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

Latvia has decided to start one sided demarcation of Latvian - Russian border. There is not much co-operation in this field, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs V.Birkavs announced yesterday that, with starting this demarcation, Russia would be asked to sign the border agreement as soon as possible because it had already been prepared. The Minister stressed that this Latvian decision should not be considered as a “hostile act” but just a wish to arrange Latvian border.

Latvia has decided to start one sided demarcation of Latvian - Russian border. There is not much co-operation in this field, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs V.Birkavs announced yesterday that, with starting this demarcation, Russia would be asked to sign the border agreement as soon as possible because it had already been prepared. The Minister stressed that this Latvian decision should not be considered as a hostile act but just a wish to arrange Latvian border. Neatkariga, Diena, Jauna Avize, SM, Bizness & Baltiya

The Head of the national program Public Integration in Latvia O.Tipanis has calculated that prepare this program they would need 96 318 Ls that would come from the budget of the Ministry of Finances.

The Head of the national program Public Integration in Latvia O.Tipanis has calculated that prepare this program they would need 96 318 Ls that would come from the budget of the Ministry of Finances. Neatkariga

With the falling apart of the faction of the National Reform and Green parties, the number of government forming factions has decreased. Now there are only 39 deputies. In addition, the NRP representative, Minister of the Interior A.Krastins is now an independent deputy. Despite of all this, there is not any special danger for G.Krasts’s government. It was the minority government even before it, and several independent deputies support it. Therefore it is not anticipated that somebody would ask for a vote of confidence, and it is senseless to do it just before the election.

With the falling apart of the faction of the National Reform and Green parties, the number of government forming factions has decreased. Now there are only 39 deputies. In addition, the NRP representative, Minister of the Interior A.Krastins is now an independent deputy. Despite of all this, there is not any special danger for G.Krastss government. It was the minority government even before it, and several independent deputies support it. Therefore it is not anticipated that somebody would ask for a vote of confidence, and it is senseless to do it just before the election. Rigas Balss

Last week there was a meeting of Russian public organisations from many regions of Latvia, and the result of this meeting was establishment of Russian Public Council (RPC). The aim of this organisation is to unite efforts of Russian speakers of Latvia, especially before the election. Although people in the organisations, represented in RPC, are mostly non-citizens, they still can support the block of left wing parties in the election of 1998.

Last week there was a meeting of Russian public organisations from many regions of Latvia, and the result of this meeting was establishment of Russian Public Council (RPC). The aim of this organisation is to unite efforts of Russian speakers of Latvia, especially before the election. Although people in the organisations, represented in RPC, are mostly non-citizens, they still can support the block of left wing parties in the election of 1998. Panorama Latvii

Representatives of Latvian Committee of Human Rights give chronological description of all events that happened in Latvia in June in the field of integration, naming this article

Representatives of Latvian Committee of Human Rights give chronological description of all events that happened in Latvia in June in the field of integration, naming this article Integration without integration, and describe the activities of the Committee during this period. Panorama Latvii

Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs V.Birkavs has no doubt that Skrunda Radar station will stop its operation on August 31. The tender on dismantling of the station, organised by the Russian party is finished, and the winner is a Latvian firm. Russia government will pay rent for all the period of dismantling. The Minister also pointed out that talks on abolishing the regime of most favourite nations status in trade had no grounds. There were some rumours that it would be abolished when the Radar station was turned off. He did not see any reason for such an action although he could give no guarantees.

Bizness & Baltiya