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

The Saeima has adopted the amendments to the law on pensions in the final reading, but, answering to this, the Minister of Well-being V.Makarovs submitted a letter of resignation to the Prime Minister G.Krasts. He explained this action with no wish to undertake political responsibility for this decision of the deputies which could endanger indexation of pensions due to insufficient resources in the social budget.

The Saeima has adopted the amendments to the law on pensions in the final reading, but, answering to this, the Minister of Well-being V.Makarovs submitted a letter of resignation to the Prime Minister G.Krasts. He explained this action with no wish to undertake political responsibility for this decision of the deputies which could endanger indexation of pensions due to insufficient resources in the social budget. Neatkariga, Diena, Jauna Avize, SM, Chas

The Board of TB/LNNK announced yesterday that the party did not intend to participate in any pre-election coalitions and conclude agreements or treaties but admitted discussions of parties before an election with an aim to compare programs and models of state development.

The Board of TB/LNNK announced yesterday that the party did not intend to participate in any pre-election coalitions and conclude agreements or treaties but admitted discussions of parties before an election with an aim to compare programs and models of state development. Neatkariga, Bizness & Baltiya

The Mayor of Venspils A.Lembergs, answering to the news spread by several newspapers yesterday on the possible agreement between him and A.Skele, said that the financial industrial group Ave Lat had formed a new political party in order to make more money and solve its financial problems. Now Ave Lat is fighting to gain the power in a parliamentary state, i.e. to control not only the legislative, but also executive and juridical powers and mass media. A.Lembergs considers it inadmissible. Therefore the only possibility to come to any agreement is if after the election

The Mayor of Venspils A.Lembergs, answering to the news spread by several newspapers yesterday on the possible agreement between him and A.Skele, said that the financial industrial group Ave Lat had formed a new political party in order to make more money and solve its financial problems. Now Ave Lat is fighting to gain the power in a parliamentary state, i.e. to control not only the legislative, but also executive and juridical powers and mass media. A.Lembergs considers it inadmissible. Therefore the only possibility to come to any agreement is if after the election Peoples Party represents interests of the state not Ave Lat. Neatkariga

Diena interviewed the leaders of TB/LNNK, Latvijas Cels and New Party about the announcement made by Peoples Party on the financial dependence of. these parties. All three of them denied receiving any financila support from enterprises of Venspils either lately or ever, but they would not refuse any donations because an election campaign is very expensive. The Chairman of Latvijas Cels A.Pantelejevs considers that A.Skele is afraid that A.Lembergs could use his past experience and become the Prime Minister himself. Diena

Payment of pensions to Russia military pensioners has been started in full amount, but it needs some tome to convert the received money. Therefore there could be some delay in payments outside Riga till Monday.

Payment of pensions to Russia military pensioners has been started in full amount, but it needs some tome to convert the received money. Therefore there could be some delay in payments outside Riga till Monday. Panorama Latvii

Estonian government is looking for a possibility to legalise about 70 000 foreigners that reside in Estonia illegally. These people were not able to receive a domicile registration in 1995, which was the only means for them to legalise their staying in the country. According to the law on foreigners, a noncitizen could receive domicile registration only if he had a permanent residence permit on 1990. It turned out that these people had been residing in Estonia with temporary residence permits, for example in hostels. According to the data of the Ministry of Social Affairs, more that 25 000 of these illegals still continue to receive pensions and social aid. But the rest of them can not even find a job legally. It means that they do not pay taxes, because they officially do not exist. At the end of this week the government submitted to the Parliament a draft law on amending the existing law on foreigners. This law would give more authority to the executive powers in dealing with illegals.

Bizness & Baltiya