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

On March 8 representatives of the Saema fractions received the draft agreement worked out by the Latvian delegation to the talks on troops' withdrawal. The Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr.Andreyevs delivered a detailed report on the talks. The fractions will discuss the draft during their meetings and submit their recommendation to the Government delegation. The documents were distributed only among the deputies that were present at the meeting. The "Ravnopraviye" ("Equal Rights") fraction was did not take part in the meeting. "DIENA" journalists interviewed the representatives of different fractions in order to find out their attitude to the draft. According to "Tevzemei un Brivibai" spokesman Mr.Roberts Milbergs the attitude of TB and DNNL fractions towards the agreement on Skrunda did not change after the report by Mr.Andreyevs. They still insist on the closure of the station before August 31.

On March 8 representatives of the Saema fractions received the draft agreement worked out by the Latvian delegation to the talks on troops' withdrawal. The Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr.Andreyevs delivered a detailed report on the talks. The fractions will discuss the draft during their meetings and submit their recommendation to the Government delegation. The documents were distributed only among the deputies that were present at the meeting. The "Ravnopraviye" ("Equal Rights") fraction was did not take part in the meeting. "DIENA" journalists interviewed the representatives of different fractions in order to find out their attitude to the draft. According to "Tevzemei un Brivibai" spokesman Mr.Roberts Milbergs the attitude of TB and DNNL fractions towards the agreement on Skrunda did not change after the report by Mr.Andreyevs. They still insist on the closure of the station before August 31. Diena

Prime-Minister Birkavs evaluated the session of the Nordic Council as an important event. He stressed that the Prime-Ministers of Nordic states declared the Baltic to be the area of vital interests of their countries. Several agreements were concluded with the leaders of Baltic states. Mr.Birkavs informed the press that Estonia along with the European Union and the Nordic Council supports the steps taken by Latvia. He also mentioned that a new element within the European political structure was being formed, namely a 5+3 formula composed by Sweden, Finland, Norway, Denmark, and Iceland on the one hand and Latvia, Estonia , and Lithuania on the other.

Prime-Minister Birkavs evaluated the session of the Nordic Council as an important event. He stressed that the Prime-Ministers of Nordic states declared the Baltic to be the area of vital interests of their countries. Several agreements were concluded with the leaders of Baltic states. Mr.Birkavs informed the press that Estonia along with the European Union and the Nordic Council supports the steps taken by Latvia. He also mentioned that a new element within the European political structure was being formed, namely a 5+3 formula composed by Sweden, Finland, Norway, Denmark, and Iceland on the one hand and Latvia, Estonia , and Lithuania on the other. Diena, Neatkariga, Cina

On March 9 the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Germany Mr.Kinkiel and the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania will discuss the relationship between the Baltic states and Russia.

On March 9 the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Germany Mr.Kinkiel and the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania will discuss the relationship between the Baltic states and Russia. Diena

"NEATKARIGA CINA" journalist gives her evaluation of the recent appeal of the DNNL fraction to cancel certain programs by the OSTANKINO TV Company since they misinterpret the political situation in Latvia. She believes that though the introduction of censorship was not the best solution certain measures should be taken to protect "the sovereignty of Latvia's information space."

"NEATKARIGA CINA" journalist gives her evaluation of the recent appeal of the DNNL fraction to cancel certain programs by the OSTANKINO TV Company since they misinterpret the political situation in Latvia. She believes that though the introduction of censorship was not the best solution certain measures should be taken to protect "the sovereignty of Latvia's information space." Neatkariga, Cina

The first meeting of the Commission on the Impact of Skrunda Radar Station was held on March 8. The Commission was created upon the initiative of the Cabinet of Ministers and is headed by the Minister for Environmental Problems and Regional Development Mr.Girts Lukins. The objective of the Commission is to obtain and process the information related to Skrunda, determine the steps to be taken in order to eliminate the impact, and to implement those steps. The Commission will also determine the damage caused by the operation of the radar station.

The first meeting of the Commission on the Impact of Skrunda Radar Station was held on March 8. The Commission was created upon the initiative of the Cabinet of Ministers and is headed by the Minister for Environmental Problems and Regional Development Mr.Girts Lukins. The objective of the Commission is to obtain and process the information related to Skrunda, determine the steps to be taken in order to eliminate the impact, and to implement those steps. The Commission will also determine the damage caused by the operation of the radar station. Labrit

The Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Latvia appointed Mr.Ints Zitars as the Director of the Department of Citizenship and Immigration. Mr.Zitars was the Head of the Information Center of the Department. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Latvia is expected to deliver a report on a possibility of the joining of the European Union and the Balladure Plan by the Baltic states. 

The Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Latvia appointed Mr.Ints Zitars as the Director of the Department of Citizenship and Immigration. Mr.Zitars was the Head of the Information Center of the Department. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Latvia is expected to deliver a report on a possibility of the joining of the European Union and the Balladure Plan by the Baltic states.Diena

The Ambassador of Latvia to the USA Mr.Ojars Kalnins handed over a note by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Latvia to the Department of State of the USA regarding recent statements by the Secretary of State Mr.Warren Christopher. The note expresses concern about the statement by Mr.Christopher saying that "almost one million of Russian-speaking residents of Latvia are deprived of their right to vote". The note points at the fact that 278,087 of the total of 722,468 Russians residing in Latvia are citizens. The note also stresses that the Secretary of State noted the necessity of the presence of the Skrunda radar on Latvian soil. The statement about the right of Russia "to stimulate the Latvians to expand the category of residents entitled to receive citizenship and to provide the right to vote to those Russians who want to stay in Latvia" was also mentioned. The note stresses that such statements may be misinterpreted both in Latvia and in Russia. 

The Ambassador of Latvia to the USA Mr.Ojars Kalnins handed over a note by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Latvia to the Department of State of the USA regarding recent statements by the Secretary of State Mr.Warren Christopher. The note expresses concern about the statement by Mr.Christopher saying that "almost one million of Russian-speaking residents of Latvia are deprived of their right to vote". The note points at the fact that 278,087 of the total of 722,468 Russians residing in Latvia are citizens. The note also stresses that the Secretary of State noted the necessity of the presence of the Skrunda radar on Latvian soil. The statement about the right of Russia "to stimulate the Latvians to expand the category of residents entitled to receive citizenship and to provide the right to vote to those Russians who want to stay in Latvia" was also mentioned. The note stresses that such statements may be misinterpreted both in Latvia and in Russia.Diena

"VAKARA ZINAS" columnist Zalman Katz comments on the letter of protest by the Department of Citizenship and Immigration officials. He stresses that often politicians try to justify the lack of responsibility and firm political principles by demagogic appeals to "the will of the people" and to "the interests of the nation". In this connection he also mention the proposal by TB and LNNK to make the Skrunda problem and the Citizenship Law the subjects of a nation-wide referendum.

"VAKARA ZINAS" columnist Zalman Katz comments on the letter of protest by the Department of Citizenship and Immigration officials. He stresses that often politicians try to justify the lack of responsibility and firm political principles by demagogic appeals to "the will of the people" and to "the interests of the nation". In this connection he also mention the proposal by TB and LNNK to make the Skrunda problem and the Citizenship Law the subjects of a nation-wide referendum. Vakara Zinas