LATVIAN LEADING POLITICAL COUPLE OUSTED.

Latvia’s parliament chairwoman, Ilga Kreituse, has been forced to resign from the Owners’ Democratic party (Samnieks, the single largest in parliament) and is expected to step down from the parliament’s chair. Her husband, Finance Minister Aivars Kreituss, who is a member of the same party, has been recalled by the party from his post. The moves follow the minister’s creation of a presidential campaign fund for his wife. (BNS, September 17 and 18)

Shevardnadze, Nazarbayev Wary of CIS.