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

The

The LNNK faction still has not decided whether it should nominate its candidate for Minister of Defense. LNNK Party Chairman Juris Dobelis believes that the party should take the responsibility while Head of the LNNK Faction Aleksandrs Kirsteins said that "the party was not able to clean the mess in the Ministry". Currently, the LNNK is studying the contracts concluded by the Ministry of Defense. After a meeting with LNNK representatives Prime-Minister Skele told the press that a search for a candidate might take at least two weeks. Diena

Yesterday Russian Ambassador Alexander Udaltsov assured

Yesterday Russian Ambassador Alexander Udaltsov assured "Latvijas Cels" Faction Chairman Andrejs Pantelejevs that Russia would not suggest extending the term of operation of the Skrunda radar. Minister of Foreign Affairs Birkavs told the press that he excluded any possibilities of extending the term. According to the agreement between Latvia and Russia, the Skrunda radar stops its operation on August 31, 1998. Diena

The Latvian Ministry of Foreign addressed the Embassy of Byelorussia with a note demanding to receive seven Somalian citizens who entered Latvia illegally from the Byelorussian territory. Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Press-Secretary Pildegovics Press-Secretary admitted that the return of illegal immigrants could require time and effort since Latvia did not have an agreement on illegal immigration with Byelorussia.

The Latvian Ministry of Foreign addressed the Embassy of Byelorussia with a note demanding to receive seven Somalian citizens who entered Latvia illegally from the Byelorussian territory. Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Press-Secretary Pildegovics Press-Secretary admitted that the return of illegal immigrants could require time and effort since Latvia did not have an agreement on illegal immigration with Byelorussia. Diena

An anonymous immigration police officer interviewed by

An anonymous immigration police officer interviewed by "SM" said that Chief of the Immigration Police Kurpnieks illegally deported Kurd refugees to Russia without informing the Russian authorities. The officer accused the Immigration Police of cruel treatment of detained immigrants aimed at forcing them to leave for Russia. He believes that N.Parfenova's case was an attempt of illegal deportation. The State Human Rights Office is aware of the unlawful deportations, claims the officer. He also says that 95% of his colleagues "do not conceal their Fascist views". SM

Former USSR passport are invalid in Estonia as of today, May 15. Holders of old passport will have only part of the rights enjoyed by Estonian residents holding citizens, non-citizens’ and foreign passports. They are allowed to leave the country but are banned from re-entering Estonia. According to the sources referred to by

Former USSR passport are invalid in Estonia as of today, May 15. Holders of old passport will have only part of the rights enjoyed by Estonian residents holding citizens, non-citizens and foreign passports. They are allowed to leave the country but are banned from re-entering Estonia. According to the sources referred to by BIZNES I BALLTIYA, dozens of thousands residents of Estonia are staying in the country illegally.