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

A rally of protest against the initialization of the agreement between Russia and Latvia on troops' withdrawal was held in front of the Saema building yesterday. Aleksandrs Kirsteins (LNNK), the Chairman of the Saema Commission on Foreign Affairs noted that the agreements initialled in Moscow differed from the drafts introduced to the deputies. He also stated that the agreement on pensioned officers contradicts the Constitution of Latvia. He expressed the opinion that "at least 70 thousand former KGB and army officers with experience in "hot-beds" are even more dangerous than several thousand-large military corps". LNNK suggested that every paragraph of the agreements should be discussed in the Saema. It was also stressed that the agreements do not mention the recognition of occupation of Latvia in 1940, compensation for the damages incurred by the occupation, and the issue of Abrene. Similar thoughts were expressed by the head of the "Tevzemei un Brivibai" fraction Maris Grinbalts. The Minister of Justice Mr.Egils Levits evaluated the strict determination of the withdrawal deadline as a "prominent achievement of Latvian diplomacy."

A rally of protest against the initialization of the agreement between Russia and Latvia on troops' withdrawal was held in front of the Saema building yesterday. Aleksandrs Kirsteins (LNNK), the Chairman of the Saema Commission on Foreign Affairs noted that the agreements initialled in Moscow differed from the drafts introduced to the deputies. He also stated that the agreement on pensioned officers contradicts the Constitution of Latvia. He expressed the opinion that "at least 70 thousand former KGB and army officers with experience in "hot-beds" are even more dangerous than several thousand-large military corps". LNNK suggested that every paragraph of the agreements should be discussed in the Saema. It was also stressed that the agreements do not mention the recognition of occupation of Latvia in 1940, compensation for the damages incurred by the occupation, and the issue of Abrene. Similar thoughts were expressed by the head of the "Tevzemei un Brivibai" fraction Maris Grinbalts. The Minister of Justice Mr.Egils Levits evaluated the strict determination of the withdrawal deadline as a "prominent achievement of Latvian diplomacy." Diena, Labrit

In response to the LNNK demands to distribute the text of the agreement between the deputies the Government published the complete text in today's newspapers. In the framework of the discussion over the agreement Mr.Virsis, the Head of the Latvian Delegation to the Talks put several questions to the opposition member Mr.A.Kirsteins who had also participated in the talks. Mr.Kirsteins agreed that the current geopolitical situation is different from the one that existed in 1939. He also noted that Russian troops would be withdrawn mainly thanks to the pressure exercised by USA, G-7, the Union of Europe, the UN, and CSCE but not the agreement itself. He stressed that Latvia's development would be jeopardized if the principal issues of relations between Russia and Latvia were not clarified before the joining of the Council of Europe by Russia. The issues include the recognition of the occupation of Latvia by Russia, compensation of the damages incurred by the occupation, territorial issues (Abrene).

In response to the LNNK demands to distribute the text of the agreement between the deputies the Government published the complete text in today's newspapers. In the framework of the discussion over the agreement Mr.Virsis, the Head of the Latvian Delegation to the Talks put several questions to the opposition member Mr.A.Kirsteins who had also participated in the talks. Mr.Kirsteins agreed that the current geopolitical situation is different from the one that existed in 1939. He also noted that Russian troops would be withdrawn mainly thanks to the pressure exercised by USA, G-7, the Union of Europe, the UN, and CSCE but not the agreement itself. He stressed that Latvia's development would be jeopardized if the principal issues of relations between Russia and Latvia were not clarified before the joining of the Council of Europe by Russia. The issues include the recognition of the occupation of Latvia by Russia, compensation of the damages incurred by the occupation, territorial issues (Abrene). Neatkariga Cina, Labrit

Viktor Daugmalis, the columnist for "NEATKARIGA CINA", forecasts a possible political crisis in Latvia in connection with the troops' withdrawal agreement. He believes that the only way that the Government can avoid the crisis is by choosing a hard way of "entering the international community of states", i.e. by implementing the foreign policies that are more independent. Among the possible consequences of such independent approach he points out the pressure on the part of Russian-controlled local businesses and Russia itself, and decrease of Western investments into Latvian economy. Still he believes that this is the only way the country can achieve a real independence.

Viktor Daugmalis, the columnist for "NEATKARIGA CINA", forecasts a possible political crisis in Latvia in connection with the troops' withdrawal agreement. He believes that the only way that the Government can avoid the crisis is by choosing a hard way of "entering the international community of states", i.e. by implementing the foreign policies that are more independent. Among the possible consequences of such independent approach he points out the pressure on the part of Russian-controlled local businesses and Russia itself, and decrease of Western investments into Latvian economy. Still he believes that this is the only way the country can achieve a real independence. Neatkariga Cina

The British Government welcomed the initialization of the agreements between Russia and Latvia in its official statement issued on March 16. The US administration also positively evaluated the initialled agreements. "We consider it to be a prominent contribution to the stability in the region", said the spokesman for the Department of State Mr.Mike McMoory.

The British Government welcomed the initialization of the agreements between Russia and Latvia in its official statement issued on March 16. The US administration also positively evaluated the initialled agreements. "We consider it to be a prominent contribution to the stability in the region", said the spokesman for the Department of State Mr.Mike McMoory. Diena

The agreements on troops' withdrawal were one of the topics of discussion between President Guntis Ulmanis and the Pope during their yesterday meeting in Vatican. President Ulmanis expressed his concern about the possibility of Latvia being an object of a "back-stage deal" between the super-powers. The Pope said that he had spoken to Mr.Yeltsin on Skrunda last June and that he is planning to mention the issue during his meetings with other leaders.

The agreements on troops' withdrawal were one of the topics of discussion between President Guntis Ulmanis and the Pope during their yesterday meeting in Vatican. President Ulmanis expressed his concern about the possibility of Latvia being an object of a "back-stage deal" between the super-powers. The Pope said that he had spoken to Mr.Yeltsin on Skrunda last June and that he is planning to mention the issue during his meetings with other leaders. Diena, Labrit