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 next round of the talks on troops' withdrawal scheduled for February 28 is postponed on the request of the Russian party. The group of Latvian experts has returned from Moscow without achieving any results during negotiations on the draft law on social protection for retired Russian officers. Such situation according to Prime-Minister Birkavs is caused by Latvia's demand to officially acknowledge its occupation by the USSR in 1940. The problem of Russian military presence in Latvia was discussed during negotiations in Russia with the participation of CSCE. Mr.Birkavs stressed that social security might be provided only to the officers retired before January 28, 1992 which is the date of the transfer of the USSR army under Russian jurisdiction.

The next round of the talks on troops' withdrawal scheduled for February 28 is postponed on the request of the Russian party. The group of Latvian experts has returned from Moscow without achieving any results during negotiations on the draft law on social protection for retired Russian officers. Such situation according to Prime-Minister Birkavs is caused by Latvia's demand to officially acknowledge its occupation by the USSR in 1940. The problem of Russian military presence in Latvia was discussed during negotiations in Russia with the participation of CSCE. Mr.Birkavs stressed that social security might be provided only to the officers retired before January 28, 1992 which is the date of the transfer of the USSR army under Russian jurisdiction. Diena, Labrit

"Latvia's Cels" had a joint conference with the Noeman Foundation on the security of Latvia. Prime-Minister Birkavs reported on the concept of Latvian security politics. He underlined that the state security can be provided only by combining far-sighted foreign policy with effective military means and stable economics. He also pointed out that though Latvia is oriented towards the West in the matters of defence it does not exclude the necessity of maintaining good relations with Russia. He also mentioned possible participation of CSCE in the process of monitoring the implementation of upcoming agreements between Latvia and Russia. It was stressed that co-ordination of efforts of the three Baltic states is necessary in order to participate in new international initiatives like the Partnership for Peace Programme and European Stability Pact. Minister of Foreign affairs Mr.Andreyev called upon the political forces that did not approve of the Government's option of the Skrunde agreement to start searching for a suitable compromise. He expressed the opinion that the Skrunde radar station is more of a political importance to Russia. He also added that its presence on the Latvian soil would not influence the international attitude towards Latvia and would not jeopardize its sovereignty. Minister of Defence Mr.Pavlovskis pointed out that Latvian armed forces should be re-organized to fit the NATO standards

"Latvia's Cels" had a joint conference with the Noeman Foundation on the security of Latvia. Prime-Minister Birkavs reported on the concept of Latvian security politics. He underlined that the state security can be provided only by combining far-sighted foreign policy with effective military means and stable economics. He also pointed out that though Latvia is oriented towards the West in the matters of defence it does not exclude the necessity of maintaining good relations with Russia. He also mentioned possible participation of CSCE in the process of monitoring the implementation of upcoming agreements between Latvia and Russia. It was stressed that co-ordination of efforts of the three Baltic states is necessary in order to participate in new international initiatives like the Partnership for Peace Programme and European Stability Pact. Minister of Foreign affairs Mr.Andreyev called upon the political forces that did not approve of the Government's option of the Skrunde agreement to start searching for a suitable compromise. He expressed the opinion that the Skrunde radar station is more of a political importance to Russia. He also added that its presence on the Latvian soil would not influence the international attitude towards Latvia and would not jeopardize its sovereignty. Minister of Defence Mr.Pavlovskis pointed out that Latvian armed forces should be re-organized to fit the NATO standards. Diena