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

Press Report

Yesterday Prime-Minister Skele accepted the resignation of Minister of Finance Aivars Kreituss and will perform his duties.

Yesterday Prime-Minister Skele accepted the resignation of Minister of Finance Aivars Kreituss and will perform his duties. "Saimnieks" will name its candidate for the post after the national budget is adopted. The State Ministers at the Ministry of Finance will retain their offices while the Prime-Minister and the factions hold consultations on possible termination of the two posts. Diena

Prime-Minister Skele says the Ministry of Defense budget can be increased only by reducing the budgets of other Government institutions. Commander of the National Armed Forces Dalbins believes the defense budget to be insufficient. President Ulmanis also supports increasing the defense budget. Still, the Ministry of Finance says the state cannot afford the defense budget suggested by the Ministry of Defense. The issue of an adequate financing of the country's defense was raised after William Perry had claimed Baltic states to be unprepared to join NATO on the first stage of its enlargement.

Prime-Minister Skele says the Ministry of Defense budget can be increased only by reducing the budgets of other Government institutions. Commander of the National Armed Forces Dalbins believes the defense budget to be insufficient. President Ulmanis also supports increasing the defense budget. Still, the Ministry of Finance says the state cannot afford the defense budget suggested by the Ministry of Defense. The issue of an adequate financing of the country's defense was raised after William Perry had claimed Baltic states to be unprepared to join NATO on the first stage of its enlargement. Diena

Head of the Latvian delegation to border delimitation talks with Russia Aivars Vovers says Russia refuses to recognize the 1920 peace treaty. The Russian side also refuses categorically to accept Latvia's claims for compensation to be paid to individuals who lost their property after Abrene had been incorporated into the Russian Federation. Head of the Russian delegation Igor Shikalov says Latvia is using the compensation issue to evade discussing the border delimitation. Mr. Shikalov adds he cannot see any reason why Latvia should seek to leave the problem unresolved. State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Maris Riekstins says the talks are "quite complicated." He named relations with Russia one of the priorities of Latvia's foreign policies along with the joining of NATO and cooperation with Lithuania and Estonia. Mr. Riekstins says Latvia's wish to become a NATO member does not mean that the country's policy is directed against Russia.

Head of the Latvian delegation to border delimitation talks with Russia Aivars Vovers says Russia refuses to recognize the 1920 peace treaty. The Russian side also refuses categorically to accept Latvia's claims for compensation to be paid to individuals who lost their property after Abrene had been incorporated into the Russian Federation. Head of the Russian delegation Igor Shikalov says Latvia is using the compensation issue to evade discussing the border delimitation. Mr. Shikalov adds he cannot see any reason why Latvia should seek to leave the problem unresolved. State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Maris Riekstins says the talks are "quite complicated." He named relations with Russia one of the priorities of Latvia's foreign policies along with the joining of NATO and cooperation with Lithuania and Estonia. Mr. Riekstins says Latvia's wish to become a NATO member does not mean that the country's policy is directed against Russia. SM, Neatkariga

The agenda of the Baltic Assembly includes the adoption of a joint resolution on the policy of the Baltic states toward NATO. Chairman of the Assembly Ivars Kezbers hopes the document to be "sensible" despite the fact it Mr. Landsbergis will be among its developers. The Assembly will call upon Russia, Sweden, Germany to return documents that are of historical significance to Latvia. These include the KGB files that Russia had to hand over to Latvia in accordance with an agreement between the two countries.

The agenda of the Baltic Assembly includes the adoption of a joint resolution on the policy of the Baltic states toward NATO. Chairman of the Assembly Ivars Kezbers hopes the document to be "sensible" despite the fact it Mr. Landsbergis will be among its developers. The Assembly will call upon Russia, Sweden, Germany to return documents that are of historical significance to Latvia. These include the KGB files that Russia had to hand over to Latvia in accordance with an agreement between the two countries. SM