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

Expansion of the ruling coalition could only take oplace if all Government forming factions agree to it, but currently there is no need to make any changes in the coalition. During the consultations of Latvijas Cels and New Party they harmonised the opinions on some votes but did not touch upon the issue of New Party’s joining the coalition. The Chairman of New Party R.Pauls pointed out that there is no threat for A.Skele’s government and the NP when calling Latvijas Cels and Peoples Party for closer co-operation did not intend to join the coalition.

Expansion of the ruling coalition could only take oplace if all Government forming factions agree to it, but currently there is no need to make any changes in the coalition. During the consultations of Latvijas Cels and New Party they harmonised the opinions on some votes but did not touch upon the issue of New Partys joining the coalition. The Chairman of New Party R.Pauls pointed out that there is no threat for A.Skeles government and the NP when calling Latvijas Cels and Peoples Party for closer co-operation did not intend to join the coalition. Neatkariga, Diena

The New Party proposed to organise a referendum on Latvia’s joining EU. The Board of Latvijas Cels will discuss this proposal but the representatives of other Government forming factions were negative about this initiative.

The New Party proposed to organise a referendum on Latvias joining EU. The Board of Latvijas Cels will discuss this proposal but the representatives of other Government forming factions were negative about this initiative. Neatkariga, Diena, Jauna Avize, Chas, Bizness & Baltiya

Poverty, in which now the majority of Latvian families with children live, will leave a serious negative impact on the development of the society in the future because poor material conditions most directly influence development, health and education of children. As experts acknowledged, the current Government was not interested what would happen in this country after several years. According to the research of 1999 made by the Ministry of Welfare, the income of 83% of all Latvian families is under the critical subsistence wage – 38.23 Ls per month.

Poverty, in which now the majority of Latvian families with children live, will leave a serious negative impact on the development of the society in the future because poor material conditions most directly influence development, health and education of children. As experts acknowledged, the current Government was not interested what would happen in this country after several years. According to the research of 1999 made by the Ministry of Welfare, the income of 83% of all Latvian families is under the critical subsistence wage – 38.23 Ls per month. Neatkariga, Rigas Balss

Lithuanian MFA expressed its incomprehension of Latvian criticism of the wish of Lithuania to join NATO as soon as possible. Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs I.Berzins in his speech at an academic conference criticised this Lithuanian wish to join NATO sooner than Latvia and Estonia. Lithuanian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs told that he considered this to be a misunderstanding.

Lithuanian MFA expressed its incomprehension of Latvian criticism of the wish of Lithuania to join NATO as soon as possible. Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs I.Berzins in his speech at an academic conference criticised this Lithuanian wish to join NATO sooner than Latvia and Estonia. Lithuanian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs told that he considered this to be a misunderstanding. Neatkariga

Latvian Minister of Economics met yesterday with his Russian colleague at the conference of the Ministers of Trade and Economics of the Baltic Sea Region States. Both ministers hold the same opinion that political decisions e.g., on economic sanctions harm the entrepreneurs and development of economics in both countries.

Latvian Minister of Economics met yesterday with his Russian colleague at the conference of the Ministers of Trade and Economics of the Baltic Sea Region States. Both ministers hold the same opinion that political decisions e.g., on economic sanctions harm the entrepreneurs and development of economics in both countries. Neatkariga

Latvian President V.V.Freiberga was surprised by the unwillingness of Israel to send an expert to the conference on wartime violations. It has been planned to discuss the problems of Holocaust and K.Kalejs’s case at this conference. The President said that she had asked her Advisor on Foreign Affairs to contact the Israeli Embassy let Israeli Government think it over and send some other expert.

Latvian President V.V.Freiberga was surprised by the unwillingness of Israel to send an expert to the conference on wartime violations. It has been planned to discuss the problems of Holocaust and K.Kalejss case at this conference. The President said that she had asked her Advisor on Foreign Affairs to contact the Israeli Embassy let Israeli Government think it over and send some other expert. Neatkariga, Chas

Starting with this week all interested are able to read draft laws submitted for consideration to the Saeima, as well as full texts of the adopted laws. The address is www.mk.gov.lv.

Starting with this week all interested are able to read draft laws submitted for consideration to the Saeima, as well as full texts of the adopted laws. The address is www.mk.gov.lv. Diena

The President of the Association of Latvian Commercial banks T.Terjohin tells about his experience going through the naturalisation process five years ago. He thinks that people are exaggerating when stating that for integration of non-citizens is necessary a huge state language training program.

The President of the Association of Latvian Commercial banks T.Terjohin tells about his experience going through the naturalisation process five years ago. He thinks that people are exaggerating when stating that for integration of non-citizens is necessary a huge state language training program. Diena

Yesterday Austrian Ambassador A.Kozushnik during his visit to Liepaja, answering to the question of Chas journalist, said that Austrian Government would support the attempts of the Eastern countries to join EU.

Yesterday Austrian Ambassador A.Kozushnik during his visit to Liepaja, answering to the question of Chas journalist, said that Austrian Government would support the attempts of the Eastern countries to join EU. Chas

Latvian President hopes that the activities of the recently established national patriotic organisation would not used for provocative purposes, and it would not give any reason to be treated as a ultra right party. She called Latvians to learn from the sad Austrian lesson.

Latvian President hopes that the activities of the recently established national patriotic organisation would not used for provocative purposes, and it would not give any reason to be treated as a ultra right party. She called Latvians to learn from the sad Austrian lesson. Chas

Indignation about sentencing former Soviet guerrilla commander A.Kononov is still high in Russian society. Pickets are organised at the Latvian Embassy in Moscow; veteran organisations send letters of protest to Latvian authorities. After the strict announcements of the Russian National Council also the presidential structures got involved into this. Recently the Chairman of Commission on Human rights at the President of Russia addressed Latvian President. He voiced indignation of Russian authorities about this court pursuit and the very sentencing.

Indignation about sentencing former Soviet guerrilla commander A.Kononov is still high in Russian society. Pickets are organised at the Latvian Embassy in Moscow; veteran organisations send letters of protest to Latvian authorities. After the strict announcements of the Russian National Council also the presidential structures got involved into this. Recently the Chairman of Commission on Human rights at the President of Russia addressed Latvian President. He voiced indignation of Russian authorities about this court pursuit and the very sentencing. Vesti Segodnya

Russian National Council does not intend to limit itself with the 101st warning to Latvian authorities. They are preparing a stern announcement to the PACE and OSCE about the decision of Latvian courts to sentence V.Kononov.

Russian National Council does not intend to limit itself with the 101st warning to Latvian authorities. They are preparing a stern announcement to the PACE and OSCE about the decision of Latvian courts to sentence V.Kononov. Vesti Segodnya