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

During his meeting with the Ministers for Foreign Affairs of the Baltic states the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Germany confirmed that his country would support the conclusion of the agreement on the associated membership of those countries in the Union of Europe. According to "Reuter" news agency the Minister also pointed out that "the notions of "neighboring foreign countries" and "the area of vital interests" are unacceptable to Germany and its partners. In his interview for "DIENA" the Ambassador of Latvia to Germany Mr.Andris Kesteris said that the Minister of Foreign affairs of Germany supported the demands of the three Baltic states on the withdrawal of Russian troops before August 31 and welcomed the agreement on the temporary operation of the Skrunda radar station after the withdrawal of the Russian Army. According to "LETA-DPA" agency he called upon Latvia and Estonia to integrate their Russian-speaking communities. "THE FINANCIAL TIMES" quoted the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Germany who said that Russia must not connect the withdrawal of its troops from the Baltic states with the rights of Russians in those countries. Similar statements were also made by Great Britain and USA. This issue will be also among the subjects discussed by Warren Christopher during his meeting with Andrey Koziryev in Vladivostok next Monday. The Minister for Foreign Affairs of Germany also said that during his recent talks with Mr.Koziryev in Athens he stressed that Germany expects the fulfillment of the obligations regarding the withdrawal of troops from the Baltic states taken by Russia.

During his meeting with the Ministers for Foreign Affairs of the Baltic states the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Germany confirmed that his country would support the conclusion of the agreement on the associated membership of those countries in the Union of Europe. According to "Reuter" news agency the Minister also pointed out that "the notions of "neighboring foreign countries" and "the area of vital interests" are unacceptable to Germany and its partners. In his interview for "DIENA" the Ambassador of Latvia to Germany Mr.Andris Kesteris said that the Minister of Foreign affairs of Germany supported the demands of the three Baltic states on the withdrawal of Russian troops before August 31 and welcomed the agreement on the temporary operation of the Skrunda radar station after the withdrawal of the Russian Army. According to "LETA-DPA" agency he called upon Latvia and Estonia to integrate their Russian-speaking communities. "THE FINANCIAL TIMES" quoted the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Germany who said that Russia must not connect the withdrawal of its troops from the Baltic states with the rights of Russians in those countries. Similar statements were also made by Great Britain and USA. This issue will be also among the subjects discussed by Warren Christopher during his meeting with Andrey Koziryev in Vladivostok next Monday. The Minister for Foreign Affairs of Germany also said that during his recent talks with Mr.Koziryev in Athens he stressed that Germany expects the fulfillment of the obligations regarding the withdrawal of troops from the Baltic states taken by Russia. Neatkariga, Diena, Cina, Labrit

The Prime-Minister of Estonia Mr.Mart Laar stated that the three Baltic states had decided on common tactics at their talks with Russia. The Prime-Minister refused to characterize the essence of the tactics. He pointed out that the situation the three countries are in is similar since Lithuania has problems connected with the neighboring Kaliningrad region and the transit of Russian troops through its territory.

The Prime-Minister of Estonia Mr.Mart Laar stated that the three Baltic states had decided on common tactics at their talks with Russia. The Prime-Minister refused to characterize the essence of the tactics. He pointed out that the situation the three countries are in is similar since Lithuania has problems connected with the neighboring Kaliningrad region and the transit of Russian troops through its territory. Diena

According to the Chairman of the Daugavpils Region Council the elections to the local self-government bodies are jeopardized by the lack of candidates answering the demands for the command of the Latvian language that are put by the Law on Elections. The vast majority of the population of the area is Russian-speaking. In some rural parts of the area the Latvian language has not been used at all and there are several Latvian families who had returned from Latvia after Siberian exile whose children do not know any Latvian.

According to the Chairman of the Daugavpils Region Council the elections to the local self-government bodies are jeopardized by the lack of candidates answering the demands for the command of the Latvian language that are put by the Law on Elections. The vast majority of the population of the area is Russian-speaking. In some rural parts of the area the Latvian language has not been used at all and there are several Latvian families who had returned from Latvia after Siberian exile whose children do not know any Latvian. Labrit