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

The Ninth Session of the Baltic Assembly called upon the governments of Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania to work out joint policy aimed at entering NATO. The Session also adopted a resolution requiring to start negotiations between the three countries and Russia on the return of the KGB archives. The Session of the Baltic Assembly has not adopted a resolution recommending the abolishment of death penalty by the Baltic states. Estonian representative A.Reutel submitted a draft document on defense issues. The document contains a concept of a military alliance between the three countries. It was considered by the Session as a working document.

The Ninth Session of the Baltic Assembly called upon the governments of Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania to work out joint policy aimed at entering NATO. The Session also adopted a resolution requiring to start negotiations between the three countries and Russia on the return of the KGB archives. The Session of the Baltic Assembly has not adopted a resolution recommending the abolishment of death penalty by the Baltic states. Estonian representative A.Reutel submitted a draft document on defense issues. The document contains a concept of a military alliance between the three countries. It was considered by the Session as a working document. Diena, Neatkariga

Last Friday the Council established by the President opened a discussion of the possible abolishment of death penalty in Latvia. President Ulmanis believes the issue should be discussed publicly. He says he would cancel the moratorium on the execution of death penalties if the public opinion proves to be in favor of capital punishment. Prosecutor General Skrastins suggests the law should allow applying capital punishment to individuals having committed murders under aggravating circumstances. Chairman of the Supreme Court Grizins says a high crime rate does not allow abolishing capital punishment. The draft criminal law currently under discussion provides for death penalty in exceptional cases.

Last Friday the Council established by the President opened a discussion of the possible abolishment of death penalty in Latvia. President Ulmanis believes the issue should be discussed publicly. He says he would cancel the moratorium on the execution of death penalties if the public opinion proves to be in favor of capital punishment. Prosecutor General Skrastins suggests the law should allow applying capital punishment to individuals having committed murders under aggravating circumstances. Chairman of the Supreme Court Grizins says a high crime rate does not allow abolishing capital punishment. The draft criminal law currently under discussion provides for death penalty in exceptional cases. Diena

Ilga and Ivars Kreituss are planing to form a faction before the end of this year. Observers expect its potential members to join the Latvian Social-Democratic Workers' Party which will allow them to form a faction. (According to the Saeima Regulations, a faction can be formed by at least five members of one party or by at least five deputies elected from the same list of candidates). The LSDWP leaders have already had meetings with the Kreituses, former

Ilga and Ivars Kreituss are planing to form a faction before the end of this year. Observers expect its potential members to join the Latvian Social-Democratic Workers' Party which will allow them to form a faction. (According to the Saeima Regulations, a faction can be formed by at least five members of one party or by at least five deputies elected from the same list of candidates). The LSDWP leaders have already had meetings with the Kreituses, former "Latvijas Cels" member Adamsons, and former members of Zigerist's party. Diena

Alfreds Cepanis recently referred to by Kreituss as an unsuitable candidate for a

Alfreds Cepanis recently referred to by Kreituss as an unsuitable candidate for a Saeima speaker said he was "not ashamed of his nationality." Kreituss in an interview for the "NEATKARIGA" said Cepanis being an ethnic Byelorussian and having inadequate education should not have been elected a Saeima Chairman. Mr. Cepanis was said to be "a buffer" between the Kreituses and the "Saimnieks" party helping to resolve frequent conflicts. Neatkariga

The State

The State Duma called upon the Government and President Yeltsin to apply sanctions against Latvia. Duma deputies accused Latvia in restricting the rights of ethnic Russians and expressed concern about the recently adopted Declaration on Occupation. The Declaration, according to the Russian Parliament members, allows to give ethnic Russians "status of civil occupants." The sanctions were supported by 230 deputies with 11 voting against the proposal. Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Press-Secretary Andreis Pildegovics called the decision "groundless." He expressed hope that "common sense would prevail" and the step taken by the Duma would not influence future relations between the two countries. Diena