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

Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr.Andreyevs had a meeting with the US Ambassador to Latvia Mr. Ints Silinsh in order to discuss the recent statements by Mr. Warren Christopher. During a meeting of the US Senate Subcommittee Mr.Christopher noted that Russia had the right "to stimulate Latvians" to broaden the category of the inhabitants of the country who were to receive citizenship. Mr.Silinsh explained that the Secretary of State had been talking about legal methods that could be used by Russian-speaking inhabitants of Latvia to persuade Latvians to take into consideration their interests.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr.Andreyevs had a meeting with the US Ambassador to Latvia Mr. Ints Silinsh in order to discuss the recent statements by Mr. Warren Christopher. During a meeting of the US Senate Subcommittee Mr.Christopher noted that Russia had the right "to stimulate Latvians" to broaden the category of the inhabitants of the country who were to receive citizenship. Mr.Silinsh explained that the Secretary of State had been talking about legal methods that could be used by Russian-speaking inhabitants of Latvia to persuade Latvians to take into consideration their interests. Diena

The Presidium of the Union of Europe has welcomed the progress achieved at the talks between Russia and Latvia on the issue of the Skrunde radar station. The statement by the Union says that a temporary agreement on the Skrunde radar station would not jeopardize the sovereignty of Latvia. Meanwhile the experts representing both parties at the talks continued discussing the draft agreement on social security for retired army officers.

The Presidium of the Union of Europe has welcomed the progress achieved at the talks between Russia and Latvia on the issue of the Skrunde radar station. The statement by the Union says that a temporary agreement on the Skrunde radar station would not jeopardize the sovereignty of Latvia. Meanwhile the experts representing both parties at the talks continued discussing the draft agreement on social security for retired army officers. Diena

President Guntis Ulmanis handed his letter to Mr.Boris Yeltsin over to the Russian Ambassador to Latvia Mr. Rannikh. Mr.Ulmanis points out in his letter that the talks between the two countries have entered the final stage. He believes that there is a chance for agreements on social security for army officers and retired servicemen, and on the Skrunde could be prepared for signing during the next round of talks scheduled for March 14. He also agrees that the withdrawal of Russian troops from Latvia could create a new environment for the future development of the relations between the two countries. Mr.Ulmanis discussed the most complicated issues mentioned in Mr.Yeltsin's letter with the Russian Ambassador. Those issues are mainly connected with social security for retired officers and the rent for the Skrunde radar. Mr.Ulmanis expressed his readiness to meet with Mr.Yeltsin in Moscow.

President Guntis Ulmanis handed his letter to Mr.Boris Yeltsin over to the Russian Ambassador to Latvia Mr. Rannikh. Mr.Ulmanis points out in his letter that the talks between the two countries have entered the final stage. He believes that there is a chance for agreements on social security for army officers and retired servicemen, and on the Skrunde could be prepared for signing during the next round of talks scheduled for March 14. He also agrees that the withdrawal of Russian troops from Latvia could create a new environment for the future development of the relations between the two countries. Mr.Ulmanis discussed the most complicated issues mentioned in Mr.Yeltsin's letter with the Russian Ambassador. Those issues are mainly connected with social security for retired officers and the rent for the Skrunde radar. Mr.Ulmanis expressed his readiness to meet with Mr.Yeltsin in Moscow. Diena, Labrit, Neatkariga, Cina

Mr.Zotov, the Head of the Russian delegation to the troops' withdrawal talks in his interview to "DIENA" stressed that the Russian party expects firm documented guarantees from the Latvian government on social security for retired Russian servicemen. He stressed that the subject of the agreement of social security will be not political but economical rights for the retired army officers. All pensions will be paid by Russia.

Mr.Zotov, the Head of the Russian delegation to the troops' withdrawal talks in his interview to "DIENA" stressed that the Russian party expects firm documented guarantees from the Latvian government on social security for retired Russian servicemen. He stressed that the subject of the agreement of social security will be not political but economical rights for the retired army officers. All pensions will be paid by Russia. Labrit

The Organizational Committee of the Conference on the Impact of the Radio Frequency Magnetic Irradiation had its meeting at the Faculty of Biology of the Latvian State University. The Skrunda Foundation was founded at the meeting. Among the participants of the event was President Ulmanis and several prominent politicians and MPs. The aim of the conference will be to investigate possible impact of the Skrunde radar on living organisms and humans. The aim of the foundation is to promote the scientific research in the area and to provide rehabilitation of the population of the Skrunda area.

The Organizational Committee of the Conference on the Impact of the Radio Frequency Magnetic Irradiation had its meeting at the Faculty of Biology of the Latvian State University. The Skrunda Foundation was founded at the meeting. Among the participants of the event was President Ulmanis and several prominent politicians and MPs. The aim of the conference will be to investigate possible impact of the Skrunde radar on living organisms and humans. The aim of the foundation is to promote the scientific research in the area and to provide rehabilitation of the population of the Skrunda area. Diena, Latvijas Vestnesis

The Democratic Party of Latvia made a statement regarding its attitude to the Draft Citizenship law suggested by the governing coalition. The party had previously supported the DNNL Draft which was later rejected by the DNNL. The Democtratic Party announced that it would suggest its amendments to the governing coalition draft.

The Democratic Party of Latvia made a statement regarding its attitude to the Draft Citizenship law suggested by the governing coalition. The party had previously supported the DNNL Draft which was later rejected by the DNNL. The Democtratic Party announced that it would suggest its amendments to the governing coalition draft. Diena

Maris Grinbalts, the head of "Tevzemei un Brivibas" fraction explained his approach to the Draft Citizenship Law in his interview for "PANORAMA LATVII". He paid particular attention to naturalization principles and immigration policies suggested by his fraction which are as follows:

Maris Grinbalts, the head of "Tevzemei un Brivibas" fraction explained his approach to the Draft Citizenship Law in his interview for "PANORAMA LATVII". He paid particular attention to naturalization principles and immigration policies suggested by his fraction which are as follows:
- one-year residence permits for retired officers and their relatives;
- five-year residence permits for the main part of Russian-speaking civil population;
- both permits can be prolonged;
- Latvians and Livs not having Latvian citizenship, and foreigners and their descendants who had arrived to Latvia before 1940 receive permanent residence permits;
- former citizens of Estonia and Lithuania, and spouses of citizens having spent certain period in latvia also receive permanent residence permits. Panorama Latvii

In his interview for "RUSSKI PUT" Russian Ambassador Mr.Rannih spoke in favor of integration of Russian-speaking population of Latvia into the Latvian environment. He also expressed his concern about the growth of "ultra-nationalist" tendencies in the political life of Latvia. He expressed hope that the problems of Russian-speaking minority and relations between Russia and Latvia would be solved within two or three years. He also spoke in favor of the creation of an organization to unite Russian-speaking stateless inhabitants of Latvia which would make possible a more successful dialogue between the minority and the Government.

In his interview for "RUSSKI PUT" Russian Ambassador Mr.Rannih spoke in favor of integration of Russian-speaking population of Latvia into the Latvian environment. He also expressed his concern about the growth of "ultra-nationalist" tendencies in the political life of Latvia. He expressed hope that the problems of Russian-speaking minority and relations between Russia and Latvia would be solved within two or three years. He also spoke in favor of the creation of an organization to unite Russian-speaking stateless inhabitants of Latvia which would make possible a more successful dialogue between the minority and the Government. Russki Putj