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 Report

ULSD proposed even six candidates to the post of the Minister of Agriculture. It was their answer to the negative attitude of V.Kristopans towards their first candidate G.Freimanis. Neatkariga, Lauku Avize, Rigas Balss

The Chairman of

The Chairman of ULSD faction E.Baldzens told Diena that Social Democrats could expand their influence in the parliament and also in the government. They have managed to achieve that they were offered this post of the minister of Agriculture and had come to an agreement on exchanging the chairman of the Saeima Economy, Agriculture and Regional Policy Commission. Social Democrats will delegate their representative A.Kalnins to this post to replace the present Chairman A.Slakteris (PP) Diena

In an interview, given to

In an interview, given to SM, E.Baldzens confirms that there was a written agreement between ULSD and V.Kristopans on offering certain posts to Social Democrats. Of course, Social Democrats know the history of offers made by Latvijas Cels to SDP Saimnieks, when they were not fulfilled. And it may affect the attitude of ULSD to the government of V.Kristopans. Speaking about national policy of their party, E.Baldzens said that they did not support the revanchist policy of Tevzemei un Brivibai/LNNK but in certain aspects they might be more radical that Latvijas Cels. They stand for national, democratic Latvia. ULSD disagree with B.Cilevich that human rights should be prior to national rights. They are sure that until the title nation feels endangered, oppressed, it will not be possible to ensure the rights of national minorities. SM

Panorama Latvii

writes about a case when, following a demand of the Ministry of Education and Science, a director of some Russian speaking school requested the parents of their pupils to replace text books, published in Moscow or Sankt-Petersburgh with the ones published in Latvia that cost 5 Ls. And it is not a single case. writes about a case when, following a demand of the Ministry of Education and Science, a director of some Russian speaking school requested the parents of their pupils to replace text books, published in Moscow or Sankt-Petersburgh with the ones published in Latvia that cost 5 Ls. And it is not a single case. Deputy Minister of Russian Ministry of Defence N.Mihailov announced in Warsaw that Russia had reconciled itself with the fact that Poland would become a NATO member state but was still negative about the Baltic states joining this union. Russia is not interested in NATO topic any more, but the attempt to attract to this union the Baltic states and especially Ukraine.

Deputy Minister of Russian Ministry of Defence N.Mihailov announced in Warsaw that Russia had reconciled itself with the fact that Poland would become a NATO member state but was still negative about the Baltic states joining this union. Russia is not interested in NATO topic any more, but the attempt to attract to this union the Baltic states and especially Ukraine. Neatkariga

EC President J.Santer considers that discussion with Latvia on its joining to EU should be started before the end of 1999 if the present rate of development would be preserved.

EC President J.Santer considers that discussion with Latvia on its joining to EU should be started before the end of 1999 if the present rate of development would be preserved. Neatkariga

German Chancellor G.Schrëder promised to the Latvian Prime Minister V.Kristopans in his letter of congratulations that Germany would be a faithful partner of Latvia in its movement to integrate into European institutions. German Chancellor would stand for expanding the relations between these two countries in all aspects.

Diena

Lauku Avize

interviews the leader of Peoples Party A.Skele about the tactics of this party while being in opposition. A.Skele promised that PP would not become a jelly and would not change their position and programme but would support all those decisions that corresponded to PP position. When describing PPs priorities, A.Skele stressed that the most important things were education and agriculture.

The leader of Peoples Harmony Party J.Jurkans assured a journalist from the newspaper Lauku Avize that Prime Minister V.Kristopans had promised PHP for their support for the new government several posts in the Saeima Human Rights Commission and some more. In his turn, V.Kristopans denied any such promise. When asked about their plans to exchange the name of PHP to For equal human rights in Latvia, J.Jurkans answered that the union of left wing parties had this name already before the election but it the Ministry of Justice refused to register it. Lauku Avize