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

Russian Prime-Minister Chernomyrdin during his telephone conversation with Prime-Minister Skele invited the head of the Latvian government to visit Moscow in early September. Mr. Skele told the press it would be a short working visit that might give a new impetus to the work of the joint governmental commission. According to the Russian Prime-Minister's Press-Secretary Mr. Chernomyrdin in his conversation with Skele connected possible improvement of relations between the two countries with "Observance of the rights of the Russian-speaking minority in Latvia". Chernomyrdin told Skele special transportation rates for transit through Latvia and Estonia would not be changed before the meeting of the joint governmental commission.

Russian Prime-Minister Chernomyrdin during his telephone conversation with Prime-Minister Skele invited the head of the Latvian government to visit Moscow in early September. Mr. Skele told the press it would be a short working visit that might give a new impetus to the work of the joint governmental commission. According to the Russian Prime-Minister's Press-Secretary Mr. Chernomyrdin in his conversation with Skele connected possible improvement of relations between the two countries with "Observance of the rights of the Russian-speaking minority in Latvia". Chernomyrdin told Skele special transportation rates for transit through Latvia and Estonia would not be changed before the meeting of the joint governmental commission. Diena, SM

According Director of the Soros Foundation Program on Ethnic Relations and Human Rights Nils Muiznieks Gypsies are an unprotected minority although 90% of them are Latvian citizens. Chairman of the Gypsy Cultural Society Karlis Rudevics says there are 7.5 thousand Gypsies registered in Latvia. He believes the actual number of ethnic Gypsies to be much higher since many of them are officially registered as other nationalities. The Soros foundation has financed the publishing of the Gypsy language textbook and the Gypsy-Latvian dictionary.

According Director of the Soros Foundation Program on Ethnic Relations and Human Rights Nils Muiznieks Gypsies are an unprotected minority although 90% of them are Latvian citizens. Chairman of the Gypsy Cultural Society Karlis Rudevics says there are 7.5 thousand Gypsies registered in Latvia. He believes the actual number of ethnic Gypsies to be much higher since many of them are officially registered as other nationalities. The Soros foundation has financed the publishing of the Gypsy language textbook and the Gypsy-Latvian dictionary. Diena

Mr. Modris Lujans expects the agenda of today's

Mr. Modris Lujans expects the agenda of today's Saeima session to include the document on Latvia's occupation. The document drafted by Mrs. Kreitusse and the Juridical Committee is more moderate than similar statements suggested by "Tevzemei un Brivibai" and "Latvijai". The Saeima will also discuss possible changes in the Saeima Presidium after "TB" demanded replacing Deputy-Speaker Ameriks ("Saimnieks") by a "TB" member.Panorama Latvii

"PANORAMA LATVII"

reported on the visit of OSCE Mission members Pirkka Tapiola, Boguslaw Romantowski, and Falk Lange to Liepaja. The article points at the increase of the number of complaints handed over to the Mission members as compared with their previous visit last year. According to the author of the article, the city authorities complained about Russian-speakers, former servicemen in particular, refusing to study Latvia. A member of the City Council asked OSCE representatives whether the OSCE could assist Latvia in deporting non-Latvians after the Saeima adopted an official statement on Soviet occupation. The Mission members explained that most non-Latvians living in Liepaja had legally entered Latvia and, according to its laws, have the right to reside in the country. reported on the visit of OSCE Mission members Pirkka Tapiola, Boguslaw Romantowski, and Falk Lange to Liepaja. The article points at the increase of the number of complaints handed over to the Mission members as compared with their previous visit last year. According to the author of the article, the city authorities complained about Russian-speakers, former servicemen in particular, refusing to study Latvia. A member of the City Council asked OSCE representatives whether the OSCE could assist Latvia in deporting non-Latvians after the Saeima adopted an official statement on Soviet occupation. The Mission members explained that most non-Latvians living in Liepaja had legally entered Latvia and, according to its laws, have the right to reside in the country. Panorama LatviiPanorama Latvii