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

Tevzemei un Brivibai/LNNK

Co-ordination Centre informs that at least 125 000 signatures have been collected by Monday evening and on Tuesday more than 10 000 people came to signature collecting districts. The official summary of the results will be known on August 24, but Co-ordination Centre informs that at least 125 000 signatures have been collected by Monday evening and on Tuesday more than 10 000 people came to signature collecting districts. The official summary of the results will be known on August 24, but Tevzemei un Brivibai/LNNKTevzemei un Brivibai/LNNK is sure that the necessary number of signatures has been collected. is sure that the necessary number of signatures has been collected. NeatkarigaNeatkariga, , Jauna Avize Jauna Avize

Diena

writes that the total number of signatures collected could be 151 000. In Riga about 70 000 signatures have been collected, in Liepaja - 7882, Ogre - 6000. The greatest activity of people was on Monday and Tuesday when there was much advertisement in the mass media. writes that the total number of signatures collected could be 151 000. In Riga about 70 000 signatures have been collected, in Liepaja - 7882, Ogre - 6000. The greatest activity of people was on Monday and Tuesday when there was much advertisement in the mass media. Today the Saeima National Security Commission will discuss the closing down of Skrunda Radar station and the fate of Russian military personnel working there. Although some people have expressed worry that about 30 militaries with their families could stay in Latvia, DCMA has not received any concrete applications, yet. The deputy Head of DCMA A.Lejins said that they have only a list of 30 military servicemen but it should be still clarified. He acknowledged that dc had no legal grounds to issue those people residence permits. The Department would consider every case individually. At the same time, Latvian institutions do not have any information from Russia about the tie of the Skrunda agreement to the status of the most favoured nation. According to unofficial information, OSCE Mission representatives are going to inspect Skrunda Radar station on September 3 to verify that the station is closed down. Meanwhile Skrunda people do not worry about all this fuss concerning Skrunda Radar station. They are getting ready for a festivity called “With love and no hatred” that the Mayor of the town V.Danenbergs has decided to organise to celebrate this event. The Mayor does not worry about militaries willing to stay in Latvia because he thinks that the majority of them have already been citizens of Latvia and every case will be considered by DCMA. A public observer I.Folkmanis told

Today the Saeima National Security Commission will discuss the closing down of Skrunda Radar station and the fate of Russian military personnel working there. Although some people have expressed worry that about 30 militaries with their families could stay in Latvia, DCMA has not received any concrete applications, yet. The deputy Head of DCMA A.Lejins said that they have only a list of 30 military servicemen but it should be still clarified. He acknowledged that dc had no legal grounds to issue those people residence permits. The Department would consider every case individually. At the same time, Latvian institutions do not have any information from Russia about the tie of the Skrunda agreement to the status of the most favoured nation. According to unofficial information, OSCE Mission representatives are going to inspect Skrunda Radar station on September 3 to verify that the station is closed down. Meanwhile Skrunda people do not worry about all this fuss concerning Skrunda Radar station. They are getting ready for a festivity called With love and no hatred that the Mayor of the town V.Danenbergs has decided to organise to celebrate this event. The Mayor does not worry about militaries willing to stay in Latvia because he thinks that the majority of them have already been citizens of Latvia and every case will be considered by DCMA. A public observer I.Folkmanis told Neatkariga that he had observed Skrunda Radar station for 10 years and during last four years since the agreement had been concluded, the intensity of the electromagnetic radiation had never been exceeded considerably. Neatkariga, Diena, Jauna Avize

On Tuesday there was a meeting of the heads of Russian and Estonian delegations to restart the talks on Russian - Estonian border agreement that had been interrupted for almost a year. Some Estonian foreign policy experts consider that the meeting will give no results because Russia lacks political will to sign such an agreement. Estonian party has already announced several times that the agreement is ready for signing and the next step is up to Russia.

On Tuesday there was a meeting of the heads of Russian and Estonian delegations to restart the talks on Russian - Estonian border agreement that had been interrupted for almost a year. Some Estonian foreign policy experts consider that the meeting will give no results because Russia lacks political will to sign such an agreement. Estonian party has already announced several times that the agreement is ready for signing and the next step is up to Russia. Diena

The Chairman of the Saeima Foreign Affairs Commission J.Sinka informed that German Bundestag Defence Commission deputy E.Marshevsky, during his visit to Latvia, acknowledged that the forecast of German Minister of Foreign Affairs K.Kinkel on possible introduction of no visa regime with Latvia already that year was a bit overestimated due to the election in Germany this September. Most probably this issue could be considered by the next government . Germany would not have any objections to introduce this regime even then, if Latvian borders were arranged and controlled on the necessary level. When speaking about EU demands concerning receiving Latvian citizenship, E.Marshevsky said that “Brussels has overdone this time” because, according to regulations adopted in Marstricht and Amsterdam, citizenship issues should be left up to the parliaments.

The Chairman of the Saeima Foreign Affairs Commission J.Sinka informed that German Bundestag Defence Commission deputy E.Marshevsky, during his visit to Latvia, acknowledged that the forecast of German Minister of Foreign Affairs K.Kinkel on possible introduction of no visa regime with Latvia already that year was a bit overestimated due to the election in Germany this September. Most probably this issue could be considered by the next government . Germany would not have any objections to introduce this regime even then, if Latvian borders were arranged and controlled on the necessary level. When speaking about EU demands concerning receiving Latvian citizenship, E.Marshevsky said that Brussels has overdone this time because, according to regulations adopted in Marstricht and Amsterdam, citizenship issues should be left up to the parliaments. Jauna Avize

Historian A.Farovsky writes about or, to be more precise, against several myths spread by Russian speaking press in Latvia. The first is the statement that Latvia deprived 1/3 of its population of their citizenship in 1991. He proves that the Soviet Union did it in 1940 with the whole Latvian nation depriving them of their Latvian citizenship. Therefore, restoration of citizenship for Latvians was a legal and logical act. And adoption of the Law on Citizenship did not deprive this 1/3 of Latvias population of their Soviet citizenship, and it is not Latvias guilt that The USSR fall apart. The other myth is that the majority of Russian speakers supported re-establishment of independent Latvia. He proves with figures that it was not so. Discussing the national policy of Latvian authorities and their plans integration of the society, he is pessimistic judging from the experiences in Cyprus, Sri-Lanka where people of different civilisations live together. Integration of such a society could take place only in several generations,

Diena (Russian version)