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

Duma

Speaker Ivan Ribkin has been appointed Secretary of the Security Council to replace Mr. Lebed. Mr. Ribkin had been a member of the "Communists of Russia" faction before 1993 and later turned into one of the most ardent Yeltsin's supporters. Before the appointment Mr. Ribkin was the Head of the President's Political Consultative Board. Speaker Ivan Ribkin has been appointed Secretary of the Security Council to replace Mr. Lebed. Mr. Ribkin had been a member of the "Communists of Russia" faction before 1993 and later turned into one of the most ardent Yeltsin's supporters. Before the appointment Mr. Ribkin was the Head of the President's Political Consultative Board. DienaDiena According to the Russian Armed Forces, the Swedish fighter crushed during a risky manoeuvre when imitating an attack on

According to the Russian Armed Forces, the Swedish fighter crushed during a risky manoeuvre when imitating an attack on "Peter the Great". Navy Commander-in-Chief Admiral Kasatonov says that was not the first time the Swedish Air Force imitated attacks on Russian ships. He criticized the pilot of the Swedish fighter for "uncivilized behavior". Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement accusing the Latvian authorities in "stirring anti-Russian feelings" in connection with the incident. Diena, SM

An anonymous Lithuanian diplomat told

An anonymous Lithuanian diplomat told "DIENA" he was surprised by the Mr. Maris Riekstins' comments regarding talks between Latvia and Lithuania. The Lithuanian diplomat referred to by "DIENA" says Lithuania has suggested discussing a trilateral agreement between Lithuania, Latvia, and the oil companies. Head of the Latvian delegation to the talks Riekstins refused to confirm that the option was discussed. Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Gilis says Lithuania is working on a "scenario" of its possible reaction to the ratification of Latvia's agreement with AMOCO/OPAB. A Lithuanian news agency reports on a document drafted by the country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The document interprets the ratification of the first reading of Latvia's agreement with oil companies as a territorial claim toward Lithuania. The Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs recommends the Government to address the UN, the OSCE, and the Baltic Council of Ministers on the issue. Diena, Neatkariga

Prime-Minister Skele warned Minister of Defense Krastins and Deputy Prime-Minister Skele against further delaying the submission of reports requested by the Prime-Minister. In an interview Mr. Skele said he was not planning to resign, but admitted he would leave the Cabinet if the governing factions chose another candidate.

Prime-Minister Skele warned Minister of Defense Krastins and Deputy Prime-Minister Skele against further delaying the submission of reports requested by the Prime-Minister. In an interview Mr. Skele said he was not planning to resign, but admitted he would leave the Cabinet if the governing factions chose another candidate. Diena

Minister of Foreign Affairs Birkavs in an interview for

Minister of Foreign Affairs Birkavs in an interview for "NEATKARIGA" disagrees with criticism expressed by former Ministry of Foreign Affairs official Markots. Mr. Birkavs said several articles by Mr. Markots were based on outdated and imprecise facts. Birkavs said Latvia diplomacy was developing in a fast and dynamic way. The Minister of Foreign Affairs believes the Declaration on Occupation and claims for compensation of losses incurred by Soviet and German occupation may harm Latvia and "cut off aid to be received in the future." Diena

A conference on the forming of a political nation in Latvia was held in Riga last week. Dr. Leo Dribin in his report singled out the establishing of a political nation as the only way of building a democratic society. Head of the Center for Human rights and ethnic Studies Nils Muiznieks pointed at an "old Soviet tradition" of including ethnic nationality into passport data. Mr. Muiznieks believes registration of an individual's nationality to be undemocratic. A representative of the Naturalization Board pointed at an extraordinary high percentage of noncitizens among Latvia's population not allowing the forming of a political nation. The pace of the naturalization process is too slow. Potential applicants name several reasons for their "low activity". Many of them believe the language test to be over-complicated. Young people are not willing to serve in the Latvian Army or choose to retain their stateless status that allows them to travel to the CIS countries without applying for visas. Some Latvia's inhabitants willing to apply for citizenship still cannot have their chance due to the strict Citizenship Law. Mr. Muiznieks also pointed at the absence of a program for integrating non-Latvians into the country's society. Several speakers stress the importance of developing political consciousness of noncitizens by allowing them to feel part of Latvia's society.

A conference on the forming of a political nation in Latvia was held in Riga last week. Dr. Leo Dribin in his report singled out the establishing of a political nation as the only way of building a democratic society. Head of the Center for Human rights and ethnic Studies Nils Muiznieks pointed at an "old Soviet tradition" of including ethnic nationality into passport data. Mr. Muiznieks believes registration of an individual's nationality to be undemocratic. A representative of the Naturalization Board pointed at an extraordinary high percentage of noncitizens among Latvia's population not allowing the forming of a political nation. The pace of the naturalization process is too slow. Potential applicants name several reasons for their "low activity". Many of them believe the language test to be over-complicated. Young people are not willing to serve in the Latvian Army or choose to retain their stateless status that allows them to travel to the CIS countries without applying for visas. Some Latvia's inhabitants willing to apply for citizenship still cannot have their chance due to the strict Citizenship Law. Mr. Muiznieks also pointed at the absence of a program for integrating non-Latvians into the country's society. Several speakers stress the importance of developing political consciousness of noncitizens by allowing them to feel part of Latvia's society. SM

Chief of the Riga Immigration Police J.Kaudze in an interview for "SM" says they are trying to be flexible while implementing expulsion orders. In some cases the IP even had to ask the CID to reconsider its decisions when no country agreed to accept illegal immigrants expelled from Latvia. The IP suspends the implementation of an expulsion order if the order is appealed in court, at the Procurator's Office, or at the CID. Most of illegal immigrants, according to Mr. Kaudze, are inhabitants of Southern parts of former USSR.

Chief of the Riga Immigration Police J.Kaudze in an interview for "SM" says they are trying to be flexible while implementing expulsion orders. In some cases the IP even had to ask the CID to reconsider its decisions when no country agreed to accept illegal immigrants expelled from Latvia. The IP suspends the implementation of an expulsion order if the order is appealed in court, at the Procurator's Office, or at the CID. Most of illegal immigrants, according to Mr. Kaudze, are inhabitants of Southern parts of former USSR. SM