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

On August 31 Mr.Andrejs Krastins informed the LNNK leadership and fraction about possible government members. Mr.Krastins believes that the two thirds of the new cabinet have been already formed. After a joint meeting of the LNNK leadership and fraction the largest Saeima fractions will be given the names of the government members. The official information on the new cabinet may be distributed on Wednesday. Mr.Krastins said that the government declaration would be issued early next week. The Farmers' fraction discussed its participation in the LNNK government on August 1. The fraction supports the candidature of Mr.Gundars Berzins for the post of the Minister of Agriculture and the candidature of Mr.Edmunds Krastins for the post of Minister of Finance. Both of them were proposed to take the post by the LNNK. The "Latvijas Cels" fraction will start consultations with other Saeima fractions in order to formulate its policies towards Mr.Krastin's government. "LC" is still waiting for official information on the new cabinet and for the declaration by the new government. "LC" is also forming its own cabinet in case LNNK fails to form the government.

On August 31 Mr.Andrejs Krastins informed the LNNK leadership and fraction about possible government members. Mr.Krastins believes that the two thirds of the new cabinet have been already formed. After a joint meeting of the LNNK leadership and fraction the largest Saeima fractions will be given the names of the government members. The official information on the new cabinet may be distributed on Wednesday. Mr.Krastins said that the government declaration would be issued early next week. The Farmers' fraction discussed its participation in the LNNK government on August 1. The fraction supports the candidature of Mr.Gundars Berzins for the post of the Minister of Agriculture and the candidature of Mr.Edmunds Krastins for the post of Minister of Finance. Both of them were proposed to take the post by the LNNK. The "Latvijas Cels" fraction will start consultations with other Saeima fractions in order to formulate its policies towards Mr.Krastin's government. "LC" is still waiting for official information on the new cabinet and for the declaration by the new government. "LC" is also forming its own cabinet in case LNNK fails to form the government. Diena

Russian Ambassador Rannikh met Prime-Minister Birkavs yesterday. The purpose of the meeting was handing over of a program for improving the efficiency of the CSCE activities developed by the Russian side. Latvian government is to assess the program and express its opinion. It is also possible that the program was also submitted to governments of other countries. A long-awaited visit by Prime-Minister Chernomirdin was also discussed during the meeting. Russian side connects the visit with the ratification of the agreements between Russia and Latvia by the Saeima. Possible date of the ratification of the agreements by the Saeima is not known.

Russian Ambassador Rannikh met Prime-Minister Birkavs yesterday. The purpose of the meeting was handing over of a program for improving the efficiency of the CSCE activities developed by the Russian side. Latvian government is to assess the program and express its opinion. It is also possible that the program was also submitted to governments of other countries. A long-awaited visit by Prime-Minister Chernomirdin was also discussed during the meeting. Russian side connects the visit with the ratification of the agreements between Russia and Latvia by the Saeima. Possible date of the ratification of the agreements by the Saeima is not known. Diena, Neatkariga

During his press-conference on August 1 head of the UNDP mission Mr.Burdekin expressed his belief that the understanding of the concept of human rights started to evolve in Latvia. Mr.Burdekin stressed that independent judicial system and democracy are not sufficient to maintain human rights to a full extend. Therefore a new mechanism is needed to work with complaints submitted by individuals. The Head of the mission did not give any detailed information of the recommendations by the mission since they had not been submitted to the government yet. He positively estimated the activities of the government and the fact that an independent mission had been invited to work on a national human rights program. He also noted that though there is a unique situation in Latvia the country's problems are similar to those of other states.

During his press-conference on August 1 head of the UNDP mission Mr.Burdekin expressed his belief that the understanding of the concept of human rights started to evolve in Latvia. Mr.Burdekin stressed that independent judicial system and democracy are not sufficient to maintain human rights to a full extend. Therefore a new mechanism is needed to work with complaints submitted by individuals. The Head of the mission did not give any detailed information of the recommendations by the mission since they had not been submitted to the government yet. He positively estimated the activities of the government and the fact that an independent mission had been invited to work on a national human rights program. He also noted that though there is a unique situation in Latvia the country's problems are similar to those of other states. Diena

Nationalist organizations not participating in the Saeima had a conference yesterday. Their representatives criticized the newly- adopted citizenship law and criticized LNNK fraction for its "pro-communist" policies.

Nationalist organizations not participating in the Saeima had a conference yesterday. Their representatives criticized the newly- adopted citizenship law and criticized LNNK fraction for its "pro-communist" policies. Labrit

According to the Troop Withdrawal control Bureau the Staff of North-Western Army Group have certain doubts about the chances that the withdrawal schedule would be observed. According to the Staff there were 2428 servicemen, 7365 family members, and 1725 tons of cargo awaiting transportation on August 1.

According to the Troop Withdrawal control Bureau the Staff of North-Western Army Group have certain doubts about the chances that the withdrawal schedule would be observed. According to the Staff there were 2428 servicemen, 7365 family members, and 1725 tons of cargo awaiting transportation on August 1. Diena

The Commission for the Dismantling of the Skrunda Radar had a meeting yesterday. According to Head of the Commission Mr.Janis Kositis eleven projects of dismantling of the old radar facility were submitted to the Commission.

The Commission for the Dismantling of the Skrunda Radar had a meeting yesterday. According to Head of the Commission Mr.Janis Kositis eleven projects of dismantling of the old radar facility were submitted to the Commission. Labrit

Prime-Minister of the three Baltic countries are having a meeting with British Prime-Minister Major in Vilnius today. On top of the agenda of the meeting are security issues.

Prime-Minister of the three Baltic countries are having a meeting with British Prime-Minister Major in Vilnius today. On top of the agenda of the meeting are security issues. Neatkariga

Delegation of European Commission arrived to Latvia yesterday in order to discuss an agreement of Latvia's associated membership in the European Union. The agreement will come into force after it is ratified by the Saeima and the parliaments of EU member-countries.

Delegation of European Commission arrived to Latvia yesterday in order to discuss an agreement of Latvia's associated membership in the European Union. The agreement will come into force after it is ratified by the Saeima and the parliaments of EU member-countries. Diena, Labrit