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

Peoples Party

together with TB/LNNK have decided to collect the necessary 34 signatures to summon an extraordinary meeting before June 23 to consider the draft language law I the third reading. This meeting according to Peoples Party faction Chairman G.Berzins could take place on June 16. He said that the law would slightly contradict OSCE recommendations, and the government should pay more attention to explain the international society the position of Latvia. Neatkariga, Diena, Chas The day of presidential election is approaching and all the Saeima factions have announced that there will be no trading of votes - the election is too important. But J.Pelss doubts it and tries to prove his position.

The day of presidential election is approaching and all the Saeima factions have announced that there will be no trading of votes - the election is too important. But J.Pelss doubts it and tries to prove his position. Neatkariga, Diena, Chas

J.Saratovs has been elected the Secretary General of TB/LNNK. He replaced A.Kimenis who is now heading the TB/LNNK faction in Riga City Council.

Neatkariga Portugal has informed Latvian MFA about new norms to be observed by Latvian citizens who plan to go there using the no visa regime.

Portugal has informed Latvian MFA about new norms to be observed by Latvian citizens who plan to go there using the no visa regime. Neatkariga

Minister of Foreign Affairs V.Birkavs tells the newspaper

Minister of Foreign Affairs V.Birkavs tells the newspaper Neatkariga about the North dimension for Latvia. MFA has formed a working group to evaluate the possibilities of this dimension. Neatkariga

All 12 grade graduates will have a possibility when taking the Latvian language exam next year to pass the naturalisation test as well. This is the opinion of the Minister of Education as well as the Head of the Naturalisation Board E.Aldermane. Some Saeima deputies have expressed an opinion that combining those two tests was a bit of rush and was not legally precise. This year 2433 students voluntarily participated in the experiment to combine the both tests.

All 12 grade graduates will have a possibility when taking the Latvian language exam next year to pass the naturalisation test as well. This is the opinion of the Minister of Education as well as the Head of the Naturalisation Board E.Aldermane. Some Saeima deputies have expressed an opinion that combining those two tests was a bit of rush and was not legally precise. This year 2433 students voluntarily participated in the experiment to combine the both tests. Diena

TB/LNNK will not rush to support

TB/LNNK will not rush to support Social Democrats joining the government forming coalition because they want to wait until the presidential election is over and get certain if the government posts are not traded for votes to get a support for some president candidate. The Chairman of Social Democrats faction E.Baldzens said that this position of TB/LNNK did no bother SD at all, because it was acceptable for them to act within the framework of the already concluded agreement. Diena

According to the opinion poll organised by Latvijas fakti, in May the popularity of

According to the opinion poll organised by Latvijas fakti, in May the popularity of Peoples Party decreased but that of Social Democrats - increased. Only 18.7% of respondents were ready to vote for the Peoples Party (1.8% less than in April). Diena

The State Language Inspection examined Riga schools, and during the first four months of this year they discovered more that 440 fake language knowledge certificates and in May 15 more. They discovered falsified documents even among the school directors. From 112 teachers having fake certificates, the Inspection dismissed only 20 employees. The found guilty are not always punished, they are given a possibility to take the test one more time.

The State Language Inspection examined Riga schools, and during the first four months of this year they discovered more that 440 fake language knowledge certificates and in May 15 more. They discovered falsified documents even among the school directors. From 112 teachers having fake certificates, the Inspection dismissed only 20 employees. The found guilty are not always punished, they are given a possibility to take the test one more time. Jauna Avize

A retired English language teacher Yesterday. Naumova gives a piece of advise how to distinguish between a low an high quality language training courses for people who want to master the Latvian language.

A retired English language teacher Yesterday. Naumova gives a piece of advise how to distinguish between a low an high quality language training courses for people who want to master the Latvian language. Chas

SM

interviewed J.Jurkans, the Chairman of the faction For Human Rights in United Latvia and V.Birkavs, Minister of Foreign Affairs about the planned visit of Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs I.Ivanov to Latvia. J.Jurkans thinks that this visit could strengthen the positions of Latvijas Cels, but V.Birkavs considers that it could serve as the starting point for the future meeting of prime ministers. Yesterday two pickets were held - one opposite the UNDP premises and the other in Jelgava. The participants of Riga picket held slogans “There is genocide in RL” “ We demand a political asylum”, etc. The leader of these people spoke about arbitrariness of Latvian officials. The Jelgava picket was larger in number and people protested against high communal fees, etc.

Yesterday two pickets were held - one opposite the UNDP premises and the other in Jelgava. The participants of Riga picket held slogans There is genocide in RL We demand a political asylum, etc. The leader of these people spoke about arbitrariness of Latvian officials. The Jelgava picket was larger in number and people protested against high communal fees, etc. SM

SM

writes about the emigrants from Latvia. The largest numbers left Latvia in 1992 - about 53 thousand people, in 1996 only 10 000 people. Most of them left for Russia, Byelorussia, Ukraine. When writing about the discussions on the concept of the national integration program, the journalist points out that for organising different seminars and conferences on this issue, about 60 000 Ls were spent(only 19 000 came from the state budget).

When writing about the discussions on the concept of the national integration program, the journalist points out that for organising different seminars and conferences on this issue, about 60 000 Ls were spent(only 19 000 came from the state budget). Bizness & Baltiya