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

Prime-Minister Skele believes that leaving Latvia outside NATO and the European Union may lead to confrontation between the West and Russia. During his meeting with German bankers the Prime-Minister stressed the inadmissibility of creating "gray zones" in Europe. Ministry of Foreign Affairs Press-Secretary Andrejs Pildegovics, while commenting on President Yeltsin's statements made in Helsinki, said that Latvia would not accept unilateral or bilateral security guarantees seeing NATO membership as the only way of maintaining its security. Mr. Pildegovics noted that Latvia welcomed Yeltsin's assessment of Latvia's annexation by the USSR. (The Russian President told the press that Russia had to guarantee security of the Baltic states to dispel their concern about the possibility of a repeated occupation. Mr. Yeltsin also noted that Russia should not only complain about restrictions of the rights of Russian speakers but should also focus on establishing closer relations with the Baltic States.

Prime-Minister Skele believes that leaving Latvia outside NATO and the European Union may lead to confrontation between the West and Russia. During his meeting with German bankers the Prime-Minister stressed the inadmissibility of creating "gray zones" in Europe. Ministry of Foreign Affairs Press-Secretary Andrejs Pildegovics, while commenting on President Yeltsin's statements made in Helsinki, said that Latvia would not accept unilateral or bilateral security guarantees seeing NATO membership as the only way of maintaining its security. Mr. Pildegovics noted that Latvia welcomed Yeltsin's assessment of Latvia's annexation by the USSR. (The Russian President told the press that Russia had to guarantee security of the Baltic states to dispel their concern about the possibility of a repeated occupation. Mr. Yeltsin also noted that Russia should not only complain about restrictions of the rights of Russian speakers but should also focus on establishing closer relations with the Baltic States. Diena

The Kiskis family was expelled from Holland after applying to the Latvian Embassy for a document confirming that the family members were not citizens of Latvia. The document was required for obtaining permanent residence permits. Instead of issuing the document the Embassy misinformed the Dutch Immigration Police claiming that the family intended to return to Latvia. The Kiskises, while staying in Holland, lost their

The Kiskis family was expelled from Holland after applying to the Latvian Embassy for a document confirming that the family members were not citizens of Latvia. The document was required for obtaining permanent residence permits. Instead of issuing the document the Embassy misinformed the Dutch Immigration Police claiming that the family intended to return to Latvia. The Kiskises, while staying in Holland, lost their "propiska" in Latvia. They applied to the Liepaja City authorities for an apartment. Although the family lived in Liepaja before leaving for Holland, the city authorities refused to provide them with a suitable apartment. The Olaine refugee camp authorities refused to give them a temporary shelter, since all members of the family had personal codes in their passports. In their interview for "SM" the Kiskises complained about the lack of assistance form Minister of Foreign Affairs Birkavs and from OSCE, UN and Human Rights Bureau representatives. SM

The Daugavpils City Court suspended consideration of Mayor Vidavsky's case due to the lack of sufficient proofs of Mr. Vidavsky's active membership in the Communist Party after January 13, 1991. The Procurator General's Office has the right to demand a review of the case by the Latgale District Court within ten days.

The Daugavpils City Court suspended consideration of Mayor Vidavsky's case due to the lack of sufficient proofs of Mr. Vidavsky's active membership in the Communist Party after January 13, 1991. The Procurator General's Office has the right to demand a review of the case by the Latgale District Court within ten days. Diena, B&B

Yesterday the

Yesterday the Saeima voted for suspending the immunity of independent deputy Krisbergs. The deputy is accused of illegal financial transactions and fraud. B&B

Latvia paid a part of its debt to the UN and regained its right to vote at the General Assembly. Diena

Latvia paid a part of its debt to the UN and regained its right to vote at the General Assembly. Diena