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

The New Party decided to stay in the government and proposed I.Udre to the post of the Minister of Economics. The former Minister A.Slesers stated that the party had given a chance to form this government and supported it for the second time but there could be no third time. Neatkariga, Jauna Avize, Diena, Bizness & Baltiya

Yesterday the eight meeting of the Latvian - Byelorussian inter-governmental commission took place in Minsk. The only topic of the agenda - demarcation of the border.

Yesterday the eight meeting of the Latvian - Byelorussian inter-governmental commission took place in Minsk. The only topic of the agenda - demarcation of the border. Neatkariga

A Russian speaking journalist A.Gilman published his reflections about the integration program in Latvia. He feels sorry about his lost Soviet citizenship and thinks that the legislators when adopting new laws are more concerned about their correspondence to international standards not whether this law would make the life of the persons concerned easier. And the subjects of this law have to obey it, not to acknowledge. But if the state aims at forming an integrated society, it should reconsider its policy radically.

A Russian speaking journalist A.Gilman published his reflections about the integration program in Latvia. He feels sorry about his lost Soviet citizenship and thinks that the legislators when adopting new laws are more concerned about their correspondence to international standards not whether this law would make the life of the persons concerned easier. And the subjects of this law have to obey it, not to acknowledge. But if the state aims at forming an integrated society, it should reconsider its policy radically. Neatkariga

Diena

interviewed the Chairman of LC A.Pantelejevs about the current political situation in Latvia. He thinks that the government will remain and at the beginning of June the new wording of the coalition agreement could be adopted. The presidential election will not cause much trouble for the government. The trouble makers could be economic issues such as amending the state budged in the direction of decreasing the expenditure part, preparing the next year budget and also protection of the domestic market. A.Pantelejevs also explained the position of LC about nominating A.Gorbunovs for the post of the President. interviewed the Chairman of LC A.Pantelejevs about the current political situation in Latvia. He thinks that the government will remain and at the beginning of June the new wording of the coalition agreement could be adopted. The presidential election will not cause much trouble for the government. The trouble makers could be economic issues such as amending the state budged in the direction of decreasing the expenditure part, preparing the next year budget and also protection of the domestic market. A.Pantelejevs also explained the position of LC about nominating A.Gorbunovs for the post of the President. DienaDiena

Diena

interviewed also Peoples Party Chairman A.Skele. He had no doubt that the government would survive despite the evidences that the real leader of the state was A.Lembergs. Answering to the question about the new policy of PP, A.Skele explained that now the time had come for the party to be in real opposition. i.e. not to support any steps of the government, even sensible ones, thus making it to resign. He foresaw that the next crisis cold come in autumn when the next budget would be discussed. A.Skele also spoke about the possible candidates to the presidency. Diena

State President G.Ulmanis had a four hour discussion with the

State President G.Ulmanis had a four hour discussion with the New Party Chairman R.Pauls about Paulss possible running for presidency. Mr.Pauls has not made up his mind yet and will announce the final decision on Saturday. Diena, Chas

Swedish Minister of Foreign Affairs A.Lind expressed her satisfaction that the meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Nordic and Baltic states and Russia had opened a possibility to improve relations between Russia and the Baltic states. Also Latvian MFA Deputy State Secretary A.Ronis, describing this meeting, stated that some positive signs could be traced in the attitude of the Russian MFA towards those three states.

Swedish Minister of Foreign Affairs A.Lind expressed her satisfaction that the meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Nordic and Baltic states and Russia had opened a possibility to improve relations between Russia and the Baltic states. Also Latvian MFA Deputy State Secretary A.Ronis, describing this meeting, stated that some positive signs could be traced in the attitude of the Russian MFA towards those three states. Diena

MP J.Vidins made a proposal that only Latvians should be allowed to run for presidency and it should be prohibited to the former Communist Party Central Committee members. The Saeima Juridical Commission refused this proposal, and it is up to Saeima to make the final decision.

MP J.Vidins made a proposal that only Latvians should be allowed to run for presidency and it should be prohibited to the former Communist Party Central Committee members. The Saeima Juridical Commission refused this proposal, and it is up to Saeima to make the final decision. Diena, Bizness & Baltiya, Panorama Latvii

It is possible that a no visa and readmitting of illegal immigrants agreements will be signed with Belgium next week.

It is possible that a no visa and readmitting of illegal immigrants agreements will be signed with Belgium next week. Jauna Avize

Panorama Latvii, when writing about the 12 000 Ls allocated to the Naturalisation Board for ensuring the process of naturalisation, is rather sarcastic and states that the planned time for complete integration of the Latvian society could be shorter than expected. And this does not need any additional financial resources - many of the old age apatrids will be no more around by that time.

Panorama Latvii, when writing about the 12 000 Ls allocated to the Naturalisation Board for ensuring the process of naturalisation, is rather sarcastic and states that the planned time for complete integration of the Latvian society could be shorter than expected. And this does not need any additional financial resources - many of the old age apatrids will be no more around by that time.