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 August 31, at 12 o’clock, in accordance with the international agreement signed between Latvia and Russia, all transmitters at Skrunda Radar station were switched off. Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs V.Birkavs and generals of Russian AF had come to Skrunda to be present at this moment and assured that everything would proceed as it had been agreed upon. They also expressed their satisfaction about successful co-operation. Minister of Foreign Affairs V.Birkavs stressed that Russia had carried out all its obligations perfectly and added that with closing down of Skrunda Radar station a new stage of Latvian - Russian relations began. He thanked international donor states, especially the USA and Sweden, international organisations for their input in the implementation of this agreement. Latvia considers OSCE involvement in ensuring the agreement very important. For people in Skrunda it was a festivity day but it was not so for the Skrunda Radar station personnel. As the authorised Skrunda Radar station representative A.Nikitin explained about 200 military servicemen from 450 would stay to dismantle the radar. He did not admit that any serviceman could remain here but those who got married here.

On August 31, at 12 oclock, in accordance with the international agreement signed between Latvia and Russia, all transmitters at Skrunda Radar station were switched off. Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs V.Birkavs and generals of Russian AF had come to Skrunda to be present at this moment and assured that everything would proceed as it had been agreed upon. They also expressed their satisfaction about successful co-operation. Minister of Foreign Affairs V.Birkavs stressed that Russia had carried out all its obligations perfectly and added that with closing down of Skrunda Radar station a new stage of Latvian - Russian relations began. He thanked international donor states, especially the USA and Sweden, international organisations for their input in the implementation of this agreement. Latvia considers OSCE involvement in ensuring the agreement very important. For people in Skrunda it was a festivity day but it was not so for the Skrunda Radar station personnel. As the authorised Skrunda Radar station representative A.Nikitin explained about 200 military servicemen from 450 would stay to dismantle the radar. He did not admit that any serviceman could remain here but those who got married here. Neatkariga, Diena, Rigas Bals, Jauna Avize, Lauku Avize , Chas , SM, Bizness & Baltiya, Panorama Latvii

State Minister of Municipal Affairs J.Bunkss told

State Minister of Municipal Affairs J.Bunkss told Neatkariga that although it was September 1, Latvian representatives had not received any answer from Estonian officials whether students, going to education institutions in another country would not face any problems with border crossing. The answer according to the agreement should have been given on August 20. Estonian embassy in Riga explained that a written material on border crossing had already been sent. Bunkss said that students would have no problems from Latvian side. Meanwhile, NHRO has received no answers from Latvian and Estonian presidents who were asked to address this problem. Neatkariga

State President G.Ulmanis met yesterday the representatives of

Tevzemei un Brivibai/LNNK and he stuck to his opinion that adopting the amendments to the Law on Citizenship would be more favourable to Latvian interests than abolishing them. In their turn TB/LNNK people boasted that they managed to show a clear picture what development of the state could be if amendments were abolished and stressed that it would not endanger Latvias joining EU. Neatkariga, d

Diena

commentator K.Plamse writes that OSCE recommendations are not bickering to Latvia but a suggestion to do it as it is done elsewherein Europe. She says that an opinion about OSCE demands concerning citizenship and the state language being especial and stricter than the ones for Estonia is wrong and these recommendations are just the existing practice in European countries. K.Plamse analyses the situation with window mechanism and compares citizenship laws in different European countries. as well as the differences in this aspect in Latvia and Estonia. She also writes about Latvian international obligations. commentator K.Plamse writes that OSCE recommendations are not bickering to Latvia but a suggestion to do it as it is done elsewherein Europe. She says that an opinion about OSCE demands concerning citizenship and the state language being especial and stricter than the ones for Estonia is wrong and these recommendations are just the existing practice in European countries. K.Plamse analyses the situation with “window” mechanism and compares citizenship laws in different European countries. as well as the differences in this aspect in Latvia and Estonia. She also writes about Latvian international obligations. J.Adamsons explains in

J.Adamsons explains in Diena the position of the Union of Latvian Socialist Democrats and hs own on the referendum and the amendments to the Law on Citizenship. ULSD stands for elaboration and adoption of a completely new Law on Citizenship. Then the absurd norms in the Law on Citizenship would be corrected. In principle, J.Adamsons is for organising such a referendum but objects using it for some partys election campaign. What concerns the referendum itself, it is very important how the question will be formulated, but it is not known so far. J.Adamsons considers that everybody here must know the Latvian language, but he thinks that people should vote for adopting the amendments. Diena

Several newspapers repeat the information published by SM that OSCE High Commissioner Max van der Stoel had threaten not to give 20 million Lats for Latvian education system to improve the quality of teaching Russian if the amendments to the Law on Citizenship were not adopted.

Several newspapers repeat the information published by SM that OSCE High Commissioner Max van der Stoel had threaten not to give 20 million Lats for Latvian education system to improve the quality of teaching Russian if the amendments to the Law on Citizenship were not adopted. Lauku Avize, Bizness & Baltiya

Y.Yevteyev, the Head of the Social Maintenance Division confirmed the information that Russian military pensioners residing in Latvia had not received their pensions for August due to the fact that the money for it had not been transferred to Latvia yet. They hope that the situation could improve by the end of this week.

Bizness & Baltiya The Deputy Director of DCMA A.J.Lejins, answering the questions of

The Deputy Director of DCMA A.J.Lejins, answering the questions of Panorama Latvii, tells about the situation with the violet passports. Panorama Latvii has received many complains about violation of the date of issuance, too long examination of persons data. The Deputy Director explained that the main problem was with the people who had claimed their former USSR interior passports to be lost, had received a new one and in the lost one they got a domicile registration in Russia. DCMA also pays special attention to military servicemen demobilised in 1991 - 1992. Panorama Latvii

Minister of Foreign Affairs V.Birkavs gave a long interview to

Minister of Foreign Affairs V.Birkavs gave a long interview to Panorama Latvii where he spoke about European integration, saying that Russians in Latvia could be the first Euro-Russians, and the process of Latvia joining EU could take 7 - 8 years. He also analyses Latvian - Russian relations and says that Russia does not want any dialogue with Latvia, it organises military manoeuvres called Return near the border with Latvia and interferes in the internal affairs of Latvia. Using this possibility, he addresses Russia once again to start an open dialogue on all problems Russia would like to speak about. Panorama Latvii