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

Press Review

President Ulmanis left for Lisbon yesterday to participate in the OSCE Summit. The President will address the Summit tomorrow. During a press-conference Mr. Ulmanis criticized the OSCE for lack of activity, suggesting that the organization could pay more attention to situation in Chechnya, Bosnia, Moldova, and Georgia. The President told the press that the mandate of the OSCE Mission to Latvia should be extended. Mr. Ulmanis said that the Mission could inform the international community of the latest developments in Latvia. Still, he doubted the role of the Mission in forming an integrated society in the country.

President Ulmanis left for Lisbon yesterday to participate in the OSCE Summit. The President will address the Summit tomorrow. During a press-conference Mr. Ulmanis criticized the OSCE for lack of activity, suggesting that the organization could pay more attention to situation in Chechnya, Bosnia, Moldova, and Georgia. The President told the press that the mandate of the OSCE Mission to Latvia should be extended. Mr. Ulmanis said that the Mission could inform the international community of the latest developments in Latvia. Still, he doubted the role of the Mission in forming an integrated society in the country. "Interfax" circulated information about Ulmanis="" plans to meet President of Byelorussia Lukashenko. The Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs addressed the Byelorussian Ministry of Foreign Affairs with a note saying the President's tight schedule during the Summit made the meeting impossible. Mr. Ulmanis will preside over the OSCE Plenary Meeting. The agenda of the OSCE Summit includes Russia's reaction to NATO enlargement and the situation in Yugoslavia, Byelorussia, Chechnya and Nagorny Karabakh.

(DIENA, NEATKARIGA, 2 December)

(DIENA, NEATKARIGA, 2 December)

The Estonian Government believes that aborder agreement with Russia could be signed during the OSCE Summit. Still, Head of the Russian Delegation to the Border Talks Vasily Svirin says that several technical problems do not allow the signing of the agreement this week.

The Estonian Government believes that aborder agreement with Russia could be signed during the OSCE Summit. Still, Head of the Russian Delegation to the Border Talks Vasily Svirin says that several technical problems do not allow the signing of the agreement this week.

(DIENA, 2 December)

(DIENA, 2 December)

Aris Jansons

Aris Jansons ("DIENA") analyzed the work of the OSCE Mission to Latvia. He quoted Deputy State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Normans Penke who said that the Mission had accomplished its tasks and no issues were left for the Mission to work on. Still, certain problems are to be resolved. These include naturalization, identification documents for non-citizens, repatriation of demobilized Russian servicemen, and the operation of the Skrunda radar. Head of Mission Charles Magee said that the Mission was studying non-citizens' problems and helped them to become aware of the situation in the country and to integrate into its society. Aris Jansons believes that the Mission serves as a balance to the "forces using non-citizens' problems for achieving political goals". Not extending the mandate would also be unwise after Russia accused Latvia and Estonia of refusing to co-operate with the OSCE and of violating human rights. The Prime-Minister's Advisor for Foreign Affairs Aivars Groza believes that the mandate could be extended by six months. Mr. Penke said that Latvia, before agreeing to extend the mandate, would expect "some countries to come up with suggestions on improving the work of the Mission". (DIENA, 2 December)

The UNDP will allot 3.2 million dollars to the state language training program. An agreement on the program will be signed on December 6 at the Wagner Hall by John Hendra, Minister of Education and Science Maris Grinblats and Minister of Foreign Affairs Valdis Birkavs. The program includes publishing of text-books and launching language training TV programs.

The UNDP will allot 3.2 million dollars to the state language training program. An agreement on the program will be signed on December 6 at the Wagner Hall by John Hendra, Minister of Education and Science Maris Grinblats and Minister of Foreign Affairs Valdis Birkavs. The program includes publishing of text-books and launching language training TV programs.

(DIENA, 2 December)

(DIENA, 2 December)

Prime-Minister Skele said he would resign if the Saeima adopted a deficit budget. The Saeima Budget Committee has prepared the draft budget for the final reading by the Saeima.

Prime-Minister Skele said he would resign if the Saeima adopted a deficit budget. The Saeima Budget Committee has prepared the draft budget for the final reading by the Saeima.

(DIENA, 30 November)

(DIENA, 30 November)

Last Friday the joint congress of the Farmers' Union and the Political Union of Economists voted for merging the two parties. The Farmers' Union is the largest Latvian political party (3,500 members) while the Political Union of Economists has 420 members.

Last Friday the joint congress of the Farmers' Union and the Political Union of Economists voted for merging the two parties. The Farmers' Union is the largest Latvian political party (3,500 members) while the Political Union of Economists has 420 members. Diena

The

The "Latvijas Cels" party congress re-elected Valdis Birkavs as ALC@ Chairman. Prime-Minister Skele in his speech called upon "LC" to be more politically active. The congress was attended by the leaders of "Saimnieks" and "Tevzemei un Brivibai". Diena

Speaker of the State

Speaker of the State Duma Gennady Seleznev addressed Prime-Minister Chernomyrdin with a letter asking to specify sanctions to be used against "Estonian and Latvian regimes hostile to Russia". Seleznev in his letter mentions "apartheid" in the Baltic states. "BIZNES I BALTIYA" suggests that recent steps taken by Russia against Latvia and Estonia are the beginning of a vast campaign of political propaganda against the two Baltic states. B&B

Head of the Baltic Section of the Second European Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Sergey Prihodko at a press-conference spoke about Russia's relations with Latvia and Estonia. Mr. Prihodko said that relations between the two countries are impaired by radical nationalists. He mentioned the closing of Russian schools in Riga and other "less noticeable steps". The Russian diplomat mentioned efforts "taken by some politicians in the

Head of the Baltic Section of the Second European Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Sergey Prihodko at a press-conference spoke about Russia's relations with Latvia and Estonia. Mr. Prihodko said that relations between the two countries are impaired by radical nationalists. He mentioned the closing of Russian schools in Riga and other "less noticeable steps". The Russian diplomat mentioned efforts "taken by some politicians in the Saeima to initiate the discussion of draft laws and amendments that would decrease ethnic tension." SM

Instruction on employment quotas gives the right only to citizens. According to the Department, the requirement was put by German authorities to prevent illegal immigration. Still, the German Embassy says that the country allows the employment of citizens and permanent residents of Latvia within employment quotas.

Instruction on employment quotas gives the right only to citizens. According to the Department, the requirement was put by German authorities to prevent illegal immigration. Still, the German Embassy says that the country allows the employment of citizens and permanent residents of Latvia within employment quotas. SM

Border delimitation talks between Latvia and Lithuania will be resumed tomorrow. Latvia has suggested sharing all oil produced in the disputable area equally between the two countries. Lithuania still insists on determining the border before discussing the distribution of oil resources.Russian Minister of Defense Igor Rodionov in an interview said that Russia would be forced to direct its ballistic missiles against East European countries that have entered NATO. Russia will ignore nuclear armament reduction agreements if NATO deploys such weapons in Eastern Europe. The Russian Embassy in Latvia refused to comment on Rodionov's statement.

Border delimitation talks between Latvia and Lithuania will be resumed tomorrow. Latvia has suggested sharing all oil produced in the disputable area equally between the two countries. Lithuania still insists on determining the border before discussing the distribution of oil resources.Russian Minister of Defense Igor Rodionov in an interview said that Russia would be forced to direct its ballistic missiles against East European countries that have entered NATO. Russia will ignore nuclear armament reduction agreements if NATO deploys such weapons in Eastern Europe. The Russian Embassy in Latvia refused to comment on Rodionov's statement. Vakara Zinas