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

Press Report

Russian Premier Chernomyrdin in his speech at the Vilnius Conference stressed once again that Russia would strongly object to the joining of NATO by the three Baltic states. Mr. Chernomyrdin called the European Security Charter the only suitable comprehensive security model. Russia has already circulated a detailed plan of the document among the OSCE members. President Ulmanis, while commenting on the results of the meeting, noted that Prime-Minister Chernomyrdin did not address the issues traditionally raised by Russia. The agenda of Mr. Ulmanis' meeting with the Russian Prime-Minister included the border agreement and humanitarian issues. The Latvian President hopes to sign several important agreements during his visit to Moscow in the nearest future. (Still, the Council of

Russian Premier Chernomyrdin in his speech at the Vilnius Conference stressed once again that Russia would strongly object to the joining of NATO by the three Baltic states. Mr. Chernomyrdin called the European Security Charter the only suitable comprehensive security model. Russia has already circulated a detailed plan of the document among the OSCE members. President Ulmanis, while commenting on the results of the meeting, noted that Prime-Minister Chernomyrdin did not address the issues traditionally raised by Russia. The agenda of Mr. Ulmanis' meeting with the Russian Prime-Minister included the border agreement and humanitarian issues. The Latvian President hopes to sign several important agreements during his visit to Moscow in the nearest future. (Still, the Council of "Tevzemei un Brivibai"/LNNK during its meeting last Saturday decided to press its coalition partners to include a reference to the 1920 Peace Treaty in the Border Agreement with Russia). President Ulmanis told Premier Chernomyrdin that the Latvian Government was ready to accelerate the naturalization process by simplifying naturalization procedures. Mr. Ulmanis also met Byelorussian President Lukashenko. According to Mr. Lukashenko, the two countries are planning to sign an agreement on refugees. Among other issues discussed by the two Presidents was the closing of the Byelorussian Office of the Soros Foundation. Its bank account was blocked by the Byelorussian authorities and the Foundation was pressed to terminate its activities in Byelorussia. Diena, Neatkariga

"SM"

interviewed Head of the interviewed Head of the "Latvijas Cels""Latvijas Cels" faction Andrejs Pantelejevs on the current political situation in Latvia and on faction Andrejs Pantelejevs on the current political situation in Latvia and on "LC""LC" policy in the policy in the SaeimaSaeima. Mr. Pantelejevs said that . Mr. Pantelejevs said that "LC""LC" would not agree to several demands currently put forward by would not agree to several demands currently put forward by "Tevzemei un Brivibai"/LNNK"Tevzemei un Brivibai"/LNNK. The . The "LC""LC" faction will insist on applying the Refugee Convention to all asylum-seekers (but not only to those coming from the West, as demanded by faction will insist on applying the Refugee Convention to all asylum-seekers (but not only to those coming from the West, as demanded by "TB"/LNNK"TB"/LNNK). The faction will also support the abolishment of restrictions on the employment of non-citizens and will vote against introducing Latvian as the only language of instruction in secondary schools. According to Mr. Pantelejevs,). The faction will also support the abolishment of restrictions on the employment of non-citizens and will vote against introducing Latvian as the only language of instruction in secondary schools. According to Mr. Pantelejevs, "LC" "LC" is supporting the acceleration of naturalization. Mr. Pantelejevs believes that "the window mechanism" should be replaced by quotas that would tremendously exceed the current annual number of applicants for citizenship. is supporting the acceleration of naturalization. Mr. Pantelejevs believes that "the window mechanism" should be replaced by quotas that would tremendously exceed the current annual number of applicants for citizenship. "LC""LC" will hold a conference on the forming of a political nation on September 20. Other issues on the agenda will include education, language, and cultural autonomy. will hold a conference on the forming of a political nation on September 20. Other issues on the agenda will include education, language, and cultural autonomy. SMSM "People's Harmony" faction deputy Janis Urbanovics criticizes the governing coalition for yielding to

"People's Harmony" faction deputy Janis Urbanovics criticizes the governing coalition for yielding to "TB"/LNNK pressure while preparing the Memorandum for the European Commission. Mr. Urbanovics stresses that "LC" is pursuing its own political interests and would not oppose the Nationalists while "Saimnieks" focuses on protecting its own economic interests. The author of the article proves that such policies impede Latvia's integration in Europe and slow down its overall economic and political development. Diena