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

Estonian President Lennart Meri and Minister for Foreign Affairs Juri Luik had a meeting with Russian Minister for Foreign Affairs Koziryev in Tallinn on May 24 before the beginning of the Third Session of the Council of Ministers for Foreign Affairs of the Baltic States. The objective of the meeting was the discussion of the prospects for further negotiations between Russia and Estonia. Before departing for Estonia Mr.Koziryev stressed that the army would not be withdrawn from Estonia unless the issue of pensioned officers was resolved in a "civilized manner". Still he agreed that the army should be withdrawn. During the first day of the session Minister Liuk explained that in accordance with Estonian legislation pensioned officers can receive residence permits upon an individual consideration of each case.

Estonian President Lennart Meri and Minister for Foreign Affairs Juri Luik had a meeting with Russian Minister for Foreign Affairs Koziryev in Tallinn on May 24 before the beginning of the Third Session of the Council of Ministers for Foreign Affairs of the Baltic States. The objective of the meeting was the discussion of the prospects for further negotiations between Russia and Estonia. Before departing for Estonia Mr.Koziryev stressed that the army would not be withdrawn from Estonia unless the issue of pensioned officers was resolved in a "civilized manner". Still he agreed that the army should be withdrawn. During the first day of the session Minister Liuk explained that in accordance with Estonian legislation pensioned officers can receive residence permits upon an individual consideration of each case. Diena

On May 24 President Ulmanis had a meeting with President Clinton. The agenda included the relations between the two countries and Russian troop withdrawal from Latvia. Mr.Ulmanis also met the Secretary General of the UN.

On May 24 President Ulmanis had a meeting with President Clinton. The agenda included the relations between the two countries and Russian troop withdrawal from Latvia. Mr.Ulmanis also met the Secretary General of the UN. Diena

Head of the CSCE mission to Latvia Mr.Hamilton had a meeting with Saeima Chairman Mr.Gorbunovs. Mr.Gorbunovs expressed his firm belief that the citizenship law under development would satisfy the demands of the opposite poles of the political spectrum and would comply with the recommendations by the CSCE and the Council of Europe. When speaking about the ratification of the agreements with Russia by the Saeima Mr.Gorbunov stressed that the political basis for the ratification could be created by providing efficient international control of the implementation of the agreements on troop withdrawal and the Skrunda radar as well as by creating the foundation for the voluntary repatriation of pensioned officers.

Head of the CSCE mission to Latvia Mr.Hamilton had a meeting with Saeima Chairman Mr.Gorbunovs. Mr.Gorbunovs expressed his firm belief that the citizenship law under development would satisfy the demands of the opposite poles of the political spectrum and would comply with the recommendations by the CSCE and the Council of Europe. When speaking about the ratification of the agreements with Russia by the Saeima Mr.Gorbunov stressed that the political basis for the ratification could be created by providing efficient international control of the implementation of the agreements on troop withdrawal and the Skrunda radar as well as by creating the foundation for the voluntary repatriation of pensioned officers. Diena

A seminar on the rights of an individual organized by the Council of Europe was opened on May 24 in Riga. The first day of the seminar was dedicated to the administrative law practice in Latvia and Europe. The Commission of the Council of Europe has agreed to assist Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania in reforming their legal system.

A seminar on the rights of an individual organized by the Council of Europe was opened on May 24 in Riga. The first day of the seminar was dedicated to the administrative law practice in Latvia and Europe. The Commission of the Council of Europe has agreed to assist Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania in reforming their legal system. Diena

"Human Rights Watch/Helsinki" has addressed President Ulmanis, Chairman of Human Rights Commission of the Saeima Birzniece, US Ambassador to Latvia Kalnins, and CSCE Ambassador to Latvia Hamilton with an open letter. The letter touches upon two issues. The first one is the recent suspension of five deputy mandates which is referred to i the letter as a violation of a presumption of innocence principle. The second issue is the refusal of the Ministry of Justice to register the League of the Stateless Individuals.

"Human Rights Watch/Helsinki" has addressed President Ulmanis, Chairman of Human Rights Commission of the Saeima Birzniece, US Ambassador to Latvia Kalnins, and CSCE Ambassador to Latvia Hamilton with an open letter. The letter touches upon two issues. The first one is the recent suspension of five deputy mandates which is referred to i the letter as a violation of a presumption of innocence principle. The second issue is the refusal of the Ministry of Justice to register the League of the Stateless Individuals. SM Segodnya

The Ministry of Justice has been postponing the registration of the Latvian Union of Former Fascist Concentration Camp Prisoners under the pretext that the law on the politically oppressed has not been adopted yet. Members of the Union are former concentration camp prisoners irrespective of their nationality, citizenship, or the place of imprisonment.

The Ministry of Justice has been postponing the registration of the Latvian Union of Former Fascist Concentration Camp Prisoners under the pretext that the law on the politically oppressed has not been adopted yet. Members of the Union are former concentration camp prisoners irrespective of their nationality, citizenship, or the place of imprisonment. SM Segodnya

Co-Chairman of the Latvian Committee for Human Rights Mr.Buzayev presents the statistics of the complaints regarding the CID decisions in SM SEVODNYA and PANORAMA LATVII. Cases registered in the Committee files will be handed over to the CSCE Mission on May 26. The Committe also organizes a rally of protest that will be held in the afternoon of the same day.

Co-Chairman of the Latvian Committee for Human Rights Mr.Buzayev presents the statistics of the complaints regarding the CID decisions in SM SEVODNYA and PANORAMA LATVII. Cases registered in the Committee files will be handed over to the CSCE Mission on May 26. The Committe also organizes a rally of protest that will be held in the afternoon of the same day.