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 April 12 President Ulmanis sent a letter from Paris requesting to cancel the Extraordinary Plenary Meeting of the Saeima. The letter says that since Russia has not officially canceled Decree #174 the Latvian President will not meet with Mr.Yeltsin. The letter also states that under the current circumstances the signing of the agreements in their present wording is impossible. President of Ministers Birkavs has also canceled his request for the extraordinary meeting. The spokesmen for the nationalist parliament block informed the press that an act of protest would take place at the time previously scheduled for the meeting on April 15 at 8.30 a.m. The sirens and automobile horns will be on across the nation, and on April 22 a rally "From Night till Morning" will be held near the Skrunda radar with the participation of rock bands.

On April 12 President Ulmanis sent a letter from Paris requesting to cancel the Extraordinary Plenary Meeting of the Saeima. The letter says that since Russia has not officially canceled Decree #174 the Latvian President will not meet with Mr.Yeltsin. The letter also states that under the current circumstances the signing of the agreements in their present wording is impossible. President of Ministers Birkavs has also canceled his request for the extraordinary meeting. The spokesmen for the nationalist parliament block informed the press that an act of protest would take place at the time previously scheduled for the meeting on April 15 at 8.30 a.m. The sirens and automobile horns will be on across the nation, and on April 22 a rally "From Night till Morning" will be held near the Skrunda radar with the participation of rock bands. Diena

According to Mr.Grigory Karasin, the Director of the Information Department of the Russian Foreign Office Mr.Ulmanis' visit is still expected in Moscow. He said that Russia had produced sufficient explanations regarding the decree by President Yeltsin. Still, Latvia has not received any official confirmation of the cancellation of the decree. In accordance with the Russian legislation the decree can formally come into force this Wednesday.

According to Mr.Grigory Karasin, the Director of the Information Department of the Russian Foreign Office Mr.Ulmanis' visit is still expected in Moscow. He said that Russia had produced sufficient explanations regarding the decree by President Yeltsin. Still, Latvia has not received any official confirmation of the cancellation of the decree. In accordance with the Russian legislation the decree can formally come into force this Wednesday. Diena

During President Ulmanis' visit to France the French side suggested to solve the troop withdrawal-associated problems in the framework of the Balladur Plan. The adoption of the Balladur Plan is scheduled for May 25-27. The Latvian party approved of the suggestion though the issues to be resolved within the Balladur Plan process are still to be defined. The French side approved of the agreements noting that though the latter contained certain compromises they would bind Russia with the obligation to withdraw its troops until August 31. The proposition for creating an international foundation for Skrunda dismantling and housing programs for pensioned officers willing to move to Russia were also supported by France. Martnis Virsis pointed out in response to the interest expressed by the French side that the citizenship law would be adopted after the issue of troops withdrawal is resolved. On April 13 the Latvian delegation will meet with Mr.John Major and Mr.Douglas Herd in London.

During President Ulmanis' visit to France the French side suggested to solve the troop withdrawal-associated problems in the framework of the Balladur Plan. The adoption of the Balladur Plan is scheduled for May 25-27. The Latvian party approved of the suggestion though the issues to be resolved within the Balladur Plan process are still to be defined. The French side approved of the agreements noting that though the latter contained certain compromises they would bind Russia with the obligation to withdraw its troops until August 31. The proposition for creating an international foundation for Skrunda dismantling and housing programs for pensioned officers willing to move to Russia were also supported by France. Martnis Virsis pointed out in response to the interest expressed by the French side that the citizenship law would be adopted after the issue of troops withdrawal is resolved. On April 13 the Latvian delegation will meet with Mr.John Major and Mr.Douglas Herd in London. Diena

Mr.Paul Gauble, the Senior Executive of the Carnegie Peace Foundation gave a brief analysis of the current political situation in Russia and its relations with Latvia in his interview for the DIENA newspaper. He evaluated the recent decree by President Yeltsin as an attempt to test the tolerance of the international community. He pointed out that Yeltsin and his government are not controlling the situation in their country any more. It was also stressed that the agreement was still important for Latvia since the withdrawal of Russian troops is the most vital issue for Latvia. At the same time he approved of the decision of the Latvian Government to refuse to sign the agreement unless the decree was officially canceled by President Yeltsin. He also stressed that Russia needed the agreement as well; the signing of the agreement will facilitate its joining of European international institutions.

Mr.Paul Gauble, the Senior Executive of the Carnegie Peace Foundation gave a brief analysis of the current political situation in Russia and its relations with Latvia in his interview for the DIENA newspaper. He evaluated the recent decree by President Yeltsin as an attempt to test the tolerance of the international community. He pointed out that Yeltsin and his government are not controlling the situation in their country any more. It was also stressed that the agreement was still important for Latvia since the withdrawal of Russian troops is the most vital issue for Latvia. At the same time he approved of the decision of the Latvian Government to refuse to sign the agreement unless the decree was officially canceled by President Yeltsin. He also stressed that Russia needed the agreement as well; the signing of the agreement will facilitate its joining of European international institutions. Diena

Egils Baldzens, the Deputy-Chairman of the Social-Democratic Party of Latvia, suggests that amendments should be introduced into the agreements with Russia. He stresses the necessity of the acknowledgement of the occupation of Latvia by Russia, cancellation of the decree by President Yeltsin, and restriction of privileges for pensioned officers.

Egils Baldzens, the Deputy-Chairman of the Social-Democratic Party of Latvia, suggests that amendments should be introduced into the agreements with Russia. He stresses the necessity of the acknowledgement of the occupation of Latvia by Russia, cancellation of the decree by President Yeltsin, and restriction of privileges for pensioned officers. Diena