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

On March 26 the Council of LNNK adopted a joint statement by LNNK and the LNNK Saema fraction "On the Talks with Russia". The statement says that the agreement initialled in Moscow contradicts the UN resolution and the CSCE declaration on complete and unconditional troop withdrawal from Latvia. LNNK believes that the ratification of the agreements will lead to the involvement of Latvia into the sphere of Russian influence and threaten the survival of Latvian people. The LNNK Council called upon the President to refuse to ratify the agreement. It is also suggested that the Saema should urgently adopt the Law on the Aliens and the Stateless and to form a new delegation to the talks with Russia to discuss the issues of repatriation, the Abrene area, and compensation for the damages caused by the USSR to the independent state of Latvia. The statement also demands that the Saema should adopt the decree on the referendum on Skrunda and on pensioned Russian officers. In case the Saema does not follow these recommendations LNNK will demand a referendum on the extraordinary election to the Saema to be held.

On March 26 the Council of LNNK adopted a joint statement by LNNK and the LNNK Saema fraction "On the Talks with Russia". The statement says that the agreement initialled in Moscow contradicts the UN resolution and the CSCE declaration on complete and unconditional troop withdrawal from Latvia. LNNK believes that the ratification of the agreements will lead to the involvement of Latvia into the sphere of Russian influence and threaten the survival of Latvian people. The LNNK Council called upon the President to refuse to ratify the agreement. It is also suggested that the Saema should urgently adopt the Law on the Aliens and the Stateless and to form a new delegation to the talks with Russia to discuss the issues of repatriation, the Abrene area, and compensation for the damages caused by the USSR to the independent state of Latvia. The statement also demands that the Saema should adopt the decree on the referendum on Skrunda and on pensioned Russian officers. In case the Saema does not follow these recommendations LNNK will demand a referendum on the extraordinary election to the Saema to be held. Diena

The Council of the Popular Front referred to the agreements with Russia as "humiliating" during its meeting on March 26. The Council adopted a statement "On the Draft Agreements with Russia" calling upon the President not to ratify the agreements. The agreement legalizes the presence of occupation troops on the Latvian soil and provides a care-free life in comfortable apartments for former Soviet army officers, says the statement. The popular Front also believes that Latvia will act in contradiction to the UN and CSCE resolutions on troop withdrawal since there will be the Skrunda radar still operating on the Latvian soil. The statement also suggests that the Saema should adopt a memorandum on the occupation of Latvia by USSR and press for the international recognition of this fact. The Popular Front supports the idea of a nation-wide referendum on Skrunda and pensioned officers. It is also declared that the Front reserves the right of demanding the dissolution of the Saema with the following extraordinary elections. The Popular Front proposed that nationalist parties should work out an alternative economical and political program and form a shadow cabinet of ministers ready to implement such program.

The Council of the Popular Front referred to the agreements with Russia as "humiliating" during its meeting on March 26. The Council adopted a statement "On the Draft Agreements with Russia" calling upon the President not to ratify the agreements. The agreement legalizes the presence of occupation troops on the Latvian soil and provides a care-free life in comfortable apartments for former Soviet army officers, says the statement. The popular Front also believes that Latvia will act in contradiction to the UN and CSCE resolutions on troop withdrawal since there will be the Skrunda radar still operating on the Latvian soil. The statement also suggests that the Saema should adopt a memorandum on the occupation of Latvia by USSR and press for the international recognition of this fact. The Popular Front supports the idea of a nation-wide referendum on Skrunda and pensioned officers. It is also declared that the Front reserves the right of demanding the dissolution of the Saema with the following extraordinary elections. The Popular Front proposed that nationalist parties should work out an alternative economical and political program and form a shadow cabinet of ministers ready to implement such program. Diena

The Latvian National Union "Tevzeme" put forward the similar demands and suggested that the State center for non-military resistance should be created with the purpose of instructing the citizens about resistance tactics to be used in case of possible intervention and occupation.

The Latvian National Union "Tevzeme" put forward the similar demands and suggested that the State center for non-military resistance should be created with the purpose of instructing the citizens about resistance tactics to be used in case of possible intervention and occupation. Labrit

The "DIENA" journalist Aivars Ozolins analyzes the attitude towards the agreements with Russia on the part of the Government and the people of Latvia. According to sociological research around 52% of the population are against the ratification of the agreements on skrunda and pensioned officers. In this connection he stresses that the easiest way for a politician to avoid any responsibility is to join the majority of his compatriots. He also points out that the initialled agreements are the best compromise possible. He connects the importance of the ratification of the agreement with the political instability in Russia. He also emphasizes the fact that the West has approved of the agreements and will further support Latvia if the agreements are ratified. Latvia is facing the choice between unreliable security and no security at all, says the author of the article.

The "DIENA" journalist Aivars Ozolins analyzes the attitude towards the agreements with Russia on the part of the Government and the people of Latvia. According to sociological research around 52% of the population are against the ratification of the agreements on skrunda and pensioned officers. In this connection he stresses that the easiest way for a politician to avoid any responsibility is to join the majority of his compatriots. He also points out that the initialled agreements are the best compromise possible. He connects the importance of the ratification of the agreement with the political instability in Russia. He also emphasizes the fact that the West has approved of the agreements and will further support Latvia if the agreements are ratified. Latvia is facing the choice between unreliable security and no security at all, says the author of the article. Diena