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

On May 13 the forth session of the Baltic Assembly began in Kemeri. On top of the agenda of the plenary meeting there will be the co-operation with Council of Ministers of the Baltic States and the agreement on the Baltic Council to unite the Assembly and the Council of Ministers. In his speech delivered at the opening of the session Mr.Ulmanis stressed that co-operation between the three Baltic republics had a vital importance for the integration of those countries into Western Europe. He mentioned that Latvia had been criticized for the agreements concluded with Russia and pointed out that the objective of the agreement on pensioned officers was to solve the security issues and to define the legal status of retired servicemen.Chairman of the Presidium of the Baltic Assembly Maris Budovskis marked that the agreement between Latvia and Russia had "shattered the unity" of the Baltic states. The Presidium of the Baltic Assembly suggested to adopt a resolution in support of Estonia.

On May 13 the forth session of the Baltic Assembly began in Kemeri. On top of the agenda of the plenary meeting there will be the co-operation with Council of Ministers of the Baltic States and the agreement on the Baltic Council to unite the Assembly and the Council of Ministers. In his speech delivered at the opening of the session Mr.Ulmanis stressed that co-operation between the three Baltic republics had a vital importance for the integration of those countries into Western Europe. He mentioned that Latvia had been criticized for the agreements concluded with Russia and pointed out that the objective of the agreement on pensioned officers was to solve the security issues and to define the legal status of retired servicemen.Chairman of the Presidium of the Baltic Assembly Maris Budovskis marked that the agreement between Latvia and Russia had "shattered the unity" of the Baltic states. The Presidium of the Baltic Assembly suggested to adopt a resolution in support of Estonia. Diena, Neatkariga Cina, Labrit

During the extraordinary meeting the of the Cabinet of Ministers government representatives responsible for the monitoring of the implementation of troop withdrawal agreements were appointed. Prime-Minister Birkavs was appointed a chairman of the commission on the agreements. Commander of the Defence Force Dainis Turlais was appointed the deputy-chairman of the commission. He also will be the head of the Latvian part of the joint Latvian-Russian commission. State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Aivars Vovers was appointed a plenipotentiary for the implementation of the agreement on the legal status of the Skrunda radar station. Member of the Latvian delegation to the talks with Russia Eduards Ikvilds was appointed a plenipotentiary for the implementation of the agreement on pensioned officers. Minister of Defence Valdis Pavlovskis reported on the defence concept that was adopted by the Cabinet of Ministers.

During the extraordinary meeting the of the Cabinet of Ministers government representatives responsible for the monitoring of the implementation of troop withdrawal agreements were appointed. Prime-Minister Birkavs was appointed a chairman of the commission on the agreements. Commander of the Defence Force Dainis Turlais was appointed the deputy-chairman of the commission. He also will be the head of the Latvian part of the joint Latvian-Russian commission. State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Aivars Vovers was appointed a plenipotentiary for the implementation of the agreement on the legal status of the Skrunda radar station. Member of the Latvian delegation to the talks with Russia Eduards Ikvilds was appointed a plenipotentiary for the implementation of the agreement on pensioned officers. Minister of Defence Valdis Pavlovskis reported on the defence concept that was adopted by the Cabinet of Ministers. Diena, Labrit, Neatkariga Cina

The Council of the Union of Nationalist Forces adopted a draft law on the elections of the Sixth Saeima. According to the draft law the new Saeima should be elected after 60 days from the date of the adoption of the law. According to Satversme the draft law can be considered if supported by at least one tenth of the total number of voters. The Union of Nationalist Forces is planning to collect votes on May 29 on the day of local elections.

The Council of the Union of Nationalist Forces adopted a draft law on the elections of the Sixth Saeima. According to the draft law the new Saeima should be elected after 60 days from the date of the adoption of the law. According to Satversme the draft law can be considered if supported by at least one tenth of the total number of voters. The Union of Nationalist Forces is planning to collect votes on May 29 on the day of local elections. Labrit