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

On Monday the candidate for the post of the Prime Minister A.Berzins received support from all potential coalition partners – LC, TB/LNNK, People’s Party and the New Party. Only the President is not rushing with her decision. As possible candidates she also sees the President of Latvian Bank E.Repse, the New Party representative I.Udre and A.Poca from Latvijas Cels. Before naming the candidate the President wants to clarify the Government formation principles and be sure that, preserving the existing coalition, previous contradictions and influence of economic groups would be eliminated.

On Monday the candidate for the post of the Prime Minister A.Berzins received support from all potential coalition partners – LC, TB/LNNK, Peoples Party and the New Party. Only the President is not rushing with her decision. As possible candidates she also sees the President of Latvian Bank E.Repse, the New Party representative I.Udre and A.Poca from Latvijas Cels. Before naming the candidate the President wants to clarify the Government formation principles and be sure that, preserving the existing coalition, previous contradictions and influence of economic groups would be eliminated. Diena, Jauna Avize, Lauku Avize

Latvijas Cels is ready to be responsible for Riga and delegate their representative for the post of Riga Mayor. They could propose J.Visiockis, I.Rudzitis, J.Lorencs or I.Samite. But, if the present Mayor A.Berzins would become the Prime Minister, LC could hand over this post to the representative of TB/LNNK, the Deputy Chairman of Riga City Council A.Argalis.

Latvijas Cels is ready to be responsible for Riga and delegate their representative for the post of Riga Mayor. They could propose J.Visiockis, I.Rudzitis, J.Lorencs or I.Samite. But, if the present Mayor A.Berzins would become the Prime Minister, LC could hand over this post to the representative of TB/LNNK, the Deputy Chairman of Riga City Council A.Argalis. Diena, Jauna Avize, Lauku Avize , Panorama Latvii

The Deputy Chancellor of the US State Secretary on European Affairs V.Andrusizhin during his meeting with Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs I.Berzins gave a positive evaluation of the progress Latvia had made during its ten years of independence and praised the achievements in the public integration process.

The Deputy Chancellor of the US State Secretary on European Affairs V.Andrusizhin during his meeting with Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs I.Berzins gave a positive evaluation of the progress Latvia had made during its ten years of independence and praised the achievements in the public integration process. Diena

Latvian MFA has received a letter from the Honorary Consul in Chicago N.Klaucens where he resigned from his duties. MFA did not state the reasons for this decision but the newspaper

Latvian MFA has received a letter from the Honorary Consul in Chicago N.Klaucens where he resigned from his duties. MFA did not state the reasons for this decision but the newspaper Jauna Avize cited the Council who explaining his decision said that his political and economic opinions correspond to the ones of the Latvian people but not those of the Government and politicians. Diena, Respublika

As the facilitated border crossing agreement with Russia expires this autumn, people living close to the border will need visas for entering Russia or Byelorussia. So long these people entered the neighbouring country just with an entry permit that they could receive upon an invitation from a person residing in there. The Director of Latvian MFA Consular Department S.Mellupe thinks that changes in the border crossing procedures by introducing visa regime will not cause any problems.

As the facilitated border crossing agreement with Russia expires this autumn, people living close to the border will need visas for entering Russia or Byelorussia. So long these people entered the neighbouring country just with an entry permit that they could receive upon an invitation from a person residing in there. The Director of Latvian MFA Consular Department S.Mellupe thinks that changes in the border crossing procedures by introducing visa regime will not cause any problems. Jauna Avize

According to unofficial information Prime Minister A.Skele had planned his resignation already some time ago. The first time this idea arose in autumn 1999 to avoid the paedophilia scandal, but the situation did not seem so dangerous at that time. The next evidence for this information is the logical course of his actions. First - firing of the “most innocent” minister V.Makarovs, then legalisation of his earning of 29 million USD, that caused indignation of the Mayor of Venspils A.Lembergs and his lobby in Latvijas Cels. After that A.Skele pushed back J.Naglis to the post of the Privatisation Agency. And just before the publicising the results of the Saeima Investigation Commission on paedophilia scandal, where his name would be mentioned publicly, he resigned from his post. So everybody was busy thinking about the next government and did not pay much attention to this report.

According to unofficial information Prime Minister A.Skele had planned his resignation already some time ago. The first time this idea arose in autumn 1999 to avoid the paedophilia scandal, but the situation did not seem so dangerous at that time. The next evidence for this information is the logical course of his actions. First - firing of the most innocent minister V.Makarovs, then legalisation of his earning of 29 million USD, that caused indignation of the Mayor of Venspils A.Lembergs and his lobby in Latvijas Cels. After that A.Skele pushed back J.Naglis to the post of the Privatisation Agency. And just before the publicising the results of the Saeima Investigation Commission on paedophilia scandal, where his name would be mentioned publicly, he resigned from his post. So everybody was busy thinking about the next government and did not pay much attention to this report. Respublika