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

Minister of Culture Rihards Piks ("Saimnieks") resigned after the Prosecutor General's Office had discovered that he violated the Anti-Corruption Law. A representative of the Office told "DIENA" that none of the violation coud be clasified as a criminal offence. Prime-Minister Skele approved his decision and praised Mr. Piks for "acting courageously as a real poitician should." Today the Prime-Minister will address the nation on TV with a statement on the political situation in the country. The Prosecutor General's Office will consider alleged violation of the Anti-Corruption Law by forty-six Saeima deputies.

Minister of Culture Rihards Piks ("Saimnieks") resigned after the Prosecutor General's Office had discovered that he violated the Anti-Corruption Law. A representative of the Office told "DIENA" that none of the violation coud be clasified as a criminal offence. Prime-Minister Skele approved his decision and praised Mr. Piks for "acting courageously as a real poitician should." Today the Prime-Minister will address the nation on TV with a statement on the political situation in the country. The Prosecutor General's Office will consider alleged violation of the Anti-Corruption Law by forty-six Saeima deputies. Diena

"SM SEVODNYA" observer Andrey Vorontsov believes that the current corruption scandal was initiated by "Skele's team" to weaken the legislative power. The term of the current Saeima expires after one year and the Prime-Minister tries to establish a basis for his political allies in the next Saeima. Unlike some analysts, Vorontsov does not expect Skele to resign. On the opposite, the Prime-Minister and the Cabinet may use the Saeima vacations for using the rights provided by the Satversme and adopting legal acts that otherwise would not be passed by the Saeima. Vorontsov believes that the three major governing parties ("Latvijas Cels", "Saimnieks" and "Tevzemei un Brivibai" could agree on staging the parliamentary crisis by leaving the Cabint this autumn. The next step could be the re-election of the Prime-Minister and the President.

"SM SEVODNYA" observer Andrey Vorontsov believes that the current corruption scandal was initiated by "Skele's team" to weaken the legislative power. The term of the current Saeima expires after one year and the Prime-Minister tries to establish a basis for his political allies in the next Saeima. Unlike some analysts, Vorontsov does not expect Skele to resign. On the opposite, the Prime-Minister and the Cabinet may use the Saeima vacations for using the rights provided by the Satversme and adopting legal acts that otherwise would not be passed by the Saeima. Vorontsov believes that the three major governing parties ("Latvijas Cels", "Saimnieks" and "Tevzemei un Brivibai" could agree on staging the parliamentary crisis by leaving the Cabint this autumn. The next step could be the re-election of the Prime-Minister and the President. SM

"Latvijas Cels" faction objects to raising the salaries of Saeima deputies. The raise of the salary up to Ls 530 was suggested by twenty-eight deputies, most of them belonging to governing factions. The figure does not include benefits and free helth ensurance available to deputies. The suggestion also provided for a special pension for deputies that would constitute 75% of their average salaries.

"Latvijas Cels" faction objects to raising the salaries of Saeima deputies. The raise of the salary up to Ls 530 was suggested by twenty-eight deputies, most of them belonging to governing factions. The figure does not include benefits and free helth ensurance available to deputies. The suggestion also provided for a special pension for deputies that would constitute 75% of their average salaries. Diena, SM

The Chechen delegation visiting Lithuania and Latvia was not given a permission to enter Estonia. The Estonian Embassy to Latvia explained that members of the delegation had only former USSR passports not valid for entering the country.

The Chechen delegation visiting Lithuania and Latvia was not given a permission to enter Estonia. The Estonian Embassy to Latvia explained that members of the delegation had only former USSR passports not valid for entering the country. SM

Deputy-Head of the CID Legal Division Ainars Lavrinovics says that the Division suggested allowing holders of new aien passports to keep their former USSR pasports until Russia formally recognizes the alien passports. The suggestion is currently considered by the CID. PL

Deputy-Head of the CID Legal Division Ainars Lavrinovics says that the Division suggested allowing holders of new aien passports to keep their former USSR pasports until Russia formally recognizes the alien passports. The suggestion is currently considered by the CID. PL