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

American Ambassador L. Napper delivered a lecture on US policy in the Baltic countries at the Institute of International Relations in Riga. He pointed out that Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia regarded as potential NATO members. The US Ambassador hopes that the Baltic countries will be admitted to the European Union on the first stage of its enlargement.

American Ambassador L. Napper delivered a lecture on US policy in the Baltic countries at the Institute of International Relations in Riga. He pointed out that Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia regarded as potential NATO members. The US Ambassador hopes that the Baltic countries will be admitted to the European Union on the first stage of its enlargement. Diena

"Saimnieks"

deputy Eriks Zunda in an article for deputy Eriks Zunda in an article for "DIENA" "DIENA" criticizes draft amendments to the Law on Municipal Elections. The amendments require that candidates to posts in a local administration should permanently reside on the territory governed by the local administration. The fact of permanent residence can be proved by criticizes draft amendments to the Law on Municipal Elections. The amendments require that candidates to posts in a local administration should permanently reside on the territory governed by the local administration. The fact of permanent residence can be proved by "propiska" "propiska" only. Mr. Zunda objects to preserving only. Mr. Zunda objects to preserving "propiska""propiska" as an important element of the Latvian legislation. as an important element of the Latvian legislation. "Propiska""Propiska" should be abolished to bring Latvian legislation into compliance with international human rights norms and the 1937 Civil Law of the Republic of Latvia that allowed an individual to have several places of residence. should be abolished to bring Latvian legislation into compliance with international human rights norms and the 1937 Civil Law of the Republic of Latvia that allowed an individual to have several places of residence. DienaDiena Prime-Minister Skele suggested canceling a restriction introduced into the Law "On the Election of Self-Governments" by the

Prime-Minister Skele suggested canceling a restriction introduced into the Law "On the Election of Self-Governments" by the Saeima on November 6. The amendment bans individuals who were active members of the CPSU, the Interfront, and the All-Latvian National Salvation Committee after January 13, 1991, from running for posts in a self-government. Skele explained later that he had suggested to cancel only part of the restrictions, namely those banning former CPSU members from participating in local elections. The ban is to be applied to Mayor of Daugavpils Vidavsky, formerly an Interfront activist. Vidavsky is popular among voters who believe his professional qualities to be more important than his political past. Mr. Vidavsky is also said to be supported by "Latvijas Cels". "DIENA" claims to have a copy of a confidential agreement between Vidavsky and a "LC" representative. "LC" (represented by the so-called Club 21) guaranteed support for the Daugavpils City Council decisions in the Saeima while Vidavsky agreed to create favorable conditions for certain companies. "LC" leaders interviewed by "DIENA" say that they had no information on the agreement. Maris Gailis denies any links between Club 21 and "LC" at the time the agreement with Vidavsky was allegedly concluded.Diena

"Tevzemei un Brivibai" faction Chairman Janis Straume addressed Procurator General Janis Skrastins with a letter accusing the Ministry of the Interior senior executives of "constantly exceeding their authority in order to legalize individuals" illegally staying in the country who are to be "expelled from Latvia". In this connection Straume names State Secretary of the Ministry of the Interior Andris Staris, CID Director Ints Zitars and other officials. Minister of the Interior Turlais and CID Director's Advisor Jaudzems in their interviews "admit" that they are looking for a possibility of providing a legal status to individuals having no right to stay in Latvia, says the letter. Straume also criticizes Turlais and Zitars for not investigating cases of fraud. According to the Ministry of the Interior Press-Center, the Ministry would not comment on the letter until Mr. Straume provides documented proof of the accusations. Diena

President Ulmanis expressed support for Minister of Foreign Affairs Birkavs and criticized the recent decision the

President Ulmanis expressed support for Minister of Foreign Affairs Birkavs and criticized the recent decision the Saeima Foreign Affairs Committee for its vote of no-confidence for the Minister. The President said that he expected the Committee to come up with "suggestions on improving the country's foreign policy." Diena

Ilga Apine, a Professor at the Institute of Philosophy and Sociology of the Latvian Academy of Sciences, recalls the role of Russian cultural associations in Latvia's struggle for independence. History proves that a large part of the Russian community is loyal to independent Latvia. Mrs. Apine believes legislation should be more flexible toward Russian-speakers. Laws affecting Russian-speakers should be discussed with their representatives and non-citizens could be granted the right to participate in local elections. Ilga Apine believes that Latvia could benefit from establishing closer contacts with Russian-speaking intellectuals.

Ilga Apine, a Professor at the Institute of Philosophy and Sociology of the Latvian Academy of Sciences, recalls the role of Russian cultural associations in Latvia's struggle for independence. History proves that a large part of the Russian community is loyal to independent Latvia. Mrs. Apine believes legislation should be more flexible toward Russian-speakers. Laws affecting Russian-speakers should be discussed with their representatives and non-citizens could be granted the right to participate in local elections. Ilga Apine believes that Latvia could benefit from establishing closer contacts with Russian-speaking intellectuals. Diena

Vladimir Buzayev and Leonid Raihman of the Latvian human Rights Committee in their regular report in

Vladimir Buzayev and Leonid Raihman of the Latvian human Rights Committee in their regular report in "SM" analyze the Regulations "On the Status of the Unemployed". The Regulations adopted by the Cabinet of Ministers on October 22 require a certificate of the command of the Latvian language from all applicants even if they are looking for a job that does not demand the knowledge of Latvia. Buzayev and Raihman believe that the issuance of new passports to non-citizens will be used by the CID for reviewing the Register of Inhabitants. They refer to CID official J.Leins who had already named the documents to be produced by non-citizens applying for a new passport. More problems might be caused by an article of the Law on Former USSR Citizens giving the CID the right to apply the Law "On Foreigners' and Stateless Persons' Entrance to and Stay in the Republic of Latvia" to non-citizens having failed to exchange their passports within an established term. SM