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 continued consultations with the

Andris Skele continued consultations with the Saeima factions on the forming of the Cabinet yesterday. Both sides focused mainly on the Government Declaration without discussing the distribution of posts. Andris Skele told the press that none of the factions has objected to the draft Declaration. Only minor amendments to the document were suggested by the deputies. All of those are to be submitted by Friday this week. "Tevzemei un Brivibai" is drafting amendments on legal issues, economics and education. Legal issues and economics will be also the subject of amendments by "Saimnieks". The faction will also submit its suggestions on foreign affairs and social welfare. According to "Latvijas Cels" leader Valdis Birkavs, "LC" suggests to amend and supplement the chapters on foreign affairs, regional development and communications. LNNK/the Greens are working out suggestions on self-governments and education, and the Farmers/the Christian Democrats believe the Declaration needs to be supplemented on civil service, social problems and on the development of rural areas. Skele believes that the Saeima could vote on the new Cabinet next Thursday if the factions give their final approval of the Government Declaration. The Farmers/ the Christian Democrats and "Tautai un Taisnibai" informed Skele about their support of the new Cabinet. The two factions suggest Roberts Dilba for Minister of Agriculture, Peteris Cimdins for Minister of Education and Science and Rihards Piks for Minister of Culture. It is still unclear whether LNNK/the Greens will obtain posts in the Cabinet. Although Maris Vitols (the Farmers/the Christian Democrats) said that his faction and "TT" had suggested several LNNK deputies to join the two factions in the forming of the Cabinet, Andrejs Krastins (LNNK) denied that his faction members would make such a step independently. Ivars Kezbers ("Saimnieks") explained that his faction, while suggesting its candidates for all the posts, expected its members to take the posts of Minister of Economics, Minister of the Interior, Minister for European Affairs or Minister of Welfare. "TB" will insist on taking the posts of Minister of Justice and Minister of Economics held currently by its members. Neatkariga, Diena