the Coalition Council has discussed about a gradual inclusion of the social democrats into the government, starting with their presidency over the Commission of Economics. ) who represents a party that was against appointment of the social democrats to the government, told DIENA that the Coalition Council has discussed about a gradual inclusion of the social democrats into the government, starting with their presidency over the Commission of Economics. DienaDiena Yesterday the Saeima Foreign Affairs Commission discussed about realisation of unified foreign policy. Need for such a discussion originated after a recent unofficial visit of representatives of the

Yesterday the Saeima Foreign Affairs Commission discussed about realisation of unified foreign policy. Need for such a discussion originated after a recent unofficial visit of representatives of the Peoples Harmony Party to Moscow. Janis Jurkans, leader of this Party, was asked to answer questions concerning this visit. Later Mr. Jurkans told journalists that the commission should make a distinction between a deputy as an official and a politician of a particular party. According to Guntars Krasts, chair of the Commission, prior to going to Moscow deputies should have had consultations with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in order to posess official argumentation for a visit. The Commission agreed to discuss distribution of responsibilities for improvement of foreign affairs mechanism during next meetings of the Commission. Neatkariga, B&B

During a meeting Latvian Foreign Affairs Minister and the Russian Foreign Affairs Minister agreed to start preparations for resumption of the Latvian-Russian intergovernmental commission’s work. They also agreed on preparation of a meeting of both ministers in Riga or in Moscow. Austrian Foreign Affairs Minister Schuessel expressed an opinion that during the Vienna summit the EU will support proposal of the European Commission to begin the accession talks with Latvia.

During a meeting Latvian Foreign Affairs Minister and the Russian Foreign Affairs Minister agreed to start preparations for resumption of the Latvian-Russian intergovernmental commissions work. They also agreed on preparation of a meeting of both ministers in Riga or in Moscow. Austrian Foreign Affairs Minister Schuessel expressed an opinion that during the Vienna summit the EU will support proposal of the European Commission to begin the accession talks with Latvia. Diena, Neatkariga

During a visit in Stockholm, the Russian Foreign Affairs Minister Igor Ivanov expressed an opinion that Latvia and Estonia should do more in sphere of integration of Russian-speaking population.

During a visit in Stockholm, the Russian Foreign Affairs Minister Igor Ivanov expressed an opinion that Latvia and Estonia should do more in sphere of integration of Russian-speaking population. Diena

The Russian Foreign Affairs Minister and the Swedish Foreign Affairs Minister think that Sweden could play a role of a mediator in resumption of a dialogue between Latvia and Russia, the Russian newspaper Nezavisimaja Gazeta informs.

The Russian Foreign Affairs Minister and the Swedish Foreign Affairs Minister think that Sweden could play a role of a mediator in resumption of a dialogue between Latvia and Russia, the Russian newspaper Nezavisimaja Gazeta informs. Neatkariga

On Thursday the European Parliament will vote on the draft resolution which recommends the Council of the European Union to start accession talks with Latvia immediately.

On Thursday the European Parliament will vote on the draft resolution which recommends the Council of the European Union to start accession talks with Latvia immediately. Diena

In a tender organised by the DCMA for modernisation of the Latvian citizen passports six firms have submitted their applications. The cost of modernisation vary between 2.5. and 10 million US dollars.

In a tender organised by the DCMA for modernisation of the Latvian citizen passports six firms have submitted their applications. The cost of modernisation vary between 2.5. and 10 million US dollars. Diena, Chas

Polina Elksne in an article for

Polina Elksne in an article for Diena in Russian describes experience of two schools of national minorities which were founded in early 1990s - the Ukrainian school and the Jewish school. In both schools instruction is conducted in three languages - the language of national minority, Latvian and Russian.

Speaking of the qualification of teachers who according to law, should have the highest level of the command of the Latvian language, director of the Jewish School Ela Kozireva said that all teachers attend courses and pass exams, and, in general, they try to observe requirements of the new Education law. Still, Ms Kozireva questions the ways of implementation of the Law. The author of the article concludes that the major difficulty for schools of national minorities is integration of teachers and parents and not integration of pupils into the Latvian environment. In conclusion, Polina Elksne expresses a hope that Russian schools will consider bilingual methodology implemented by schools of national minorities as a way of life in the Latvian environment and not as a way of adaptation to it.

Speaking of the qualification of teachers who according to law, should have the highest level of the command of the Latvian language, director of the Jewish School Ela Kozireva said that all teachers attend courses and pass exams, and, in general, they try to observe requirements of the new Education law. Still, Ms Kozireva questions the ways of implementation of the Law. The author of the article concludes that the major difficulty for schools of national minorities is integration of teachers and parents and not integration of pupils into the Latvian environment. In conclusion, Polina Elksne expresses a hope that Russian schools will consider bilingual methodology implemented by schools of national minorities as a way of life in the Latvian environment and not as a way of adaptation to it. Diena

Dienain Russian publishes information provided by the Skrunda Radar Station Fund about financial assistance to former military persons of the Russian Armed Forces, pensioners who demobilised in Latvia before 28 January 1992 and voluntary leaves Latvia. On January 1, 1999 new Regulations come into force. According to them, a family is entitled to a single allowance of 1200 to 2700 Lats depending on the number of family members. Documents necessary for receiving allowance, should be submitted to the Welfare division of the Russian Embassy.