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

Yesterday the Saeima plenary meeting ratified the third reading of the agreement with Russia on repatriation and social guarantees for repatriates and the agreements on troop withdrawal, the Skrunda radar, and on social guarantees for Russian military pensioners. The repatriation agreement was supported by 63 deputies while Eduards Berklavs and Aleksandrs Kirsteins of LNNK abstained. The troop withdrawal agreements were supported by 52 deputies. Berklavs, Budovskis, Kalnins, Kusnere, Lambergs, Seile, Stalts, Tabuns (LNNK), Grots, Laksevics, Rugate (Christian Democrats), and Joachim Zigerist voted against the ratification. Kirsteins, Zigurs (LNNK), Kokins, and Rozentals (the Farmers) abstained.

Yesterday the Saeima plenary meeting ratified the third reading of the agreement with Russia on repatriation and social guarantees for repatriates and the agreements on troop withdrawal, the Skrunda radar, and on social guarantees for Russian military pensioners. The repatriation agreement was supported by 63 deputies while Eduards Berklavs and Aleksandrs Kirsteins of LNNK abstained. The troop withdrawal agreements were supported by 52 deputies. Berklavs, Budovskis, Kalnins, Kusnere, Lambergs, Seile, Stalts, Tabuns (LNNK), Grots, Laksevics, Rugate (Christian Democrats), and Joachim Zigerist voted against the ratification. Kirsteins, Zigurs (LNNK), Kokins, and Rozentals (the Farmers) abstained. "Tebzemei un Brivibai" refused to participate in the voting. Minister for Foreign Affairs Birkavs believes that the ratification will allow the inspection of the Skrunda radar by the CSCE experts and provides legal basis for demanding the withdrawal of those former Russian servicemen who are currently residing in the country illegally. Diena, Neatkariga Yersterday the Saeima has adopted amendments to the law on land reforms. The amendments provide the right for the purchase of land in the cities to Latvian citizens, companies with more than half of their capital owned by Latvian citizens, and by companies registered in Latvia and owned by citizens of the countries that have concluded agreements on investment support and protection with Latvia. Diena

The Farmers' Union Deputy Mr.Ojars Grigs has collected 59 votes in favor of the holding of an extraordinary Saeima meeting dedicated to crime situation in Latvia. The number of votes collected is sufficient to hold such a meeting. Still, Mr.Grigs will try to obtain a broader support among his colleagues in the Saeima. He expects that the Presidium of the extraordinary meeting could take place on Wednesday next week. The Latvian Ministry for Foreign Affairs Press Secretary Mr.Roberts Mucins stated that there had been no forced repatriations from Latvia to Russia. The statement was made in connection with information by RIA agency of President Yeltsin's meeting with "repatriates who had been forced out of Latvia". Mr.Mucins also stressed that Latvia had no territorial claims toward Russia. Speaking about the Abrene issue he mentioned the necessity to work out a compensation scheme for persons who owned property and land in the Abrene region.

The Farmers' Union Deputy Mr.Ojars Grigs has collected 59 votes in favor of the holding of an extraordinary Saeima meeting dedicated to crime situation in Latvia. The number of votes collected is sufficient to hold such a meeting. Still, Mr.Grigs will try to obtain a broader support among his colleagues in the Saeima. He expects that the Presidium of the extraordinary meeting could take place on Wednesday next week. The Latvian Ministry for Foreign Affairs Press Secretary Mr.Roberts Mucins stated that there had been no forced repatriations from Latvia to Russia. The statement was made in connection with information by RIA agency of President Yeltsin's meeting with "repatriates who had been forced out of Latvia". Mr.Mucins also stressed that Latvia had no territorial claims toward Russia. Speaking about the Abrene issue he mentioned the necessity to work out a compensation scheme for persons who owned property and land in the Abrene region. Neatkariga