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

Guntars Krasts confirmed that a new governmental declaration would not differ from the plan of the former government, therefore no significant changes in the governmental policies were expected. Today the fractions will finalize the declaration draft, so that the Saeima could approve the new government on Thursday. Referring to the coalition agreement draft, Mr. Andrejs Pantelejevs said that “

Guntars Krasts confirmed that a new governmental declaration would not differ from the plan of the former government, therefore no significant changes in the governmental policies were expected. Today the fractions will finalize the declaration draft, so that the Saeima could approve the new government on Thursday. Referring to the coalition agreement draft, Mr. Andrejs Pantelejevs said that Latvijas Cels had proposed to emphasize the role of fractions, instead of delegating additional power to the Prime-Minister. Tevzemei un Brivibai/ LNNK announced that it would assume the political responsibility for the leadership of the new government. Besides, the party resolves to bring Latvian economic indicators up to the standards of the EU, speed up the integration into the EU and the NATO, and make no changes in the Citizenship Law during this Saeima. Latvijas Cels in the conference approved its candidates for the new government, including Vilis Kristopans as the Minister of Communications. Aleksandrs Kirsteins, Leader of the National Reform Party, conceded to a possibility that the NRP would not sign the governmental declaration since it could not assume the responsibility for its work. The National Reform Party has no members in the posts of the new government. Mr. Kirsteins predicted that the new government would not be able to remain in power until the new Saeima elections. Discussions on the budget of 1998 will bring about a new governmental crisis. Diena

In his interview to

In his interview to Diena Mr. Guntars Krasts claimed that he would make sure that the governmental declaration was actually followed. Referring to the liquidation of the Special post for the Minister of European Affairs, Mr. Krasts told that it was aimed at the improvement of the work on the Latvias integration into the EU. According to Krasts, there was no co-ordinated work between the Minister of European Affairs and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He had already discussed with Mr. Birkavs several options on how to assign some of the functions related to the EU integration to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.On the question about the integration of non-citizens into the Latvian society, Mr. Krasts responded that integration in its real meaning was not unwelcome. Many people, however, understand it as a simple enlargement of the number of citizens that, according to Krasts, only creates the danger of the double-community state. Referring to the naturalization windows, Mr. Krasts said that the present quotas were not being fulfilled which means that even people who have the right to naturalization are not willing to do that. Besides, the quota system was introduced with the purpose to have the naturalization process slow enough to let people integrate into the Latvian society. Mr. Krasts also commented on the relations between Latvia and Russia. He stressed that the economic circles that more and more influence the decision-making process in Russia, understand that there are no important human rights violations in Latvia. Moreover, they are willing to see an open neighbouring country that is ready to join the EU, has no various foreign trade regimes, and with which Russia could co-operate. Diena

As was told earlier, there were complaints about the unsatisfactory work of the Liepajas CID. Vaira Sprince, Acting Head of the Passport Department of the CID, told “NEATKARIGA” that the situation in Liepaja was serious, because the Liepaja’s officials had worked more slowly than their colleagues in other cities. The official inquiry did not show any abuse of power. The CID has submitted recommendations to the Liepaja’s CID about the work improvement. Until now there have not been any changes in the staff of the Liepaja’s CID.

As was told earlier, there were complaints about the unsatisfactory work of the Liepajas CID. Vaira Sprince, Acting Head of the Passport Department of the CID, told NEATKARIGA that the situation in Liepaja was serious, because the Liepajas officials had worked more slowly than their colleagues in other cities. The official inquiry did not show any abuse of power. The CID has submitted recommendations to the Liepajas CID about the work improvement. Until now there have not been any changes in the staff of the Liepajas CID. Neatkariga