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 Presidents of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania signed a joint declaration. The document defines the objectives pursued by the three countries. These are stability, security, the growth of living standards, and full-fledged membership in international political, economic and security bodies. The Presidents stress the importance of common strategies aimed at joining of the European Union. The Declaration says that long-term security in Europe can be provided by integrating the three countries into NATO. President Ulmanis said at a press-conference that NATO enlargement should not lead to the forming of "a grey zone". The Presidents of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania are planning to discuss the prospects of joining the block with NATO member-countries and hold consultations with Russia and other countries that do not intend to join the alliance. President Ulmanis said that the Latvian Government could not annul the 1920 Peace Treaty, the document being one of the corner-stones of Latvia's independence. Still, he admitted that mentioning or not mentioning the 1920 Treaty in the border delimitation agreement with Russia was not of essential importance. When asked to comment on Russia accusing Latvia of violating the rights of Russian-speakers, Mr. Ulmanis explained that such criticism was part of Russia's political tactics and expressed hope the UN would adopt a decision on the issue that would be favorable to Latvia. President Brazauskas told the press that a border argument with Latvia would not impede cooperation between the two countries.

Yesterday the Presidents of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania signed a joint declaration. The document defines the objectives pursued by the three countries. These are stability, security, the growth of living standards, and full-fledged membership in international political, economic and security bodies. The Presidents stress the importance of common strategies aimed at joining of the European Union. The Declaration says that long-term security in Europe can be provided by integrating the three countries into NATO. President Ulmanis said at a press-conference that NATO enlargement should not lead to the forming of "a grey zone". The Presidents of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania are planning to discuss the prospects of joining the block with NATO member-countries and hold consultations with Russia and other countries that do not intend to join the alliance. President Ulmanis said that the Latvian Government could not annul the 1920 Peace Treaty, the document being one of the corner-stones of Latvia's independence. Still, he admitted that mentioning or not mentioning the 1920 Treaty in the border delimitation agreement with Russia was not of essential importance. When asked to comment on Russia accusing Latvia of violating the rights of Russian-speakers, Mr. Ulmanis explained that such criticism was part of Russia's political tactics and expressed hope the UN would adopt a decision on the issue that would be favorable to Latvia. President Brazauskas told the press that a border argument with Latvia would not impede cooperation between the two countries. Diena, SM

Although French, German, and Swedish politicians sound quite optimistic about the prospects of the Baltic states admission to the European Union, Western business community doubts economic and political stability in the countries. Latvia has to prove its ability to bring its economic and political systems in compliance with European standards. The results obtained by the EU from the "White Books" distributed among its potential members in 1995 are being analyzed. The rights of minorities were among the essential factors to be assessed by the EU experts. The EU is still not satisfied with minority situation in Latvia. Among other problems spotted by the EU experts are flaws in the work of the customs, the police, and the Department of Agriculture. Hungary, Poland, Czech Republic, and Slovenia have the best chances for becoming EU members during the first stage of its enlargement, while Latvia, Bulgaria, and Romania have the weakest prospects. Sweden, Denmark, and France still insist on allowing the three Baltic states and Romania to join the EU on the firs stage of the enlargement. The Baltic countries are also supported by the US suggesting that the EU membership could serve as a compensation for not being admitted to NATO.

Although French, German, and Swedish politicians sound quite optimistic about the prospects of the Baltic states admission to the European Union, Western business community doubts economic and political stability in the countries. Latvia has to prove its ability to bring its economic and political systems in compliance with European standards. The results obtained by the EU from the "White Books" distributed among its potential members in 1995 are being analyzed. The rights of minorities were among the essential factors to be assessed by the EU experts. The EU is still not satisfied with minority situation in Latvia. Among other problems spotted by the EU experts are flaws in the work of the customs, the police, and the Department of Agriculture. Hungary, Poland, Czech Republic, and Slovenia have the best chances for becoming EU members during the first stage of its enlargement, while Latvia, Bulgaria, and Romania have the weakest prospects. Sweden, Denmark, and France still insist on allowing the three Baltic states and Romania to join the EU on the firs stage of the enlargement. The Baltic countries are also supported by the US suggesting that the EU membership could serve as a compensation for not being admitted to NATO. Neatkariga

"Latvijas Cels" will nominate Valdis Birkavs the Chairman of the party at the upcoming Party Congress. "LC" members interviewed by "DIENA" believe Mr. Birkavs will gain the majority of votes. Other candidates are Andrejs Pantelejevs and Indulis Berzins.

"Latvijas Cels" will nominate Valdis Birkavs the Chairman of the party at the upcoming Party Congress. "LC" members interviewed by "DIENA" believe Mr. Birkavs will gain the majority of votes. Other candidates are Andrejs Pantelejevs and Indulis Berzins. Diena

Yesterday President Yeltsin officially appointed Aleksandr Udaltsov (a former Deputy-Director of the second European Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation) Ambassador to Latvia. Sergey Zotov has been appointed Ambassador to Slovakia.

Yesterday President Yeltsin officially appointed Aleksandr Udaltsov (a former Deputy-Director of the second European Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation) Ambassador to Latvia. Sergey Zotov has been appointed Ambassador to Slovakia. SM

Member of the Saeima Committee on Foreign Affairs Janis Jurkans ("People's Harmony") in a brief interview for "SM" criticized Minister of Foreign Affairs Birkavs for ignoring Latvia's relations with Russia. According to Jurkans, Birkavs "brought the idea of Latvia becoming a EU and NATO member to a dead-end". Jurkans believes Birkavs should have been relieved of his duties for approving the Declaration on Occupation noting that it should not have been adopted before Skele's visit to Moscow. Tomorrow Saeima Plenary Meeting will consider the vote of no-confidence for Birkavs as suggested earlier by the Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Member of the Saeima Committee on Foreign Affairs Janis Jurkans ("People's Harmony") in a brief interview for "SM" criticized Minister of Foreign Affairs Birkavs for ignoring Latvia's relations with Russia. According to Jurkans, Birkavs "brought the idea of Latvia becoming a EU and NATO member to a dead-end". Jurkans believes Birkavs should have been relieved of his duties for approving the Declaration on Occupation noting that it should not have been adopted before Skele's visit to Moscow. Tomorrow Saeima Plenary Meeting will consider the vote of no-confidence for Birkavs as suggested earlier by the Committee on Foreign Affairs. SM

An article in "SM" quotes pre-war statistical data to prove that the Abrene District was populated by ethnic Russians and should be consireded a part of Russia. Russians constituted 82.01% to 95.5% of its population in the twenties.

An article in "SM" quotes pre-war statistical data to prove that the Abrene District was populated by ethnic Russians and should be consireded a part of Russia. Russians constituted 82.01% to 95.5% of its population in the twenties. SM