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

Premier Chernomirdin's visit to Latvia has been postponed until June. According to Secretary of the Russian delegation to the talks with Latvia Mr.Andreyev the reason for that was the fact that the documents to be signed by the Prime-Ministers have not been prepared yet. Head of the Russian delegation to the talks Mr.Zotov stressed that Latvia would receive the note on the most favored nation's status by the end of May. The status will come into force on June 1 irrespective of the date of Chernomirdin's visit. Mr.Zotov also informed "DIENA" that Russian and Latvian working groups would probably have a meeting in Riga the following week. The groups are expected to work out the declaration on the principles for economic relations to be signed by the Prime-Ministers.

Premier Chernomirdin's visit to Latvia has been postponed until June. According to Secretary of the Russian delegation to the talks with Latvia Mr.Andreyev the reason for that was the fact that the documents to be signed by the Prime-Ministers have not been prepared yet. Head of the Russian delegation to the talks Mr.Zotov stressed that Latvia would receive the note on the most favored nation's status by the end of May. The status will come into force on June 1 irrespective of the date of Chernomirdin's visit. Mr.Zotov also informed "DIENA" that Russian and Latvian working groups would probably have a meeting in Riga the following week. The groups are expected to work out the declaration on the principles for economic relations to be signed by the Prime-Ministers. Diena

In his article in "DIENA" Mr.Juris Dobelis of LNNK analyzes the troop withdrawal process. He points out that some of the units distributed in Latvia have submitted the lists for the extension of residence permits for the staff. The author also notes that the withdrawal schedule is not complete and includes only one fifth of the miliary installations actually deployed in Latvia. He stresses that even if Russia succeeds in withdrawing the navy before June 1 it will not manage to withdraw the navy personnel by that time. He also complains about the lack of information on the apartments currently occupied by the Russian military.

In his article in "DIENA" Mr.Juris Dobelis of LNNK analyzes the troop withdrawal process. He points out that some of the units distributed in Latvia have submitted the lists for the extension of residence permits for the staff. The author also notes that the withdrawal schedule is not complete and includes only one fifth of the miliary installations actually deployed in Latvia. He stresses that even if Russia succeeds in withdrawing the navy before June 1 it will not manage to withdraw the navy personnel by that time. He also complains about the lack of information on the apartments currently occupied by the Russian military. Diena

President Ulmanis left for the USA to meet the Secretary General of the United Nations. He will also have a meeting with Bill Clinton and visit Chicago.

President Ulmanis left for the USA to meet the Secretary General of the United Nations. He will also have a meeting with Bill Clinton and visit Chicago. Labrit

Executives of the Procurator's Office of Latvia and the Center for the Problems of Totalitarism have called the information printed by a Russian-Palestinian newspaper "AL-KOD" to be a "falsification". The article states that President Ulmanis worked as a KGB agent in Soviet times. Yesterday President Ulmanis invited Russian Ambassador Rannih and passed him a letter addressed to the Procurator General of Russia. The letter demanded to take all possible measures to revoke the information. Legal executives also called "irrelevant" the information spread by the "Gazeta" agency and reprinted by "LABRIT" on May 5 stating that another five deputies had been involved with the KGB including Kostanda, Bukovskis, and Cepanis.

Executives of the Procurator's Office of Latvia and the Center for the Problems of Totalitarism have called the information printed by a Russian-Palestinian newspaper "AL-KOD" to be a "falsification". The article states that President Ulmanis worked as a KGB agent in Soviet times. Yesterday President Ulmanis invited Russian Ambassador Rannih and passed him a letter addressed to the Procurator General of Russia. The letter demanded to take all possible measures to revoke the information. Legal executives also called "irrelevant" the information spread by the "Gazeta" agency and reprinted by "LABRIT" on May 5 stating that another five deputies had been involved with the KGB including Kostanda, Bukovskis, and Cepanis. Diena

Minister for Human Rights Mr.Olafs Bruvers, Legal Consultant of the Ministry Mr.Ivars Krievans, and Ziemele District Court Executive Mrs.Gunta Liepina visited the CID Ziemele District Office. The reason of the visit was a regular non-implementation of court decrees by the office. Head of the Office Mr.Kirsis refused to have a meeting with the Minister. One of the inspectors agreed to have a talk with the Minister after one hour. As a result most of the court decrees were implemented by the office.

Minister for Human Rights Mr.Olafs Bruvers, Legal Consultant of the Ministry Mr.Ivars Krievans, and Ziemele District Court Executive Mrs.Gunta Liepina visited the CID Ziemele District Office. The reason of the visit was a regular non-implementation of court decrees by the office. Head of the Office Mr.Kirsis refused to have a meeting with the Minister. One of the inspectors agreed to have a talk with the Minister after one hour. As a result most of the court decrees were implemented by the office. Panorama Latvii