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

Latvian Social Democratic Workers Party Saeima faction together with the leaders of the Party will decide on Thursday whether to submit to the Saeima a draft law on proposing the vote of non-confidence to A.Skele’s government. The LSDWP Saeima faction Chairman E.Baldzens told journalists that the present Government had exhausted its possibilities. It could still remain, but it was not able to form unanimous opinions.

Latvian Social Democratic Workers Party Saeima faction together with the leaders of the Party will decide on Thursday whether to submit to the Saeima a draft law on proposing the vote of non-confidence to A.Skeles government. The LSDWP Saeima faction Chairman E.Baldzens told journalists that the present Government had exhausted its possibilities. It could still remain, but it was not able to form unanimous opinions. Neatkariga, Diena, Jauna Avize, Respublika

The Chairman of TB/LNNK M.Grinblats informed that the Saeima faction of this party had prepared to submit to their coalition partners proposals to amend the coalition agreement that would help to achieve concord among coalition partners before decision making in the Government. According to the current procedure – if the ministers of some party do not support any decision, the decision is postponed but after a week it could be returned to the agenda. And then it is adopted by the majority of voices. To avoid such a situation TB/LNNK proposes to charge the Prime Minister to convoke a meeting of representatives of coalition to achieve unanimity concerning these postponed decisions.

The Chairman of TB/LNNK M.Grinblats informed that the Saeima faction of this party had prepared to submit to their coalition partners proposals to amend the coalition agreement that would help to achieve concord among coalition partners before decision making in the Government. According to the current procedure – if the ministers of some party do not support any decision, the decision is postponed but after a week it could be returned to the agenda. And then it is adopted by the majority of voices. To avoid such a situation TB/LNNK proposes to charge the Prime Minister to convoke a meeting of representatives of coalition to achieve unanimity concerning these postponed decisions. Neatkariga, Respublika, Panorama Latvii

The DCMA organised a press conference where they informed about the concept of ID cards project. They plan to submit this document to the Government this week. The Acting Head M.Bicevskis said that according to the Government’s declaration a new personal ID system should be introduced by 1 June, 2001 that would include passports as travel documents and IDs for internal use.

The DCMA organised a press conference where they informed about the concept of ID cards project. They plan to submit this document to the Government this week. The Acting Head M.Bicevskis said that according to the Governments declaration a new personal ID system should be introduced by 1 June, 2001 that would include passports as travel documents and IDs for internal use. Neatkariga, Respublika, Panorama Latvii, Latvijas Vestnesis

Lauku Avize adds that the cost of this project will be not less than 2 million Ls.

Last year the DCMA examined 2572 applications and complains about decisions taken by the officials of this institution. M.Bicevskis did not consider this to be a normal situation. DCMA representatives were involved in 353 court hearings; 240 cases were considered also on illegal activities of DCMA officials. According to M.Bicevskis that reasons for this situation could be either the DCMA decisions were of low quality and had no grounds or there was not enough explanation of the decisions.

Last year the DCMA examined 2572 applications and complains about decisions taken by the officials of this institution. M.Bicevskis did not consider this to be a normal situation. DCMA representatives were involved in 353 court hearings; 240 cases were considered also on illegal activities of DCMA officials. According to M.Bicevskis that reasons for this situation could be either the DCMA decisions were of low quality and had no grounds or there was not enough explanation of the decisions. Neatkariga

April 1, the deadline for exchanging former USSR passport has come but 7,5% (38 504) of all Latvian residents have not done it. In April there will be no fines for living without valid ID but in May the amount of a fine could be up to 25 Ls.

April 1, the deadline for exchanging former USSR passport has come but 7,5% (38 504) of all Latvian residents have not done it. In April there will be no fines for living without valid ID but in May the amount of a fine could be up to 25 Ls. Diena, Jauna Avize, Chas

The Chairman of LC and Saeima National Security Commission Head A.Pantelejevs arrived to Moscow to discuss with Russian politicians fighting international criminal groups and events taken place in Latvia. He met high Russian politicians and told them also about the march of legionnaires and trial of V.Kononov.

The Chairman of LC and Saeima National Security Commission Head A.Pantelejevs arrived to Moscow to discuss with Russian politicians fighting international criminal groups and events taken place in Latvia. He met high Russian politicians and told them also about the march of legionnaires and trial of V.Kononov. Neatkariga, Diena, Chas

At the same time also the representatives of the faction For Human Rights in United Latvia were in Moscow who, according to A.Pantelejevs, provided Moscow with information “to speculate and keep their political image”.

At the same time also the representatives of the faction For Human Rights in United Latvia were in Moscow who, according to A.Pantelejevs, provided Moscow with information to speculate and keep their political image. Vesti Segodnya

J.Adamsons plans to leave the post of the Hhead of the Saeima Investigation Commission on April 13 when the Commission has to present its final report. But there could also come a proposal to prolong the mandate of the Commission.

J.Adamsons plans to leave the post of the Hhead of the Saeima Investigation Commission on April 13 when the Commission has to present its final report. But there could also come a proposal to prolong the mandate of the Commission. Diena, Jauna Avize, Chas

People’s Party Saeima faction decided not to support the version on Latvian regional division prepared by the Minister of Special Portfolio J.Bunkss. People’s Party consider that this version does not correspond to the Government declaration.

Peoples Party Saeima faction decided not to support the version on Latvian regional division prepared by the Minister of Special Portfolio J.Bunkss. Peoples Party consider that this version does not correspond to the Government declaration. Lauku Avize

A.Chehoyev, Deputy Chairman of Russian National Council Commission on CIS and Compatriots Affairs said that Russian parliamentarians had shown their gesture of good will and postponed the decision taking on imposing sanctions against Latvia for one more week. Now it was Latvia’s turn to show her good will and abstain from voting against Russia in Strasbourg.

A.Chehoyev, Deputy Chairman of Russian National Council Commission on CIS and Compatriots Affairs said that Russian parliamentarians had shown their gesture of good will and postponed the decision taking on imposing sanctions against Latvia for one more week. Now it was Latvias turn to show her good will and abstain from voting against Russia in Strasbourg. Vesti Segodnya,

Chas states that now Latvian politicians have a chance to kick Russia.

Chas states that now Latvian politicians have a chance to kick Russia.

Panorama Latvii

writes about the seminar on European standards in the field of national minority rights. The conclusion they made from presentations – Latvia still had a long way to go to meet European standards. N.Muiznieks, Director of Latvian Human Rights and Ethnic Studies Centre said that Europe was not to be blamed for taking no steps to protect national minority rights in Latvia. According to his data already in the middle of 90s OSCE had achieved a lot in this field through silent diplomacy. writes about the seminar on European standards in the field of national minority rights. The conclusion they made from presentations – Latvia still had a long way to go to meet European standards. N.Muiznieks, Director of Latvian Human Rights and Ethnic Studies Centre said that Europe was not to be blamed for taking no steps to protect national minority rights in Latvia. According to his data already in the middle of 90s OSCE had achieved a lot in this field through “silent diplomacy”. In his interview to Latvian Radio Prime Minister A.Skele told about his discussions with Lord Robertson. They also spoke about Russia and expected that after the election of the new President, Russia would clarify many things and be more pragmatic in her approach to relations with neighbouring states, do away with unnecessary emotions let both countries could build their relations according accepted standards.

In his interview to Latvian Radio Prime Minister A.Skele told about his discussions with Lord Robertson. They also spoke about Russia and expected that after the election of the new President, Russia would clarify many things and be more pragmatic in her approach to relations with neighbouring states, do away with unnecessary emotions let both countries could build their relations according accepted standards. Latvijas Vestnesis