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

During his meeting with the Prime-Minister and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Denmark president Ulmanis expressed the opinion that the decree by President Yeltsin was not a mistake. It reflects the opinion of a certain part of Russian society, said Mr.Ulmanis at his press-conference on April 11. He also mentioned the fact that construction activities in Skrunda had been intensified a week before the issuance of the decree. There were signs of Skrunda being turned into a military base, said the President. The Danish side confirmed its commitment to the concept of the complete withdrawal of Russian troops before August 31. Denmark will take part together with Britain in an expert mission on the Skrunda issue. Denmark will also discuss the possibility of providing financial aid to Latvia in order to facilitate the implementation of the agreement on social guarantees for Russian servicemen and pensioned officers. A Skrunda foundation may be created in the framework of the Union of Europe.

During his meeting with the Prime-Minister and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Denmark president Ulmanis expressed the opinion that the decree by President Yeltsin was not a mistake. It reflects the opinion of a certain part of Russian society, said Mr.Ulmanis at his press-conference on April 11. He also mentioned the fact that construction activities in Skrunda had been intensified a week before the issuance of the decree. There were signs of Skrunda being turned into a military base, said the President. The Danish side confirmed its commitment to the concept of the complete withdrawal of Russian troops before August 31. Denmark will take part together with Britain in an expert mission on the Skrunda issue. Denmark will also discuss the possibility of providing financial aid to Latvia in order to facilitate the implementation of the agreement on social guarantees for Russian servicemen and pensioned officers. A Skrunda foundation may be created in the framework of the Union of Europe. Diena

The Minister of Defence of Latvia Mr.Valdis Pavlovskis and the Head of the Bureau for the Monitoring of the Russian Army Withdrawal Mr.Ilgonis Upmalis had a meeting with the Commander of the North-West Russian Army Group General Leonid Mayorov. Mr.Mayorov said that the withdrawal was continued in accordance with the schedule and pointed out that the Headquarters is taking all necessary measures to accomplish the withdrawal before August 31 in case the agreements between Latvia and Russia were signed.

The Minister of Defence of Latvia Mr.Valdis Pavlovskis and the Head of the Bureau for the Monitoring of the Russian Army Withdrawal Mr.Ilgonis Upmalis had a meeting with the Commander of the North-West Russian Army Group General Leonid Mayorov. Mr.Mayorov said that the withdrawal was continued in accordance with the schedule and pointed out that the Headquarters is taking all necessary measures to accomplish the withdrawal before August 31 in case the agreements between Latvia and Russia were signed. Diena

The member of the Committee for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Parliament Mr.Aivars Lezdins gives his suggestions of the possible motivations behind the decree by President Yeltsin. He focuses on the economic consequences of the signing of the agreement and points out that Russian borders would be better controlled should such agreement be signed. He stresses that there are powerful economical and political forces in Russia profiting from smuggling of "transit" cargos into the country through the Latvian territory. He also emphasized the necessity of a careful and a well-balanced approach to the issues of pensioned officers and troop withdrawal stressing that the Russian miliary withdrawn from the former Eastern block and USSR republics and left without any suitable dwelling are potentially dangerous both for Russian and Latvian democracies.

The member of the Committee for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Parliament Mr.Aivars Lezdins gives his suggestions of the possible motivations behind the decree by President Yeltsin. He focuses on the economic consequences of the signing of the agreement and points out that Russian borders would be better controlled should such agreement be signed. He stresses that there are powerful economical and political forces in Russia profiting from smuggling of "transit" cargos into the country through the Latvian territory. He also emphasized the necessity of a careful and a well-balanced approach to the issues of pensioned officers and troop withdrawal stressing that the Russian miliary withdrawn from the former Eastern block and USSR republics and left without any suitable dwelling are potentially dangerous both for Russian and Latvian democracies. Diena

Aigars Jirgens, the advisor for the "Tevzemei un Brivibai" fraction suggests that there are four possible sources behind the recent decree by President Yeltsin. They are as follows:

Aigars Jirgens, the advisor for the "Tevzemei un Brivibai" fraction suggests that there are four possible sources behind the recent decree by President Yeltsin. They are as follows:

1) A provocation by Russian reactionaries with the aim of undermining the negotiations between Latvia and Russia. Still, the author believes that the conditions of the agreement are too profitable for Russia, and thus such actions on the part of nationalist political forces lack any sense.

1) A provocation by Russian reactionaries with the aim of undermining the negotiations between Latvia and Russia. Still, the author believes that the conditions of the agreement are too profitable for Russia, and thus such actions on the part of nationalist political forces lack any sense.

2) A demonstration of force in order to press Latvia to sign the agreement.

2) A demonstration of force in order to press Latvia to sign the agreement.

3) An economical background described in the interview by Aivars Lezdins (see above). The author of the article considers this version to lack sound arguments in its favor.

3) An economical background described in the interview by Aivars Lezdins (see above). The author of the article considers this version to lack sound arguments in its favor.

4) The decree reflects the existing military and political strategies of Russia while the agreement is used as a legal basis for further pressure on Latvia

4) The decree reflects the existing military and political strategies of Russia while the agreement is used as a legal basis for further pressure on Latvia. Labrit

Latvian and American ambassadors to Russia met in Moscow on April 11. On top of the agenda were the relations between Latvia and Russia. The US Ambassador informed his Latvian colleague that the United States would provide 2 mln. US $ to cover the Skrunda dismantling expenses. The possibility of the issuance of housing certificates for pensioned officers who would choose to settle down in Russia was discussed. The US Ambassador also called upon the Latvian Government to ignore the recent decree by President Yeltsin and to consider it to be invalid.

Latvian and American ambassadors to Russia met in Moscow on April 11. On top of the agenda were the relations between Latvia and Russia. The US Ambassador informed his Latvian colleague that the United States would provide 2 mln. US $ to cover the Skrunda dismantling expenses. The possibility of the issuance of housing certificates for pensioned officers who would choose to settle down in Russia was discussed. The US Ambassador also called upon the Latvian Government to ignore the recent decree by President Yeltsin and to consider it to be invalid. Labrit

A group of 120 Latvian artists, writers, and scientists has signed an open letter to President Ulmanis. The letter contains criticism of the initialled agreements with Russia and refers to the agreements as "legalizing the consequences of the occupation". As the major drawbacks of the agreement the letter points out the following:

A group of 120 Latvian artists, writers, and scientists has signed an open letter to President Ulmanis. The letter contains criticism of the initialled agreements with Russia and refers to the agreements as "legalizing the consequences of the occupation". As the major drawbacks of the agreement the letter points out the following:

1) The presence of the Skrunda radar gives a basis for further provocations;

1) The presence of the Skrunda radar gives a basis for further provocations;

2) The movement of troops on the Latvian territory has not been restricted;

2) The movement of troops on the Latvian territory has not been restricted;

3) Latvia will have to cover the dismantling expenses of Skrunda;

3) Latvia will have to cover the dismantling expenses of Skrunda;

4) The withdrawal schedule has not been received, and pensioned officers have been given privileges which is unfair to the rest of the population of Latvia.

4) The withdrawal schedule has not been received, and pensioned officers have been given privileges which is unfair to the rest of the population of Latvia. Neatkariga Cina