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

22 Saema deputies have signed an open letter to Mr.Guntis Ulmanis calling upon him not to sign the agreement with Russia that would allow temporary operation of the Skrunda radar station on the Latvian soil. The letter points out that the agreement contradicts the Law of the Republic of Latvia on International Agreements. The deputies believe that it should be the citizens to decide the issue of Skrunda during a referendum. According to the deputies the agreement is in contradiction with Articles 3 and 7 of the Law on International Agreements that state that the agreements on the presence of foreign troops on the territory of Latvia and on their status can be concluded only upon the decision of the Saema. It is also mentioned in the letter that the agreement was initialled while the Saema had not considered the issue of restricting the responsibilities of the Latvian delegation to the talks. The Chairman of the Legal Commission of the Saema Mr.Aivars Endzins called the criticism "absurd" since the agreement was only initialled and would come into force only upon the ratification by the parliaments of both countries. Currently the agreement has a status of a protocol of intentions. The deputies also stress that the ratification of the agreement will mean the rejection of demands for prompt and complete troops withdrawal supported by the UN and CSCE resolutions. Such approach, says the letter, also weakens the position of Estonia in its negotiations with Russia. The letter was signed by several LNNK, "Tevzemei un Brivibai", and "Christian-Democratic Union" deputies, by independent deputies, and by Oskar Grigs of "The Farmers' Union" and Alfreds Cepanis and Karlis Leiskalns of the Democratic Party.

22 Saema deputies have signed an open letter to Mr.Guntis Ulmanis calling upon him not to sign the agreement with Russia that would allow temporary operation of the Skrunda radar station on the Latvian soil. The letter points out that the agreement contradicts the Law of the Republic of Latvia on International Agreements. The deputies believe that it should be the citizens to decide the issue of Skrunda during a referendum. According to the deputies the agreement is in contradiction with Articles 3 and 7 of the Law on International Agreements that state that the agreements on the presence of foreign troops on the territory of Latvia and on their status can be concluded only upon the decision of the Saema. It is also mentioned in the letter that the agreement was initialled while the Saema had not considered the issue of restricting the responsibilities of the Latvian delegation to the talks. The Chairman of the Legal Commission of the Saema Mr.Aivars Endzins called the criticism "absurd" since the agreement was only initialled and would come into force only upon the ratification by the parliaments of both countries. Currently the agreement has a status of a protocol of intentions. The deputies also stress that the ratification of the agreement will mean the rejection of demands for prompt and complete troops withdrawal supported by the UN and CSCE resolutions. Such approach, says the letter, also weakens the position of Estonia in its negotiations with Russia. The letter was signed by several LNNK, "Tevzemei un Brivibai", and "Christian-Democratic Union" deputies, by independent deputies, and by Oskar Grigs of "The Farmers' Union" and Alfreds Cepanis and Karlis Leiskalns of the Democratic Party. Diena, Labrit

The Plenary Meeting of CSCE Permanent Committee that was held on March 14 approved of the initialization of the agreement on troops withdrawal.

The Plenary Meeting of CSCE Permanent Committee that was held on March 14 approved of the initialization of the agreement on troops withdrawal. Diena, Labrit

During his meeting with the Pope Mr.Ulmanis stressed that the agreement achieved between Latvia and Russia was "not a reason for festivities" for Latvians. The Pope his interest towards the problem in connection with his meeting with Mr.Yeltsin that had been scheduled for July. "VAKARA ZINAS" journalist Zalman Katz analyzes new tendencies in the working-out of the Draft Citizenship Law. As the most important one he points out the absence of the quota principle in the "Latvijas Cels" Draft. He stresses that the latest version of the draft proposed by "Latvijas Cels" complies to the greatest extend to international recommendations. He also points out that current discussions on the citizenship issue are mainly aimed at obtaining political leadership at the Saema and not at creating the best law possible.

During his meeting with the Pope Mr.Ulmanis stressed that the agreement achieved between Latvia and Russia was "not a reason for festivities" for Latvians. The Pope his interest towards the problem in connection with his meeting with Mr.Yeltsin that had been scheduled for July. "VAKARA ZINAS" journalist Zalman Katz analyzes new tendencies in the working-out of the Draft Citizenship Law. As the most important one he points out the absence of the quota principle in the "Latvijas Cels" Draft. He stresses that the latest version of the draft proposed by "Latvijas Cels" complies to the greatest extend to international recommendations. He also points out that current discussions on the citizenship issue are mainly aimed at obtaining political leadership at the Saema and not at creating the best law possible. Vakara Zinas

The "Saskana" fraction will split in two according to the decision made by the leadership of the party on March 18. The new fractions will start working under the name of "Tautas Saskana" (TS) and "Tautsaimnieku apvieniba" (TA). One of the main reasons of the split-up is the support of the ruling coalition's Draft Citizenship Law by E.Kide, who will probably lead the TA fraction. There is a certain possibility that the two newly-created fractions will form a coalition.

The "Saskana" fraction will split in two according to the decision made by the leadership of the party on March 18. The new fractions will start working under the name of "Tautas Saskana" (TS) and "Tautsaimnieku apvieniba" (TA). One of the main reasons of the split-up is the support of the ruling coalition's Draft Citizenship Law by E.Kide, who will probably lead the TA fraction. There is a certain possibility that the two newly-created fractions will form a coalition. Diena