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

European Commission and the Director of European Integration Office of Latvia E.Kusners consider that Latvian State administration lacks a unified strategic thinking and culture of administration. EC expressed this opinion before Christmas by sending the Minister of Special Portfolio R.Zile comments on the National Development Plan of Latvia.

European Commission and the Director of European Integration Office of Latvia E.Kusners consider that Latvian State administration lacks a unified strategic thinking and culture of administration. EC expressed this opinion before Christmas by sending the Minister of Special Portfolio R.Zile comments on the National Development Plan of Latvia. Diena, Chas (10.01.00)

The Council of Latvijas Cels, opposite to the opinion of its Chairman A.Pantelejevs unanimously voted against an attempt to amend the Law on Prosecutor’s Office. The council considers the valid law corresponding to the principle of divided powers. A.Pantelejevs, who last weekend spoke for amending this law, did not participate in the Council meeting.

The Council of Latvijas Cels, opposite to the opinion of its Chairman A.Pantelejevs unanimously voted against an attempt to amend the Law on Prosecutors Office. The council considers the valid law corresponding to the principle of divided powers. A.Pantelejevs, who last weekend spoke for amending this law, did not participate in the Council meeting. Diena

The newspaper

The newspaper Chas states that this law endangers the ruling coalition because Peoples Party and Latvijas Cels agreed not to amend the existing law. TB/LNNK does not rush to announce its position but there is information that opinions in the faction differ.

LC Council member O.Kehris acknowledged to the newspaper Diena that Latvijas Cels could not support the progressive tax system as it did not correspond to the program of a liberal party. It was the Chairman of the party A.Pantelejevs who came with the idea to start discussing a possibility of introducing the progressive tax system in Latvia. The Council will take an official opinion on this after returning of A.Pantelejevs from his holidays, but even now it is evident that it would be difficult for the party to agree with this proposal.

LC Council member O.Kehris acknowledged to the newspaper Diena that Latvijas Cels could not support the progressive tax system as it did not correspond to the program of a liberal party. It was the Chairman of the party A.Pantelejevs who came with the idea to start discussing a possibility of introducing the progressive tax system in Latvia. The Council will take an official opinion on this after returning of A.Pantelejevs from his holidays, but even now it is evident that it would be difficult for the party to agree with this proposal. Diena

Latvian MP B.Cilevics comments on the decision of the Istanbul Summit to keep Max van der Stoel in the post of the OSCE High Commissioner for one more year. He compares this post with the one of a engineer responsible for the safe working environment. This engineer makes hotheads to obey safety rules that are written by blood. The task of the Commissioner is to predict and prevent ethnic conflicts. Mr.Cilevics calls journalists and politicians to respect High Commissioner Max van der Stoel.

Latvian MP B.Cilevics comments on the decision of the Istanbul Summit to keep Max van der Stoel in the post of the OSCE High Commissioner for one more year. He compares this post with the one of a engineer responsible for the safe working environment. This engineer makes hotheads to obey safety rules that are written by blood. The task of the Commissioner is to predict and prevent ethnic conflicts. Mr.Cilevics calls journalists and politicians to respect High Commissioner Max van der Stoel. Vesti Segodnya