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

Almost all newspapers in Latvia write about former KGB officer I.Mashonkin who was arrested and accused for genocide against the Latvian nation. The Russian Embassy have no claims for activities of Latvian law enforcement institutions but has expressed its opinion that, taking into consideration the age of this person, another security means could be used.

Almost all newspapers in Latvia write about former KGB officer I.Mashonkin who was arrested and accused for genocide against the Latvian nation. The Russian Embassy have no claims for activities of Latvian law enforcement institutions but has expressed its opinion that, taking into consideration the age of this person, another security means could be used.(Neatkariga 21.03) The Embassy of Russia to Latvia has expressed its support to this person and promised to provide the necessary juridical aid to set him free. (Svetdienas Zinas 21.03) Chas, Panorama Latvii. SM 21.03 informs that representatives of the Russian Embassy think this arrest could be performed due to political reasons.

Neatkariga 21.03

publishes an analytical article of Diana Berzina on kindling a national hatred. The events of the last two weeks have started a discussion on where the border between a personal opinion and intentional instigation to a national hatred. D.Berzina analyses severs cases of such publications (P.Lace, A.Voroncov and J.Rudevskis). More attention she pays to Rudesvkiss article because he was the only one against whom criminal proceedings were stared. publishes an analytical article of Diana Berzina on kindling a national hatred. The events of the last two weeks have started a discussion on where the border between a personal opinion and intentional instigation to a national hatred. D.Berzina analyses severs cases of such publications (P.Lace, A.Voroncov and J.Rudevskis). More attention she pays to Rudesvkis’s article because he was the only one against whom criminal proceedings were stared. EU representative Gunter Weiss warned Latvian pharmaceutists and politicians that Latvia’s joining EU would be problematic if they would stick to the opinion that only citizens might be owners of a pharmacy. But the EU representative was not informed that the Saeima had adopted amendments to the Pharmacy Law, among them also an article that both Latvian citizens and residents, holding alien’s passport and the neccessary education. might own a pharmacy.

EU representative Gunter Weiss warned Latvian pharmaceutists and politicians that Latvias joining EU would be problematic if they would stick to the opinion that only citizens might be owners of a pharmacy. But the EU representative was not informed that the Saeima had adopted amendments to the Pharmacy Law, among them also an article that both Latvian citizens and residents, holding aliens passport and the neccessary education. might own a pharmacy. Neatkariga, Rigas Balss 21.03. Lauku Avize describes how these amendments were adopted.

Minister of Defence and the leader of the Union of Christian Democrats Talavs Jundzis has made an announcement where he accuses Russia for mass importation colonists of strange mentality to Latvia. The Minister thought that Russia should apologise for the occupation and atrocities of occupants in Latvia. He accused Russia of doing nothing to help Latvia to reach the same standard of life as it was before the war.

Minister of Defence and the leader of the Union of Christian Democrats Talavs Jundzis has made an announcement where he accuses Russia for mass importation colonists of strange mentality to Latvia. The Minister thought that Russia should apologise for the occupation and atrocities of occupants in Latvia. He accused Russia of doing nothing to help Latvia to reach the same standard of life as it was before the war. SM 21.03.98; Rigas Balss 21.03

Panorama Latvii 21.03.

writes about the UNDP research program On the Road to a Civic Society. The author agrees that the intentions of this program are the best but has doubt about its results, e.g. the statement that 74% of non-citizens and 83% of citizens agreed to the statement that there were no differences between citizens and non-citizens. He also informs on the announcement made by the Minister of Foreign Affairs V.Birkavs that the Co-ordinating Council of ruling factions had made decision to form a working group consisting of six ministers. The main task of this group would be assisting to practical integration of non-citizens into Latvian society. The leader of this group was appointed the Deputy Prime Minister J.Kaksitis writes about the UNDP research program “On the Road to a Civic Society”. The author agrees that the intentions of this program are the best but has doubt about its results, e.g. the statement that 74% of non-citizens and 83% of citizens agreed to the statement that there were no differences between citizens and non-citizens. He also informs on the announcement made by the Minister of Foreign Affairs V.Birkavs that the Co-ordinating Council of ruling factions had made decision to form a working group consisting of six ministers. The main task of this group would be assisting to practical integration of non-citizens into Latvian society. The leader of this group was appointed the Deputy Prime Minister J.Kaksitis In

In SM 23.03 Boris Celevich comments on the fact of establishing such a group. He is not very optimistic, pointing out that it was a step forced by the EU documents published a week ago. These documents told Latvian ministers just the things people were protesting against in their demonstrations, e.g. on March 3.

Senior Counsellor of the Russian Embassy A.Rylov answered to SM correspondent’s questions on the situation with visas to Russia. Mr. Rylov informed that the Russian party submitted the draft of the new agreement on travelling between those two countries and it was planned to discuss it during the first part of this year, and the signing was planned at the end of the year. That would be a wider document because currently the valid Latvian - Russian agreement regulates travelling of citizens, not restricting travelling of non-citizens. During consulate consultations, both parties had agreed that for children under sixteen years of age holding citizenship of Latvia, family members of non-citizens visas to Russia would be drawn up without any invitation form. Being asked about the announcement of denouncing the Temporary Agreement, Mr Rylov explained that it was a surprise for Russian officials because the discussion was just about the regulations “On the procedure of travelling with violet passports of non-citizens and former USSR travel passports”.

Senior Counsellor of the Russian Embassy A.Rylov answered to SM correspondents questions on the situation with visas to Russia. Mr. Rylov informed that the Russian party submitted the draft of the new agreement on travelling between those two countries and it was planned to discuss it during the first part of this year, and the signing was planned at the end of the year. That would be a wider document because currently the valid Latvian - Russian agreement regulates travelling of citizens, not restricting travelling of non-citizens. During consulate consultations, both parties had agreed that for children under sixteen years of age holding citizenship of Latvia, family members of non-citizens visas to Russia would be drawn up without any invitation form. Being asked about the announcement of denouncing the Temporary Agreement, Mr Rylov explained that it was a surprise for Russian officials because the discussion was just about the regulations On the procedure of travelling with violet passports of non-citizens and former USSR travel passports. SM 23.03

Biznes I Baltiya 23.03

has acquired a document they can not guarantee its authenticity. It is a draft law of the Russian Federation On actions of the Russian Federation to prevent the violation of basic human rights and freedoms of citizens of the Russian Federation and Russian people in the Republic of Latvia. This is a description of economic sanctions Russia would impose on the Republic of Latvia. The newspaper says that, if these sanctions were be imposed, the Russian speaking population would receive the same support as in Checnya. has acquired a document they can not guarantee its authenticity. It is a draft law of the Russian Federation “On actions of the Russian Federation to prevent the violation of basic human rights and freedoms of citizens of the Russian Federation and Russian people in the Republic of Latvia”. This is a description of economic sanctions Russia would impose on the Republic of Latvia. The newspaper says that, if these sanctions were be imposed, the Russian speaking population would receive the same support as in Checnya. In

In Panorama Latvii 23.03 the Mayor of Daugavpils A.Vidauskis expresses his opinion that such sanctions would not be imposed.

Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly of has refused to further for consideration at a CEPA meeting the draft resolution “Latvian authorities violate basic human rights “ circulated by Russian delegates. Supervision Commission referents on Latvia are charged with an assignment to prepare a separate report whether the claims of Russia have any grounds. It is planned that referents Terry Davis (UK) and George Nemet (Hungary) will arrive to Latvia on June 15. It is a previously scheduled visit and has nothing in common with Russian reproaches.

Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly of has refused to further for consideration at a CEPA meeting the draft resolution Latvian authorities violate basic human rights circulated by Russian delegates. Supervision Commission referents on Latvia are charged with an assignment to prepare a separate report whether the claims of Russia have any grounds. It is planned that referents Terry Davis (UK) and George Nemet (Hungary) will arrive to Latvia on June 15. It is a previously scheduled visit and has nothing in common with Russian reproaches. Diena 23.03

Jauna Partija (The New Party) has expressed its support to the changes to the Law on Citizenship. The board of the Party said that the country had reached the dangerous border behind which the foreign policy cul-de-sack was seen. The party considers that the window system has become an obstacle in the process of Naturalisation and granting citizenship to children born after 1991 is supported by the majority of the society. Changes in the Law on Citizenship are necessary to speed up integration of Latvia into EU and would be a stimulus for starting a constructive dialogue with Russia.

Diena 21.03

To find out whether law enforcement institutions are reacting on an adequate level to the rather aggressive campaign against Latvia, the faction

Tevzemei un Brivibai/LNNK planed to meet with the Satversme Defence Office director L.Kamaldins, said the Chairman of the faction M.Grinblats. To his opinion underestimated were those publications in Russian speaking press that were directed against the Latvian nation and its language as the state language. During this discussion the faction would like to find out the co-operation among security services responsible for those issues. Diena, Chas, SM 23.03