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

According to the Western press, NATO is planning to sign an agreement on co-operation with NATO in May. The agreement will provide for forming a joint council and establishing Russia's representation at the NATO Headquarters. The document will also define relations between NATO and its new East-European members. Observers expect that the part of the agreement recognizing the right any European nation to choose its security model may cause objections from the Russian side.

According to the Western press, NATO is planning to sign an agreement on co-operation with NATO in May. The agreement will provide for forming a joint council and establishing Russia's representation at the NATO Headquarters. The document will also define relations between NATO and its new East-European members. Observers expect that the part of the agreement recognizing the right any European nation to choose its security model may cause objections from the Russian side. Diena

Latvian Social-Democratic Party leader Juris Bojars told

Latvian Social-Democratic Party leader Juris Bojars told "DIENA" that the party brought an action against Prime-Minister Skele in the Riga District Court. The Social-Democrats accuse Skele of humiliating the party in his TV speech. The party demands revocation of "humiliating statements" and claim an Ls. 1,000 compensation for defamation. A spokesman for the Prime-Minister told "DIENA" that Mr. Skele was ready to defend his views in court.

The Procurator General's Office will appeal the decree by the Daugavpils City Court on Mayor Vidavsky's case. The Court terminated the consideration of Mr. Vidavsky's case. The appeal will be sent to the Daugavpils District Court that will reconsider the case.

The Procurator General's Office will appeal the decree by the Daugavpils City Court on Mayor Vidavsky's case. The Court terminated the consideration of Mr. Vidavsky's case. The appeal will be sent to the Daugavpils District Court that will reconsider the case. Diena

Tomorrow blank forms for applying for new non-citizens' passports will become available at post-offices and at local CID offices. A completed form and a photo should be delivered or mailed to an applicant's CID office. The CID office will notify an applicant within one month about the date of submission of a request. A notification contains a list of documents required for submitting a request for a passport. A request form is filled out by a CID official.

Tomorrow blank forms for applying for new non-citizens' passports will become available at post-offices and at local CID offices. A completed form and a photo should be delivered or mailed to an applicant's CID office. The CID office will notify an applicant within one month about the date of submission of a request. A notification contains a list of documents required for submitting a request for a passport. A request form is filled out by a CID official. PL

Chairman of the

Chairman of the Saeima Committee for Education and Science Dzintars Abikis told the press that the Committee would demand canceling a decision on opening a branch of the Moscow State University (MSU) in Riga should such a decision be adopted by the Government. Committee members believe that opening an MSU branch would impede integrating Russian-speakers into Latvian society. SM