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

Press Review

Diena

commentator A.Rodin writes about the proposal campaign. At the very beginning it was left to itself but when it became evident that the necessary amount of signatures would not be collected, commentator A.Rodin writes about the proposal campaign. At the very beginning it was left to itself but when it became evident that the necessary amount of signatures would not be collected, Tevzemei un Brivibai/LNNK Tevzemei un Brivibai/LNNK got actively involved in it. The Union still denies the connection of this campaign to the pre-election campaign, although it is evident that the signature collection campaign, lasting till August 18, will most probably grow into the next stage - pre-election campaign. got actively involved in it. The Union still denies the connection of this campaign to the pre-election campaign, although it is evident that the signature collection campaign, lasting till August 18, will most probably grow into the next stage - pre-election campaign. DienaDiena

Latvian Prime Minister G.Krasts signed the proposal for a referendum. According to the information given by his Press Secretary, G.Krasts did not want to make a campaign for his signing and therefor he had not informed journalists.

Latvian Prime Minister G.Krasts signed the proposal for a referendum. According to the information given by his Press Secretary, G.Krasts did not want to make a campaign for his signing and therefor he had not informed journalists. Diena, Jauna Avize, Panorama Latvii, Bizness & Baltiya (17.08.98)

Latvian representative to UN J.Priedkalns in his letter to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs expresses his protest against UNICEF interference in the internal affairs of Latvia when some UNICEF National Committee representative publicly supported the Human Rights and Ethnic Studies Centres action directed against the proposed referendum on amending the Law on Citizenship. J.Priedkalns voiced an opinion that this should be taken as an officially voiced opinion of UNICEF thus making this international organisation to interfere in Latvian democratic processes. Responding to that, the Executive Director of UNICEF National Committee I.Doskina told

Jauna Avize that Priedkalnss letter was the result of misunderstanding. She had never been against the referendum or collecting signatures. We just do our duty and inform society how undesirable would be abolishing of those amendments. Jauna Avize Russian Defence Minister I.Sergejev considers that dismantling of Skrunda Radar station will have a small impact of Russia’s defence . But he stressed that they knew how to compensate it. This announcement contradicts the one made by V.Muravyov, the First Deputy of the Commander-in-Chief of the Strategic Missile Troops that closing down of Skrunda Radar station according to the Russian Latvian agreement caused a problem for Russia to cover the missile dangerous North-west direction. V.Muravyov also said that the new Radar station constructed in Baranovichi would replace Skrunda Radar station but its completion was delayed due to lack of finances.

Russian Defence Minister I.Sergejev considers that dismantling of Skrunda Radar station will have a small impact of Russias defence . But he stressed that they knew how to compensate it. This announcement contradicts the one made by V.Muravyov, the First Deputy of the Commander-in-Chief of the Strategic Missile Troops that closing down of Skrunda Radar station according to the Russian Latvian agreement caused a problem for Russia to cover the missile dangerous North-west direction. V.Muravyov also said that the new Radar station constructed in Baranovichi would replace Skrunda Radar station but its completion was delayed due to lack of finances. Jauna Avize, Neatkariga (18.08.98)

SM analyses the recent developments in Skrunda Radar station affair. MP O.Grigs has demanded to summon the Saeima National Security Commission because Russia doe not plan to close down the station and 40 families of Russian Latvia military personnel plan to stay in Latvia. The Chairman of the Commission A.Pantelejevs agreed eagerly to do it because closing down was regulated in international agreements both in UN and OSCE. Should Russia fail to close down the Skrunda Radar station till August 31, it would be a violation of these international agreements, and it would give Latvia advantages in its internal and foreign policy.

SM analyses the recent developments in Skrunda Radar station affair. MP O.Grigs has demanded to summon the Saeima National Security Commission because Russia doe not plan to close down the station and 40 families of Russian Latvia military personnel plan to stay in Latvia. The Chairman of the Commission A.Pantelejevs agreed eagerly to do it because closing down was regulated in international agreements both in UN and OSCE. Should Russia fail to close down the Skrunda Radar station till August 31, it would be a violation of these international agreements, and it would give Latvia advantages in its internal and foreign policy.

Peoples Harmony Party

and the political union Our Home - Russia plan to sign an agreement on co-operation. The agreement anticipates regular meetings of party representatives, as well as consultations. Both parties have already ratified the agreement. They plan that it will be signed by J.Jurkans and V.Chernomirdin. and the political union “Our Home - Russia” plan to sign an agreement on co-operation. The agreement anticipates regular meetings of party representatives, as well as consultations. Both parties have already ratified the agreement. They plan that it will be signed by J.Jurkans and V.Chernomirdin.