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.

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The Duma Council on Compatriots Abroad has been given a status of a consultative body. Now it has the right to participate in drafting of the Duma statements on violations of the rights of Russian-speakers abroad. Duma speaker Seleznev said that all agreements concluded by Russia with former USSR republics would be closely tied to the rights of Russian-speakers in those countries. Deputy-Minister of Foreign Affairs Krilov said that Russia would use its political and economic influence to press on the countries violating the Rights of Russian-speakers. SM

Last Saturday President Yeltsin had a meeting with German Chancellor Kohl who arrived to Moscow for a one day visit. Although NATO enlargement was a top issue of the agenda, no agreement was reached. The Russian President said that he did not see any necessity in enlarging he block while the German Chancellor stressed that admission of new members to NATO would not jeopardize Russia's security.

Last Saturday President Yeltsin had a meeting with German Chancellor Kohl who arrived to Moscow for a one day visit. Although NATO enlargement was a top issue of the agenda, no agreement was reached. The Russian President said that he did not see any necessity in enlarging he block while the German Chancellor stressed that admission of new members to NATO would not jeopardize Russia's security. Diena

Saeima

deputy Juris Dobelis ( deputy Juris Dobelis (LNNKLNNK) in an article for ) in an article for "DIENA""DIENA" expresses concern about the number of former Russian servicemen illegally staying in Latvia. According to Dobelis, up to several thousands of retired servicemen are still illegally residing in the country. Latvian authorities have managed to obtain information only on a half of 20,000 Russian servicemen that were deployed in Latvia on 28 January 1992. The Russian side is providing monthly reports on servicemen demobilized after 28 January 1992. Dobelis stresses the role of self-governments in investigating the situation. Dobelis believes that the exchange of old USSR passports for new non-citizens' passports can be used for examining the data on retired Russian officers. He is concerned about "suggestions of decentralizing the data check made by some Latvian officials." expresses concern about the number of former Russian servicemen illegally staying in Latvia. According to Dobelis, up to several thousands of retired servicemen are still illegally residing in the country. Latvian authorities have managed to obtain information only on a half of 20,000 Russian servicemen that were deployed in Latvia on 28 January 1992. The Russian side is providing monthly reports on servicemen demobilized after 28 January 1992. Dobelis stresses the role of self-governments in investigating the situation. Dobelis believes that the exchange of old USSR passports for new non-citizens' passports can be used for examining the data on retired Russian officers. He is concerned about "suggestions of decentralizing the data check made by some Latvian officials." DienaDiena