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

During the press conference closing the visit of the OSCE High Commissioner Max van der Stoel to Latvia he noted that proficiency in the state language is important for integration and is in the interests of the Russian-speaking community. For this reason, he expressed support to extension of the state language program and promised to help to raise the necessary 1.3 million USD to continue the program. In the answer to the proposal brought up by the Latvian Foreign Minister Indulis Berzins to urge the Russian-speakers to learn Latvian the High Commissioner said he was not going to release a special statement and reminded about having stressed before in his speeches that learning the state language is in person’s own interests.

During the press conference closing the visit of the OSCE High Commissioner Max van der Stoel to Latvia he noted that proficiency in the state language is important for integration and is in the interests of the Russian-speaking community. For this reason, he expressed support to extension of the state language program and promised to help to raise the necessary 1.3 million USD to continue the program. In the answer to the proposal brought up by the Latvian Foreign Minister Indulis Berzins to urge the Russian-speakers to learn Latvian the High Commissioner said he was not going to release a special statement and reminded about having stressed before in his speeches that learning the state language is in persons own interests. Diena, Neatkariga, Panorama Latvii, Vesti Segodna

Latvijas Vestnesis provides a detailed report on the High Commissioner’s meeting with the Latvian Prime Minister Andris Skele and the President Vaira Vike-Freiberga.

Latvijas Vestnesis provides a detailed report on the High Commissioners meeting with the Latvian Prime Minister Andris Skele and the President Vaira Vike-Freiberga.

Chas

focuses on the possible outcome of the second review of the State Language law. MP from the For Human Rights in United Latvia Boris Tsilevich thinks that the ruling factions will change only some terminology, like the term state institutions, and all articles objected by Europe will remain as before. Dzintars Abikis, the only honest member of the ruling coalition also admitted that nothing substantial will be changed in the law. focuses on the possible outcome of the second review of the State Language law. MP from the For Human Rights in United Latvia Boris Tsilevich thinks that the ruling factions will change only some terminology, like the term “state institutions”, and all articles objected by Europe will remain as before. Dzintars Abikis, “the only honest member of the ruling coalition” also admitted that nothing substantial will be changed in the law. Vaira Vike-Freiberga believes that being the top official in the country has no right to intervene and influence the process around the amendments to the Pension Law. She urged the population to study rationally the amendments, understand the situation and then make a decision on signing for referendum. However, she said that the society should be aware of the rise of the pension age in future as in Latvia it is “abnormally low”.

Vaira Vike-Freiberga believes that being the top official in the country has no right to intervene and influence the process around the amendments to the Pension Law. She urged the population to study rationally the amendments, understand the situation and then make a decision on signing for referendum. However, she said that the society should be aware of the rise of the pension age in future as in Latvia it is abnormally low. Neatkariga, Diena

The suggestions for solving the budget problems released by Social Democrats and the Trade Unions in the opinion of the Prime Minister Andris Skele offer no alternatives to the amendments to the Pension Law. As the only constructive thing Skele mentioned the suggested tax “on wealth”, like houses, yachts, luxurious cars. Skele himself thinks that the budget could be as well raised by taxing the interest on bank deposits and dividends.

The suggestions for solving the budget problems released by Social Democrats and the Trade Unions in the opinion of the Prime Minister Andris Skele offer no alternatives to the amendments to the Pension Law. As the only constructive thing Skele mentioned the suggested tax on wealth, like houses, yachts, luxurious cars. Skele himself thinks that the budget could be as well raised by taxing the interest on bank deposits and dividends. Diena

The Cabinet has decided on electing directly governments for nine regions in March of 2001. The regional reform is intended to have a balanced development of all regions as well as to free the central government from dealing with local and regional problems. Prime Minister Andris Skele was the only one to object direct elections, he suggested that the regions should have appointed governors.

The Cabinet has decided on electing directly governments for nine regions in March of 2001. The regional reform is intended to have a balanced development of all regions as well as to free the central government from dealing with local and regional problems. Prime Minister Andris Skele was the only one to object direct elections, he suggested that the regions should have appointed governors. Neatkariga

During the August 24 meetingCabinetdecided to delay considering the stopping of the May 3, 1994 Cabinet decision “On the fund for Skrunda radar station environment rehabilitation and repatriation of the Russian military pensioners”. Environment Protection and Regional Development, Foreign and Justice Ministries have to prepare a draft document on the Fund and submit it to the Cabinet to be considered this August 31.

During the August 24 meetingCabinetdecided to delay considering the stopping of the May 3, 1994 Cabinet decision On the fund for Skrunda radar station environment rehabilitation and repatriation of the Russian military pensioners. Environment Protection and Regional Development, Foreign and Justice Ministries have to prepare a draft document on the Fund and submit it to the Cabinet to be considered this August 31. Latvijas Vestnesis