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

A meeting of expert groups is scheduled for today in Riga. The experts will accomplish the preparation of the initialled agreements. The State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia Maris Riekstins is expected to visit Moscow today to settle the date of the meeting of the presidents of Latvia and Russia. A conference on the agreement-associated issues was held in the President's residence in Jurmala on April 25. According to President's Office Latvia still is not aware of the exact number of pensioned officers and their family members staying in the country after the signing of the agreements, their property rights, and the compensation for the use of the Skrunda radar.The status of the upcoming visit have not been decided upon. It could be an official visit or a working meeting. Other issues including economical co-operation and the access to the former KGB information may be discussed as well. According to State Secretary for Eastern Affairs Mr.Vovers the experts will concentrate on preparing a package consisting of four agreements and a protocol containing addenda to the agreement on pensioned officers.

A meeting of expert groups is scheduled for today in Riga. The experts will accomplish the preparation of the initialled agreements. The State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia Maris Riekstins is expected to visit Moscow today to settle the date of the meeting of the presidents of Latvia and Russia. A conference on the agreement-associated issues was held in the President's residence in Jurmala on April 25. According to President's Office Latvia still is not aware of the exact number of pensioned officers and their family members staying in the country after the signing of the agreements, their property rights, and the compensation for the use of the Skrunda radar.The status of the upcoming visit have not been decided upon. It could be an official visit or a working meeting. Other issues including economical co-operation and the access to the former KGB information may be discussed as well. According to State Secretary for Eastern Affairs Mr.Vovers the experts will concentrate on preparing a package consisting of four agreements and a protocol containing addenda to the agreement on pensioned officers. Diena, Labrit, Latvijas Vestnesis

Mr.Sergey Zotov, the Head of the Russian delegation to the troop withdrawal talks arrived to Riga on April 25. He stated that the Russian side would not agree to amendments to the agreement on pensioned officers. At the same time he noted that Russia was ready to discuss certain mechanisms of the implementation of the agreement. He also stressed that the agreement cannot be considered separately from the rest of the package and noted that the agreement did not imply any compromises on the part of Latvia since the retired servicemen's pensions would be paid by Russia.

Mr.Sergey Zotov, the Head of the Russian delegation to the troop withdrawal talks arrived to Riga on April 25. He stated that the Russian side would not agree to amendments to the agreement on pensioned officers. At the same time he noted that Russia was ready to discuss certain mechanisms of the implementation of the agreement. He also stressed that the agreement cannot be considered separately from the rest of the package and noted that the agreement did not imply any compromises on the part of Latvia since the retired servicemen's pensions would be paid by Russia. Labrit

On April 25 the Saeima Commission on Mandates and Proposals issued a statement suggesting that the names of five Parliament members whose names were discovered in the KGB agent files should be disclosed on Wednesday this week. The statement will be followed with a draft decree on the procedures to follow. According to the legislation in force the mandates cannot be canceled until no proofs of the actual involvement of the MP's with KGB are provided. Several newspapers have already published the five names referring to "reliable unofficial sources". The names are:

On April 25 the Saeima Commission on Mandates and Proposals issued a statement suggesting that the names of five Parliament members whose names were discovered in the KGB agent files should be disclosed on Wednesday this week. The statement will be followed with a draft decree on the procedures to follow. According to the legislation in force the mandates cannot be canceled until no proofs of the actual involvement of the MP's with KGB are provided. Several newspapers have already published the five names referring to "reliable unofficial sources". The names are:

- Georgs Andrejevs (LC), the Minister of Foreign Affairs;

- Georgs Andrejevs (LC), the Minister of Foreign Affairs;

- Edvins Inkens (LC), the Minister for Special Missions;

- Edvins Inkens (LC), the Minister for Special Missions;

- Andris Silins (LC), the Chairman of the Saeima Commission for Education, Culture, and Science;

- Andris Silins (LC), the Chairman of the Saeima Commission for Education, Culture, and Science;

- Roberts Milbergs (TB), the Chairman of the Saeima Commission for Inquiries and special Investigations;

- Roberts Milbergs (TB), the Chairman of the Saeima Commission for Inquiries and special Investigations;

- Aivars Kreituss (DP), the Chairman of the Democratic Party and the Democratic Party Fraction.

- Aivars Kreituss (DP), the Chairman of the Democratic Party and the Democratic Party Fraction. Diena, Neatkariga

LNNK fraction has announced its plans for the creation of a shadow cabinet of ministers. This decision is directly connected to the governing coalition's plans for signing the agreements with Russia according to a "4 + 1" formula (four agreements plus one protocol). It has been stressed during a press-conference that LNNK does not object against the signing of agreements with Russia but will not support the agreements initialled on March 15. Most of the objections were connected with the agreement on pensioned officers.

LNNK fraction has announced its plans for the creation of a shadow cabinet of ministers. This decision is directly connected to the governing coalition's plans for signing the agreements with Russia according to a "4 + 1" formula (four agreements plus one protocol). It has been stressed during a press-conference that LNNK does not object against the signing of agreements with Russia but will not support the agreements initialled on March 15. Most of the objections were connected with the agreement on pensioned officers. Labrit

A rally organized by the Latvian Human Rights Committee took place in front of the City Hall on April 23. The protest was directed against the arbitrary rule of the CID officials and the refusal of the Ministry of Justice to register several social organizations.

A rally organized by the Latvian Human Rights Committee took place in front of the City Hall on April 23. The protest was directed against the arbitrary rule of the CID officials and the refusal of the Ministry of Justice to register several social organizations. Panorama Latvii