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

At the end of the first day of the talks between Russia and Latvia in moscow both sides agreed that the difference of opinions had remained only regarding the rent for the Skrunda radar station. According to the Head of the Latvian delegation Mr.Virsis the agreement on social guarantees for retired Russian servicemen needs only some additional polishing. The Head of the Russian delegation Mr.Zotov suggested that the agreement on that issue might be signed on Tuesday, March 15. Mr.Zotov does not expect the issue of the Skrunda rent to be settled upon during the second day of the talks. This will make it the only issue that will not be agreed upon. The Head of the Russian delegation noted that in that case the summit would not take place since the Delegation had to submit the complete set of agreements to President Yeltsin. According to Mr.Virsis the agreement on social guarantees for retired servicemen refers to the officers retired before August 28, 1992, i.e. before the former Soviet Army was taken under the jurisdiction of Russia. As for the officers retired after that date the lists of such persons will be submitted by the Russian party to be considered by the representatives of Russia and Latvia. Russia agreed that CSCE could act as an intermediate and observer during that process. Both parties have not changed their approach to the Skrunda issue. Though agreement on technical issues has already been achieved the problem of rent still remains unsolved. Mr.Zotov again connected the amount paid by the Russian party for the rent of the radar site to the terms of troops withdrawal. He said that Russia could promptly withdraw the troops and make larger investments into housing for the withdrawn servicemen or pay the rent that is "absurd" thus delaying the withdrawal. Still, he believes that a certain compromise may be achieved. 

At the end of the first day of the talks between Russia and Latvia in moscow both sides agreed that the difference of opinions had remained only regarding the rent for the Skrunda radar station. According to the Head of the Latvian delegation Mr.Virsis the agreement on social guarantees for retired Russian servicemen needs only some additional polishing. The Head of the Russian delegation Mr.Zotov suggested that the agreement on that issue might be signed on Tuesday, March 15. Mr.Zotov does not expect the issue of the Skrunda rent to be settled upon during the second day of the talks. This will make it the only issue that will not be agreed upon. The Head of the Russian delegation noted that in that case the summit would not take place since the Delegation had to submit the complete set of agreements to President Yeltsin. According to Mr.Virsis the agreement on social guarantees for retired servicemen refers to the officers retired before August 28, 1992, i.e. before the former Soviet Army was taken under the jurisdiction of Russia. As for the officers retired after that date the lists of such persons will be submitted by the Russian party to be considered by the representatives of Russia and Latvia. Russia agreed that CSCE could act as an intermediate and observer during that process. Both parties have not changed their approach to the Skrunda issue. Though agreement on technical issues has already been achieved the problem of rent still remains unsolved. Mr.Zotov again connected the amount paid by the Russian party for the rent of the radar site to the terms of troops withdrawal. He said that Russia could promptly withdraw the troops and make larger investments into housing for the withdrawn servicemen or pay the rent that is "absurd" thus delaying the withdrawal. Still, he believes that a certain compromise may be achieved.Diena

The Skrunda issue was discussed by President Ulmanis with the representatives of the Union of Nationalist Organizations of Latvia. Mr.Ulmanis promised to discuss the possibility of shortening the term of the operation of the radar with Mr.Yeltsin. Still he evaluated the chances for establishing of a new shorter term are weak since the term had been agreed upon by Russia and USA. The President spoke in favor of the idea of agreement on the Skrunda issue stressing that such agreement would provide Latvia with international guarantees and control. He also noted that USA would allocate 10 mln. USD for the dismantlement of the new block of the radar station after the agreement is signed. The spokesman for LNNK stressed that only the withdrawal of Russian troops before August 31 could make further negotiations on Skrunda possible. The Popular Front spokesman Mr.Augstkalns stressed that concluding the agreement with Russia under current terms would mean the violation of the CSCE decision on the immediate and unconditional troops withdrawal from Latvia. Mr.Grinbalts of "Tevzemei un Brivibai" said that both Russia and international community should show their understanding of the problems of Latvia which could make it possible to allow the operation of Skrunde for the term not exceeding four years. He also pointed out that the President's task was the most delicate one since he had find a balance between the national interests of Latvia and the attitude of the West towards its policies regarding troops withdrawal.

The Skrunda issue was discussed by President Ulmanis with the representatives of the Union of Nationalist Organizations of Latvia. Mr.Ulmanis promised to discuss the possibility of shortening the term of the operation of the radar with Mr.Yeltsin. Still he evaluated the chances for establishing of a new shorter term are weak since the term had been agreed upon by Russia and USA. The President spoke in favor of the idea of agreement on the Skrunda issue stressing that such agreement would provide Latvia with international guarantees and control. He also noted that USA would allocate 10 mln. USD for the dismantlement of the new block of the radar station after the agreement is signed. The spokesman for LNNK stressed that only the withdrawal of Russian troops before August 31 could make further negotiations on Skrunda possible. The Popular Front spokesman Mr.Augstkalns stressed that concluding the agreement with Russia under current terms would mean the violation of the CSCE decision on the immediate and unconditional troops withdrawal from Latvia. Mr.Grinbalts of "Tevzemei un Brivibai" said that both Russia and international community should show their understanding of the problems of Latvia which could make it possible to allow the operation of Skrunde for the term not exceeding four years. He also pointed out that the President's task was the most delicate one since he had find a balance between the national interests of Latvia and the attitude of the West towards its policies regarding troops withdrawal. Diena, Neatkariga Cina

The Chairman of the NATO Military Committee Sir Richard Vincent had meetings with the Secretary of the Ministry of Defence of Latvia Mr.Andris Ligotnis and the Commander of Defence Forces of Latvia Mr.Dainis Turlais, the Chairman of the Commission for defence and Internal Affairs, and the Chairman of the Saema Mr.Gorbunovs. The latter noted that the negative experience gained by Latvia in 1939-40 showed that Russia might not fulfil its obligation. In this connection it would be desirable that CSCE or some other international body controlled the process.

The Chairman of the NATO Military Committee Sir Richard Vincent had meetings with the Secretary of the Ministry of Defence of Latvia Mr.Andris Ligotnis and the Commander of Defence Forces of Latvia Mr.Dainis Turlais, the Chairman of the Commission for defence and Internal Affairs, and the Chairman of the Saema Mr.Gorbunovs. The latter noted that the negative experience gained by Latvia in 1939-40 showed that Russia might not fulfil its obligation. In this connection it would be desirable that CSCE or some other international body controlled the process. Diena

The "Latvijas Cels" fraction decided to abandon the quota principle incorporated in the first reading of the Draft Citizenship Law. The discussion of the second reading by the Saema is scheduled to take place before Easter holidays. According to the new principle suggested by "Latvijas Cels" groups of residents to be naturalized and terms of naturalization are defined. According to the Leader of the fraction Mr.Panteleyev the groups entitled to favorable naturalization terms in accordance with the first reading will be naturalized before the elections to the Sixth Saema. The category will include spouses of citizens having been residing in Latvia for at least three years, persons having close Latvian or Liv relatives, persons that had legally entered the country before 1940 and their descendants, and persons brought to Latvia by force during German occupation and their ancestors. The total amount of people entitled to favorable naturalization terms is around 200,000. The SM SEVODNYA analyst evaluates the chances for the adoption of such version of the Citizenship Law as slim. According to her forecasts the new draft will be opposed by "Tevzemei un Brivibai", "Equal Rights", and partly by "Saskana."

The "Latvijas Cels" fraction decided to abandon the quota principle incorporated in the first reading of the Draft Citizenship Law. The discussion of the second reading by the Saema is scheduled to take place before Easter holidays. According to the new principle suggested by "Latvijas Cels" groups of residents to be naturalized and terms of naturalization are defined. According to the Leader of the fraction Mr.Panteleyev the groups entitled to favorable naturalization terms in accordance with the first reading will be naturalized before the elections to the Sixth Saema. The category will include spouses of citizens having been residing in Latvia for at least three years, persons having close Latvian or Liv relatives, persons that had legally entered the country before 1940 and their descendants, and persons brought to Latvia by force during German occupation and their ancestors. The total amount of people entitled to favorable naturalization terms is around 200,000. The SM SEVODNYA analyst evaluates the chances for the adoption of such version of the Citizenship Law as slim. According to her forecasts the new draft will be opposed by "Tevzemei un Brivibai", "Equal Rights", and partly by "Saskana." Diena, SM

The "BALTIC INDEPENDENT" journalist Tarmu Tammerks reports about a negative attitude that has developed in Estonia towards the CSCE activities in that country. Mr.Max van der Stoel has been criticized by the non-governmental Estonian Institute for Human Rights for his meetings with the head of the Narva Russian Citizens' Union Mr.Yuri Mishin and the former pro-communist major Mr.Vladimir Tchuikin. His visit to Narva was considered by the Institute as the violation of the CSCE Mandate since had contacted "immigrants and aliens". He was also criticized for not paying any attention to officially recognized ethnic minorities such as the Russian residing in the Peipusa Lake area. There were also complaints on the part of Estonians that the CSCE Mission offices do not use the Estonian language to the extend needed. The Mission has been also criticized for its policy towards the issue of retired Russian servicemen. It has been stressed that though the CSCE admits that Estonia was annexed and occupied by USSR in 1940 it still demands a permanent residence status for the occupants. The journalist also quotes the data on the average age of retired army officers currently residing in Estonia recently obtained by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Country. According to the data a vast portion of 10,000 retired servicemen are around 40 years old and have served in commando or intelligence units. The journalists believes that granting them a permanent resident's status could help to create a powerful "fifth coliumn" in the country.

The "BALTIC INDEPENDENT" journalist Tarmu Tammerks reports about a negative attitude that has developed in Estonia towards the CSCE activities in that country. Mr.Max van der Stoel has been criticized by the non-governmental Estonian Institute for Human Rights for his meetings with the head of the Narva Russian Citizens' Union Mr.Yuri Mishin and the former pro-communist major Mr.Vladimir Tchuikin. His visit to Narva was considered by the Institute as the violation of the CSCE Mandate since had contacted "immigrants and aliens". He was also criticized for not paying any attention to officially recognized ethnic minorities such as the Russian residing in the Peipusa Lake area. There were also complaints on the part of Estonians that the CSCE Mission offices do not use the Estonian language to the extend needed. The Mission has been also criticized for its policy towards the issue of retired Russian servicemen. It has been stressed that though the CSCE admits that Estonia was annexed and occupied by USSR in 1940 it still demands a permanent residence status for the occupants. The journalist also quotes the data on the average age of retired army officers currently residing in Estonia recently obtained by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Country. According to the data a vast portion of 10,000 retired servicemen are around 40 years old and have served in commando or intelligence units. The journalists believes that granting them a permanent resident's status could help to create a powerful "fifth coliumn" in the country. Diena