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

On 26 July the mandate to the OSCE Mission in Riga was extended and the continuing struggle of our delegation for the changes in the status of the Mission was left in the shadow. One of the reasons for the formation of the OSCE Mission to Latvia was Russia’s reproach concerning the human rights violations against the Russian speaking population. For almost four years there is an OSCE Mission to Latvia, like to Albania and Bosnia, in places where the blood was shed. Latvian diplomats think that this situation undermines Latvia’s international prestige. Our state delegation to OSCE is headed by Ivars Pundurs. Upon return from the Hofburg Palace, where the OSCE Permanent Council is located, he gave an interview.

On 26 July the mandate to the OSCE Mission in Riga was extended and the continuing struggle of our delegation for the changes in the status of the Mission was left in the shadow. One of the reasons for the formation of the OSCE Mission to Latvia was Russias reproach concerning the human rights violations against the Russian speaking population. For almost four years there is an OSCE Mission to Latvia, like to Albania and Bosnia, in places where the blood was shed. Latvian diplomats think that this situation undermines Latvias international prestige. Our state delegation to OSCE is headed by Ivars Pundurs. Upon return from the Hofburg Palace, where the OSCE Permanent Council is located, he gave an interview.

- On June 18 in the OSCE Permanent Council Latvia distributed the resolution draft that was discussed next day. What were Latvia’s proposals?

- On June 18 in the OSCE Permanent Council Latvia distributed the resolution draft that was discussed next day. What were Latvias proposals?

We proposed the OSCE Mission to Latvia to prepare a report about accomplishments during its time in service. There also would be mentioned Latvia’s accomplishments. Charles Magee, the Head of the OSCE Mission to Latvia supported us. Besides, and it was the most important thing, we proposed to start the discussion about the changes in the status of the Mission. However, on June 19 our proposal was rejected.

We proposed the OSCE Mission to Latvia to prepare a report about accomplishments during its time in service. There also would be mentioned Latvias accomplishments. Charles Magee, the Head of the OSCE Mission to Latvia supported us. Besides, and it was the most important thing, we proposed to start the discussion about the changes in the status of the Mission. However, on June 19 our proposal was rejected.

-What does it mean to change the status? Is it only about the name ...

-What does it mean to change the status? Is it only about the name ...

When there is discussion, we will have to talk about the fact that, although the OSCE Missions operate in Latvia and, for example, in Tajikistan, the situation in both places differs. In Baltics the OSCE operation has a different content than in conflict regions, therefore the form should be different. We would like to have the OSCE Mission in Latvia with a different - not Mission - status. While OSCE diplomats know in what Latvia differs from Bosnia, people from the street, even here, in Vienna, may not know that. Everybody has heard about happenings in Bosnia and how the OSCE Mission works there. To those who know about Latvia nothing more than the fact that there is an OSCE Mission, it might give an impression that genocide takes place in Latvia. Besides not only non-professionals have such associations.

When there is discussion, we will have to talk about the fact that, although the OSCE Missions operate in Latvia and, for example, in Tajikistan, the situation in both places differs. In Baltics the OSCE operation has a different content than in conflict regions, therefore the form should be different. We would like to have the OSCE Mission in Latvia with a different - not Mission - status. While OSCE diplomats know in what Latvia differs from Bosnia, people from the street, even here, in Vienna, may not know that. Everybody has heard about happenings in Bosnia and how the OSCE Mission works there. To those who know about Latvia nothing more than the fact that there is an OSCE Mission, it might give an impression that genocide takes place in Latvia. Besides not only non-professionals have such associations.

- In Chechnya upon the request of Russia there is an OSCE Assistance Group.

- In Chechnya upon the request of Russia there is an OSCE Assistance Group.

At that time this issue was not widely discussed. Russia was ready to agree on the OSCE Assistance Group involvement, not a Mission. When bloodshed started, the most important was to provide its presence, but not to discuss its name. At the same time we do not want to impose our point of view through blackmail. We want to have this issue discussed, because our arguments are sufficient. 

At that time this issue was not widely discussed. Russia was ready to agree on the OSCE Assistance Group involvement, not a Mission. When bloodshed started, the most important was to provide its presence, but not to discuss its name. At the same time we do not want to impose our point of view through blackmail. We want to have this issue discussed, because our arguments are sufficient.

-Why did the Permanent Council respond to Latvia’s initiative during the first discussion round in negative way?

-Why did the Permanent Council respond to Latvias initiative during the first discussion round in negative way?

If there is an option to do something or to do nothing, human nature calls for the last. Some delegations were worried that it would create a precedent and it would be followed by other countries, where there were OSCE missions that would try to dictate rules to the organization. Although on June 19 our proposal was supported only by the Lithuanian delegation, this small scandal helped us. After the meeting representatives of other delegations whose opinion before that was negative, offered us their support. The fact that some delegations try to avoid a discussion of an issue is not a credit to them. In a week - on June 26 - we were supported by 15 European Union countries and the next presiding OSCE country - Poland.

If there is an option to do something or to do nothing, human nature calls for the last. Some delegations were worried that it would create a precedent and it would be followed by other countries, where there were OSCE missions that would try to dictate rules to the organization. Although on June 19 our proposal was supported only by the Lithuanian delegation, this small scandal helped us. After the meeting representatives of other delegations whose opinion before that was negative, offered us their support. The fact that some delegations try to avoid a discussion of an issue is not a credit to them. In a week - on June 26 - we were supported by 15 European Union countries and the next presiding OSCE country - Poland.

- The Russian delegation stressed that Russian speaking population cannot get citizenship because of complicated naturalization exams. What was the opinion of other foreign diplomats on low naturalization numbers?

- The Russian delegation stressed that Russian speaking population cannot get citizenship because of complicated naturalization exams. What was the opinion of other foreign diplomats on low naturalization numbers?

The problem are not exams, and our foreign colleagues understand that. In 1996 only a small percentage of noncitizens who had the right to naturalization used that right. 90 % of those who had exams passed them. Unwillingness to get the citizenship is a bigger problem than the requirements for potential citizens. Luckily, foreign diplomats have started to understand that. The latest initiatives of the President Ulmanis toward naturalization have been considered positively and will help to convince OSCE diplomats of the necessity to reorganize the Mission.

The problem are not exams, and our foreign colleagues understand that. In 1996 only a small percentage of noncitizens who had the right to naturalization used that right. 90 % of those who had exams passed them. Unwillingness to get the citizenship is a bigger problem than the requirements for potential citizens. Luckily, foreign diplomats have started to understand that. The latest initiatives of the President Ulmanis toward naturalization have been considered positively and will help to convince OSCE diplomats of the necessity to reorganize the Mission.

- Is it possible that Latvia’s proposal will not be discussed at all?

- Is it possible that Latvias proposal will not be discussed at all?

We are not a superpower to whom everybody listens irrespective of what it has to say, and who has its own opinion on any issue. Small countries should be pragmatic and have clear priorities, and fight for them in order to influence things that touch their interests. At the end of August, beginning of September we will remind of our initiative, and by the end of the year we hope to get the resolution despite the possible Russian reaction. Latvia has to respond to Russian statements without emotions. In 1994 here, in Hofburg, at discussions about OSCE inspections in Skrunda the Russian representative Sergej Zotov threatened to use military power if the station [ Skrunda] were not going to work as Moscow wanted it.

We are not a superpower to whom everybody listens irrespective of what it has to say, and who has its own opinion on any issue. Small countries should be pragmatic and have clear priorities, and fight for them in order to influence things that touch their interests. At the end of August, beginning of September we will remind of our initiative, and by the end of the year we hope to get the resolution despite the possible Russian reaction. Latvia has to respond to Russian statements without emotions. In 1994 here, in Hofburg, at discussions about OSCE inspections in Skrunda the Russian representative Sergej Zotov threatened to use military power if the station [ Skrunda] were not going to work as Moscow wanted it.

Some years ago, the then Foreign Minister of Russia, Andrej Kozyrev, accused us in ethnic cleansing, thus, comparing the situation in Latvia with one in Bosnia where civilians were killed. This year at the meeting the Russian delegation recognized that Latvia had achieved progress on citizenship issues. Although we do not have the same opinion, during these three years while I am working in Vienna, the relationship with Russian representatives has become more constructive.

Some years ago, the then Foreign Minister of Russia, Andrej Kozyrev, accused us in ethnic cleansing, thus, comparing the situation in Latvia with one in Bosnia where civilians were killed. This year at the meeting the Russian delegation recognized that Latvia had achieved progress on citizenship issues. Although we do not have the same opinion, during these three years while I am working in Vienna, the relationship with Russian representatives has become more constructive.

-In your opinion, when would the OSCE Mission not be needed in Latvia any more?

-In your opinion, when would the OSCE Mission not be needed in Latvia any more?

Switzerland- former presiding country in OSCE - had made it a task to close at least one OSCE Mission. It was presumed to be in Latvia. This idea encountered objections from many countries, including Russia, and it was not put into practice. However, we do not think that along with the closing of the Mission our co-operation with OSCE would end. There are lot of ways how this organization in some cases can help us. Latvia is interested to receive objective reports on the situation that many times have helped refute Russia’s ungrounded critics.

Switzerland- former presiding country in OSCE - had made it a task to close at least one OSCE Mission. It was presumed to be in Latvia. This idea encountered objections from many countries, including Russia, and it was not put into practice. However, we do not think that along with the closing of the Mission our co-operation with OSCE would end. There are lot of ways how this organization in some cases can help us. Latvia is interested to receive objective reports on the situation that many times have helped refute Russias ungrounded critics.

The naturalization process and work in human rights sphere in Latvia has not being undertaken just because of OSCE and other international organizations. We ourselves understand the necessity to integrate non-Latvians and to unite entire society. Things done so far prove it. Our society tries to come closer not because someone forces us to do it. If the Saeima, the President and the Government were not interested in it, even the OSCE Mission could not help.

The naturalization process and work in human rights sphere in Latvia has not being undertaken just because of OSCE and other international organizations. We ourselves understand the necessity to integrate non-Latvians and to unite entire society. Things done so far prove it. Our society tries to come closer not because someone forces us to do it. If the Saeima, the President and the Government were not interested in it, even the OSCE Mission could not help.

The OSCE Mission to Latvia costs five times more than Latvia pays into OSCE budget, therefore we have to use its presence more efficiently. At its very beginning the mission monitored the talks about and later the very withdrawal of the Russian army. Later it helped to solve the repatriation issue of illegal Russian military persons. This is very important, but the presence of OSCE should not undermine states interests and its international prestige.

The OSCE Mission to Latvia costs five times more than Latvia pays into OSCE budget, therefore we have to use its presence more efficiently. At its very beginning the mission monitored the talks about and later the very withdrawal of the Russian army. Later it helped to solve the repatriation issue of illegal Russian military persons. This is very important, but the presence of OSCE should not undermine states interests and its international prestige.