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

A study carried out by Baltijas Datu Nams that was released yesterday shows that majority of the students of the schools with Russian language of instruction do not feel they belong to Latvia’s society, they are not willing to speak Latvian, most of them want Russian to be recognized as the second state language in Latvia, they do not support the shift to Latvian as the language of instruction. The study was done in 50 schools in Latvia among the students in grades 9 to 11, their parents and teachers. There are more negative answers given by the students than by their parents or teachers.

A study carried out by Baltijas Datu Nams that was released yesterday shows that majority of the students of the schools with Russian language of instruction do not feel they belong to Latvias society, they are not willing to speak Latvian, most of them want Russian to be recognized as the second state language in Latvia, they do not support the shift to Latvian as the language of instruction. The study was done in 50 schools in Latvia among the students in grades 9 to 11, their parents and teachers. There are more negative answers given by the students than by their parents or teachers. Diena, Panorama Latvii

Latvian TV channel LNT in co-operation with the Latvian Language Training State Program plans to start a new bilingual program. The project is initiated and financed by the European Council. The program will be in Russian and Latvian with simultaneous translation (subtitles).

Latvian TV channel LNT in co-operation with the Latvian Language Training State Program plans to start a new bilingual program. The project is initiated and financed by the European Council. The program will be in Russian and Latvian with simultaneous translation (subtitles). Diena

The government meeting decided that teachers in Latvia will see the pay rise only starting the next September instead of previously planned January. Teachers hope to have the funding for education increased up to 29 million lats and the planned pay rise. In case the teachers’ demands are not met it is possible they will stage demonstrations.

The government meeting decided that teachers in Latvia will see the pay rise only starting the next September instead of previously planned January. Teachers hope to have the funding for education increased up to 29 million lats and the planned pay rise. In case the teachers demands are not met it is possible they will stage demonstrations. Neatkariga

Yesterday’s government meeting supported the draft law providing for the defence budget to reach 2% of GDP by 2003 to ensure that development of the armed forces is up to NATO standards.

Yesterdays government meeting supported the draft law providing for the defence budget to reach 2% of GDP by 2003 to ensure that development of the armed forces is up to NATO standards. Diena

After the initiative of Ventspils Mayor Aivars Lembergs, a consultative forum with participation of all social groups of the town, including non-citizens, will convene at the end of the year.

After the initiative of Ventspils Mayor Aivars Lembergs, a consultative forum with participation of all social groups of the town, including non-citizens, will convene at the end of the year. Chas

BB runs a short interview with Eizenija Aldermane where she is quite optimistic about the pace of naturalization after dropping the window system. By now the waiting lines for submitting applications have reduced from 5-6 months to 1 month. 7464 people (among them 1125 children) have acquired citizenship after dropping the windows.

Interior Ministry is looking for the government support to introduce unified ID cards for Latvia’s residents for domestic use. It is planned to start the project in 2001. Then, passports will be needed for travelling abroad only.

Interior Ministry is looking for the government support to introduce unified ID cards for Latvias residents for domestic use. It is planned to start the project in 2001. Then, passports will be needed for travelling abroad only. BB