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

During his visit to Estonia last week Minister of Foreign Affairs Birkavs and Estonian Minister of Foreign Affairs Kallas discussed relations with Russia. The exchange of opinions focused on border delimitation. The two countries concluded similar border agreements with Soviet Russia in 1920. Mr. Birkavs believes an "international community" may be involved into resolving the border argument. He says Latvia and Estonia "is gradually approaching the final stage of negotiations with Russia." According to Mr. Birkavs, neither Latvia nor Estonia have territorial claims toward Russia. Still, both countries insist on referring to the 1920 agreements in their border delimitation agreements with Russia. Latvia has not renounced claims for its former territory officially. Russia insists on the 1920 agreements being invalid and refers to the 1975 Helsinki Act as the only applicable document. Still, several countries, while having signed the Act, have not recognized the occupation of the Baltic states. When asked about a possible official renouncing of claims for Abrene, Mr. Birkavs said "the Government was considering the step". He admits it will be a difficult decision resulting from consultations between the governing factions and the Cabinet. Chairman of the Latvian delegation to the border delimitation talks Aivars Vovers says Latvia has not officially accepted the incorporation of Abrene into the Russian Federation.

During his visit to Estonia last week Minister of Foreign Affairs Birkavs and Estonian Minister of Foreign Affairs Kallas discussed relations with Russia. The exchange of opinions focused on border delimitation. The two countries concluded similar border agreements with Soviet Russia in 1920. Mr. Birkavs believes an "international community" may be involved into resolving the border argument. He says Latvia and Estonia "is gradually approaching the final stage of negotiations with Russia." According to Mr. Birkavs, neither Latvia nor Estonia have territorial claims toward Russia. Still, both countries insist on referring to the 1920 agreements in their border delimitation agreements with Russia. Latvia has not renounced claims for its former territory officially. Russia insists on the 1920 agreements being invalid and refers to the 1975 Helsinki Act as the only applicable document. Still, several countries, while having signed the Act, have not recognized the occupation of the Baltic states. When asked about a possible official renouncing of claims for Abrene, Mr. Birkavs said "the Government was considering the step". He admits it will be a difficult decision resulting from consultations between the governing factions and the Cabinet. Chairman of the Latvian delegation to the border delimitation talks Aivars Vovers says Latvia has not officially accepted the incorporation of Abrene into the Russian Federation. LNNK and "Tevzemei un Brivibai" object against discussing the issue while some other deputies believe discussing the issue would be premature. Meanwhile, President Ulmanis has recommended to negotiate with Russia on border delimitation without raising the issue of compensation for the property located in Abrene. Diena

Last Friday President Ulmanis supported the proposal made by the

Last Friday President Ulmanis supported the proposal made by the Saeima Human Rights Committee. The Committee addressed the President with a letter suggesting amending the Citizenship Law to allow ethnic Livs and Latvians having entered the country before 31 March 1996 to obtain citizenship even if they have not managed to prove their ethnic origin before the date. The deadline for providing documented proofs of ethnic origin puts "Eastern" repatriates into a less advantageous position compared to that of repatriates from the West. According to the agreement between the governing factions, the Citizenship Law may not be amended. Diena

Historian Leo Dribin in an article for

Historian Leo Dribin in an article for "DIENA" suggests that Latvia should evolve from an "ethnic nation" into a "political nation". According to Dribin, a "political nation" can be formed on the bases of common interests of all ethnic groups. Legislation and government policies implemented by state institutions are to maintain a political nation. Leo Dribin warns against preserving the existing situation that may end up in the forming of a society consisting of two isolated communities with almost no common interests. Diena

Five years ago the Supreme Council adopted the "Decree on the Restoration of the Rights of the Citizens of the Republic of Latvia and on the Basic Conditions of Naturalization". Latvian Human Rights Committee activists Leonid Raihman (in

Five years ago the Supreme Council adopted the "Decree on the Restoration of the Rights of the Citizens of the Republic of Latvia and on the Basic Conditions of Naturalization". Latvian Human Rights Committee activists Leonid Raihman (in "SM") and V.Buzayev (in "PANORAMA LATVII") analyze the effect of the decree on the rights of non-Latvians. Both articles point at the fact that the Supreme Council was elected by all inhabitants of Latvia, the country becoming a UN member soon afterwards. Latvia, already being a UN member, has deprived one third of its population of citizenship. Mr. Raihman considers it to be a violation of the Declaration of Human Rights stating that no one can be arbitrarily deprived of citizenship. Around 160,000 inhabitants of Latvia did not manage to apply for registration before the deadline and were left with "round stamps" in their passports. The situation has improved after the adoption of the "Law on the Status of Former USSR Citizens..." in May 1995. Still, "round-stampers" deprived of their fundamental human rights (employment, free travel, registration of marriage, welfare) due to their status constitute approximately five percent of those applying to the Latvian Human Rights Committee for legal assistance. He points at an extremely low pace of the naturalization process (2,459 residents in eighteen months). In this connection Mr. Raihman quotes an OSCE Mission representative who suggested that the Government should say a loud and clear "welcome" to all noncitizens willing to integrate into Latvia's society. SM, Panorama Latvii

Head of the President's Chancellery Millers told

Head of the President's Chancellery Millers told "DIENA" President Ulmanis was not aware of the immense expenses associated with repair and redecoration of the apartment to be provided to the President after the expiration of his term in the office. The total cost of the luxury apartment on Brivibas St. including Ls. 70,000 compensation paid to its former tenant reaches half a million US$. Diena