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

Yesterday the

Yesterday the Saeima ratified the first reading of Latvias agreement with AMOCO and OPAP on oil exploration in coastal waters. Chairman of the Saeima Committee on Foreign Affairs Berzins stresses the agreement does not allow any exploration of the area before Latvia and Lithuania officially delimit their marine border. Seventy-one deputies supported the ratification with six voting against it. Despite the ratification of the agreement with the oil companies by Latvia, the Lithuanian Government agreed on a meeting of the prime-ministers of the two countries. The talks are held today in Palanga, Lithuania. The final reading of the agreement with AMOCO/OPAB will be held October 24.

"Saimnieks"

will demand considerable changes to the 1996 national budget currently discussed by the will demand considerable changes to the 1996 national budget currently discussed by the SaeimaSaeima. The party does not agree to the introduction of income taxes on pensions and canceling lighter income taxes for dependents, disabled, and politically repressed. . The party does not agree to the introduction of income taxes on pensions and canceling lighter income taxes for dependents, disabled, and politically repressed. "Saimnieks""Saimnieks" might leave the Government if the might leave the Government if the SaeimaSaeima does not take into consideration the changes to the draft budget suggested by the party. does not take into consideration the changes to the draft budget suggested by the party. Diena, NeatkarigaDiena, Neatkariga The Saeima adopted the second reading of the draft amendments to the Law on the Election of Self-Government Bodies yesterday. A group of deputies (“People’s Harmony”, “The Socialists”, “Unity”) suggested adoptintg a provision that would give noncitizens the right to vote in local elections. The provision was declined with nationalist deputies opposing it quite aggressively. Mr. Juris Sinka of

The Saeima adopted the second reading of the draft amendments to the Law on the Election of Self-Government Bodies yesterday. A group of deputies (Peoples Harmony, The Socialists, Unity) suggested adoptintg a provision that would give noncitizens the right to vote in local elections. The provision was declined with nationalist deputies opposing it quite aggressively. Mr. Juris Sinka of LNNK said foreigners were already predominating in some self-governments adding that Russians are "blood-thirsty by nature". Fifty-two deputies objected against the granting noncitizens the right to vote, nine abstained, and thirteen supported the initiative. Mr. Adamsons (former "LC" member) was among the supporters while Mr. Bruveris ("Saimnieks") voted against the proposal. He told the "SM" granting the right to vote in self-government elections to noncitizens would lead to unpredictable results in the areas with predominantly noncitizen population.SM

The Latvian Human Rights Committee addressed the UN General Assembly and the UN Economic and Social Council with a letter pointing at restriction of noncitizens’ rights in Latvia. Among those the letter names the stateless status of one third of Latvia's population, discrimination of the Russian language, and a strict naturalization law. The "window mechanism" is unfair since all former USSR citizens residing in Latvia were "deprived of their civil rights" on one day (i.e., the day the decree on the restoration of the rights of Latvian citizens was adopted (October 15, 1991). The Latvian Human Rights Committee calls upon the UN and the international community to consider the problem of noncitizens' civil rights in Latvia.

The Latvian Human Rights Committee addressed the UN General Assembly and the UN Economic and Social Council with a letter pointing at restriction of noncitizens rights in Latvia. Among those the letter names the stateless status of one third of Latvia's population, discrimination of the Russian language, and a strict naturalization law. The "window mechanism" is unfair since all former USSR citizens residing in Latvia were "deprived of their civil rights" on one day (i.e., the day the decree on the restoration of the rights of Latvian citizens was adopted (October 15, 1991). The Latvian Human Rights Committee calls upon the UN and the international community to consider the problem of noncitizens' civil rights in Latvia. SM

Spokesman for the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Gennady Tarasov says Russia is planning to submit a draft resolution on violations of civil and political rights of Russians in Estonia and Latvia to the UN General Assembly.

Spokesman for the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Gennady Tarasov says Russia is planning to submit a draft resolution on violations of civil and political rights of Russians in Estonia and Latvia to the UN General Assembly. Neatkariga

The

The Saeima Committee on Foreign Affairs and Security adopted draft regulations on the registration of twenty-eight Russian servicemen demobilized after 28 January 1992. The CID is to register the servicemen and their family members before October 30 and will issue them with temporary residence permits valid until December 15, 1997. Diena

The Washington Post published an interview with the grand-son of a pre-war Latvian press tycoon Benjamins. Mr. Benjamins Jr. failed to restore his property rights over his grand-father's real estate in Jurmala. The house is currently a residence of the Russian Ambassador. Although the Jurmala City Council has recognized Mr. Benjamin's ownership of the property, Ambassador Rannikh refuses to pay rent to the owner claiming Russia has spent over one million dollars on restoring the house. The Ambassador says he cannot understand why Latvia’s legislation is using 1940 (and not 1910, for instance) as a deadline to resolve property arguments. Minister of Foreign Affairs Birkavs says he would not like to turn the issue into a political problem while the US Embassy calls upon the Latvian authorities to resolve the problem.

The Washington Post published an interview with the grand-son of a pre-war Latvian press tycoon Benjamins. Mr. Benjamins Jr. failed to restore his property rights over his grand-father's real estate in Jurmala. The house is currently a residence of the Russian Ambassador. Although the Jurmala City Council has recognized Mr. Benjamin's ownership of the property, Ambassador Rannikh refuses to pay rent to the owner claiming Russia has spent over one million dollars on restoring the house. The Ambassador says he cannot understand why Latvias legislation is using 1940 (and not 1910, for instance) as a deadline to resolve property arguments. Minister of Foreign Affairs Birkavs says he would not like to turn the issue into a political problem while the US Embassy calls upon the Latvian authorities to resolve the problem. Diena