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

The Prime-Minister of Sweden Mr.Carl Bildt visited Latvia on March 30. The aim of the visit was the discussion of the agreements on troop withdrawal, Skrunda, and Russian officers with Prime-Minister Birkavs, President Ulmanis, and members of the Saema Commission for Foreign Affairs. Security issues were on top of the agenda of the meetings. Mr.Bildt stressed during a press-conference that stability and security of independent Latvia are prominent factors of European security. He named a prompt withdrawal of Russian troops from Latvia and other Baltic states as one of the prerequisites of such stability. During a meeting at the Saema Commission for Foreign Affairs Mr.Kirsteins told Mr.Bildt that the ratification of the agreement on social guarantees for pensioned Russian officers by the Saema is questionable. President Ulmanis also underlined that the inhabitants of Latvia are concerned about social guarantees for pensioned Russian officers allowing the stay of around 100,000 retired officers and their family members in Latvia. 

The Prime-Minister of Sweden Mr.Carl Bildt visited Latvia on March 30. The aim of the visit was the discussion of the agreements on troop withdrawal, Skrunda, and Russian officers with Prime-Minister Birkavs, President Ulmanis, and members of the Saema Commission for Foreign Affairs. Security issues were on top of the agenda of the meetings. Mr.Bildt stressed during a press-conference that stability and security of independent Latvia are prominent factors of European security. He named a prompt withdrawal of Russian troops from Latvia and other Baltic states as one of the prerequisites of such stability. During a meeting at the Saema Commission for Foreign Affairs Mr.Kirsteins told Mr.Bildt that the ratification of the agreement on social guarantees for pensioned Russian officers by the Saema is questionable. President Ulmanis also underlined that the inhabitants of Latvia are concerned about social guarantees for pensioned Russian officers allowing the stay of around 100,000 retired officers and their family members in Latvia. Diena

Prime-Minister Birkavs in his interview for "Diena" touched upon the main aspects of the agreements between Russia and Latvia. As the main objective of the agreement he named the elimination of vagueness that is characteristic of the current relations with Russia. He also noted that the agreements do not exclude the possibility of claiming for the international acknowledgement of the occupation of Latvia. Mr.Birkavs said that he had provided Mr.Bildt with documental evidences of the occupation in 1940. The Prime-Minister stressed that pensioned officers would not receive any privileges, would not obtain Latvian citizenship and have the status of foreigners or the stateless. He expects the majority of the officers to take Russian citizenship. Mr.Birkavs also mentioned the fact that even if the agreements were only signed by the Latvian President and were not ratified by the Saema Latvia had the right to start the dismantling of the new part of the facility. The Prime-Minister also noted that Russia needs the agreement to obtain Western loans while Latvia needs it to provide security guarantees and to facilitate its incorporation into the European Community. He stressed that the ratification of the agreement will provide a powerful impetus to the economics of Latvia.

Prime-Minister Birkavs in his interview for "Diena" touched upon the main aspects of the agreements between Russia and Latvia. As the main objective of the agreement he named the elimination of vagueness that is characteristic of the current relations with Russia. He also noted that the agreements do not exclude the possibility of claiming for the international acknowledgement of the occupation of Latvia. Mr.Birkavs said that he had provided Mr.Bildt with documental evidences of the occupation in 1940. The Prime-Minister stressed that pensioned officers would not receive any privileges, would not obtain Latvian citizenship and have the status of foreigners or the stateless. He expects the majority of the officers to take Russian citizenship. Mr.Birkavs also mentioned the fact that even if the agreements were only signed by the Latvian President and were not ratified by the Saema Latvia had the right to start the dismantling of the new part of the facility. The Prime-Minister also noted that Russia needs the agreement to obtain Western loans while Latvia needs it to provide security guarantees and to facilitate its incorporation into the European Community. He stressed that the ratification of the agreement will provide a powerful impetus to the economics of Latvia. Diena

During the meeting of Latvian Radio and TV management on the issue of "Ostankino" re-broadcasting an unidentified person called Latvian TV and warned about a bomb planted in the building. Fortunately it was a false alarm.

During the meeting of Latvian Radio and TV management on the issue of "Ostankino" re-broadcasting an unidentified person called Latvian TV and warned about a bomb planted in the building. Fortunately it was a false alarm. Vakara Zinas

During the meeting of the Co-ordination Council of the Technical Managers of Radio and Television of the former USSR the issue of the broadcasting of "Ostankino" programs in the former Soviet Union republics was discussed. The company agrees to pay for the re-broadcasting in Latvia during the first quarter of this year according to current rates. Russian State TV has not paid for the re-broadcasting as well. Still its debt is much lower. It is planned that half of the amount to be paid by "Ostankino TV" will be funded from the Russian state budget. At the same time it was stressed that local companies will cover the re-broadcasting expences in the future. The Director of the Latvian Mass-media Foundation Mr.Rozenvalds, the General Director of "Ostankino" for technical issues Mr.Makoveyev and Deputy director Mr.Khlebnikov have discussed the possibility of a contest to be held among Latvian companies for the right of representing "Ostankino" in Latvia. "Ostankino" agrees to provide its programs for Latvian commercials.

During the meeting of the Co-ordination Council of the Technical Managers of Radio and Television of the former USSR the issue of the broadcasting of "Ostankino" programs in the former Soviet Union republics was discussed. The company agrees to pay for the re-broadcasting in Latvia during the first quarter of this year according to current rates. Russian State TV has not paid for the re-broadcasting as well. Still its debt is much lower. It is planned that half of the amount to be paid by "Ostankino TV" will be funded from the Russian state budget. At the same time it was stressed that local companies will cover the re-broadcasting expences in the future. The Director of the Latvian Mass-media Foundation Mr.Rozenvalds, the General Director of "Ostankino" for technical issues Mr.Makoveyev and Deputy director Mr.Khlebnikov have discussed the possibility of a contest to be held among Latvian companies for the right of representing "Ostankino" in Latvia. "Ostankino" agrees to provide its programs for Latvian commercials. Diena