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's concern about possible NATO enlargement may put the issue on top of the agenda of the OSCE Summit in Lisbon. Russian Prime-Minister Chernomyrdin, while addressing the Summit, said that Russia strongly objected to NATO enlargement. Chernomyrdin suggested that the OSCE could become a chief security guarantor in Europe and a balance to NATO, co-ordinating the activities of all European and Euro-Atlantic organizations. The suggestion was supported by France and opposed by the USA. Chernomyrdin also mentioned "the practice of restricting the rights Russian-speaking minorities in the Baltic states" and called upon the OSCE to react more actively to the situation. The agenda of the Summit also included recent developments in Byelorussia. Byelorussian President Lukashenko objected against international interference in the country's internal affairs. Among other issues discussed yesterday at the Summit was the situation in Nagorny Karabakh and Serbia. The participating states agreed to launch talks on the reduction of conventional arms in Europe that would result in extending the 1990 Arms Reduction Agreement. The final document of the OSCE Summit will describe the principles of European security for the coming century. Other documents considered by the Summit address ethnic conflicts, human rights, freedom of press, and economic aid. Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs Birkavs could not attend the Summit due to a serious injury received by Mrs. Birkava in an accident.

Russia's concern about possible NATO enlargement may put the issue on top of the agenda of the OSCE Summit in Lisbon. Russian Prime-Minister Chernomyrdin, while addressing the Summit, said that Russia strongly objected to NATO enlargement. Chernomyrdin suggested that the OSCE could become a chief security guarantor in Europe and a balance to NATO, co-ordinating the activities of all European and Euro-Atlantic organizations. The suggestion was supported by France and opposed by the USA. Chernomyrdin also mentioned "the practice of restricting the rights Russian-speaking minorities in the Baltic states" and called upon the OSCE to react more actively to the situation. The agenda of the Summit also included recent developments in Byelorussia. Byelorussian President Lukashenko objected against international interference in the country's internal affairs. Among other issues discussed yesterday at the Summit was the situation in Nagorny Karabakh and Serbia. The participating states agreed to launch talks on the reduction of conventional arms in Europe that would result in extending the 1990 Arms Reduction Agreement. The final document of the OSCE Summit will describe the principles of European security for the coming century. Other documents considered by the Summit address ethnic conflicts, human rights, freedom of press, and economic aid. Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs Birkavs could not attend the Summit due to a serious injury received by Mrs. Birkava in an accident. Diena, SM

OSCE High Commissioner van der Stoel in a letter to the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs of 21 November suggested registering ethnic nationality in a person's passport only upon a person's request. Currently, nationality is stated in all passports. The suggestion made by the High Commissioner is being thoroughly analyzed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of the Interior.

OSCE High Commissioner van der Stoel in a letter to the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs of 21 November suggested registering ethnic nationality in a person's passport only upon a person's request. Currently, nationality is stated in all passports. The suggestion made by the High Commissioner is being thoroughly analyzed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of the Interior. Diena

Finnish Prime-Minister Paavo Lipponen during his meeting with Prime-Minister Skele touched upon the role of Russia in the Baltic region. He believes that Russia should be integrated into the security system of the region. Mr. Lipponen stressed the role of the OSCE and the European Union in maintaining European security. NATO and Russia should conclude an agreement specifying the conditions for the expansion of the block, said the Finnish Prime-Minister.

Finnish Prime-Minister Paavo Lipponen during his meeting with Prime-Minister Skele touched upon the role of Russia in the Baltic region. He believes that Russia should be integrated into the security system of the region. Mr. Lipponen stressed the role of the OSCE and the European Union in maintaining European security. NATO and Russia should conclude an agreement specifying the conditions for the expansion of the block, said the Finnish Prime-Minister. Diena, SM

"Latvijas Cels" Faction Chairman Andrejs Pantelejevs in a brief interview for "SM" said that "LC" might persuade "their "Tevzemei un Brivibai" colleagues" to support free land market. Pantelejevs believes that "TB" could also "soften" their attitude on the issue of citizenship. SM

Secretary of the Defense Council of the Russian Federation Yury Baturin in an interview for

Secretary of the Defense Council of the Russian Federation Yury Baturin in an interview for "DIENA" said Russia could join NATO. Such a step would turn the block into a Euro-Atlantic security system. Baturin calls the possibility a theoretical assumption. Still, he admits that Russia will have to co-operate with NATO to avoid political isolation. Diena

The Immigration Police has detained 129 illegal immigrants during the first two moths of its operation in Riga. Most of them have arrived to Latvia from former USSR republics.

The Immigration Police has detained 129 illegal immigrants during the first two moths of its operation in Riga. Most of them have arrived to Latvia from former USSR republics. Diena

"SM"

interviewed CID Immigration Office Expert Lilita Kalnina and Advisor to the CID Director Janis Jaudzems on residence permits and related legal aspects. The CID officials singled out several categories of individuals to be issued with residence permits. interviewed CID Immigration Office Expert Lilita Kalnina and Advisor to the CID Director Janis Jaudzems on residence permits and related legal aspects. The CID officials singled out several categories of individuals to be issued with residence permits. 1. Permanent residence permits (PRP) are to be issued to foreigners who had permanent "propiska" in Latvia on 1 July 1992. These individuals received foreign citizenship after being included into the Register of Inhabitants and are permanently residing in Latvia.

1. Permanent residence permits (PRP) are to be issued to foreigners who had permanent "propiska" in Latvia on 1 July 1992. These individuals received foreign citizenship after being included into the Register of Inhabitants and are permanently residing in Latvia.

2. Temporary residence permits (TRP) are to be issued to all individuals who had a temporary "propiska" in Latvia on 1 July 1992. According to the CID, most of these individuals are married to citizens or permanent residents. If a marriage is not dissolved within five years, such persons are entitled to PRPs. If a marriage is dissolved after the expiration of the five-year term, while the court decrees to leave a child of such a marriage under the care of a non-citizen, and the child is a citizen, the spouse will be entitled to a PRP. Should a spouse, who is a citizen, die, a residence permit issued to his/her widow/-er will not be extended. Residence permit stickers are attached to travel documents recognized by Latvia. Latvia still recognizes former USSR travel passports that state citizenship. According to the CID officials, foreigners are actively applying for PRPs. Permanent residents having settled abroad and willing to return to Latvia are viewed by the law as re-emigrants and are to be issued with residence permit. Children visiting their parents or parents entering Latvia to visit their children can receive TRPs for the term of six months.

2. Temporary residence permits (TRP) are to be issued to all individuals who had a temporary "propiska" in Latvia on 1 July 1992. According to the CID, most of these individuals are married to citizens or permanent residents. If a marriage is not dissolved within five years, such persons are entitled to PRPs. If a marriage is dissolved after the expiration of the five-year term, while the court decrees to leave a child of such a marriage under the care of a non-citizen, and the child is a citizen, the spouse will be entitled to a PRP. Should a spouse, who is a citizen, die, a residence permit issued to his/her widow/-er will not be extended. Residence permit stickers are attached to travel documents recognized by Latvia. Latvia still recognizes former USSR travel passports that state citizenship. According to the CID officials, foreigners are actively applying for PRPs. Permanent residents having settled abroad and willing to return to Latvia are viewed by the law as re-emigrants and are to be issued with residence permit. Children visiting their parents or parents entering Latvia to visit their children can receive TRPs for the term of six months. SM