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

According to Latvian - Russian agreement on Skrunda Radar station, about 35 families of Russian military personnel have to leave Latvia. But it is known even now that about 30 families plan to stay in Latvia. The Saeima deputy O.Grigs has voiced an opinion that the Saeima should consider this issue in the nearest future. DCMA has already received first applications from those families about their wish to stay in Latvia. DCMA specialists acknowledge that every case will be considered separately. Although the agreement anticipates leaving Latvia by August 31, but many militaries have married and received Latvian citizenship. There will be not many permits to stay. Meanwhile, Russian Embassy in Latvia has voiced its opinion that this is not an issue of Latvian - Russian relations and is in the competency of DCMA.

According to Latvian - Russian agreement on Skrunda Radar station, about 35 families of Russian military personnel have to leave Latvia. But it is known even now that about 30 families plan to stay in Latvia. The Saeima deputy O.Grigs has voiced an opinion that the Saeima should consider this issue in the nearest future. DCMA has already received first applications from those families about their wish to stay in Latvia. DCMA specialists acknowledge that every case will be considered separately. Although the agreement anticipates leaving Latvia by August 31, but many militaries have married and received Latvian citizenship. There will be not many permits to stay. Meanwhile, Russian Embassy in Latvia has voiced its opinion that this is not an issue of Latvian - Russian relations and is in the competency of DCMA. Neatkariga

Tomorrow the Saeima National Security Commission will consider the question why Russian diplomats speak about any connection between Skrunda Radar station and the status of the most favoured nation. The Chairman of this commission told

Tomorrow the Saeima National Security Commission will consider the question why Russian diplomats speak about any connection between Skrunda Radar station and the status of the most favoured nation. The Chairman of this commission told Chas about the possible measures from Latvian part should Russia make any ultimatum. Firstly, no ultimatum was acceptable from Russian side, secondly Latvia would demand that all obligations of Latvian -Russian international agreements of 1994 would be fulfilled. What concerned the status of the most favoured nation connected to Skrunda Radar station, A.Pantelejevs considered it absurd and contradicting economical interests of both countries. Chas

Tevzemei un Brivibai/LNNK

Co-ordination Centre informs that about 115 000 signatures might be collected by Sunday evening. Riga Election Commission says that 46 300 of them have been collected in Riga. One day before the end of the campaign citizens even queued up to sign the proposal. During the last days activity of people was very high - on Sunday - 5.5 thousand, on Saturday - less than 3 thousand , but on Friday 3.7 thousand. Central Election Commission (CVC) has information that, from 30.2 thousand Latvian citizens abroad, 70 have signed the proposal in the USA, less that 500 in Australia, more than 300 in Canada, UK - 48, Germany - 40, Sweden - 125, but no one in Israel. More than one thousand Latvian citizens live in Estonia and Russia, but Latvian embassies in these countries will sum up all the data only when the campaign is over. The referendum will be organised if 1/10 of all Latvian citizens, having the right of vote, request it - all together 133 435 voters. Neatkariga, Diena, Rigas Balss, SM, Panorama Latvii

Jauna Avize writes that a day before the end of this campaign the CVC did not know the real number of Latvian citizens having the right to vote. CVC Chairman A.Cimdars told BNS that they would make a decision on the exact number after receiving data from DCMA. In 1996 this number was 131 104. Some official admitted a possibility that in 1996 Latvian citizens living abroad were not included in the total number, because they were not allowed to take part in the signature collection campaign at that time.

Rigas Balss in its comments column published the article of A.Kluinis who considers that the most important thing is not the referendum but that Latvians themselves have to talk to Russian speakers in the Latvian language thus easing them learning of the state language. Mr. Kluins also writes about Tevzemei un Brivibai/LNNK - a union that has been in the government coalition from the very restoration of Latvian independence but has done nothing to persuade Latvians to use their language freely.

Panorama Latvii

interviews the Head of Valmiera DCMA office O.Balins. When asked about issuance of non-citizen passports, he said that they did not have this problem. From 8000 non-citizens in this region half of them already have the violet passports. From the very beginning there were lines and he had head only one and a half working loads. Now a non-citizen passport can be received in one month. interviews the Head of Valmiera DCMA office O.Balins. When asked about issuance of non-citizen passports, he said that they did not have this problem. From 8000 non-citizens in this region half of them already have the violet passports. From the very beginning there were lines and he had head only one and a half working loads. Now a non-citizen passport can be received in one month.

Diena

publishes another anti- publishes another anti-Tevzemei un Brivibai/LNNK Tevzemei un Brivibai/LNNK article written by former TB/LNNK newspaper article written by former TB/LNNK newspaper Nacianala Neatkariba Nacianala Neatkariba editor J.Derums. He says that this union planned to spend 400 000 Ls for its election campaign, it was not enough. So they found a witty solution - to organise a campaign for collecting signatures at the state expense to start their election campaign. editor J.Derums. He says that this union planned to spend 400 000 Ls for its election campaign, it was not enough. So they found a witty solution - to organise a campaign for collecting signatures at the state expense to start their election campaign.