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

April 30 has been named as the date of President Ulmanis' visit to Moscow. According to the President's Office main agreements could be signed by the presidents while the remaining ones will be signed by the prime-ministers. The Office did not say anything on the plans for the signing of three agreements out of four. Russian President's Press-Secretary Mr.Kostikov said that Russia would not be satisfied with the withdrawal of the agreement on pensioned servicemen from the package. Similar point of view has been expressed by Mr.Zotov and several high-ranking Russian Government officials. At the same time Russia agreed to discuss the issue during the meeting of the two presidents in Moscow. Expert groups are working in Moscow on the elimination of certain problems caused by inconsistencies in the translation. The latvian party suggested that the agreement on pensioned servicemen should be supplemented by several paragraphs.

April 30 has been named as the date of President Ulmanis' visit to Moscow. According to the President's Office main agreements could be signed by the presidents while the remaining ones will be signed by the prime-ministers. The Office did not say anything on the plans for the signing of three agreements out of four. Russian President's Press-Secretary Mr.Kostikov said that Russia would not be satisfied with the withdrawal of the agreement on pensioned servicemen from the package. Similar point of view has been expressed by Mr.Zotov and several high-ranking Russian Government officials. At the same time Russia agreed to discuss the issue during the meeting of the two presidents in Moscow. Expert groups are working in Moscow on the elimination of certain problems caused by inconsistencies in the translation. The latvian party suggested that the agreement on pensioned servicemen should be supplemented by several paragraphs. Diena, Labrit

The voting on the confidence to the Government was held in the Saeima on April 21. The voting was suggested by Prime-Minister Birkavs. The majority of the deputies expressed their confidence to the Government. The extraordinary Plenary Meeting of the Saeima that took place on April 20 did not adopt any decree on the adoption of the agreements with Russia. The demand of the nationalist block to form a new delegation to the talks was not supported.

The voting on the confidence to the Government was held in the Saeima on April 21. The voting was suggested by Prime-Minister Birkavs. The majority of the deputies expressed their confidence to the Government. The extraordinary Plenary Meeting of the Saeima that took place on April 20 did not adopt any decree on the adoption of the agreements with Russia. The demand of the nationalist block to form a new delegation to the talks was not supported. Diena

A press-conference of the Head of the Citizenship and Immigration Department Mr.Zitars was held on April 20. The inconsistency of the existing laws was stressed. It was also pointed out that the Department had protested against the decree by the Ministry of Social Welfare refusing to pay benefits to persons with "round stamps". The Department suggested the issuance of "return guarantees" for non-citizens leaving the country for the term not exceeding 6 months should be canceled. The officials of the Department underlined the importance of the issuance of temporary residence permits for persons having "round stamps". Draft amendments to the law on the stay of foreigners and stateless persons in Latvia will be submitted by the Department to the saeima soon.

A press-conference of the Head of the Citizenship and Immigration Department Mr.Zitars was held on April 20. The inconsistency of the existing laws was stressed. It was also pointed out that the Department had protested against the decree by the Ministry of Social Welfare refusing to pay benefits to persons with "round stamps". The Department suggested the issuance of "return guarantees" for non-citizens leaving the country for the term not exceeding 6 months should be canceled. The officials of the Department underlined the importance of the issuance of temporary residence permits for persons having "round stamps". Draft amendments to the law on the stay of foreigners and stateless persons in Latvia will be submitted by the Department to the saeima soon. SM Segodnya, Panorama Latvii

The Latvian Committee for Human Rights and Humanitarian Co-Operation has issued a statement demanding to allow a rally of the Association of Independent Trade-Unions and to register the League of the Stateless. The statement also criticized the Citizenship and Immigration Department and the idea of creating the immigration police. The committee organizes the picketing of the City Hall on April 22.

The Latvian Committee for Human Rights and Humanitarian Co-Operation has issued a statement demanding to allow a rally of the Association of Independent Trade-Unions and to register the League of the Stateless. The statement also criticized the Citizenship and Immigration Department and the idea of creating the immigration police. The committee organizes the picketing of the City Hall on April 22. SM SEgodnya