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

The Presidium of the Saeima canceled the Extraordinary Plenary Meeting of the Saeima scheduled for April 15. The agenda of the meeting was the security policy of Latvia and the responsibility for the signing of the initialled agreements with Russia. The Nationalist Block of the Saeima demanded for an Extraordinary Plenary Meeting to be held on April 20 and a new broadened delegation to the talks with Russia including the representatives of all fractions to be appointed. The existing delegation must resign, says the statement by the Block.The Block refused to support the initialled agreements stating that they contain points that can be interpreted as legalizing the occupation consequences. The statement by the Block also stresses that none of the Western states has provided any definite guarantees of the security of Latvia. The meeting of the "Latvijas Cels" fraction has decided to propose to consider and adopt the law on foreigners and stateless persons at the next Plenary Meeting of the Saeima thus defining the status and the rights of non-citizens before the signing of the agreements with Russia. The fraction does not object against introducing certain changes into the composition of the delegation. Still, it has been pointed out that such step could be an untimely one since both "Latvijas Cels" and the Government will not support the signing of the agreement unless President Yeltsin revokes his decree on the creation of a military base in Latvia. The fraction does not agree to the concept of social guarantees being provided to pensioned officers and insists on a prompt adoption of the law on foreigners and stateless persons in order to facilitate the negotiations with Russia. Indulis Berzins, the spokesman for the "Latvijas Cels" fraction, says that the Government could adopt the law on Wednesday between the sessions of the Saeima.

The Presidium of the Saeima canceled the Extraordinary Plenary Meeting of the Saeima scheduled for April 15. The agenda of the meeting was the security policy of Latvia and the responsibility for the signing of the initialled agreements with Russia. The Nationalist Block of the Saeima demanded for an Extraordinary Plenary Meeting to be held on April 20 and a new broadened delegation to the talks with Russia including the representatives of all fractions to be appointed. The existing delegation must resign, says the statement by the Block.The Block refused to support the initialled agreements stating that they contain points that can be interpreted as legalizing the occupation consequences. The statement by the Block also stresses that none of the Western states has provided any definite guarantees of the security of Latvia. The meeting of the "Latvijas Cels" fraction has decided to propose to consider and adopt the law on foreigners and stateless persons at the next Plenary Meeting of the Saeima thus defining the status and the rights of non-citizens before the signing of the agreements with Russia. The fraction does not object against introducing certain changes into the composition of the delegation. Still, it has been pointed out that such step could be an untimely one since both "Latvijas Cels" and the Government will not support the signing of the agreement unless President Yeltsin revokes his decree on the creation of a military base in Latvia. The fraction does not agree to the concept of social guarantees being provided to pensioned officers and insists on a prompt adoption of the law on foreigners and stateless persons in order to facilitate the negotiations with Russia. Indulis Berzins, the spokesman for the "Latvijas Cels" fraction, says that the Government could adopt the law on Wednesday between the sessions of the Saeima. Diena, Labrit

On April 12 the Delegation of the Saeima to the Parliament Assembly of the Union of Europe has handed over a letter by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Latvia on the recent decree by Boris Yeltsin. The letter evaluates the decree as a threat to Latvia's sovereignty. Latvia has also addressed the CSCE with a request to consider recent changes in the relations between Latvia and Russia. Prime-Minister Birkavs called upon the CSCE to support the repatriation of pensioned officers and monitor the operation of the Skrunda radar. The Prime-Minister also suggested that CSCE observers should participate in the signing of the agreements. Saeima deputy A.Kirsteins said that he would mention a hypocritical attitude of the West to the issue of human rights in the Baltic states during the CSCE debates on Thursday.

On April 12 the Delegation of the Saeima to the Parliament Assembly of the Union of Europe has handed over a letter by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Latvia on the recent decree by Boris Yeltsin. The letter evaluates the decree as a threat to Latvia's sovereignty. Latvia has also addressed the CSCE with a request to consider recent changes in the relations between Latvia and Russia. Prime-Minister Birkavs called upon the CSCE to support the repatriation of pensioned officers and monitor the operation of the Skrunda radar. The Prime-Minister also suggested that CSCE observers should participate in the signing of the agreements. Saeima deputy A.Kirsteins said that he would mention a hypocritical attitude of the West to the issue of human rights in the Baltic states during the CSCE debates on Thursday. Diena

Swedish Prime-Minister Bildt stressed the unacceptability of concepts like "near abroad" and "the sphere of influence" currently used by Russia. He also said that Russia had no right to interfere into the internal affairs of Latvia on the pretext of the violation of the rights of local Russian-speaking population. He also approved of the "new citizenship laws."

Swedish Prime-Minister Bildt stressed the unacceptability of concepts like "near abroad" and "the sphere of influence" currently used by Russia. He also said that Russia had no right to interfere into the internal affairs of Latvia on the pretext of the violation of the rights of local Russian-speaking population. He also approved of the "new citizenship laws." Diena

Boris Cilevic, the observer of "SM SEVODNYA", analyses the relations between Latvia and Russia during last six months. He points out the "emotional and symbolic importance" of the issue of the Russian Army and pensioned officers. He expresses the thought that by connecting troop withdrawal to the citizenship and human rights problems both Latvia and Russia tried to achieve their political goals. The presence of Russian troops in Latvia is used as a pretext for not adopting the Citizenship Law in order to continue the policies of "the pressing-out of the Russian-speaking population", says the author.

Boris Cilevic, the observer of "SM SEVODNYA", analyses the relations between Latvia and Russia during last six months. He points out the "emotional and symbolic importance" of the issue of the Russian Army and pensioned officers. He expresses the thought that by connecting troop withdrawal to the citizenship and human rights problems both Latvia and Russia tried to achieve their political goals. The presence of Russian troops in Latvia is used as a pretext for not adopting the Citizenship Law in order to continue the policies of "the pressing-out of the Russian-speaking population", says the author. SM SEgodnya