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

Andris Skele plans to familiarize potential governing factions with the draft Government Declaration and the basic cooperation principles on February 4. Official consultations with the factions will start next week. Skele insists on canceling "the succession principle" (Ministers being replaced by members of their party).

Andris Skele plans to familiarize potential governing factions with the draft Government Declaration and the basic cooperation principles on February 4. Official consultations with the factions will start next week. Skele insists on canceling "the succession principle" (Ministers being replaced by members of their party). "Latvijas Cels" ("LC") agreed to the scheme suggested by Skele. Still, "LC" will oppose all attempts to monopolize any particular sphere of the Cabinet's authority. This condition is also included into the agreement between"LC" and "Tevzemei un Brivibai" ("TB") on the principles of the forming of the Cabinet. Some points of the agreement contradict conditions suggested by Skele. The two parties believe that "the succession principle" should be observed in case of a Minister's resignation. The document also points at the necessity of maintaining, "political balance" by not allowing the domination of one party in any of the spheres. "LC" and "TB" have also agreed that the Satversme, the Citizenship Law and the status of the Citizenship and Immigration Service should not be subject to any amendments and changes. "Saimnieks" does not agree to the principles suggested by "LC" and "TB". According to sources in the Saeima, "Saimnieks" may claim the posts currently held by "TB" members (Minister of Justice and Minister of Economics) and by an LNNK member (Minister of Defense). The Saeima is not likely to vote on the new Cabinet next week since the Prime-Minister will leave for Estonia to meet the country's Premier. Diena, Neatkariga

The Procurator's Office will investigate Aleksey Vidavsky's role in the activities aimed against Latvia's independence. Mayor of Daugavpils Vidavsky is running for the second term in office in the upcoming local elections. He is known to be a member of the Communist Party after January 13, 1991. According to the Law on Local Elections, individuals who were active members of the Communist party after the date are banned from running for posts in local elections. Vidavsky participated in a meeting of the Latvian Communist Party Central Committee on January 14, 1991. The meeting insisted on the resignation of the Latvian Government and called upon USSR President Gorbachev to introduce provisional presidential rule in Latvia. The Daugavpils Local Electoral Committee has not discovered any facts proving Vidavsky's participation in any activities aimed against Latvia's independence.

The Procurator's Office will investigate Aleksey Vidavsky's role in the activities aimed against Latvia's independence. Mayor of Daugavpils Vidavsky is running for the second term in office in the upcoming local elections. He is known to be a member of the Communist Party after January 13, 1991. According to the Law on Local Elections, individuals who were active members of the Communist party after the date are banned from running for posts in local elections. Vidavsky participated in a meeting of the Latvian Communist Party Central Committee on January 14, 1991. The meeting insisted on the resignation of the Latvian Government and called upon USSR President Gorbachev to introduce provisional presidential rule in Latvia. The Daugavpils Local Electoral Committee has not discovered any facts proving Vidavsky's participation in any activities aimed against Latvia's independence. Diena