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

Press Review

Prime-Minister Guntars Krasts accused

Prime-Minister Guntars Krasts accused Agence France-Presse of distorting the contents of his interview for Spanish newspaper El Mundo. The French news agency reported that Mr. Krasts in his interview claimed Russia to be hostile toward the Baltic states. "DIENA" confirms that the original text of the interview does not contain such statements. In his interview Mr. Krasts said that Latvia could not accept security guarantees suggested by Russia and drew a parallel between the recent Russian guarantees and security guarantees imposed on Latvia by the USSR before the Second World War. He also pointed to productive economic relations between the two countries and noted that political relations still required further development.

"DIENA"

journalist Sandris Tocs pointed to a contradiction between journalist Sandris Tocs pointed to a contradiction between "Tevzemei un Brivibai"/LNNK "Tevzemei un Brivibai"/LNNK citizenship policy and Latvia's plans for joining the EU. Now when a member of the party holds the post of a Prime-Minister, the contradiction has become even more evident. The EU is concerned about slow naturalization in Latvia while citizenship policy and Latvia's plans for joining the EU. Now when a member of the party holds the post of a Prime-Minister, the contradiction has become even more evident. The EU is concerned about slow naturalization in Latvia while "TB"/LNNK"TB"/LNNK excludes any possibility of amending the Citizenship Law. Mr. Krasts tries to look more moderate and urged his colleagues to keep to a more democratic and European discussion style. The excludes any possibility of amending the Citizenship Law. Mr. Krasts tries to look more moderate and urged his colleagues to keep to a more democratic and European discussion style. The "DIENA""DIENA" journalist criticizes journalist criticizes "TB"/LNNK "TB"/LNNK for impeding Latvia's integration to Europe and believes that the party will have to finally sacrifice its principles. for impeding Latvia's integration to Europe and believes that the party will have to finally sacrifice its principles. An article in

An article in "SM" points out the following basic tendencies in the strategy used by nationalistic forces in Latvia:
1. Adoption of legal acts and amendments to existing laws that would worsen the situation of non-citizens and create additional psychological stress.
2. Appointment of radical nationalists to self-government institutions.
3. Creating the atmosphere of intolerance toward non-citizens and non-Latvians through the media.
4. Activities aimed at confirming non-citizens' hostility toward Latvia.
The author of the article quotes President Ulmanis who criticized radical nationalists for dividing the society into Latvians and non-Latvians and stressed that there was no alternative to a harmonious society. SM

Latvian Ambassador to Russia Imants Daudiss had a meeting with President Ulmanis yesterday. According to the President's Press-Service, the Ambassador supported a dialogue on naturalization initiated by the President and pointed to its importance for the forming of a harmonious society in Latvia.

Latvian Ambassador to Russia Imants Daudiss had a meeting with President Ulmanis yesterday. According to the President's Press-Service, the Ambassador supported a dialogue on naturalization initiated by the President and pointed to its importance for the forming of a harmonious society in Latvia. SM "JAUNA AVIZE" published statistical data on the number and the status of Russian servicemen currently residing in Latvia. 547 servicemen and their family members are staying in the country in accordance with the agreement on the Skrunda radar. According to the CID, the total number of Russian citizens in Skrunda is 1,255. They will stay in Latvia until September 1998. According to the lists provided by the Russian Embassy, 816 retired servicemen demobilized after 28 January 1992 are still residing in Latvia. The Russian side believes that 202 of these have the right to stay in the country. Only 14 former servicemen were denied permissions to stay in Latvia. Still, the CID is aware of at least fifty other cases when the status of former servicemen is unclear. Some of them may have to leave Latvia. Around twenty families of former Russian servicemen are ready to leave and are waiting for their apartments in Russia that are provided within a US-financed program. Still more former Russian servicemen may be staying in Latvia illegally by having obtained forged documents or by other illegal means. One of the reasons for their desire to stay in Latvia is higher pensions paid by the Russian Government to former servicemen residing abroad.

The

The "Svenska Dagbladet" on November 26 published Ms Elizabeth Krone's interview with the President. It focused on naturalization in Latvia. The aftermath of the occupation should be done away with also in our minds. Therefore, the President should see to it that Russian-speakers could obtain citizenship more easily despite sharp criticism from the Latvian Parliament. "The State cannot enter the next century while being divided." E.Krone describe the existing Citizenship Law and mention the President's dispute with Prime-Minister G.Krasts. Still, the President stressed the importance of political stability that would not allow to start the discussion immediately. The interview also touches upon G.Ulmanis' childhood and years in exile. Hence, is its title "The Deported Hopes for Reconciliation". Latvijas Vestnesis