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

Prime Minister A.Skele ordered Minister of Economics A.Makarovs to resign from his post. TB/LNNK , whose representative A.Makarovs is, does not plan to leave the coalition yet, but they as well as some Latvijas Cels representatives think that A.Skele should take responsibility for the current situation. The President V.V.Freiberga sees in this Prime Minister’s step a certain blow to the coalition.

Prime Minister A.Skele ordered Minister of Economics A.Makarovs to resign from his post. TB/LNNK , whose representative A.Makarovs is, does not plan to leave the coalition yet, but they as well as some Latvijas Cels representatives think that A.Skele should take responsibility for the current situation. The President V.V.Freiberga sees in this Prime Ministers step a certain blow to the coalition. Neatkariga, Diena, Jauna Avize, Rigas Balss, Respublika, Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Panorama Latvii

Experts think that A.Skele’s government should fall in the nearest future. Political scientist I.Ostrovska explained this swinging of the Government by an incapability to agree on privatisation issues.

Experts think that A.Skeles government should fall in the nearest future. Political scientist I.Ostrovska explained this swinging of the Government by an incapability to agree on privatisation issues. Neatkariga

The Saeima Social Democrats faction submitted to the Parliament a draft law demanding to consider at the plenary session of April 13 a question of voicing non-confidence to the Prime Minister A.Skele, Minister of Finance E.Krastins and Minister of Education M.Vitols. The draft law has been signed by 17 deputies, including 2 representatives of the New Party and one independent deputy.

The Saeima Social Democrats faction submitted to the Parliament a draft law demanding to consider at the plenary session of April 13 a question of voicing non-confidence to the Prime Minister A.Skele, Minister of Finance E.Krastins and Minister of Education M.Vitols. The draft law has been signed by 17 deputies, including 2 representatives of the New Party and one independent deputy. Neatkariga

Political commentator A.Ozolins writes that the process of overthrowing the Government has started as it was planned. The first thing before this is to draft the shape of the new government, but it is more important is to get rid of this Government before it has adopted irreversible decisions on privatisation of state large enterprises. The minimal task is to get rid of A.Skele, but the maximal is an abstract wish to control the privatisation process.

Political commentator A.Ozolins writes that the process of overthrowing the Government has started as it was planned. The first thing before this is to draft the shape of the new government, but it is more important is to get rid of this Government before it has adopted irreversible decisions on privatisation of state large enterprises. The minimal task is to get rid of A.Skele, but the maximal is an abstract wish to control the privatisation process. Diena

Congratulating on the progress in public integration process, US Deputy State Secretary A.Larson called Latvia to continue her attempts to form good neighbourly relations with Russia and expressed a hope that Russia would respond with the same.

Congratulating on the progress in public integration process, US Deputy State Secretary A.Larson called Latvia to continue her attempts to form good neighbourly relations with Russia and expressed a hope that Russia would respond with the same. Diena

People’s Party found the unwillingness of TB/LNNK to take any decision on J.Adamsons’s case as a dangerous inconstancy and disregarding of national history. In its turn TB/LNNK regards this People’s Party initiative as taking revenge on a political opponent.

Peoples Party found the unwillingness of TB/LNNK to take any decision on J.Adamsonss case as a dangerous inconstancy and disregarding of national history. In its turn TB/LNNK regards this Peoples Party initiative as taking revenge on a political opponent. Diena

Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs I.Berzins will go on his first visit to Estonia to meet his Estonian colleague T.Ilvesss. They plan to discuss NATO and EU expansion processes, development of Baltic States co-operation, relations with Russia and the bilateral co-operation.

Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs I.Berzins will go on his first visit to Estonia to meet his Estonian colleague T.Ilvesss. They plan to discuss NATO and EU expansion processes, development of Baltic States co-operation, relations with Russia and the bilateral co-operation. Diena

Latvijas Cels and the New Party concluded an agreement of co-operation for the municipal election of 2001 and harmonising of opinions while working in the Parliament, but in a case of governmental crisis it could serve as the grounds for forming a new Cabinet of Ministers.

Latvijas Cels and the New Party concluded an agreement of co-operation for the municipal election of 2001 and harmonising of opinions while working in the Parliament, but in a case of governmental crisis it could serve as the grounds for forming a new Cabinet of Ministers. Diena

Within the first three months of this year the budget deficit could reach 20 million Ls if there was no foreign aid. It is less than stipulated by international obligations. Minister of Finances E.Krastins found it as a positive tendency when in March there was less increase in social security budget.

Within the first three months of this year the budget deficit could reach 20 million Ls if there was no foreign aid. It is less than stipulated by international obligations. Minister of Finances E.Krastins found it as a positive tendency when in March there was less increase in social security budget. Diena

One more Latvian representation in Russia suffered from an attack of hooligans. This time it was the Latvian consulate in Pskov that was sprayed with red paint.

One more Latvian representation in Russia suffered from an attack of hooligans. This time it was the Latvian consulate in Pskov that was sprayed with red paint. Diena, Respublika,

The proposal of the faction For Human Rights in United Latvia to grant municipal election right to non-citizens did not get support in the Saeima. Now the faction plans to start activities outside the Parliament to propose a referendum.

The proposal of the faction For Human Rights in United Latvia to grant municipal election right to non-citizens did not get support in the Saeima. Now the faction plans to start activities outside the Parliament to propose a referendum. Jauna Avize

The ruling coalition members tried to prove that there were no restrictions for receiving Latvian citizenship, so, “at first get naturalised, then vote”.

The ruling coalition members tried to prove that there were no restrictions for receiving Latvian citizenship, so, at first get naturalised, then vote. Chas, Vesti Segodnya

The Chairman of the Saeima Investigation Commission J.Adamsons once more named Prime Minister A.Skele and Minister of Justice V.Birkavs as persons linked with the scandal of paedophilia.

The Chairman of the Saeima Investigation Commission J.Adamsons once more named Prime Minister A.Skele and Minister of Justice V.Birkavs as persons linked with the scandal of paedophilia. Chas

British military expert S.Pirson in his book “Total war of 2006” forecasts a global conflict involving Islamic countries and Russia against the NATO. And the main war actions will take place in the Baltic.

British military expert S.Pirson in his book Total war of 2006 forecasts a global conflict involving Islamic countries and Russia against the NATO. And the main war actions will take place in the Baltic. Vesti Segodnya

Yesterday the voting on the resolution on depriving the Russian delegation of its right of vote took place.

Yesterday the voting on the resolution on depriving the Russian delegation of its right of vote took place. Vesti Segodnya published the results of this voting, stating that Latvian representative J.Sinka was for this resolution but B.Cilevich was against.

N.Kabanov analyses the decision of Russian National Duma to postpone imposing sanctions on Latvia and thinks it was done due to the problems with the situation in Czechnya. Also the huge Russian oil companies do not want to lose their profit from closing down their transit pipelines through Latvia.

N.Kabanov analyses the decision of Russian National Duma to postpone imposing sanctions on Latvia and thinks it was done due to the problems with the situation in Czechnya. Also the huge Russian oil companies do not want to lose their profit from closing down their transit pipelines through Latvia. Vesti Segodnya