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

56.8% of voters participated in the local elections last weekend (March 9). Social Democrats took the majority of seats in the Daugavpils City Council. A Daugavpils Court judge refused to consider Vidavsky's case explaining that he voted for Vidavsky in previous elections. Vidavsky is accused of being an active member of the National Salvation Committee in 1991. In his interview for

56.8% of voters participated in the local elections last weekend (March 9). Social Democrats took the majority of seats in the Daugavpils City Council. A Daugavpils Court judge refused to consider Vidavsky's case explaining that he voted for Vidavsky in previous elections. Vidavsky is accused of being an active member of the National Salvation Committee in 1991. In his interview for "SM" Vidavsky denies the fact. 9 out of 15 seats in the Liepaja City Council were taken by candidates from the joint list of "Latvijas Cels", the Union of Christian Democrats, the Christian People's Party and the Farmers' Union. The seats were divided among political parties almost equally in Jelgava, Rezekne and Jurmala. Voters were to choose from a single list of candidates ("For Ventspils") in Ventspils. The Latvian Social-Democratic Party and the Latvian Social-Democratic Workers' Party gained 11 out of 60 seats in the Riga City Council. The two Social-Democratic parties still may remain in opposition in the Riga City Council if "Tevzemei un Brivibai" (10 seats), "Latvijas Cels" (9 seats), "Saimnieks" (5 seats), the Farmers' Union and LNNK (3 seats each) and the Greens (2 seats) manage to form a coalition. The rest of the seats are taken by "Equal Rights" (3), the National Progress Party, and "People's Harmony", Zigerist's party and the Russian Party (2 seats each). Diena, SM

Minister of Foreign Affairs Birkavs said that recent steps taken by Russia and Latvia mark a positive development of relations between the two countries. At his yesterday's press-conference Mr. Birkavs stressed that political aspect of co-operation between Latvia and Russia still lacked stability. He expressed hope that remaining former Russian servicemen would be withdrawn from Latvia before 15 May 1997 according to the agreement between the two countries. 800 former Russian servicemen retired after February 1992 have applied for permanent residence permits. 570 of them have been already issued with the permits.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Birkavs said that recent steps taken by Russia and Latvia mark a positive development of relations between the two countries. At his yesterday's press-conference Mr. Birkavs stressed that political aspect of co-operation between Latvia and Russia still lacked stability. He expressed hope that remaining former Russian servicemen would be withdrawn from Latvia before 15 May 1997 according to the agreement between the two countries. 800 former Russian servicemen retired after February 1992 have applied for permanent residence permits. 570 of them have been already issued with the permits. Diena, LV

According to the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, talks between Minister of Foreign Affairs Primakov and NATO Secretary General Solana gave "positive" results. Still, certain problems remained unresolved, says the statement by the Ministry. Last Friday Mr. Primakov told the press that Russia still objected to NATO enlargement while NATO representatives say that Russia and NATO are working on certain documents that would provide guarantees of Russia's security.

According to the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, talks between Minister of Foreign Affairs Primakov and NATO Secretary General Solana gave "positive" results. Still, certain problems remained unresolved, says the statement by the Ministry. Last Friday Mr. Primakov told the press that Russia still objected to NATO enlargement while NATO representatives say that Russia and NATO are working on certain documents that would provide guarantees of Russia's security. Diena, Neatkariga