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 Chairman of

The Chairman of Latvijas Cels faction K.Libane informed that LC was considering a possibility to summon an extraordinary Saeima plenary meeting to exchange the Saeima Deputy Chairman G.Bojars (Social Democrats ) for a Peoples Party representative K.Greiskalns. This decision was taken basing on the principle that it is better to have a constructive opposition representative in an important post that a destructive position one. Neatkariga

Latvijas Cels

representative I.Berzins does not think that the outcome of Presidential election could radically influence the political situation in Latvia. He explains the result of this election as the activity of representative I.Berzins does not think that the outcome of Presidential election could radically influence the political situation in Latvia. He explains the result of this election as the activity of Social DemocratsSocial Democrats who were fulfilling the wish of TB/LNNK. And the voting was not for but against. There parties united against who were fulfilling the wish of TB/LNNK. And the voting was not “for” but “against”. There parties united against Latvijas CelsLatvijas Cels. The position of . The position of Tevzemei un Brivibai/LNNK Tevzemei un Brivibai/LNNK was clear, but the was clear, but the Social DemocratsSocial Democrats had misunderstood something. When asked about the adoption of the draft language law on July 8, I.Berzins expected that the draft law would be adopted in the more radical version because Latvian had misunderstood something. When asked about the adoption of the draft language law on July 8, I.Berzins expected that the draft law would be adopted in the more radical version because Latvian Social DemocratsSocial Democrats were more social nationalists than social democrats in the Western meaning of this term. were more social nationalists than social democrats in the Western meaning of this term. Bizness & BaltiyaBizness & Baltiya The newly elected President Vaira Vike-Freiberga in her first press conference pointed out that she understood how people felt here but still hoped that people living here would be loyal and showed respect to the state. In order to further public integration in Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga considered it to be necessary to preserve the Consultative Council of Nationalities established by G.Ulmanis. In its turn the state language law should protect the rights of the Latvian language, as the same time not endangering Latvia’s movement towards Europe. She had no time to study the last reading of the law, but it could be the first law to be proclaimed by the new President. She also pointed out that she had studied the draft law in February and discovered that in some European countries these laws were even stricter. In her interview to the Latvian Radio she stated that the OSCE High Commissioner who put forward recommendations for amending the draft law, was not the whole Europe. Vaira Vike-Freiberga as well as stated that she would be open for all political parties, and

The newly elected President Vaira Vike-Freiberga in her first press conference pointed out that she understood how people felt here but still hoped that people living here would be loyal and showed respect to the state. In order to further public integration in Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga considered it to be necessary to preserve the Consultative Council of Nationalities established by G.Ulmanis. In its turn the state language law should protect the rights of the Latvian language, as the same time not endangering Latvias movement towards Europe. She had no time to study the last reading of the law, but it could be the first law to be proclaimed by the new President. She also pointed out that she had studied the draft law in February and discovered that in some European countries these laws were even stricter. In her interview to the Latvian Radio she stated that the OSCE High Commissioner who put forward recommendations for amending the draft law, was not the whole Europe. Vaira Vike-Freiberga as well as stated that she would be open for all political parties, and Social Democrats would not be granted any privileges. Neatkariga, Diena, Jauna Avize (21.06.99)

SM expresses an opinion that Vaira Vike-Freiberga judging from her education and character, will surprise not only her family members but politicians as well. Already on her first press conference she said that was planning to use the right to summon government meetings and chair them.

SM expresses an opinion that Vaira Vike-Freiberga judging from her education and character, will surprise not only her family members but politicians as well. Already on her first press conference she said that was planning to use the right to summon government meetings and chair them.

The Saeima Commission on Education, Culture and Science considered and gave their findings on all 80 proposals to the draft language law that was scheduled for the last reading on July 8.

Diena

Panorama Latvii, commenting on this, stated that this success was due to the three new Commission members V.Vetra and I.Birzniece from Latvijas Cels and J.Dobelis from TB/LNNK. J.Dobelis left the Commission of Defence and Internal Affairs to intensify attacks on the non-state languages. Despite his activities the Commission managed to consider proposals, majority of them proposed by the faction For Human Rights in United Latvia and the Juridical Office of the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities.

The statements made by representatives of four political parties give evidences that Latvijas Cels with its arrogance and disregard of other political parties is left alone. TB/LNNK, Peoples Party and Social Democrats hope to maintain their unity in the future if they meet any attempt of LC to influence or split them. Prime Minister V.Kristopans, when asked about the stability of his government, did not give any precise answer, just said that he had no information that the Saeima majority could not support the government. Diena

O.Schipcov in Russian version of Diena states that, judging for mass media circulated in the Russian language, Russian speakers would prefer A.Gorbunovs or R.Pauls as the new President. Now the Latvian population would consist of two parts: people thinking in Latvian and the ones thinking in Russian. Diena

Nine Russian Federation regions have supported the draft law on imposing sanctions against Latvia, scheduled for consideration in the National Council in September. The Council adopted two draft law on Latvia on May 20, 1999. One of them is about sanctions against Latvia and envisages braking any economic relations with it, the other - about protection of Russian compatriots from these sanctions. Neatkariga