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

Most of the Saeima fraction gave positive evaluation of the agreements signed in Moscow. Still, they believe that a prompt ratification is not necessary since several articles come into power upon being signed by the two sides. The general opinion is that Saeima should wait for reaction on the part of the Russian Parliament. "Tevzemei un Brivibai" representatives criticized the agreements and pointed out that they had not abandoned the idea of demanding the dismissal of Saeima in case the agreements were ratified. The LNNK fraction had to study the agreements, said its spokesman Mr.Lambergs. He added that the negative attitude of the fraction to the agreements would most probably remain unchanged and doubted the possibility of their ratification by the Russian Parliament. "Latviajs Cels" leader Andrejs Pantelejevs noted that a meeting of the representatives of commissions for foreign affairs of both parliaments is necessary before the ratification. The Head of the Legal Commission of the Saeima Mr.Aivars Endzins explained that according to the law on international agreements the ratification of an agreement should be preceded by three readings. Mr.Janis Jurkans, the Leader of the "People's Harmony" party stressed the importance of the denouncement of stalinist repression in Latvia and insisted that the agreements should be ratified without waiting for the reaction of the Russian Parliament. "Saskana Latvijai" according to its leader Mr.Edvin Kide especially welcomes the agreement on a favorable nation's status and will suggest to wait for the response of the Russian Duma. A "Farmers' Union" spokesman said that the party supported the signing of the agreements and so it would also favor the ratification. Mrs.Ilga Grava of Democratic party was not sure about the attitude her party would take. Still, she noted that her party had denounced the agreement on pensioned officers. Christian Democrats will vote against the ratification. "Equal Rights" deputies informed the press that their fraction would act in support of the ratification. DIENA has interviewed most influential political groups outside Saeima. Deputy-leader of Social Democrats approved of the compromise achieved but stressed that a further pressure on the part of Russia could be quite possible which could result in a government crisis. Chairman of the "Popular Front" Mr.Augstkalns criticized the Government for keeping the details of the agreement and the protocol on pensioned officers secret. Co-Chairmen of the Green Party Mr.Batarevskis refused to give any comments on the agreement explaining that neither he nor his party had studied the protocol on pensioned officers.

Most of the Saeima fraction gave positive evaluation of the agreements signed in Moscow. Still, they believe that a prompt ratification is not necessary since several articles come into power upon being signed by the two sides. The general opinion is that Saeima should wait for reaction on the part of the Russian Parliament. "Tevzemei un Brivibai" representatives criticized the agreements and pointed out that they had not abandoned the idea of demanding the dismissal of Saeima in case the agreements were ratified. The LNNK fraction had to study the agreements, said its spokesman Mr.Lambergs. He added that the negative attitude of the fraction to the agreements would most probably remain unchanged and doubted the possibility of their ratification by the Russian Parliament. "Latviajs Cels" leader Andrejs Pantelejevs noted that a meeting of the representatives of commissions for foreign affairs of both parliaments is necessary before the ratification. The Head of the Legal Commission of the Saeima Mr.Aivars Endzins explained that according to the law on international agreements the ratification of an agreement should be preceded by three readings. Mr.Janis Jurkans, the Leader of the "People's Harmony" party stressed the importance of the denouncement of stalinist repression in Latvia and insisted that the agreements should be ratified without waiting for the reaction of the Russian Parliament. "Saskana Latvijai" according to its leader Mr.Edvin Kide especially welcomes the agreement on a favorable nation's status and will suggest to wait for the response of the Russian Duma. A "Farmers' Union" spokesman said that the party supported the signing of the agreements and so it would also favor the ratification. Mrs.Ilga Grava of Democratic party was not sure about the attitude her party would take. Still, she noted that her party had denounced the agreement on pensioned officers.Christian Democrats will vote against the ratification. "Equal Rights" deputies informed the press that their fraction would act in support of the ratification. DIENA has interviewed most influential political groups outside Saeima. Deputy-leader of Social Democrats approved of the compromise achieved but stressed that a further pressure on the part of Russia could be quite possible which could result in a government crisis. Chairman of the "Popular Front" Mr.Augstkalns criticized the Government for keeping the details of the agreement and the protocol on pensioned officers secret. Co-Chairmen of the Green Party Mr.Batarevskis refused to give any comments on the agreement explaining that neither he nor his party had studied the protocol on pensioned officers. Diena

27 Saeima deputies signed a letter addressed to the Council of Europe, the CSCE, and the CSCE Mission to Riga pointing at a certain lack of understanding of the situation in Latvia shown by those organizations and their recommendations regarding the citizenship law and possible naturalization conditions. The letter calls upon the nations and international bodies to discuss and support repatriation of individuals who had arrived to the country during occupation and to leave it to the citizens of Latvia to determine naturalization conditions. The letter has been signed by representatives of LNNK, "Tevzemei un Brivibai", Mr.Leiskalns and Mr.Cepanis of the Democratic Party, Mr.Tomins, Mr.Grigs, Mr.Kalnins of the Farmers' Union, Mrs.Rugate and Mrs.Predele of the Christian Democrats, and independent deputy Mr.Saulitis. The letter says that the above-mentioned deputies are not satisfied with the draft citizenship law adopted by the Saeima in its first reading and have prepared an alternative draft to be signed by one tenth of the deputies and presented to the Saeima.

27 Saeima deputies signed a letter addressed to the Council of Europe, the CSCE, and the CSCE Mission to Riga pointing at a certain lack of understanding of the situation in Latvia shown by those organizations and their recommendations regarding the citizenship law and possible naturalization conditions. The letter calls upon the nations and international bodies to discuss and support repatriation of individuals who had arrived to the country during occupation and to leave it to the citizens of Latvia to determine naturalization conditions. The letter has been signed by representatives of LNNK, "Tevzemei un Brivibai", Mr.Leiskalns and Mr.Cepanis of the Democratic Party, Mr.Tomins, Mr.Grigs, Mr.Kalnins of the Farmers' Union, Mrs.Rugate and Mrs.Predele of the Christian Democrats, and independent deputy Mr.Saulitis. The letter says that the above-mentioned deputies are not satisfied with the draft citizenship law adopted by the Saeima in its first reading and have prepared an alternative draft to be signed by one tenth of the deputies and presented to the Saeima. Diena, Labrit

It is possible that Saeima will reconsider the suspension of the five mandates. This issue will be included into the agenda on the request Karlis Leiskalns (Democratic Party), Velta Purina (LNNK), Ilmars Dalins (Tevzemei un Brivibai), Andrejs Pantelejevs and Maris Graudins (Latvijas Cels).

It is possible that Saeima will reconsider the suspension of the five mandates. This issue will be included into the agenda on the request Karlis Leiskalns (Democratic Party), Velta Purina (LNNK), Ilmars Dalins (Tevzemei un Brivibai), Andrejs Pantelejevs and Maris Graudins (Latvijas Cels). Diena

In his interview for DIENA Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr.Georgs Andrejevs said that he would not resign unless the Prime-Minister decides so. He stressed that the KGB scandal was started in order to prevent the signing of the agreements with Russia after the majority of the deputies voted in support of the Government. As for his possible collaboration with the KGB he explained that his work had been connected with high medical technologies and his name was included into the secret files as well as the names of other well-known scientists. He pointed out that sometimes Western politicians and international bodies could not fully understand the attitude of Latvia towards the agreement with Russia after the infamous decree by President Yeltsin. He pointed out that such understanding had been achieved which is proved by the readiness of several Western countries to finance the repatriation plan for pensioned officers. He stressed that the only way for Latvia to make its way into the Union of Europe was to agree to "unpleasant compromises."

In his interview for DIENA Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr.Georgs Andrejevs said that he would not resign unless the Prime-Minister decides so. He stressed that the KGB scandal was started in order to prevent the signing of the agreements with Russia after the majority of the deputies voted in support of the Government. As for his possible collaboration with the KGB he explained that his work had been connected with high medical technologies and his name was included into the secret files as well as the names of other well-known scientists. He pointed out that sometimes Western politicians and international bodies could not fully understand the attitude of Latvia towards the agreement with Russia after the infamous decree by President Yeltsin. He pointed out that such understanding had been achieved which is proved by the readiness of several Western countries to finance the repatriation plan for pensioned officers. He stressed that the only way for Latvia to make its way into the Union of Europe was to agree to "unpleasant compromises." Diena