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

The US Embassy to Estonia distributed the official statement by the US Administration saying that the United States rejects the connection of troops' withdrawal to any other issues. The statement mentions that the issue of troops' withdrawal and relations between Russia and Baltic states will be discussed on March 14 in Vladivostok during the meeting between Andrey Koziryev and Warren Christopher. The US administration evaluates the progress achieved at troops' withdrawal negotiations between Latvia and Russia as "reassuring". The US administration is aware of the concern expressed by Russia regarding the rights of russian-speaking population of Estonia and Latvia but reminds that several commissions sent by the Council of Europe, CSCE, and UN have not discovered any systematic violations of human rights in those countries. The statement stresses the efforts made by the Latvian Government to work out a citizenship law that would comply with the existing international norms. Diena

During his meeting with the Speaker of the Lithuanian Saem the Minister of Defence of Denmark stressed that Denmark would support the integration of the Baltic states into NATO and the Union of Europe. Diena

Maris Lejnieks, an expert on international law expresses his view on the aspects and possible consequences of the international acknowledgement of the occupation of Latvia by the USSR in his interview for "LABRIT". He points out that the occupation may not be acknowledge by the UN or a group of countries due to the fact that there was no military rule established in Latvia. On the other hand the Russian invasion may be classified as annexion which is condemned by the international community as a violation of a nation's right for self-determination. The international acknowledgement of the occupation could give Latvia a pretext for withdrawing a vast part of Russian-speaking population and would burden Russia with responsibility for the consequences of its presence in Latvia. Still, Mr.Lejnieks believes that the idea of international recognition of occupation as well as human rights issue on the part of Russia are used for achieving certain political goals. He doubts that international organizations will officially recognize the occupation since it may lead, at least theoretically, to mass expulsion of Russian-speaking inhabitants. Diena

The Popular Front organizes a manifestation for the immediate withdrawal of the Skrunda radar station that will take place on March 12 on the Dome Square. Neatkariga, Cina

A joint rally by the League of the Stateless and the Association of Independent Trade Unions is scheduled to be held in Grizinkalns at 1 p.m. on March 13. The Executive director of the Association Mr.Modris Lujans stressed in his appeal that the people of Latvia must unite in spite of attempts to split it into Latvians and non-Latvians in order to oppose the bureaucracy. Hare Krishna community will also participate in the rally and distribute free meals for the poor. SM Segodnya