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

Deputy-Director of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Press Department Demurin says Skele’s visit to Moscow will not be held on the scheduled date. The reasons, according to Demurin, are the adoption of the Declaration on Occupation and one of the latest decrees by the Riga City Council. Demurin says the decree restricts the right of noncitizens to privatise their apartments. The decree by the Riga City Council demands a special CID certificate to be attached by noncitizens to documents proving their right to privatise an apartment. The certificate is to confirm their right to receive a new noncitizen’s passport. Skele’s meeting with Chernomyrdin has been scheduled for September 13.

Deputy-Director of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Press Department Demurin says Skeles visit to Moscow will not be held on the scheduled date. The reasons, according to Demurin, are the adoption of the Declaration on Occupation and one of the latest decrees by the Riga City Council. Demurin says the decree restricts the right of noncitizens to privatise their apartments. The decree by the Riga City Council demands a special CID certificate to be attached by noncitizens to documents proving their right to privatise an apartment. The certificate is to confirm their right to receive a new noncitizens passport. Skeles meeting with Chernomyrdin has been scheduled for September 13. DIENA has already referred to anonymous sources in Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs saying the meeting will not be cancelled. Diena, Neatkariga

At his yesterday’s press-conference Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Povilas Gilis warned Latvia against ratifying its agreement with AMOCO and OPAB. The agreement expires October 31. He said the Lithuanian Government would take adequate steps in case the

At his yesterdays press-conference Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Povilas Gilis warned Latvia against ratifying its agreement with AMOCO and OPAB. The agreement expires October 31. He said the Lithuanian Government would take adequate steps in case the Saeima ratified the agreements. Gilis said he hoped the agreement would not be ratified and the talks on the issue would be resumed. The Saeima supported the suggestion made by the Foreign Affairs Committee and cancelled the ratification of the agreement. Minister of Foreign Affairs Birkavs told DIENA he believed the problem to be largely exaggerated by the Lithuanian side partly as part of the election campaign in the country. He hopes talks between Latvian and Lithuanian Prime-Ministers and delegations to be started next Monday will contribute to resolving the problem. SM