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

Governing coalition factions criticise the coalition agreement and working program drafted by Prime-Minister Skele. Faction members interviewed by

Governing coalition factions criticise the coalition agreement and working program drafted by Prime-Minister Skele. Faction members interviewed by DIENA believe both documents to be incomplete. Yesterday the coalition factions formed a working group to generalise proposals made by the factions and to draft final versions of the two documents. Saimnieks has already come up with its own draft agreement that provides the factions with the right to amend the list of Prime-Ministers planned activities. According to a spokesman for Saimnieks, this would prevent the plan from remaining Skeles individual program instead of being a program for the entire Government. Saimnieks also insists on the coalition factions being represented in the Government proportionally to the number of seats in the Saeima in case the Cabinet is reorganised. Tevzemei un Brivibaiobjects against the new agreement cancelling any of the points of the existing document on co-operation between the factions. TB also does not agree to the introduction of a free land market being a part of the Government program. Andrejs Pantelejevs of Latvijas Celssays his party has its own objections but refused to give any details. The FarmersUnion/ Christian Democratic faction also criticises the draft agreement while the Unity faction will suggest amendments on agriculture. LNNK has not prepared any suggestions yet. Prime-Minister Skele is said to be ready to discuss the draft agreement. Still, he is not likely to agree to altering the Government working program. He says the factions can only add their suggestions to the draft program without removing any of its points. Otherwise they are to leave the coalition or to replace the Prime-Minister, says Skele. Diena

Ainars Dimants

Ainars Dimants (DIENA) believes the forming of the Constitutional Court should be taken more seriously by the Saeima. The Law on the Constitutional Court was adopted by the Saeima on June 6. Suggested candidates to be elected the judges of the Court are not known to the public, and the author of the article doubts their professional skills. Diena

Today the

Today the Saeima is expected to review the Declaration on Latvias Occupation. The official purpose of the Declaration is to inform the international community of the fact of occupation. According to an article in SM the purpose of the document is to justify low living standards by the consequences of occupation and to threaten noncitizens willing to take Russian citizenship. The author of the article believes the Saeima will adopt the most liberal version of the declaration drafted by the Juridical Committee. SM