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 Review

The leader of the Russian delegation to the troops' withdrawal talks Mr.Zotov expressed his concern about "the attempted act of sabotage performed by extremists in Latvia". He suggested that the aim of the act had been to prevent the signing of the set of withdrawal-associated agreements prepared by both parties. To cancel further negotiation would mean the encouraging of local ultra-nationalists, said Mr.Zotov. He also informed the journalists that taking into consideration the mutual aspiration of both parties for a prompt agreement on the troops' withdrawal documents he had decided to participate in the meeting of experts scheduled to take place on March 3 and 4 in Riga.

The leader of the Russian delegation to the troops' withdrawal talks Mr.Zotov expressed his concern about "the attempted act of sabotage performed by extremists in Latvia". He suggested that the aim of the act had been to prevent the signing of the set of withdrawal-associated agreements prepared by both parties. To cancel further negotiation would mean the encouraging of local ultra-nationalists, said Mr.Zotov. He also informed the journalists that taking into consideration the mutual aspiration of both parties for a prompt agreement on the troops' withdrawal documents he had decided to participate in the meeting of experts scheduled to take place on March 3 and 4 in Riga. Diena

The leader of the Latvian delegation to the troops' withdrawal talks Mr.Martins Virsis gave his evaluation of the Skrunde incident at the meeting of the Saema Commission for Foreign Affairs. He called it "an incident of a political nature" and put emphasis on the political profits that Russia may gain from such incidents for proving to the international community the vitality of its military interests in Latvia.

The leader of the Latvian delegation to the troops' withdrawal talks Mr.Martins Virsis gave his evaluation of the Skrunde incident at the meeting of the Saema Commission for Foreign Affairs. He called it "an incident of a political nature" and put emphasis on the political profits that Russia may gain from such incidents for proving to the international community the vitality of its military interests in Latvia. Labrit

The DNNL fraction decided to present its propositions on the second reading of the Draft Citizenship Law by the governing coalition. Still, in case the amendments suggested by the DNNL fraction are not included in the Draft DNNL will not take part in the voting on the ruling coalition's Draft but will put forward its own Draft worked out in collaboration with "Tevzemei un Brivibai Fraction". The DNNL suggestions are mainly connected with the principles and conditions of naturalization. The governing coalition expressed its readiness to discuss naturalization-associated issues with all Saema fractions. The Popular Front of Latvia that has no representatives in the Saema supports the quota principle (annual naturalization rate should constitute 10% of the number of births among Latvian community during the previous year which means that the number of annually naturalized individuals will not exceed 100).

The DNNL fraction decided to present its propositions on the second reading of the Draft Citizenship Law by the governing coalition. Still, in case the amendments suggested by the DNNL fraction are not included in the Draft DNNL will not take part in the voting on the ruling coalition's Draft but will put forward its own Draft worked out in collaboration with "Tevzemei un Brivibai Fraction". The DNNL suggestions are mainly connected with the principles and conditions of naturalization. The governing coalition expressed its readiness to discuss naturalization-associated issues with all Saema fractions. The Popular Front of Latvia that has no representatives in the Saema supports the quota principle (annual naturalization rate should constitute 10% of the number of births among Latvian community during the previous year which means that the number of annually naturalized individuals will not exceed 100). Diena

The Latvian League of the Stateless made a public statement regarding the third reading of the Draft Law on the Local Government Body Deputy Status. The Law includes the clause that has been introduced by the nationalists according to which the Deputies are to receive voters and consider their complaints and applications. Since non-citizens have no right to vote the clause excludes the possibility for such persons to address local authorities with their problems. The League evaluates the introduction of the Clause as a provocation instigating a large group of Latvian residents to create their own alternative municipal bodies. The statement also points out a further limitation of non-citizens' property rights by a draft law on the use of land containing certain restrictions affecting non-citizens. In accordance with the legislation in force non-citizens are not entitled to own land.

The Latvian League of the Stateless made a public statement regarding the third reading of the Draft Law on the Local Government Body Deputy Status. The Law includes the clause that has been introduced by the nationalists according to which the Deputies are to receive voters and consider their complaints and applications. Since non-citizens have no right to vote the clause excludes the possibility for such persons to address local authorities with their problems. The League evaluates the introduction of the Clause as a provocation instigating a large group of Latvian residents to create their own alternative municipal bodies. The statement also points out a further limitation of non-citizens' property rights by a draft law on the use of land containing certain restrictions affecting non-citizens. In accordance with the legislation in force non-citizens are not entitled to own land. SM Segodnya

AM radio broadcasting in Russian was stopped by the State Radio. Russian broadcasts can be received only over an FM band which is not available to the majority of radio-listeners. The reason is the lack of means to finance the programs. SM SEVODNYA reminds that the State Radio is funded from the taxes paid both by Latvian and by Russian-speaking communities.

AM radio broadcasting in Russian was stopped by the State Radio. Russian broadcasts can be received only over an FM band which is not available to the majority of radio-listeners. The reason is the lack of means to finance the programs. SM SEVODNYA reminds that the State Radio is funded from the taxes paid both by Latvian and by Russian-speaking communities.

N.Vezinieks analyzes the demands for the acknowledgement of occupation of Latvia by the USSR, current domestic politics of Latvia and its contradictions to the documents adopted by the Popular Front and the Supreme Soviet during the struggle for independence. He believes that the term "occupation" and "partial occupation" are not applicable to Latvia from a legal point of view. It would be proper to use the word "annexion" instead. The documents adopted by the Popular Front and the Supreme Soviet such as its Declaration "On Joining the International Acts on Human Rights" of May 4, 1990. The documents adopted by the Supreme Soviet are still in force, which means that the laws adopted later contradict those documents. 

N.Vezinieks analyzes the demands for the acknowledgement of occupation of Latvia by the USSR, current domestic politics of Latvia and its contradictions to the documents adopted by the Popular Front and the Supreme Soviet during the struggle for independence. He believes that the term "occupation" and "partial occupation" are not applicable to Latvia from a legal point of view. It would be proper to use the word "annexion" instead. The documents adopted by the Popular Front and the Supreme Soviet such as its Declaration "On Joining the International Acts on Human Rights" of May 4, 1990. The documents adopted by the Supreme Soviet are still in force, which means that the laws adopted later contradict those documents. SM Segodnya

The Government has adopted a decree on maternal benefits which will be paid to citizens and foreigners having a residence permit or a personal code.

The Government has adopted a decree on maternal benefits which will be paid to citizens and foreigners having a residence permit or a personal code. Rigas Balss