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

Press Report

About 50 000 (43 000 by

About 50 000 (43 000 by Diena) teachers and kindergarten educators will take part in todays strike hoping to ensure the implementation of the education law. Neatkariga, Jauna Avize, Vesti Segodnya, Panorama Latvii

On November 15, President V.V.Freiberga gave a press interview where she also touched upon the teachers strike. Asked whether she would support this strike if it lasted for a week or even longer, V.V.Freiberga answered that in a democracy workers had the right to strike. It was their free choice. Speaking about the Language law, which was returned to the Saeima for reconsideration for the second time, the President said that Latvia should observe her international obligations and the legal norms stipulating that the state might interfere in private sphere activities and decisions only on special subterfuges.

Latvijas Vestnesis Russian speaking newspaper

Russian speaking newspaper Chas characterises the Presidents words about his strike as populistic and causing no obligations. It is much easier to say to the teachers, How I understand you, my poor ones! instead of conflicting with the Government, demanding money for increasing teachers salaries.

Neither Latvian nor Estonian presidents will attend the OSCE summit in Istanbul on November 18 and 19. Both countries will be represented at this meeting by Prime Ministers and Ministers of Foreign Affairs. Latvian Prime Minister A.Skele will have bilateral meetings with the Prime Ministers of Finland, Hungary and the Netherlands. Although there were no plans for such talks with the representatives of Russia, A.Skele’s Councillor A.Groza acknowledged that such a possibility existed. He also pointed out that it had been planned that Latvian President would participate in this summit but she had expressed a wish to remain in the state during the state holiday. In his turn Estonian President Meri has announced that he would not attend the meeting to protest against the OSCE inactivity during crisis.

Neither Latvian nor Estonian presidents will attend the OSCE summit in Istanbul on November 18 and 19. Both countries will be represented at this meeting by Prime Ministers and Ministers of Foreign Affairs. Latvian Prime Minister A.Skele will have bilateral meetings with the Prime Ministers of Finland, Hungary and the Netherlands. Although there were no plans for such talks with the representatives of Russia, A.Skeles Councillor A.Groza acknowledged that such a possibility existed. He also pointed out that it had been planned that Latvian President would participate in this summit but she had expressed a wish to remain in the state during the state holiday. In his turn Estonian President Meri has announced that he would not attend the meeting to protest against the OSCE inactivity during crisis. Neatkariga

Bizness & Baltiya writes about this decision of the Estonian President in more details.

President V.V.Freiberga hopes that the Saeima will manage to find a suitable wording for the Language law that would correspond to the interests of the state language and the Latvian international obligations. The President acknowledged that the questions how to formulate documents stipulating the “shape of the public space” in Latvia and the role of foreign languages are the most complicated. Also the TB/LNNK faction, meeting with the OSCE experts yesterday discussed the usage of the state language in public information. The experts do not doubt that the state and municipal information should be provided in the state language, but they think the restrictions on the language use in public information, concerning private sphere, should be reconsidered. The TB/LNNK faction Chairman A.Pozarnovs said that the faction was ready to discuss the editorial changes in the state language law, but would not allow any deviations from the draft law norms in the essence. Today the OSCE experts will talk to the Saeima Commission on Education and Science, but V.V.Freiberga will meet with the Commission next week. The OSCE will give its statements on the submitted proposals to the draft law, planned for adoption December 9.

President V.V.Freiberga hopes that the Saeima will manage to find a suitable wording for the Language law that would correspond to the interests of the state language and the Latvian international obligations. The President acknowledged that the questions how to formulate documents stipulating the shape of the public space in Latvia and the role of foreign languages are the most complicated. Also the TB/LNNK faction, meeting with the OSCE experts yesterday discussed the usage of the state language in public information. The experts do not doubt that the state and municipal information should be provided in the state language, but they think the restrictions on the language use in public information, concerning private sphere, should be reconsidered. The TB/LNNK faction Chairman A.Pozarnovs said that the faction was ready to discuss the editorial changes in the state language law, but would not allow any deviations from the draft law norms in the essence. Today the OSCE experts will talk to the Saeima Commission on Education and Science, but V.V.Freiberga will meet with the Commission next week. The OSCE will give its statements on the submitted proposals to the draft law, planned for adoption December 9. Neatkariga, Chas

The demands for using the state language in the public sphere should be put forward basing on the three main principles - who is the provider of information, for how long time and where it is publicised. This was the opinion of the OSCE experts according to A.Pozarnovs.

The demands for using the state language in the public sphere should be put forward basing on the three main principles - who is the provider of information, for how long time and where it is publicised. This was the opinion of the OSCE experts according to A.Pozarnovs. Diena

Yesterday the President acknowledged that the compromise amendments to the pension law, adopted by the Saeima on November 4 were not perfect, and they could be amended in the future. Of the same opinion are some of the Saeima factions. Commenting on the low activity of the population, the President said that in this case not going to the referendum had been as a vote against abolishment of the amendments.

Yesterday the President acknowledged that the compromise amendments to the pension law, adopted by the Saeima on November 4 were not perfect, and they could be amended in the future. Of the same opinion are some of the Saeima factions. Commenting on the low activity of the population, the President said that in this case not going to the referendum had been as a vote against abolishment of the amendments. Neatkariga, Panorama Latvii

The Russian newspaper Novii Den (Russian version of

The Russian newspaper Novii Den (Russian version of Diena) will cease to exist starting from January 1, 2000.The decision was made due to the inprofitability of this newspaper. Bizness & Baltiya

The Chairman of Russian Community in Latvia Vy.Altuhov writes about his seeing of the integration of Russian in Latvia. He thinks that the process of integration not so long ago was rather slow but a successful one. Local Russians sympathised the interests of the republic, even protected them against the socialist Centre, sometimes more persistently than the local population. The representatives of majority population had priority to make a career in state administration (including Soviet and party institutions), but the representatives of other nations had equal rights with Latvians to realise their potential in agriculture, industry, science. National division and disintegration were inspired and started by as seemed quite reasonable demands of so called creative intelligence.

The Chairman of Russian Community in Latvia Vy.Altuhov writes about his seeing of the integration of Russian in Latvia. He thinks that the process of integration not so long ago was rather slow but a successful one. Local Russians sympathised the interests of the republic, even protected them against the socialist Centre, sometimes more persistently than the local population. The representatives of majority population had priority to make a career in state administration (including Soviet and party institutions), but the representatives of other nations had equal rights with Latvians to realise their potential in agriculture, industry, science. National division and disintegration were inspired and started by as seemed quite reasonable demands of so called creative intelligence. Panorama Latvii

Lawyer B.Laizane writes about the ongoing discussions on the state language law. When discussing the law one should take into consideration that the Baltic States, already before the Soviet occupation was a state with a European culture and system of values basing on principles of democracy, rule of law and observation of human rights. Ant it was natural that after restoration of their independence these states wished to return to the international environment becoming members of international organisations. Participation in these organisations is not only the right to participate in their activities, voicing one’s opinion, but as well a duty to fulfil all the obligations. And the common thing for all these obligations is that Latvia volunteered to undertake them. Therefore while listening to the opinions of foreign experts, one should realise that it is not an instruction of Latvian politicians or interference in Latvian internal affairs. Discussing about these international obligations, B.Laizane writes about the OSCE, which Latvia joined in September 10, 1991 and its High Commissioner on National Minorities.

Lawyer B.Laizane writes about the ongoing discussions on the state language law. When discussing the law one should take into consideration that the Baltic States, already before the Soviet occupation was a state with a European culture and system of values basing on principles of democracy, rule of law and observation of human rights. Ant it was natural that after restoration of their independence these states wished to return to the international environment becoming members of international organisations. Participation in these organisations is not only the right to participate in their activities, voicing ones opinion, but as well a duty to fulfil all the obligations. And the common thing for all these obligations is that Latvia volunteered to undertake them. Therefore while listening to the opinions of foreign experts, one should realise that it is not an instruction of Latvian politicians or interference in Latvian internal affairs. Discussing about these international obligations, B.Laizane writes about the OSCE, which Latvia joined in September 10, 1991 and its High Commissioner on National Minorities. Diena