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 Review

Press Review

Andris Skele rejected Ziedonis Cevers' candidature for Minister of Finance yesterday proposed by

Andris Skele rejected Ziedonis Cevers' candidature for Minister of Finance yesterday proposed by "Saimnieks". "Saimnieks" members left the meeting of the governing factions after Skele introduced his list of Government members. Cevers, while talking to journalists, accused Skele of trying to press "Saimnieks" out of the government. The Prime-Minister offered the post of Minister of Finance to Atis Sausnitis (Head of the Saeima Committee on National Economics), also a "Saimnieks" member. Today "Saimnieks" is expected to decide on its further steps. Skele is invited to the meeting of the "Saimnieks" faction leaders today. Ziedonis Cevers told the press that Skele insisted on Sausnitis taking the post while the latter declined the offer. Currently, the Cabinet suggested by Skele is as follows:

Andrejs Krastins (

Andrejs Krastins (LNNK) - Minister of Defense

Valdis Birkavs

Valdis Birkavs ("Latvijas Cels") - Minister of Foreign Affairs

Guntars Krasts (

Guntars Krasts ("Tevzemei un Brivibai") - Minister of Economics

Dainis Turlais (

Dainis Turlais ("Saimnieks") - Minister of the Interior

Juris Celmins

Juris Celmins ("Saimnieks") - Minister of Education and Science

Roberts Dilba (the Farmers' Union) - Minister of Agriculture

Roberts Dilba (the Farmers' Union) - Minister of Agriculture

Vilis Kristopans (

Vilis Kristopans ("Latvijas Cels") - Minister of Communications

Vladimirs Makarovs

Vladimirs Makarovs ("Tevzemei un Brivibai") - Minister of Welfare

Dzintars Rasnacs

Dzintars Rasnacs ("Tevzemei un Brivibai") - Minister of Justice

Anatolijs Gorbunovs

Anatolijs Gorbunovs ("Latvijas Cels") - Minister of Regional Development

Rihards Piks (the Farmers' Union) - Minister of Culture

Rihards Piks (the Farmers' Union) - Minister of Culture

Aleksandrs Kirsteins (

Aleksandrs Kirsteins (LNNK) - Minister for EU Affairs. The "Tautai un Taisnibai" faction has chosen not to participate in the forming of the Government but declared its support of Skele's Cabinet. Today the Saeima will vote on the list of candidates. Still, Andris Skele suggested the Saeima to vote on an incomplete list that would not include candidates for Minister of Finance, Minister of Justice and Minister of the Interior. According to Skele, the decision has been supported by all the factions including "Saimnieks". Even if "Saimnieks" votes against the Cabinet suggested by Skele, it will still have 55 votes in its favor. The Farmers' Union currently has 11 seats after it was joined by Raitis Apalups, formerly of the "Unity" faction. The Cabinet will be also supported by independent deputy Guntis Enins and several Unity Party members.Diena, Neatkariga, B&B

President Yeltsin's Press-Service has distributed the basic points of the long-term doctrine for Russia's relations with the Baltic states. Russia believes that the joining of NATO by Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania would be a serious obstacle to the forming of "constructive cooperation in the region". According to the document, protecting the interests of Russian-speakers in the three counties should be an important long-term task of Russian foreign politics. "Creating conditions for granting of citizenship to all inhabitants of Latvia and Estonia who had a permanent "propiska" on the territory of these countries , simplifying the naturalization procedure, providing the right for citizenship to all born on the territories of these countries and the right for family reunion to all their inhabitants" are named among Russia's priorities. The document stresses the unacceptability of any territorial claims toward Russia and links the signing of the border agreement with Estonia to the improvement of Russian-speakers' situation in the country. Russia's goals also include maintaining "a secure basis for economic cooperation between Russia and the three Baltic states". Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs Birkavs told the press that he expected Russia to take a firmer stand toward the Baltic states as the date of the NATO summit was approaching. Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Press-Secretary Pildegovics says that all humanitarian problems existing between Russia and Latvia should be resolved on the basis of European standards. According to Pildegovics, Latvia cannot be accused of putting territorial claims and has the right to choose its partners.

President Yeltsin's Press-Service has distributed the basic points of the long-term doctrine for Russia's relations with the Baltic states. Russia believes that the joining of NATO by Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania would be a serious obstacle to the forming of "constructive cooperation in the region". According to the document, protecting the interests of Russian-speakers in the three counties should be an important long-term task of Russian foreign politics. "Creating conditions for granting of citizenship to all inhabitants of Latvia and Estonia who had a permanent "propiska" on the territory of these countries , simplifying the naturalization procedure, providing the right for citizenship to all born on the territories of these countries and the right for family reunion to all their inhabitants" are named among Russia's priorities. The document stresses the unacceptability of any territorial claims toward Russia and links the signing of the border agreement with Estonia to the improvement of Russian-speakers' situation in the country. Russia's goals also include maintaining "a secure basis for economic cooperation between Russia and the three Baltic states". Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs Birkavs told the press that he expected Russia to take a firmer stand toward the Baltic states as the date of the NATO summit was approaching. Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Press-Secretary Pildegovics says that all humanitarian problems existing between Russia and Latvia should be resolved on the basis of European standards. According to Pildegovics, Latvia cannot be accused of putting territorial claims and has the right to choose its partners. Diena, SM

Boris Tsilevich in his analysis of the current political situation in Latvia suggests that

Boris Tsilevich in his analysis of the current political situation in Latvia suggests that "Saimnieks" could win more votes in previous local elections if it was "pragmatic enough" to support the granting of the right of vote in local elections to non-citizens. Tsilevich does not believe that any considerable changes may occur on the Latvian political scene. The newly formed parties (as the Union for Reforms) are found by former National Block member willing to boost their political careers. These parties, according to Tsilevich, are trying to conceal their nationalism, and may even attract non-Latvian voters. Still, the essence of their policy toward non-Latvians will remain clearly nationalistic. Same holds true for the Social Democrats, writes Tsilevich. SM