Kalvitis comes out fighting

RIGA -- Latvian Prime Minister Aigars Kalvitis, now back from his trip tothe U.S., has outlined a three-step priority plan for his government.

After watching last Saturday's anti-government demonstration from the otherside of the Atlantic and hearing about the resignation of Welfare Minister DagnijaStake while he was heading Stateside, it could have been a depressed figurearriving at Riga airport.

Instead Kalvitis seemed keen to get back to business and gave no hint thathe might be considering a resignation himself.

Kalvitis immiediately identified the finalisation of the state budget, theconclusion of the Latvian-Russian border treaty and reform of Latvia's regionaladministration as three works in progress that need to be completed before hecould even begin thinking about forming a new cabinet.

"There are series of issues to be solved in the country, which are, toa great extent, the responsibility of the present government, and not only thestate budget. It is also the issue of Latvian-Russian border treaty and the finaldecision on administrative-territorial reform. I have never avoided thisresponsibility and will never avoid it," said Kalvitis.

"The fate of the government will largely depend on the ability of thegovernment to make decisions and to act, or [its] inability to do so,"said the prime minister. "I do not intend to leave these worksunfinished," he added.

The government head said that on Thursday Nov. 8, "while solving thebudget issue," the ruling coalition will decide on further action."Then it will become clear what happens next," said Kalvitis.

When asked if he intends to resign, Kalvitis replied: "I would like tounderscore again that the government has certain duties to be performed and aslong as the government can manage those, the lack of government stabilitycannot be the issue."

He admitted that it is "difficult" to work without three ministers,but explained that it made the need for swift decisions even more important.

Asked about hints from Latvian President Valdis Zatlers, that the governmentshould consider resigning after the adoption of the budget by the parliament,Kalvitis replied: "I personally have not heard such words from him."

Kalvitis said that during a planned Nov. 7 meeting with Zatlers onWednesday, he would inform the president about his action plan.

Pressed on the issue of public trust, the prime minister said: "Thegovernment head must be capable of taking decisions and acting in the mostdifficult political situations, even if the government does not trust in him.If we start organizing beauty competitions, then the issue of the government's capacityfor work will arise."

One of the first things Kalvitis found in his in-tray on his return was Stake's resignation, which he quickly accepted.

Stake told journalists that the prime minister had accepted her resignationletter but that she would keep working "until furthernotice". She indicated that Kalvitis did not say how long she will have towait for his next step, but assumed she will quit as soon as herreplacement is found.

Stake added that she does not intend to give up the compensation she isentitled to after standing down. The minister said she has worked hardenough for the last five years. "My health requires additional attentionnow," she explained.