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

Several Saeima fractions took a temporizing attitude towards the signing of the agreements between Russia and Latvia expecting the revocation of the decree by Boris Yeltsin mentioning the creation of a military base in Latvia. Still, the representatives of the Nationalist Block are collecting deputies' signatures they need to summon an Extraordinary Plenary Meeting of the Saeima on April 20 to discuss the nomination of a new delegation to the talks and the turning down of the initialled agreements. The total of 33 signatures is required. Ilga Grava , the deputy of the Democratic Party fraction expressed the opinion that the Extraordinary Plenary Meeting could be held to facilitate the final negotiation and the signing of the agreements. Aivars Berkis, the spokesman for the Latvian Farmers' Union fraction said that the agreements are unacceptable both to Russia and Latvia and that Russia had taken a decisive step to prevent the signing. The final decision on the attitude of the fraction to the issue will be taken after an official statement is made by the President or the Prime-Minister of Latvia. The Deputy-Chairman of the "Latvijas Cels" fraction Andris Piebalgs abstained from comments on a possible Extraordinary Meeting. He pointed out that his fraction had certain objections against the agreement on social guarantees for retired officers.

Several Saeima fractions took a temporizing attitude towards the signing of the agreements between Russia and Latvia expecting the revocation of the decree by Boris Yeltsin mentioning the creation of a military base in Latvia. Still, the representatives of the Nationalist Block are collecting deputies' signatures they need to summon an Extraordinary Plenary Meeting of the Saeima on April 20 to discuss the nomination of a new delegation to the talks and the turning down of the initialled agreements. The total of 33 signatures is required. Ilga Grava , the deputy of the Democratic Party fraction expressed the opinion that the Extraordinary Plenary Meeting could be held to facilitate the final negotiation and the signing of the agreements. Aivars Berkis, the spokesman for the Latvian Farmers' Union fraction said that the agreements are unacceptable both to Russia and Latvia and that Russia had taken a decisive step to prevent the signing. The final decision on the attitude of the fraction to the issue will be taken after an official statement is made by the President or the Prime-Minister of Latvia. The Deputy-Chairman of the "Latvijas Cels" fraction Andris Piebalgs abstained from comments on a possible Extraordinary Meeting. He pointed out that his fraction had certain objections against the agreement on social guarantees for retired officers. Diena

During his press conference in Riga Mr.Ulmanis stressed that Western leaders supported Latvia in its efforts to achieve a complete withdrawal of Russian troops and to come to terms with Russia. He also pointed out that the West was also ready to render financial support to facilitate the repatriation of Russian pensioned servicemen and the dismantling of the Skrunda radar. Prime-Minister Birkavs said that the Russian Ambassador Rannikh had informed the Government of Latvia of a certain official message from Moscow that was expected to be received by the Latvian Government on Friday. 

During his press conference in Riga Mr.Ulmanis stressed that Western leaders supported Latvia in its efforts to achieve a complete withdrawal of Russian troops and to come to terms with Russia. He also pointed out that the West was also ready to render financial support to facilitate the repatriation of Russian pensioned servicemen and the dismantling of the Skrunda radar. Prime-Minister Birkavs said that the Russian Ambassador Rannikh had informed the Government of Latvia of a certain official message from Moscow that was expected to be received by the Latvian Government on Friday.Diena

Minister of Foreign Affairs Georgs Andreyevs informed the press that an official revocation of the decree by President Yeltsin to be handed over by Russian Ambassador Rannikh to the President of Latvia. "We know that Koziryev and Gratchev advised the Russian President to prepare such document", said Mr.Andreyev.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Georgs Andreyevs informed the press that an official revocation of the decree by President Yeltsin to be handed over by Russian Ambassador Rannikh to the President of Latvia. "We know that Koziryev and Gratchev advised the Russian President to prepare such document", said Mr.Andreyev. Labrit

In his interview for "LABRIT" the Head of Press and Information Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia Mr. Karasins said that Russia would not object to the participation of a third party in the negotiations between Russia and Latvia. Still he added that such participation would not be a noticeable contribution to the talks since the agreement had been already achieved.

In his interview for "LABRIT" the Head of Press and Information Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia Mr. Karasins said that Russia would not object to the participation of a third party in the negotiations between Russia and Latvia. Still he added that such participation would not be a noticeable contribution to the talks since the agreement had been already achieved. Labrit

On April 14 the President of Ministers Valdis Birkavs delivered a lecture on Latvia's security concept in the Latvian University. He stressed that the opposition both in Latvia and in Russia argued against the signing of the agreements. Such confrontation in Latvia can lead to the internal political crisis, said he. He also said that Yeltsin's official explanations were expected on Friday.

On April 14 the President of Ministers Valdis Birkavs delivered a lecture on Latvia's security concept in the Latvian University. He stressed that the opposition both in Latvia and in Russia argued against the signing of the agreements. Such confrontation in Latvia can lead to the internal political crisis, said he. He also said that Yeltsin's official explanations were expected on Friday. Labrit

Amendments to the Law "On Foreigners' and Stateless Persons' Entrance to and Stay in the Republic of Latvia" and to the Law "On the Police" were adopted by the extraordinary meeting of the Government on April 14. According to the Chairman of the Saeima Human rights Commission Inese Birzniece the amendments apply to persons who entered the country illegally and specify the expulsion procedure. She also said that the amendments had been approved of by the CSCE Mission to Latvia and had not been adopted finally. It also was stressed that "mass deportations were not implied" and that the amendments "do not apply to persons whose legal status in Latvia has not been defined yet. According to the Minister for Special Missions Mr.Edvins Inkens around 400 persons were evicted from Latvia last year.

Amendments to the Law "On Foreigners' and Stateless Persons' Entrance to and Stay in the Republic of Latvia" and to the Law "On the Police" were adopted by the extraordinary meeting of the Government on April 14. According to the Chairman of the Saeima Human rights Commission Inese Birzniece the amendments apply to persons who entered the country illegally and specify the expulsion procedure. She also said that the amendments had been approved of by the CSCE Mission to Latvia and had not been adopted finally. It also was stressed that "mass deportations were not implied" and that the amendments "do not apply to persons whose legal status in Latvia has not been defined yet. According to the Minister for Special Missions Mr.Edvins Inkens around 400 persons were evicted from Latvia last year. Diena