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

Press Report

"Tevzemei un Brivibai"

and and "Latvijas Cels" "Latvijas Cels" failed to agree on a candidate for Mayor of Riga. According to failed to agree on a candidate for Mayor of Riga. According to "TB" "TB", , "LC""LC" and and "Saimnieks""Saimnieks" representatives, the three parties will suggest their concepts for organizing the work of the Riga City Council this week. The Riga City Council is expected to elect the Mayor of Riga in a secret ballot. representatives, the three parties will suggest their concepts for organizing the work of the Riga City Council this week. The Riga City Council is expected to elect the Mayor of Riga in a secret ballot. "TB" "TB" and the and the LNNKLNNK are considering joining forces and forming a faction in the Riga City Council. are considering joining forces and forming a faction in the Riga City Council. "TB""TB" has ten seats in the Council while the has ten seats in the Council while the LNNKLNNK has only three. Both parties are discussing the possibility of merging later this year. The idea is supported by a majority of has only three. Both parties are discussing the possibility of merging later this year. The idea is supported by a majority of "TB""TB" members but has numerous opponents in the members but has numerous opponents in the LNNKLNNK. . DienaDiena The Labor Party was founded last Saturday by Aivars Kreituss, Ilga Kreituse, several former members of the Democratic Party and by over one hundred supporters. Mr. Kreituss was elected its Chairman. The new party will focus on protecting the interests of employees and on restructuring and restoring the country's industry. The founders of the party characterized it as a "European Social-Democratic party" and criticized existing Social-Democratic parties for "giving vain promises" during their election campaigns. Still, according to Mr. Kreituss, the Labor Party "is ready to co-operate with other left-wing political forces."

The Labor Party was founded last Saturday by Aivars Kreituss, Ilga Kreituse, several former members of the Democratic Party and by over one hundred supporters. Mr. Kreituss was elected its Chairman. The new party will focus on protecting the interests of employees and on restructuring and restoring the country's industry. The founders of the party characterized it as a "European Social-Democratic party" and criticized existing Social-Democratic parties for "giving vain promises" during their election campaigns. Still, according to Mr. Kreituss, the Labor Party "is ready to co-operate with other left-wing political forces." Diena

Procurator General Janis Skrastins applied to the

Procurator General Janis Skrastins applied to the Saeima for permission to investigate Valdis Krisbergs' case. Independent deputy Krisbergs is suspected of concluding illegal deals and forging business contracts. Mr. Krisbergs was a founder of a company that went bankrupt partly as a result of the alleged violations. Diena

Yeltsin's Press-Secretary Sergey Yastrzhembsky says that the agenda of the Russian President's meeting with President Clinton will include "the situation of national minorities in the Baltic states". Still, the main issue of the Helsinki meeting will be the enlargement of NATO. According to Mr. Yastrzhembsky, Russia will insist on concluding an agreement with NATO that would guarantee non-deployment of nuclear arms on the territory on its new members.

Yeltsin's Press-Secretary Sergey Yastrzhembsky says that the agenda of the Russian President's meeting with President Clinton will include "the situation of national minorities in the Baltic states". Still, the main issue of the Helsinki meeting will be the enlargement of NATO. According to Mr. Yastrzhembsky, Russia will insist on concluding an agreement with NATO that would guarantee non-deployment of nuclear arms on the territory on its new members. Diena

Last Thursday the

Last Thursday the Saeima Committee on Foreign Affairs supported Imants Daudiss' candidature for Latvian Ambassador to Russia. Mr. Daudiss currently holds the position of the Saeima Secretary. Janis Peters' term as Latvian Ambassador to Russia expires this year. In case of Mr. Daudiss' appointment his seat in the "Latvijas Cels" faction may be taken by Mrs. Inese Birzniece. Diena