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

Deputy-Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr. Egil Levits stressed at his press-conference that joining the West-European Union as an associated member opens the door to Union of Europe and NATO. He added that Latvia's membership in the West-European Union should be considered in the context of the participation in the Partnership for Peace program

Deputy-Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr. Egil Levits stressed at his press-conference that joining the West-European Union as an associated member opens the door to Union of Europe and NATO. He added that Latvia's membership in the West-European Union should be considered in the context of the participation in the Partnership for Peace program. Diena

During a press-conference on May 12 Prime-Minister Birkavs pointed out that Latvia would obtain international guarantees of the implementation of the agreements with Russia by joining the Balladur plan. He also noted that France is undertaking serious efforts to involve Russia into the plan. During the talks in France the Latvian delegation emphasized that the problems of state borders and ethnic minorities should be discussed within the framework of the pact on the basis of historical facts associated with the occupation.

During a press-conference on May 12 Prime-Minister Birkavs pointed out that Latvia would obtain international guarantees of the implementation of the agreements with Russia by joining the Balladur plan. He also noted that France is undertaking serious efforts to involve Russia into the plan. During the talks in France the Latvian delegation emphasized that the problems of state borders and ethnic minorities should be discussed within the framework of the pact on the basis of historical facts associated with the occupation. Diena, Labrit

Russian Ambassador to Latvia Rannikh and Deputy-Commander of the North-Western Group Fyodor Melnichuk handed over a more precise schedule of troop withdrawal to Prime-Minister Birkavs. The schedule names exact dates of joint inspections of military units. According to Mr.Birkavs the data of schedule still does not coincide with the information on Russian military units at the disposal of the Bureau for the Monitoring of Troop Withdrawal. He also informed the journalists that the withdrawal of the navy would be accomplished before July 1.

Russian Ambassador to Latvia Rannikh and Deputy-Commander of the North-Western Group Fyodor Melnichuk handed over a more precise schedule of troop withdrawal to Prime-Minister Birkavs. The schedule names exact dates of joint inspections of military units. According to Mr.Birkavs the data of schedule still does not coincide with the information on Russian military units at the disposal of the Bureau for the Monitoring of Troop Withdrawal. He also informed the journalists that the withdrawal of the navy would be accomplished before July 1. Diena, Labrit

Non-citizens are facing serious difficulties when going abroad since there is a shortage of former USSR travel passports at the disposal of the Ministry of Interior. Still, according to the Passport Department of the Ministry the situation will improve in several weeks.

Non-citizens are facing serious difficulties when going abroad since there is a shortage of former USSR travel passports at the disposal of the Ministry of Interior. Still, according to the Passport Department of the Ministry the situation will improve in several weeks. Labrit

SM Sevodnya published a statement of the League of Stateless Individuals. The league announces the ballot for the candidates to the representative body of the League. It is stressed in the statement that the League has no intention to create alternative government structures and its objective is to solve the problems of the stateless through a dialogue with everyone concerned. It is also said that the representative body is not a political union and its members do not represent any political parties. The 22 candidates include 4 citizens and 6 Latvians so it is not a Russian ethnic organization, says the statement.

SM Sevodnya published a statement of the League of Stateless Individuals. The league announces the ballot for the candidates to the representative body of the League. It is stressed in the statement that the League has no intention to create alternative government structures and its objective is to solve the problems of the stateless through a dialogue with everyone concerned. It is also said that the representative body is not a political union and its members do not represent any political parties. The 22 candidates include 4 citizens and 6 Latvians so it is not a Russian ethnic organization, says the statement.