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

Last Tuesday the Latvian Government accepted the activity plan for integration in the European Union. The Bureau for Integration in Europe will work out the final version of the document and submit it to the State Chancellery. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in its turn, will submit the document to the European Commission. The plan provides for strengthening Latvia's Eastern borders, the country's involvement in EU programs, the reform of the institution of bailiffs, the establishment of a refugee center, etc. The document also lists several steps to be taken in the economic domain. Still, a paragraph on ratifying the Universal Convention on Protection of National Minorities by December 1997 and a paragraph providing for applying the Law on Amnesty to non-citizens were removed from the plan.

Last Tuesday the Latvian Government accepted the activity plan for integration in the European Union. The Bureau for Integration in Europe will work out the final version of the document and submit it to the State Chancellery. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in its turn, will submit the document to the European Commission. The plan provides for strengthening Latvia's Eastern borders, the country's involvement in EU programs, the reform of the institution of bailiffs, the establishment of a refugee center, etc. The document also lists several steps to be taken in the economic domain. Still, a paragraph on ratifying the Universal Convention on Protection of National Minorities by December 1997 and a paragraph providing for applying the Law on Amnesty to non-citizens were removed from the plan. Diena

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The Saeima Juridical Committee supports lifting a ban on running in the elections currently applied to individuals who were members (after January 13, 1993) of the Communist Party and other political organizations acting against Latvia's independence. The ban will remain in force for former KGB (and other foreign secret service) officers. B&B

A spokesman for the Russian Embassy to Latvia at a meeting at the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stressed that the Jelgava city authorities dismantled the Monument to the Liberators of Jelgava without informing the Russian side thus violating the agreement between the two countries. The Monument was in a very bad condition and threatened the safety of Jelgava's inhabitants. The city authorities plan to erect a stone with an inscription in memory of the liberators or a much smaller copy of the dismantled monument.

A spokesman for the Russian Embassy to Latvia at a meeting at the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stressed that the Jelgava city authorities dismantled the Monument to the Liberators of Jelgava without informing the Russian side thus violating the agreement between the two countries. The Monument was in a very bad condition and threatened the safety of Jelgava's inhabitants. The city authorities plan to erect a stone with an inscription in memory of the liberators or a much smaller copy of the dismantled monument. Chas, SM