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

On Monday night at 1.58 a.m. in Kronvalda Park, 50 m from the Russian Embassy, there was an explosion. It was an infantry mine. Criminal police considers this explosion to be performed by the same persons who carried out the explosion at Riga synagogue. The mine was of the type widely used by Soviet troops during the Afghan war. Within two hours the Interior Minister Z.Cevers had a meeting with the Ambassador of Russia A.Udaltsovand they shared the opinion that this was a provocation. At 5 a.m. Z.Cevers summoned a meeting of several top police officers, but at the meeting of police departments heads was present the State President G.Ulmanis.

On Monday night at 1.58 a.m. in Kronvalda Park, 50 m from the Russian Embassy, there was an explosion. It was an infantry mine. Criminal police considers this explosion to be performed by the same persons who carried out the explosion at Riga synagogue. The mine was of the type widely used by Soviet troops during the Afghan war. Within two hours the Interior Minister Z.Cevers had a meeting with the Ambassador of Russia A.Udaltsovand they shared the opinion that this was a provocation. At 5 a.m. Z.Cevers summoned a meeting of several top police officers, but at the meeting of police departments heads was present the State President G.Ulmanis. Diena; Bizness & Baltiya, Chas and Panorama Latvii have published the full text of the Russian Embassy announcement.

Latvian officials and politicians have expressed a categorical condemnation to the persons who had organised this explosion at the Embassy of Russia.

Latvian officials and politicians have expressed a categorical condemnation to the persons who had organised this explosion at the Embassy of Russia.

The MFA of Russia expressed a serious concern on the happened because lives and security of Russian citizens have been endangered, as well as damage done to the property of the Embassy. “This terror act is the result of anti-Russian hysterics that has been kindled up lately and support to National Socialism and Extremism. Explosions take place in Latvia, monuments are desecrated. nazis are raising their heads. An end must be put to this. We demand Latvian authorities to take decisive steps and punish the guilty.”

The MFA of Russia expressed a serious concern on the happened because lives and security of Russian citizens have been endangered, as well as damage done to the property of the Embassy. This terror act is the result of anti-Russian hysterics that has been kindled up lately and support to National Socialism and Extremism. Explosions take place in Latvia, monuments are desecrated. nazis are raising their heads. An end must be put to this. We demand Latvian authorities to take decisive steps and punish the guilty.

The State President G.Ulmanis also condemned this explosion and said that all forces should be combined to control the tense situation and prevent any terror acts.

The State President G.Ulmanis also condemned this explosion and said that all forces should be combined to control the tense situation and prevent any terror acts. Diena, Neatkariga, Vakara Zinas, Chas

The Prime Minister G.Krasts, answering to questions of

The Prime Minister G.Krasts, answering to questions of Diena correspondent, said that they were able to control the situation on the country. Such individual, unpredictable events did not have any far-reaching effect. Such terrorist activities could not put the situation in the country out of control. The authorities had not taken any extreme actions.

The Co-chairman of Jewish community G.Krupnikov, being asked about the recent events, did not want to make any direct personal, technical or material link between the rally of SS legionaries and desecration of Jewish monuments or explosion at Riga synagogue. Instead he would rather speak of psychological, emotional and historical ties. According to his opinion there was lack of understanding and acknowledging of its own history. There was still no proper explanation of Holocaust in Latvia.

The Co-chairman of Jewish community G.Krupnikov, being asked about the recent events, did not want to make any direct personal, technical or material link between the rally of SS legionaries and desecration of Jewish monuments or explosion at Riga synagogue. Instead he would rather speak of psychological, emotional and historical ties. According to his opinion there was lack of understanding and acknowledging of its own history. There was still no proper explanation of Holocaust in Latvia. Diena

“Anxiety that Russia could impose official sanctions against Latvia has no grounds because it would not correspond to obligations of Russia towards international organisations and would contradict Russia’s international position that economic sanctions must not be used if political interests of a state are to be touched upon,” this is the opinion of Latvian MFA experts.

Anxiety that Russia could impose official sanctions against Latvia has no grounds because it would not correspond to obligations of Russia towards international organisations and would contradict Russias international position that economic sanctions must not be used if political interests of a state are to be touched upon, this is the opinion of Latvian MFA experts. Diena

Yesterday the Prime Minister G.Krasts signed the decree demanding the Minister of Economics A.Sausnitis to resign. It means automatic dismiss of several his team members because according the law on the Cabinet of Ministers when a minister is dismissed , it also refers to the corresponding Parliamentary Secretary and State Secretary. Most probably, also several councillors of the Minister will have to resign. All this cased rumours on a possible fall of the government to start again.

Yesterday the Prime Minister G.Krasts signed the decree demanding the Minister of Economics A.Sausnitis to resign. It means automatic dismiss of several his team members because according the law on the Cabinet of Ministers when a minister is dismissed , it also refers to the corresponding Parliamentary Secretary and State Secretary. Most probably, also several councillors of the Minister will have to resign. All this cased rumours on a possible fall of the government to start again. Neatkariga

It is planned to build a TV bridge Latvia and Russia. It will be performed by several TV stations - Latvian TV and two Russia TV station. The organisers of it hope that it will help to improve relation between those two countries. Latvian showman will be Natalija Abols, her Russia counterpart - Vladimir Pozner. The idea to establish such a bridge is supported also by Russia.

It is planned to build a TV bridge Latvia and Russia. It will be performed by several TV stations - Latvian TV and two Russia TV station. The organisers of it hope that it will help to improve relation between those two countries. Latvian showman will be Natalija Abols, her Russia counterpart - Vladimir Pozner. The idea to establish such a bridge is supported also by Russia. Dienas Bizness, Panorama Latvii, Chas

The first sitting of the parliamentary group that is charged with the task to prepare the last reading of the amendments to the Law on Citizenship till April 14. The group tried to combine the proposals of all the factions. As the Chairman of this working group A.Ameriks told the correspondent, deputies of four major factions, represented in the group, were ready to show their willingness to solve this issue, therefore he hoped for a positive result.

Chas

At a press briefing the Minister of Communications V.Kristopans announced that Latvian authorities were too late to reconsider the Law on Citizenship. And not only the very law but also a large number of smaller restrictions. All that was the reason for the fuss in Latvia. He thinks that in order to join U , Latvia would have to sign border treaty with Russia. But to sign it Latvia would have to admit that it has problems with non-citizens. But the most interesting thing is that politicians are unwilling to mention it - it is unpopular. As the means to solve this problem, the Minister proposes to do away with all discriminative restrictions for population residing here and paying their taxes. Although he would not favour 0 version.

Panorama Latvii

A.Voroncov in

Segodnya calls for all Russians, Ukrainians, Byelorussians and Jews to unite in order to create a political force to protect their interests. He analyses the reasons for the necessity of such an union, political platform of it and the possible financial base.