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

According to Mr.Andrejs Krastins there is only one concept of the LNNK-formed government that has been suggested to the Saeima factions. It is possible that the LNNK faction adopts the candidatures for the cabinet members and the government declaration today and will submit it to the President and the Chairman of the Saeima on Thursday. Yesterday Mr.Krastins denied the fact that "Latvijas Cels" had been suggested an option different from those offered to other factions and stated that the creation of a coalition government had not been discussed with "LC". He said that the majority of new ministers and state ministers will be professionals from outside the Saeima while the rest of the government will be constituted by LNNK, the Farmers,"Tevzemei un Brivibai", and Union of Christian Democrats. According to Mr.Piebalgs of "LC" it was LNNK who suggested the "agreement on co-operation". "LC" formulated its political and economical requirements towards LNNK on Tuesday. Leader of the Political Union of Economists Mr.Kide said that his faction would support the LNNK-formed government if its declaration complies with the demands put forward by the Forum of Centrist Parties. Chairman of the LNNK faction Mr.Aleksandrs Kirsteins in his interview for "DIENA" stated that LNNK would not change its attitude towards the Citizenship Law and would change the Law if it wins next elections. The faction will also try to implement its citizenship policies by insisting on adopting a more strict alien law. "If we receive the majority of seats after next elections we shall be able to adopt the alien law that would allow us to extradite half of the aliens out of the country. And no international organization will object against it. The only effect of it will be that the US will not allot seven million for the dismantling of Skrunda", said Mr.Kirsteins. He also added that the LNNK majority in the Saeima would not under any circumstance ratify the agreement on pensioned officers. "We could have continued negotiations (with Russia) until August 30, and still the troop withdrawal would have been completed on august 31. I have information from the FBI that Russia's government is totally corrupt, and everyone there has accounts in Switzerland. Therefore, they can issue whatever statements they want to, but I never had a doubt that they would withdraw their troops from Estonia before August 31," said Mr.Kirsteins.

According to Mr.Andrejs Krastins there is only one concept of the LNNK-formed government that has been suggested to the Saeima factions. It is possible that the LNNK faction adopts the candidatures for the cabinet members and the government declaration today and will submit it to the President and the Chairman of the Saeima on Thursday. Yesterday Mr.Krastins denied the fact that "Latvijas Cels" had been suggested an option different from those offered to other factions and stated that the creation of a coalition government had not been discussed with "LC". He said that the majority of new ministers and state ministers will be professionals from outside the Saeima while the rest of the government will be constituted by LNNK, the Farmers,"Tevzemei un Brivibai", and Union of Christian Democrats. According to Mr.Piebalgs of "LC" it was LNNK who suggested the "agreement on co-operation". "LC" formulated its political and economical requirements towards LNNK on Tuesday. Leader of the Political Union of Economists Mr.Kide said that his faction would support the LNNK-formed government if its declaration complies with the demands put forward by the Forum of Centrist Parties. Chairman of the LNNK faction Mr.Aleksandrs Kirsteins in his interview for "DIENA" stated that LNNK would not change its attitude towards the Citizenship Law and would change the Law if it wins next elections. The faction will also try to implement its citizenship policies by insisting on adopting a more strict alien law. "If we receive the majority of seats after next elections we shall be able to adopt the alien law that would allow us to extradite half of the aliens out of the country. And no international organization will object against it. The only effect of it will be that the US will not allot seven million for the dismantling of Skrunda", said Mr.Kirsteins. He also added that the LNNK majority in the Saeima would not under any circumstance ratify the agreement on pensioned officers. "We could have continued negotiations (with Russia) until August 30, and still the troop withdrawal would have been completed on august 31. I have information from the FBI that Russia's government is totally corrupt, and everyone there has accounts in Switzerland. Therefore, they can issue whatever statements they want to, but I never had a doubt that they would withdraw their troops from Estonia before August 31," said Mr.Kirsteins. Diena, Neatkariga Cina, Labrit

Yesterday Riga City council was picketed by students and teachers of School 26 again. The Commission on Youth, Sports, and Education will meet on Monday to discuss the situation. According to member of the Commission Mr.Mezeckis ("Saimnieks") it is hard to forecast the results of the meeting.

Yesterday Riga City council was picketed by students and teachers of School 26 again. The Commission on Youth, Sports, and Education will meet on Monday to discuss the situation. According to member of the Commission Mr.Mezeckis ("Saimnieks") it is hard to forecast the results of the meeting. SM Segodnya

Intelligence and Counter-Intelligence Staff will be one of the last units to leave Latvia. Head of the National Guards Information Service Mr.Gunars Kandis suggested that counter-intelligence officers were transferred to other units to be send afterwards to the Skrunda radar.

Intelligence and Counter-Intelligence Staff will be one of the last units to leave Latvia. Head of the National Guards Information Service Mr.Gunars Kandis suggested that counter-intelligence officers were transferred to other units to be send afterwards to the Skrunda radar. Diena

On August 9 President of the Western European Union Assembly Mr.Smith discussed possible ways of co-operation between WEU and Latvia with Chairman of the Saeima Mr.Gorbunov. President of the Assembly also discussed issues of security and international politics with Parliamentary Secretary Virsis, Chairman of Commission for Foreign affairs Kirsteins, and Chairman of the Saeima Commission for Defence Silars. The schedule also includes a meeting with Minister of Defence Pavlovskis and a visit to the Skrunda radar station

On August 9 President of the Western European Union Assembly Mr.Smith discussed possible ways of co-operation between WEU and Latvia with Chairman of the Saeima Mr.Gorbunov. President of the Assembly also discussed issues of security and international politics with Parliamentary Secretary Virsis, Chairman of Commission for Foreign affairs Kirsteins, and Chairman of the Saeima Commission for Defence Silars. The schedule also includes a meeting with Minister of Defence Pavlovskis and a visit to the Skrunda radar station. Diena