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

According to Martins Virsis the ratification of the Agreement on Terms, Conditions, and the Procedure of troop withdrawal will automatically imply the ratification of the remaining three agreements. He also believes that Russia could be willing to ratify the agreement before June 30. The BNS agency says that The Saema Commission of Foreign Affairs has decided that the Law on the Status of Foreigners and Stateless Individuals and the appeal to the UN member countries for the recognition of Latvia's occupation should be adopted before the ratification of the agreement. Mr.Virsis still believes that the adoption of these documents should not be connected to the ratification of the agreement. The "Tevzemei un Brivibai" fraction decided to address Prime-Minister Birkavs with an inquiry . The inquiry contains a demand to provide the agreements to the Saema for making a final decision on the issue. The Draft Law on Referendum has been submitted to the Legal Commission of the Saema in order to make the referendum on Skrunda possible.

According to Martins Virsis the ratification of the Agreement on Terms, Conditions, and the Procedure of troop withdrawal will automatically imply the ratification of the remaining three agreements. He also believes that Russia could be willing to ratify the agreement before June 30. The BNS agency says that The Saema Commission of Foreign Affairs has decided that the Law on the Status of Foreigners and Stateless Individuals and the appeal to the UN member countries for the recognition of Latvia's occupation should be adopted before the ratification of the agreement. Mr.Virsis still believes that the adoption of these documents should not be connected to the ratification of the agreement. The "Tevzemei un Brivibai" fraction decided to address Prime-Minister Birkavs with an inquiry . The inquiry contains a demand to provide the agreements to the Saema for making a final decision on the issue. The Draft Law on Referendum has been submitted to the Legal Commission of the Saema in order to make the referendum on Skrunda possible. Diena

The US President called off the embargo on arm sales to the three Baltic states, Bulgaria, Romania, and Albania. he memorandum addressed my the US President to the Secretary of State says that the provision of military services and armaments to those states will help to maintain peace in the world and strengthen the security of the United States.

The US President called off the embargo on arm sales to the three Baltic states, Bulgaria, Romania, and Albania. he memorandum addressed my the US President to the Secretary of State says that the provision of military services and armaments to those states will help to maintain peace in the world and strengthen the security of the United States. Diena

According to the Bureau for the Troop Withdrawal Control there are around 7,000 servicemen and 190 Russian army units distributed in Latvia. The Head of the Bureau Mr.Upmalis expressed his concern about the fact that the Russian side had not provided Latvia with the schedule of troop withdrawal. Russian Ambassador to Latvia Mr.Rannih said that the schedule had been already prepared and would be handed over to the Latvian side after the agreements are signed. The Bureau also evaluated the overall debts of the Russian army (unpaid taxes and services) to be Ls 9,865,031.

According to the Bureau for the Troop Withdrawal Control there are around 7,000 servicemen and 190 Russian army units distributed in Latvia. The Head of the Bureau Mr.Upmalis expressed his concern about the fact that the Russian side had not provided Latvia with the schedule of troop withdrawal. Russian Ambassador to Latvia Mr.Rannih said that the schedule had been already prepared and would be handed over to the Latvian side after the agreements are signed. The Bureau also evaluated the overall debts of the Russian army (unpaid taxes and services) to be Ls 9,865,031. Diena

The meeting of the presidents of the three Baltic states will be held in Palanga (Lithuania) on March 25. Among the issues of discussion will be relations with Russia, European Community, attitude towards the "Partnership for Peace" programme and the Stability Pact.

The meeting of the presidents of the three Baltic states will be held in Palanga (Lithuania) on March 25. Among the issues of discussion will be relations with Russia, European Community, attitude towards the "Partnership for Peace" programme and the Stability Pact. Diena

Mr.Mavrik Vulfson, one of the leaders of the "Saskana" fraction gives supports the agreement with Russia in his article in "DIENA". He points out the "hysterical protests" of nationalists against the ratification of the agreement are part of their pre-election tactics. He believes that the accomplishment of the troop withdrawal will ease the tension currently existing in the country. He also stresses that irrespective of Latvia's political orientation Russia will remain its geographical neighbor and that it is impossible to ignore the fact that a large number of ethnic Russians is still residing in Latvia. The loyalty of a non-Latvian part of the population will largely depend on the laws adopted by the Saema. He also reminds the readers of the fact that political stability in the pre-war Latvia was based upon such loyalty on the part of ethnic minorities.

Mr.Mavrik Vulfson, one of the leaders of the "Saskana" fraction gives supports the agreement with Russia in his article in "DIENA". He points out the "hysterical protests" of nationalists against the ratification of the agreement are part of their pre-election tactics. He believes that the accomplishment of the troop withdrawal will ease the tension currently existing in the country. He also stresses that irrespective of Latvia's political orientation Russia will remain its geographical neighbor and that it is impossible to ignore the fact that a large number of ethnic Russians is still residing in Latvia. The loyalty of a non-Latvian part of the population will largely depend on the laws adopted by the Saema. He also reminds the readers of the fact that political stability in the pre-war Latvia was based upon such loyalty on the part of ethnic minorities. Diena

Mr.Peteris Tabuns, the LNNK deputy to the Saema, gives his arguments in favor of the stopping of re-broadcasting of the Ostankino TV Programs in Latvia. He suggests the programs should be "corrected" or cut off altogether. He stresses that this is not the matter of censorship and that it is quite logical if Latvia refuses to re-broadcast the programs that slander the state of Latvia. He also does not agree that such step could be classified as the violation of the right for the access to information since Russian TV is available through a satellite. The author also insists upon creating a less comfortable environment for the great part of the Russian-speaking inhabitants since "they should not be given any illusions about the possibility of their stay in Latvia." In addition he says that due to the flabbiness of the Government the people who once participated in the "putch" are now controlling Latvia's economics and finance, and determine the policy of the country.

Mr.Peteris Tabuns, the LNNK deputy to the Saema, gives his arguments in favor of the stopping of re-broadcasting of the Ostankino TV Programs in Latvia. He suggests the programs should be "corrected" or cut off altogether. He stresses that this is not the matter of censorship and that it is quite logical if Latvia refuses to re-broadcast the programs that slander the state of Latvia. He also does not agree that such step could be classified as the violation of the right for the access to information since Russian TV is available through a satellite. The author also insists upon creating a less comfortable environment for the great part of the Russian-speaking inhabitants since "they should not be given any illusions about the possibility of their stay in Latvia." In addition he says that due to the flabbiness of the Government the people who once participated in the "putch" are now controlling Latvia's economics and finance, and determine the policy of the country. Diena

The Draft Law on the Status of the Politically Oppressed does not provide any definite benefits to the people who were taken to Latvia by the Nazis by force and were used as agricultural workers or were put in a concentration camp. Instead the Draft Law suggests that compensation to such persons should be paid by the country whose Communist or Fascist regime was responsible for the imprisonment or exile. the author of the article also points out that some of the Latvian citizens responsible for the "evacuation" of the civilians to concentration camps will receive the status of politically oppressed.

The Draft Law on the Status of the Politically Oppressed does not provide any definite benefits to the people who were taken to Latvia by the Nazis by force and were used as agricultural workers or were put in a concentration camp. Instead the Draft Law suggests that compensation to such persons should be paid by the country whose Communist or Fascist regime was responsible for the imprisonment or exile. the author of the article also points out that some of the Latvian citizens responsible for the "evacuation" of the civilians to concentration camps will receive the status of politically oppressed. PL