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

Press Review

Four families of Russian military servicemen employed at Skrunda Radar station have submitted an application to the DCMA for receiving a permit to stay in Latvia. All together there are 10 people in these families. The Commander of Skrunda Radar station has already submitted a list of 30 families (98 people) willing to stay in Latvia, but the rest of these families (88 people) have not submitted their applications and the necessary documents to the DCMA.

Four families of Russian military servicemen employed at Skrunda Radar station have submitted an application to the DCMA for receiving a permit to stay in Latvia. All together there are 10 people in these families. The Commander of Skrunda Radar station has already submitted a list of 30 families (98 people) willing to stay in Latvia, but the rest of these families (88 people) have not submitted their applications and the necessary documents to the DCMA. Neatkariga

In its turn the newspaper

In its turn the newspaper Diena writes about 10 such families. As a DCMA official M.Zile informed Diena, in three of these families one of the spouses was a citizen of Latvia, so they could hope for receiving a residence permit. The residence permit for these thirty families expires on September 30, but according to M.Zile, they will not be expelled while their applications are not considered.

Neatkariga

instructs the future participants in the referendum on the amendments to the Law on Citizenship. It published the voting sign with the question Are you for abolishment of the law Amendments to the Law on Citizenship of June 22, 1998 ? and a brief explanation of these amendments. instructs the future participants in the referendum on the amendments to the Law on Citizenship. It published the voting sign with the question “Are you for abolishment of the law “Amendments to the Law on Citizenship” of June 22, 1998 ?” and a brief explanation of these amendments. In order to find out the position of different parties on foreign policy aspects,

In order to find out the position of different parties on foreign policy aspects, Diena questioned the representatives of five political parties. One of the questions was what according their understanding would be the most important activity to tart discussion on Latvia joining EU?

A.Zunda

A.Zunda Latvian Farmers Union - ...to adopt the amendments to the Law on Citizenship ass soon as possible, giving the priority to the knowledge of the state language;

M.Vulfsons

M.Vulfsons Peoples Harmony Party - ... If we are in the government, we will work on alignment of our legislation according to EU and OSCE recommendations, as well as manage to conclude a border agreement with Russia;

A.Ameriks

A.Ameriks Democratic Party Saimnieks - ... formation of a civic society;

A.Kreituss

A.Kreituss Union of LP/UCD/LGP - ... To establish the post of the State Minister of Public Integration, the Minister will work directly under the Prime Minister and will prepare integration programs for different age groups, paying maximum attention to the training of the state language. For this there is a large financial support promised from the institutions influenced by Max van der Stoel. Diena

Latvijas Cels

decided not to vote for the draft state budget for 1999 if financing for education and science were not increased. The Minister of Education J.Gaigals (Latvijas Cels) found the sum allocated for this purpose 43 153 650 Ls too little, and he was followed by the announcement of the faction Latvijas Cels that it would not vote for the draft budget in its present form. The leader of the faction K.Libane explained that they did not want to overthrow the government but just want their demand to be fulfilled. Chas

Russian Ambassador to Latvia A.Udaltsov comments on the Russian - Latvian relations in the light of recent events. He states that these relations depend not on the personalia of the leading figures, but the cause of all problems is still the same - the situation of Russian population in Latvia. Russia is waiting for Latvia to implement all OSCE recommendations on citizenship, language, education, and in a broader sense - harmonising of Latvian legislation with European standards and those international documents, Latvia has signed. When asked about the influence of the referendum on bilateral relations, A.Udaltsov said that it would have a direct impact on these relations although he did not want to agitate Latvian citizens neither “for” nor “against”. What concerns the border agreement between Russia and Latvia, the Ambassador explained that the agreement had not been signed yet, and it depended on the bilateral relations. A.Udaltsov also said that the problem of delayed pensions payments for Russian military pensioners was being solved on the top level, Ye.Primakov himself was involved in this problem.

Russian Ambassador to Latvia A.Udaltsov comments on the Russian - Latvian relations in the light of recent events. He states that these relations depend not on the personalia of the leading figures, but the cause of all problems is still the same - the situation of Russian population in Latvia. Russia is waiting for Latvia to implement all OSCE recommendations on citizenship, language, education, and in a broader sense - harmonising of Latvian legislation with European standards and those international documents, Latvia has signed. When asked about the influence of the referendum on bilateral relations, A.Udaltsov said that it would have a direct impact on these relations although he did not want to agitate Latvian citizens neither for nor against. What concerns the border agreement between Russia and Latvia, the Ambassador explained that the agreement had not been signed yet, and it depended on the bilateral relations. A.Udaltsov also said that the problem of delayed pensions payments for Russian military pensioners was being solved on the top level, Ye.Primakov himself was involved in this problem. Chas

A conference “Ethnic minorities, inter ethnic relations and security in the Baltic region. The role of political parties” will take place in Riga on September 19 - 20. It is quite possible that this conference will be attended by the Mayor of MOscow Yu.Luzhkov and the leader of “Yabloko” G.Yavlinsky.

A conference Ethnic minorities, inter ethnic relations and security in the Baltic region. The role of political parties will take place in Riga on September 19 - 20. It is quite possible that this conference will be attended by the Mayor of MOscow Yu.Luzhkov and the leader of Yabloko G.Yavlinsky. Chas

F.Krasilnikov reports from Tallinn that Estonian authorities have started slightly to change the national policy on minorities. The first sign of it was the official “Integration Program of Non-Estonians into Estonian Society”, started last year. With this Estonian authorities acknowledged the existence of 30% of non-Estonian population and did not intend to change the demographic situation by coercive methods. Another sign, indicating this change of attitude, was a program of settling Estonians in the regions with mostly populated by Russians. In 1992 - 1995 the authorities tries to persuade Estonians to move to traditionally Russian cities Narva and Kohtla-Yarve but people did not show much response.

F.Krasilnikov reports from Tallinn that Estonian authorities have started slightly to change the national policy on minorities. The first sign of it was the official Integration Program of Non-Estonians into Estonian Society, started last year. With this Estonian authorities acknowledged the existence of 30% of non-Estonian population and did not intend to change the demographic situation by coercive methods. Another sign, indicating this change of attitude, was a program of settling Estonians in the regions with mostly populated by Russians. In 1992 - 1995 the authorities tries to persuade Estonians to move to traditionally Russian cities Narva and Kohtla-Yarve but people did not show much response. Chas

Panorama Latvii

organises a telephone action asking people to answer the question What do I expect from the list No 6? The list No 6 represents the coalition of left-wing parties for the election to the 7th Saeima. The action is taking place on Sunday, September 13.