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

Yesterday Andris Skele,

Yesterday Andris Skele, "Saimnieks", "Latvijas Cels", "Tevzemei un Brivibai", the Farmers' Union, the Christian Democrats, the LNNK/the Greens, and "Tautai un Taisnibai" signed the Government Declaration. Still, the factions and the Prime-Minister failed to agree on the basic cooperation principles. "Tevzemei un Brivibai" was the only faction objecting to the agreement. "TB" refused to accept reorganization of the Citizenship and Immigration Department and the Naturalization Board. The Government Declaration includes supplements on foreign politics suggested by "Latvijas Cels". According to Ziedonis Cevers, the document contains "the complete set" of amendments suggested by "Saimnieks". Although the agreement was not adopted yesterday, the coalition factions and Andris Skele accepted an amendment suggested by "LC" and "TB". The amendment cancels a paragraph of the agreement depriving a faction of the right to impose mandatory voting on its members if the faction votes against decisions supported by a majority in the Cooperation Council. The agreement also gives a faction the right to nominate its candidate in case of its member's resignation "if not decided otherwise" by the factions. The factions did not agree on the distribution of posts. Andris Skele suggested that "Saimnieks" could take four posts, "LC" and "TB" -- three posts each, the Farmers' Union and "Tautai un Taisnibai" -- one post each, and the LNNK -- one post. "TB" and "LC" suggest distributing the post equally among the first three groups (three for each one) with one post being left to the LNNK. Neatkariga, B&B

Socialists Modris Lujans and Alexandr Bartashevich during their yesterday's meeting with Skele offered their faction’s support of the Cabinet. Conditions put by the Socialists include eliminating the differences between the rights of citizens and non-citizens and establishing the post of State Minister for Eastern Affairs.

Socialists Modris Lujans and Alexandr Bartashevich during their yesterday's meeting with Skele offered their factions support of the Cabinet. Conditions put by the Socialists include eliminating the differences between the rights of citizens and non-citizens and establishing the post of State Minister for Eastern Affairs. Diena

Saeima Speaker Alfreds Cepanis, Chairman of the

Saeima Speaker Alfreds Cepanis, Chairman of the Saeima Committee on Foreign Affairs Indulis Berzins, Head of the Latvian-Russian Parliamentary Group Janis Jurkans, "Saimnieks" Chairman Ziedonis Cevers, Juris Sinka of "Tevzemei un Brivibai" and a group of Latvian bankers and businessmen will visit Moscow on February 17. The agenda of the visit will include meetings with Duma Speaker Gennady Seleznev and Head of the President's Administration Anatoly Chubais. The group will probably meet Mayor of Moscow Luzhkov. Mr. Cepanis told the press that he was expecting the "Russian treatment" of the human rights situation in Latvia, and had studied international human rights instruments thoroughly. Mr. Cepanis also plans to meet Head of the Naturalization Board Aldermane. Diena