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 Report

The Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the three Baltic states, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Denmark, Finland, and Iceland held a meeting in Riga yesterday. Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs Birkavs told the press the agenda included cooperation in the Baltic region. Participants of the meeting agreed that a country has the right to choose an acceptable form of cooperation to guarantee its security. Baltic representatives confirmed their willingness to join NATO already during the first stage of its extension. Swedish Minister of Foreign Affairs stressed that Sweden, being a non-aligned country, would not provide any special security guarantees to the Baltic states. She added that Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania could strengthen their security by integrating into the European Union and by participating in the Partnership for Peace Program. All the participants of the meeting agreed about the importance of Russia's participation in resolving security issues in the region.

The Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the three Baltic states, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Denmark, Finland, and Iceland held a meeting in Riga yesterday. Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs Birkavs told the press the agenda included cooperation in the Baltic region. Participants of the meeting agreed that a country has the right to choose an acceptable form of cooperation to guarantee its security. Baltic representatives confirmed their willingness to join NATO already during the first stage of its extension. Swedish Minister of Foreign Affairs stressed that Sweden, being a non-aligned country, would not provide any special security guarantees to the Baltic states. She added that Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania could strengthen their security by integrating into the European Union and by participating in the Partnership for Peace Program. All the participants of the meeting agreed about the importance of Russia's participation in resolving security issues in the region. Diena

"Svenska Dagbladet" (August 18) referred to an anonymous USA Government official in an article on the NATO expansion project. The official gave the highlights of the expansion program currently drafted by the US. The process includes the following points:
1. First East-European countries to join NATO (around 1999)are Poland and, probably, Hungary, Czech Republic and Slovenia.
2. Stable, secure, and well-coordinated relations will be established between NATO and Russia.
3. The Partnership for Peace Program will be strengthened to ensure that the Baltic states do not form a "grey zone" between NATO and Russia's borders.
4. Integration of East-European countries into European economic structures will be stimulated.

According to the US official quoted by

According to the US official quoted by "SD", the concept does not provide for the admission of the three Baltic States to NATO offering their active participation in the partnership for Peace program instead. Neatkariga

Yesterday the Saeima Committee on Defense accomplished the review of the Law on the Military Service. Prime-Minister Skele agreed to exercise his right to summon an extraordinary Saeima plenary meeting on the draft law. According to the draft law all citizens 19 to 27 years old are to be drafted for a one year-long military service. Unlike the previous reading, the current draft applies also to graduates having a master's degree. Young people will be entitled to state-guaranteed credits for the purchase of an apartment or for building a house after accomplishing their service. Noncitizens and women will have the right to volunteer for the army. Noncitizens will be given the right to obtain Latvian citizenship through extraordinary naturalization after accomplishing their service.

Yesterday the Saeima Committee on Defense accomplished the review of the Law on the Military Service. Prime-Minister Skele agreed to exercise his right to summon an extraordinary Saeima plenary meeting on the draft law. According to the draft law all citizens 19 to 27 years old are to be drafted for a one year-long military service. Unlike the previous reading, the current draft applies also to graduates having a master's degree. Young people will be entitled to state-guaranteed credits for the purchase of an apartment or for building a house after accomplishing their service. Noncitizens and women will have the right to volunteer for the army. Noncitizens will be given the right to obtain Latvian citizenship through extraordinary naturalization after accomplishing their service. Neatkariga