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

The Lithuanian Parliament did not adopt the law on the unilateral establishment of the sea border with Latvia. The law was opposed by Landsbergis' "Union for Fatherland" that came up with its own draft law. The "Union" interprets Latvia's agreement with

The Lithuanian Parliament did not adopt the law on the unilateral establishment of the sea border with Latvia. The law was opposed by Landsbergis' "Union for Fatherland" that came up with its own draft law. The "Union" interprets Latvia's agreement with AMOCO/OPAB as a purely economic document having no legal effect. Yesterday's debate in the parliament ended up in deciding to review both draft laws in the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs. Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Povilas Gilis says that certain politicians are trying to "gain internal political advantages on the account of foreign policies". The Union for Fatherland might have become more cautious and changed its view of the issue being aware that it will have to handle the border problem after becoming a governing party. Diena, Neatkariga

"Latvijas Cels"

Chairman Andrejs Pantelejevs says that his party supports the Prime-Minister's Cabinet reorganization plan. When asked to comment on Chairman Andrejs Pantelejevs says that his party supports the Prime-Minister's Cabinet reorganization plan. When asked to comment on ASaimnieks'@ASaimnieks'@ suggestion to cancel all the posts of State Ministers he said he would object to a "competition" among the factions for implementing the project suggestion to cancel all the posts of State Ministers he said he would object to a "competition" among the factions for implementing the project. "LC". "LC" would not agree to canceling the post of State Minister of Self-Government since the self-government reform has not started yet. would not agree to canceling the post of State Minister of Self-Government since the self-government reform has not started yet. "Tevzemei un Brivibai""Tevzemei un Brivibai" suggests canceling the positions of Parliamentary Secretaries in the Ministries and the post of Minister for Special Missions on European Union Affairs. Mr. Cevers say suggests canceling the positions of Parliamentary Secretaries in the Ministries and the post of Minister for Special Missions on European Union Affairs. Mr. Cevers say "Saimnieks""Saimnieks" is not concerned about retaining its posts in the Government at any price. Although the party suggested three of its members holding the posts of State Ministers to resign, Prime-Minister Skele accepts the resignation of two ministers only (State Minister of Investments and Credit Policy S.Jegere and State Minister of Industry, Property and Privatization J.Dzenis). State Minister of Self-Government Ernests Jurkans is likely to retain his post. Apart from Jurkans, is not concerned about retaining its posts in the Government at any price. Although the party suggested three of its members holding the posts of State Ministers to resign, Prime-Minister Skele accepts the resignation of two ministers only (State Minister of Investments and Credit Policy S.Jegere and State Minister of Industry, Property and Privatization J.Dzenis). State Minister of Self-Government Ernests Jurkans is likely to retain his post. Apart from Jurkans, "Saimnieks""Saimnieks" has only two seats in the Government. These are Mr. Turlais (Minister of the Interior) and a still vacant post of Minister of Finance. Four Ministers are has only two seats in the Government. These are Mr. Turlais (Minister of the Interior) and a still vacant post of Minister of Finance. Four Ministers are "TB""TB" members. members. Diena, NeatkarigaDiena, Neatkariga Prime-Minister Skele in an interview for

Prime-Minister Skele in an interview for "DIENA" criticizes "certain politicians" objecting to a free land market for their "pre-historic thinking". He believes that refusing non-citizens the right to own land will lead to the forming of two separate communities, especially in Latgale, where non-citizens constitute 50% of the population. Skele complains about the Saeima deputies who, without notifying him, often amend draft laws that have been agreed on earlier. He says that the Latvian delegation to the border delimitation talks with Russia will discuss the entire border and believes the issue of Abrene to be less important than the reaching of the border agreement. Mr. Skele says he is not concerned about the governing parties being represented proportionally in the Cabinet as long as the parties do not insist on preserving the proportion.Diena

State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Maris Riekstins agrees that Latvia and Russia are to resolve numerous problems to improve their relations. He explains that the 1920 Riga Peace Treaty documents the recognition of independent Latvia by Russia. Latvia's demand to refer to the treaty in a border delimitation agreement between the two countries should not be interpreted as an attempt to put forward territorial claims to Russia. Mr. Riekstins says many high-ranking Russian government officials tend to connect the development of the relations between the two countries with the naturalization problem and Latvia's efforts to join NATO. He believes these officials are trying to interfere in Latvia's internal affairs. Latvia is involved in a "broad and open dialogue with Russia on minority problems," says Riekstins. He believes that the border dispute with Lithuania will be successfully resolved in the way Latvia has managed to settle its territorial argument with Estonia. Mr. Riekestins believes that potential NATO members are to be given a clear perspective as for their participation in the block, while NATO enlargement, if restricted, may create a large number of new problems. 

State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Maris Riekstins agrees that Latvia and Russia are to resolve numerous problems to improve their relations. He explains that the 1920 Riga Peace Treaty documents the recognition of independent Latvia by Russia. Latvia's demand to refer to the treaty in a border delimitation agreement between the two countries should not be interpreted as an attempt to put forward territorial claims to Russia. Mr. Riekstins says many high-ranking Russian government officials tend to connect the development of the relations between the two countries with the naturalization problem and Latvia's efforts to join NATO. He believes these officials are trying to interfere in Latvia's internal affairs. Latvia is involved in a "broad and open dialogue with Russia on minority problems," says Riekstins. He believes that the border dispute with Lithuania will be successfully resolved in the way Latvia has managed to settle its territorial argument with Estonia. Mr. Riekestins believes that potential NATO members are to be given a clear perspective as for their participation in the block, while NATO enlargement, if restricted, may create a large number of new problems.B&B

Estonian Minister of Foreign Affairs Kallas is not demanding recognition of the 1920 Tartu Peace Treaty by Russia anymore. Previously Estonia demanded the recognition of the Treaty as the main condition for signing a border agreement with Russia.

Estonian Minister of Foreign Affairs Kallas is not demanding recognition of the 1920 Tartu Peace Treaty by Russia anymore. Previously Estonia demanded the recognition of the Treaty as the main condition for signing a border agreement with Russia. B&B