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

On March 15 a time-bomb planted near a high-voltage supply line pole was discovered by a local farmer in Kuldiga region. The supply line was used by the Skrunda radar station. The farmer informed the local police. National guards, civil defence forces, and Russian Army unit at the radar station were also informed. According to "DIENA" Russian servicemen failed to discharge the bomb due to the dusk while other sources say that they refused to participate. The bomb was discharged later by the local police. The bomb consisted of an 11.8 kg TNT charge and a timer. Around 0.4 kg of TNT were used for the previous explosion. The failed explosion could cause serous damages to nearby houses and farms.

On March 15 a time-bomb planted near a high-voltage supply line pole was discovered by a local farmer in Kuldiga region. The supply line was used by the Skrunda radar station. The farmer informed the local police. National guards, civil defence forces, and Russian Army unit at the radar station were also informed. According to "DIENA" Russian servicemen failed to discharge the bomb due to the dusk while other sources say that they refused to participate. The bomb was discharged later by the local police. The bomb consisted of an 11.8 kg TNT charge and a timer. Around 0.4 kg of TNT were used for the previous explosion. The failed explosion could cause serous damages to nearby houses and farms. Diena, Neatkariga Cina, Vakara Zinas, SM

The package of agreements initialled by Latvia and Russia has caused a controversial reaction in the Saema. The LNNK leadership has issued a statement that refers to the agreement as the betrayal of the national interests of Latvia and accuses the Government of legalizing the occupation of Latvia. LNNK also points out that the agreement was prepared secretly and demands its publishing. The party also calls upon the President, the Saema, and the citizens not to sign the agreement, not to ratify it, and to protest against it. In addition, LNNK allows the possibility of taking extraordinary measures like joining the appeal of the Union of the Self-Governing Bodies to impeach the Fifth Saema. "Tevzemei un Brivibai" considers the agreement to be the violation of the Law on International Agreements" that provides no rights of signing any agreements on the stay of foreign troops on the Latvian soil to the Government. According to "T un B" the agreement on the Skrunda radar station means the prolongation of the stay of Russian troops. The party will demand a referendum on Skrunda to be held during the upcoming local elections. Most probably the "T un B" fraction will vote against the ratification of the agreement or will abstain. The head of the "Saskana" fraction Mr.Edvin Kide gave a positive evaluation of the results of the talks. He said that the fraction deputies were worried about the talks reaching a deadlock. As the main achievement he pointed out the naming of the final date for the troops' withdrawal. Similar point of view was expressed by "Latvijas Cels" spokesman Mr.Indulis Berzins. He also said that it would be difficult to forecast the further development of events which will mainly depend on the political situation in Russia. The Head of the Latvian delegation Mr.Virsis told the journalists that there were no winners or losers since the results achieved during the talks had been a mutual compromise. The agreements will be published after they are approved of by the Government. Mr. Virsis does not believe in a smooth ratification of the agreements. The Minister for Special missions Mr.Edvins Inkens said that he expected that there would be strong opposition towards the agreement. Still, he evaluated the results as "an important compromise".

The package of agreements initialled by Latvia and Russia has caused a controversial reaction in the Saema. The LNNK leadership has issued a statement that refers to the agreement as the betrayal of the national interests of Latvia and accuses the Government of legalizing the occupation of Latvia. LNNK also points out that the agreement was prepared secretly and demands its publishing. The party also calls upon the President, the Saema, and the citizens not to sign the agreement, not to ratify it, and to protest against it. In addition, LNNK allows the possibility of taking extraordinary measures like joining the appeal of the Union of the Self-Governing Bodies to impeach the Fifth Saema. "Tevzemei un Brivibai" considers the agreement to be the violation of the Law on International Agreements" that provides no rights of signing any agreements on the stay of foreign troops on the Latvian soil to the Government. According to "T un B" the agreement on the Skrunda radar station means the prolongation of the stay of Russian troops. The party will demand a referendum on Skrunda to be held during the upcoming local elections. Most probably the "T un B" fraction will vote against the ratification of the agreement or will abstain. The head of the "Saskana" fraction Mr.Edvin Kide gave a positive evaluation of the results of the talks. He said that the fraction deputies were worried about the talks reaching a deadlock. As the main achievement he pointed out the naming of the final date for the troops' withdrawal. Similar point of view was expressed by "Latvijas Cels" spokesman Mr.Indulis Berzins. He also said that it would be difficult to forecast the further development of events which will mainly depend on the political situation in Russia. The Head of the Latvian delegation Mr.Virsis told the journalists that there were no winners or losers since the results achieved during the talks had been a mutual compromise. The agreements will be published after they are approved of by the Government. Mr. Virsis does not believe in a smooth ratification of the agreements. The Minister for Special missions Mr.Edvins Inkens said that he expected that there would be strong opposition towards the agreement. Still, he evaluated the results as "an important compromise". Diena

During his interview Sergey Zotov named the first half of April as a possible time of the Latvian-Russian summit.

During his interview Sergey Zotov named the first half of April as a possible time of the Latvian-Russian summit. SM Segodnya

Several Saema fractions have prepared their proposals for the discussion of the second reading of the Draft Citizenship Law. The discussion is expected to be held before Easter holidays. The "Saskana Fraction" has modified several articles of its draft to conform to the conclusions of the experts of the Union of Europe. The LNNK fraction will come forward with proposals that are part of the joint LNNK/"Tevzemei un Brivibai" draft. "Latvijas Cels" has also prepared its own draft that will be discussed with other fractions. The draft by "Saskana" does not involve the quota principle. According to its draft the priority groups should be naturalized within a two-year period. The fraction will also compare its own draft with the second reading of the "Latviajs cels" draft in order to find out the differences and to put the contradicting articles in conformance to the recommendations by the Union of Europe. "Saskana" also believes that in accordance with international practice the citizenship should be granted to those born in Latvia after the adoption of the Citizenship Law irrespective of their parents' citizenship. "Tevzemei un Brivibai" will continue its work with LNNK on the joint draft to be later discussed during a nation-wide pole. The main differences between the drafts by the governing coalition and the opposition concern the regulations and the terms of naturalization. The second reading of the "Latvijas Cels" draft replaces the quota principle by a naturalization schedule for the next five years. The nationalist parties preserve the quota principle setting the quotas to be 0.1% of the total numbers of citizens previous year.

Several Saema fractions have prepared their proposals for the discussion of the second reading of the Draft Citizenship Law. The discussion is expected to be held before Easter holidays. The "Saskana Fraction" has modified several articles of its draft to conform to the conclusions of the experts of the Union of Europe. The LNNK fraction will come forward with proposals that are part of the joint LNNK/"Tevzemei un Brivibai" draft. "Latvijas Cels" has also prepared its own draft that will be discussed with other fractions. The draft by "Saskana" does not involve the quota principle. According to its draft the priority groups should be naturalized within a two-year period. The fraction will also compare its own draft with the second reading of the "Latviajs cels" draft in order to find out the differences and to put the contradicting articles in conformance to the recommendations by the Union of Europe. "Saskana" also believes that in accordance with international practice the citizenship should be granted to those born in Latvia after the adoption of the Citizenship Law irrespective of their parents' citizenship. "Tevzemei un Brivibai" will continue its work with LNNK on the joint draft to be later discussed during a nation-wide pole. The main differences between the drafts by the governing coalition and the opposition concern the regulations and the terms of naturalization. The second reading of the "Latvijas Cels" draft replaces the quota principle by a naturalization schedule for the next five years. The nationalist parties preserve the quota principle setting the quotas to be 0.1% of the total numbers of citizens previous year. Diena, SM