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

Russia is not planning to use economic sanctions against Latvia, said Russian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Krilov in an interview for

Russia is not planning to use economic sanctions against Latvia, said Russian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Krilov in an interview for "SM". Still, the transit policy might be changed to reduce the flow of cargoes through Latvia and Estonia. Mr. Krilov says that the relations between Latvia and Russia have "become more civilized". According to Mr. Krilov, the "minority issue" is the most important factor impairing the relations between the two countries. Russia will bring up the issue of the Russian-speaking minority in international organizations. Krilov believes the mandate of the OSCE Mission to Latvia should be extended. When asked about the border delimitation talks Mr. Krilov explained that Russia would not accept any territorial claims and referred to the Helsinki Act. He expressed regret about the adoption of the Declaration on Occupation by the Saeima and said that the adoption of the document was the reason for canceling Prime-Minister Skele's meeting with Chernomirdin. Krilov pointed at the fact that Mr. Skele has not commented on the Declaration. SM

Last week a seminar on Russian minorities in the Baltic states was held in Lubek. Mr. Ole Espersen in his report pointed at the peculiarity of the minority problem in the Baltic states, minorities constituting an unusually high percentage of the population. The main task is to create conditions "acceptable to the minorities", said Mr. Espersen. Similar point of view was expressed by Advisor to the OSCE High Commissioner Craig Oliphant who said that the issue should be viewed from the point of view of conflict prevention rather than as a human rights problem. According to a report by Estonian representative Sergey Isakov, minority situation in Estonia is better than in Latvia. Russian-speaking intellectuals in Estonia support the forming of a political nation while Latvia's Russians have not come up with constructive proposals. Mr. Oliphant made it clear that the OSCE opinion was different from that expressed by Isakov. Several participants of the seminar noted that ethnic nationality should not be stated in identification documents and recommended to preserve minority schools.

Last week a seminar on Russian minorities in the Baltic states was held in Lubek. Mr. Ole Espersen in his report pointed at the peculiarity of the minority problem in the Baltic states, minorities constituting an unusually high percentage of the population. The main task is to create conditions "acceptable to the minorities", said Mr. Espersen. Similar point of view was expressed by Advisor to the OSCE High Commissioner Craig Oliphant who said that the issue should be viewed from the point of view of conflict prevention rather than as a human rights problem. According to a report by Estonian representative Sergey Isakov, minority situation in Estonia is better than in Latvia. Russian-speaking intellectuals in Estonia support the forming of a political nation while Latvia's Russians have not come up with constructive proposals. Mr. Oliphant made it clear that the OSCE opinion was different from that expressed by Isakov. Several participants of the seminar noted that ethnic nationality should not be stated in identification documents and recommended to preserve minority schools. Diena

The third round of border delimitation talks was completed last Friday in Riga without any tangible results. Heads of the delegations criticized the opposite parties for the lack of constructive approach. According to Head of the Latvian Delegation Aivars Vovers, the two parties failed to agree on a compensation for former residents of Abrene who lost their property after the area had been incorporated into the USSR. The Russian side did not agree to refer to the 1920 Riga Peace Treaty in the border agreement. Head of the Russian delegation Viktor Shikalov said "the process was slowed down" by the Latvian side trying to include additional issues in the agenda of the talks. He said that the parties had managed to agree on several issues. The most important accomplishment, according to Shikalov, was the agreement to discuss the entire border instead of determining only parts of it as suggested earlier by Latvia. Mr. Vovers says that Latvia will not change its policy of including property and historical aspects into the agenda of the talks. The fourth round of the talks will be held in Moscow in December.

The third round of border delimitation talks was completed last Friday in Riga without any tangible results. Heads of the delegations criticized the opposite parties for the lack of constructive approach. According to Head of the Latvian Delegation Aivars Vovers, the two parties failed to agree on a compensation for former residents of Abrene who lost their property after the area had been incorporated into the USSR. The Russian side did not agree to refer to the 1920 Riga Peace Treaty in the border agreement. Head of the Russian delegation Viktor Shikalov said "the process was slowed down" by the Latvian side trying to include additional issues in the agenda of the talks. He said that the parties had managed to agree on several issues. The most important accomplishment, according to Shikalov, was the agreement to discuss the entire border instead of determining only parts of it as suggested earlier by Latvia. Mr. Vovers says that Latvia will not change its policy of including property and historical aspects into the agenda of the talks. The fourth round of the talks will be held in Moscow in December. Diena, SM, Neatkariga