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 Head of the Russian Delegation to the talks with Latvia Mr.Sergey Zotov said in his interview for "DIENA" that Decree # 174 by President Yeltsin did not exists and that there was a completely different document registered by the President's Office under the same number. He also said that was an official explanation given to the Russian delegation. He also suggested that President Yeltsin did not know about the error. According to Zotov Mr.Yeltsin is ready to meet with President Ulmanis. He also stressed the necessity of a meeting between the delegations in order to discuss further steps to be taken. 

The Head of the Russian Delegation to the talks with Latvia Mr.Sergey Zotov said in his interview for "DIENA" that Decree # 174 by President Yeltsin did not exists and that there was a completely different document registered by the President's Office under the same number. He also said that was an official explanation given to the Russian delegation. He also suggested that President Yeltsin did not know about the error. According to Zotov Mr.Yeltsin is ready to meet with President Ulmanis. He also stressed the necessity of a meeting between the delegations in order to discuss further steps to be taken.Diena

On April 18 the Presidium of the Saeima decreed to hold an Extraordinary Plenary Meeting of the Saeima on April 20. The agenda will include the adoption of a draft decree on the initialled agreements and on the new delegation to the talks on troop withdrawal. The request for the Extraordinary Meeting to be held was signed LNNK, "Tevzemei un Brivibai", Christian Democrats (except for Olafs Bruvers), Democratic Party, independent deputies Zigerist and Saulitis, Oskars Grigs of the Farmers' Union, Janis Jurkans and Andris Ameriks of the National Consent, and Romans Apsitis of "Latvijas Cels". The draft decree is directed against the signing of the agreement and recommends to nominate a new delegation to the troop withdrawal talks. The draft also stresses the lack of security guarantees on the part of the West. Indulis Berzins of "Latvijas Cels" evaluated the situation as "dangerous" stressing that Russia is not interested in the signing of the agreements. He also noted that the draft decree was the "last attempt of the opposition to rock the boat" in order to win the election.

On April 18 the Presidium of the Saeima decreed to hold an Extraordinary Plenary Meeting of the Saeima on April 20. The agenda will include the adoption of a draft decree on the initialled agreements and on the new delegation to the talks on troop withdrawal. The request for the Extraordinary Meeting to be held was signed LNNK, "Tevzemei un Brivibai", Christian Democrats (except for Olafs Bruvers), Democratic Party, independent deputies Zigerist and Saulitis, Oskars Grigs of the Farmers' Union, Janis Jurkans and Andris Ameriks of the National Consent, and Romans Apsitis of "Latvijas Cels". The draft decree is directed against the signing of the agreement and recommends to nominate a new delegation to the troop withdrawal talks. The draft also stresses the lack of security guarantees on the part of the West. Indulis Berzins of "Latvijas Cels" evaluated the situation as "dangerous" stressing that Russia is not interested in the signing of the agreements. He also noted that the draft decree was the "last attempt of the opposition to rock the boat" in order to win the election. Diena

President Ulmanis referred to the idea of the Extraordinary Meeting as useless. at the same time he stressed that the signing of the agreements was not possible unless the decree on the creation of a military base in Latvia was revoked by President Yeltsin.

President Ulmanis referred to the idea of the Extraordinary Meeting as useless. at the same time he stressed that the signing of the agreements was not possible unless the decree on the creation of a military base in Latvia was revoked by President Yeltsin. Labrit

On April 18 the US Department of State expert group met with the Vice-Chairman of the Saeima Mr.Andreis Krastins. They expressed their support for the comprehensive agreement on troop withdrawal. Mr.Krastins pointed at serious drawbacks of the initialled agreements. He also stressed the unacceptability of the stay of pensioned officers in Latvia. He pointed out that Russia was disbanding its units on the territory of Latvia. While discussing the citizenship law Mr.Krastins said that the law should precisely define the status of non-citizens and would be preceded by an alien law.

On April 18 the US Department of State expert group met with the Vice-Chairman of the Saeima Mr.Andreis Krastins. They expressed their support for the comprehensive agreement on troop withdrawal. Mr.Krastins pointed at serious drawbacks of the initialled agreements. He also stressed the unacceptability of the stay of pensioned officers in Latvia. He pointed out that Russia was disbanding its units on the territory of Latvia. While discussing the citizenship law Mr.Krastins said that the law should precisely define the status of non-citizens and would be preceded by an alien law. Diena