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

Press Report

The Presidents of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Ukraine signed a joint declaration in Tallinn yesterday. The document stresses the importance of NATO openness to all countries willing to join the bloc ant the right of all nations to choose the ways of maintaining their security. The agenda of the Tallinn Summit also included economic and political issues.

The Presidents of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Ukraine signed a joint declaration in Tallinn yesterday. The document stresses the importance of NATO openness to all countries willing to join the bloc ant the right of all nations to choose the ways of maintaining their security. The agenda of the Tallinn Summit also included economic and political issues. Diena

Russian President Yeltsin signed the Basic Agreement between Russia and NATO in Paris yesterday. The Agreement provides for non-deployment of nuclear arms on the territories of new members of the bloc. In his speech Boris Yeltsin stressed Russia's negative attitude to NATO enlargement. Still, he pointed at the positive effect of the Agreement on further development of partnership between NATO and Russia. The Russian President also mentioned the role of the OSCE in forming a comprehensive security system in Europe for the coming century.

Russian President Yeltsin signed the Basic Agreement between Russia and NATO in Paris yesterday. The Agreement provides for non-deployment of nuclear arms on the territories of new members of the bloc. In his speech Boris Yeltsin stressed Russia's negative attitude to NATO enlargement. Still, he pointed at the positive effect of the Agreement on further development of partnership between NATO and Russia. The Russian President also mentioned the role of the OSCE in forming a comprehensive security system in Europe for the coming century. Diena

Yesterday Russian Ambassador Udaltsov had a meting with

Yesterday Russian Ambassador Udaltsov had a meting with "Tevzemei un Brivibai" representatives. Member of the "TB" delegation Mr. Juris Vidins told the press that his party and the Russian Ambassador had opposite opinions on the issues of Latvia's security and the situation of non-citizens. "TB" representatives suggested "taking into consideration historical aspects" while dealing with the problem of non-citizens. The Russian side, according to the Russian Embassy Press-AttachJ Tsatsurin, used "arguments based on the current situation and put a special accent on future relations between the two countries." According to "TB" representatives at the meeting, the party will not support naturalization and will insist on preserving restrictions of the rights of non-citizens. "TB" members also did not agree to Ambassador Udaltsov who suggested that Latvia would gain more substantial security guarantees by joining the EU than by becoming a NATO member. Mr. Vidins noted that the sides had agreed that Russian residing in Latvia should have a command of the Latvian language. B&B

Prime-Minister Skele requested the Prosecutor General's Office and the State Revenue Service to investigate business activities of Cabinet members. Almost half of the Ministers is suspected of retaining their posts in private businesses, thus violating the Anti-Corruption Law.

Prime-Minister Skele requested the Prosecutor General's Office and the State Revenue Service to investigate business activities of Cabinet members. Almost half of the Ministers is suspected of retaining their posts in private businesses, thus violating the Anti-Corruption Law. Diena

Boris Tsilevich in an article for

Boris Tsilevich in an article for "SM" made a brief survey of attempts to start a dialogue between non-citizens and ethnic minorities and the Government. The Supreme Council of Latvia decreed to establish the Consultative Council for national Minorities in 1990. The Council should have had the right of a legislative initiative. After one year and a half the Saeima voted against establishing the Council. The founding of the Stateless League was another futile attempt of forming a body that would represent the interests of non-citizens. The Government refused to recognize the League. The Department for the Affairs of Nationalities formed in 1991 was shrunk to an office at the Ministry of Justice. According to Tsilevich, President Ulmanis became aware of the necessity to pay more attention to the issue of minorities after receiving recommendations from the OSCE and other international organizations. Still, he failed to choose between "an expert model" and "a representative model" of a council. As a result, six members of the Council were nominated by cultural societies while ten members were selected by the President himself. Tsilevich stresses that the President did not react ton any of the recommendations submitted by the Council. Last meeting of the Council showed that its members would not agree to act as puppets in a show aimed at demonstrating the participation of minorities in political decision-making, writes Tsilevich. SM