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

Yesterday Prime-Minister Skele accused Minister of Defense Krastins of ignoring the interests of the state and demanded his dismissal. Mr. Skele told the press that the Ministry of Defense had concluded contracts for the purchase of fuel that allowed to suspect its officials in being either unprofessional or corrupt. The Prime-Minister also demanded the dismissal of the State Secretary of the Ministry of Defense Einars Vaivods. President Ulmanis admitted that certain problems existed in the Ministry of Defense. The State Secretary of the Ministry of Defense told BNS that the Ministry had not violated any regulations and concluded a contract for fuel shipments on the basis of an open tender. In case of Krastins' resignation his post is to be taken by either a "Farmers' Union"/ "Union of Christian Democrats" or a

Yesterday Prime-Minister Skele accused Minister of Defense Krastins of ignoring the interests of the state and demanded his dismissal. Mr. Skele told the press that the Ministry of Defense had concluded contracts for the purchase of fuel that allowed to suspect its officials in being either unprofessional or corrupt. The Prime-Minister also demanded the dismissal of the State Secretary of the Ministry of Defense Einars Vaivods. President Ulmanis admitted that certain problems existed in the Ministry of Defense. The State Secretary of the Ministry of Defense told BNS that the Ministry had not violated any regulations and concluded a contract for fuel shipments on the basis of an open tender. In case of Krastins' resignation his post is to be taken by either a "Farmers' Union"/ "Union of Christian Democrats" or a LNNK member. The rumor is that the post may be taken by Mr. Juris Dobelis, a current LNNK Chairman. Mr. Krastins is known to say that he would not join the party established after merging of LNNK with "Tevzemei un Brivibai" (he even called it "a national-socialist party"). Staying outside the new party would require his resignation. "Biznes i Baltiya" believes that the scandal could be provoked as a "preventive step" by the Minister's political opponents within LNNK and "TB" with an aim to ruin his reputation. Diena, Neatkariga

According to Head of the Russian Parliamentary Delegation Mikhail Vakulenko, the Russian State

According to Head of the Russian Parliamentary Delegation Mikhail Vakulenko, the Russian State Duma would not ratify any agreements with Latvia if the country did not follow international recommendations on human rights issues. He stressed that the State Duma would not ratify any agreement with Latvia even if the executive power signs it. Mr. Vakulenko said that the visit had not changed the opinion of Delegation members on the situation in Latvia. Yesterday Delegation members had a meeting with the "Equal Rights" faction. Its members agreed that the rights of non-citizens were violated in Latvia. Diena

Natalya Parfenova will leave Latvia this Sunday. Expenses connected with her travel to Moscow are covered by the Russian Embassy. Head of the Russian Consular Office Rylov agreed with the CID that a stamp in Parfenova's passport banning her from entering Latvia within the next five years will be annulled. The Russian Embassy will issue a travel passport to Parfenova allowing her to enter Latvia.

Natalya Parfenova will leave Latvia this Sunday. Expenses connected with her travel to Moscow are covered by the Russian Embassy. Head of the Russian Consular Office Rylov agreed with the CID that a stamp in Parfenova's passport banning her from entering Latvia within the next five years will be annulled. The Russian Embassy will issue a travel passport to Parfenova allowing her to enter Latvia. SM, Panorama Latvii