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

“Operation of Skrunda Radar station will be stopped at the end of August, and after this, according to an agreement between Latvia and Russia, it will be dismantled,” announced an official representative of Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs V.Nesterushkin. A day before it the very official said that the status of most favourite nation in trade between Russia and Latvia would be preserved if the current status of Skrunda Radar station remained. The diplomat stressed that both parties had been strictly observing the conditions of the agreement and it had been confirmed by repeated OSCE inspections. V.Nesterushkin, being asked about whether Russia would loose its interest in keeping the status of the most favoured nation in trade for Latvia after dismantling of Skrunda Radar station, gave a negative answer. He stressed that the situation had changed since 1994 when the agreement was signed, and now the trade regime depended on several aspects of Russian - Latvian relations. Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs V.Birkavs announced that no information had been received that Russia could connect the status on the most favoured nation to the Skrunda issue. But in such a case Latvia could hope for support from the international society because in preparation of the agreement were involved both representatives of OSCE, EU and CE. V.Birkavs admitted that rumours about this had been heard before, but it was the first time when a Russian official had said anything like that to the press. He also said that Latvia would never discuss Skrunda Radar station issue.

Operation of Skrunda Radar station will be stopped at the end of August, and after this, according to an agreement between Latvia and Russia, it will be dismantled, announced an official representative of Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs V.Nesterushkin. A day before it the very official said that the status of most favourite nation in trade between Russia and Latvia would be preserved if the current status of Skrunda Radar station remained. The diplomat stressed that both parties had been strictly observing the conditions of the agreement and it had been confirmed by repeated OSCE inspections. V.Nesterushkin, being asked about whether Russia would loose its interest in keeping the status of the most favoured nation in trade for Latvia after dismantling of Skrunda Radar station, gave a negative answer. He stressed that the situation had changed since 1994 when the agreement was signed, and now the trade regime depended on several aspects of Russian - Latvian relations. Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs V.Birkavs announced that no information had been received that Russia could connect the status on the most favoured nation to the Skrunda issue. But in such a case Latvia could hope for support from the international society because in preparation of the agreement were involved both representatives of OSCE, EU and CE. V.Birkavs admitted that rumours about this had been heard before, but it was the first time when a Russian official had said anything like that to the press. He also said that Latvia would never discuss Skrunda Radar station issue. Neatkariga, Diena. Jauna Avize, Chas

On Friday Prime Minister G.Krasts organised a press conference due to the one year anniversary of his government. He called it the year of stability but journalists writing about it, say that the Prime Minister did not mention several aspects that caused problems for the government and it allows to doubt the statement that the year was so stable. He mentions relations with Russia and contradictory amendments to the Law on Citizenship.

Diena, Chas, Panorama Latvii, Bizness & Baltiya (10.08.98)

Rigas Balss

publishes an interview with the Prime Minister. Speaking about other things, G.Krasts also mentions the issue of citizens. He considers it not so important in a long run as it seems today. When contradicted about his own statements on new political demands for Latvias joining EU, G.Krasts answers that it is his guilt. He has requested if there would be no more additional demands for Latvia and had not received a positive answer. The very Ole Espersen, a possible candidate for Max van der Stoels post, talks about reunion of families and voting rights for non-citizens on municipal level. If Latvia adopts the amendments to the Law on Citizenship it would be one of the most liberal countries in Europe in this respect and therefore there should be a clear signal from EU that no more demands will follow. The Prime Minister also stressed that Max van der Stoel during the last four years after his version of the Law on Citizenship was adopted, had added 15 more recommendations.

Latvian poet Mara Zalite publishes her opinion on the referendum and the situation around it. She is positive about it and considers that, while amending the Law on Citizenship, a precedent is created when a group of Latvian citizens do not have to know (in principle) the Latvian language. Neatkariga

Political commentator V.Hermanis writes about the situation with the state language. In Latvia there is a situation when about 1/4 of non-Latvians consider it not to be necessary to use the state language in their every day life, therefore they do not know it. V.Hermanis considers that the Latvian language knowledge should be the measure of ones loyalty.

Political commentator V.Hermanis writes about the situation with the state language. In Latvia there is a situation when about 1/4 of non-Latvians consider it not to be necessary to use the state language in their every day life, therefore they do not know it. V.Hermanis considers that the Latvian language knowledge should be the measure of ones loyalty. Neatkariga

About 35 000 people have signed the proposal for a referendum by Wednesday, informed the head of the Head of TB/LNNK Co-ordination Centre J.Bernans. About 14 500 signatures have been collected in Riga. According to the data of the research centre “Socially Correlative Data Systems” 52.6% of all Latvian citizens would participate in the referendum if it took place.

About 35 000 people have signed the proposal for a referendum by Wednesday, informed the head of the Head of TB/LNNK Co-ordination Centre J.Bernans. About 14 500 signatures have been collected in Riga. According to the data of the research centre Socially Correlative Data Systems 52.6% of all Latvian citizens would participate in the referendum if it took place. Rigas Balss, Bizness & Baltiya (10.08.98)