• Dienas experiment: none of the enterprises and institutions force phone callers to speak state language
• Presidents Advisory Committee on ethnic Minorities conducted its first meeting
• Nationalists union proposes to deprive a deputies mandate of those MPs who signed for the initiative to grant Russian status of state language in Latvia

Diena conducted an experiment trying to find out what languages private enterprises, state and municipal institutions use in communication with clients by phone. The newspaper called different enterprises and institutions asking questions in Latvian or Russian language. The newspaper concluded that none of the enterprises and institutions force callers to speak state language. According to the experiment, the majority of representatives of enterprises or institutions answer the phone call in the language the calling person speaks. Diena also notes that some representatives of the private enterprises continue to speak Russian to the caller even if the questions were asked in Latvian.

Yesterday, the President’s Advisory Committee on ethnic Minorities conducted its first meeting with the new President of Latvia Andris Berzins. The main discussion issue of the meeting was the consolidation of the society. The members of the Committee proposed the President to initiate high level discussions on ethnic minority languages in Latvia. The members of the Committee did not support the idea to grant Russian language the status of state language in Latvia, but considered that granting Russian language status of minority language should be discussed.

Yesterday, the Presidents Advisory Committee on ethnic Minorities conducted its first meeting with the new President of Latvia Andris Berzins. The main discussion issue of the meeting was the consolidation of the society. The members of the Committee proposed the President to initiate high level discussions on ethnic minority languages in Latvia. The members of the Committee did not support the idea to grant Russian language the status of state language in Latvia, but considered that granting Russian language status of minority language should be discussed. Latvijas Avize. Vesti Segodnya

The nationalists’ union All for Latvia!-FF/LNIM proposes to deprive a deputies mandate of those MPs who signed for the initiative to grant Russian language status of a state language in Latvia. The nationalists’ union believes that by such action MPs broke the deputy’s oath.

The nationalists union All for Latvia!-FF/LNIM proposes to deprive a deputies mandate of those MPs who signed for the initiative to grant Russian language status of a state language in Latvia. The nationalists union believes that by such action MPs broke the deputys oath. Vesti Segodnya

• Diena: it is wrong to compare situation in Latvia with European countries which have several official state languages
• Mayor of Riga Nils Usakovs: local governments should promote naturalisation and Latvian language learning
• MP Janis Adamsons: Latvia should fully implement the Framework Convention for Protection of National Minorities of the Council of Europe

Experts interviewed by

Experts interviewed by Diena believe that it is wrong to compare situation in Latvia with European countries which have several official state languages. Philologist, the MP Ina Druviete (Unity) believes that it is not proper to compare Latvia for example with Finland, Belgium or Ireland due to different historical background of why these countries have several state languages. Political scientist Marija Golubeva considers that ethnic Latvians associate usage of Russian language in public sphere with the Soviet Union. Mrs Golubeva also believes that collection of signatures in support of granting Russian language status of state language in Latvia was provoked by activities of the nationalists union All for Latvia!-FF/LNIM and the Unity trying to achieve that only Latvian language is used in the public sphere.

At the congress of the Concord Centre’s municipal deputies, the Mayor of Riga Nils Usakovs stated that the local governments should be an example to the state government showing that every resident regardless of his/her ethnic background or language is treated equally. Mr Usakovs stated that the local governments should promote naturalisation and Latvian language learning and spotlighted Riga as an example providing free-of-charge state language courses to its residents.

At the congress of the Concord Centres municipal deputies, the Mayor of Riga Nils Usakovs stated that the local governments should be an example to the state government showing that every resident regardless of his/her ethnic background or language is treated equally. Mr Usakovs stated that the local governments should promote naturalisation and Latvian language learning and spotlighted Riga as an example providing free-of-charge state language courses to its residents. Latvijas Avize, Vesti Segodnya

MP Janis Adamsons (Concord Centre) in an interview with

MP Janis Adamsons (Concord Centre) in an interview with Neatkariga states that situation around language issues in Latvia, could be solved by fully implementing the Framework Convention for Protection of National Minorities of the Council of Europe. Mr Adamsons believes that thus Russian language could be used in regions densely populated by Russian speakers as well as Latgalian language in Latgale region (Easter part of Latvia). Mr Adamsons believes that actually these languages are already used in communication with municipal institutions but this situation should be officially acknowledged.

• About 183, 046 Latvian citizens signed for the Constitutional amendments on granting Russian language the status of a state language in Latvia
• Newspapers analyse the effect and consequences of the collection of signatures and probable referendum
• Saeima once again refused to establish the Orthodox and Old Believers Christmas as a bank-holiday

According to the latest preliminary data of the Central Elections Committee, 183, 046 Latvian citizens signed for the Constitutional amendments on granting Russian language the status of a state language in Latvia.

According to the latest preliminary data of the Central Elections Committee, 183, 046 Latvian citizens signed for the Constitutional amendments on granting Russian language the status of a state language in Latvia. This is more than 154,379 signatures required to forward the draft amendments to the Saeima. In order to be adopted by the Saeima, these amendments would require the support of qualified majority - 67 of 100 MPs. As reported, if the draft amendments are turned down by the Parliament a national referendum will be initiated and for the amendments to be supported they require the support of more than a half of Latvian electorate (771,893 citizens). Telegraf, Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Diena, Latvijas Avize, Neatkariga

Newspapers analyse the effect and consequences of the collection of signatures and probable referendum on granting Russian language the status of a state language in Latvia. The majority of the newspapers have no doubt that due to ethnic composition of Latvian citizenry the Constitutional amendments would not gather the required support in a national referendum. At the same time, the experts and the MPs interviewed by the newspapers agree that such initiative radicalises the society. Experts interviewed by

Newspapers analyse the effect and consequences of the collection of signatures and probable referendum on granting Russian language the status of a state language in Latvia. The majority of the newspapers have no doubt that due to ethnic composition of Latvian citizenry the Constitutional amendments would not gather the required support in a national referendum. At the same time, the experts and the MPs interviewed by the newspapers agree that such initiative radicalises the society. Experts interviewed by Diena, believes that huge responsibility at present lies on the politicians who with their statements or actions might provoke bigger ethnic tensions. According to Telegraf, in order to avoid the ethnic confrontation in Latvia, it is important to explain to ethnic Latvians that the majority of those who supported the initiative are fluent in Latvian language but by supporting the initiative Russian speaking residents of Latvia displayed their protest against the fact that they are ignored by the state authorities and that this was the only way of protest they could show. Another aspect of the protest is that part of the citizens wants to be officially acknowledged as minorities and to enjoy the rights stipulated by the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities of the Council of Europe. Diena, Telegraf, Latvijas Avize, Chas

Yesterday, the Saeima once again refused to establish the Orthodox and Old Believer’s Christmas (7 January) as a bank-holiday. The oppositional parties submit such proposal to the Saeima every year, however, every time it is refused by the Parliament. There are more than 400,000 of Orthodox and Old Believer’s in Latvia.

Yesterday, the Saeima once again refused to establish the Orthodox and Old Believers Christmas (7 January) as a bank-holiday. The oppositional parties submit such proposal to the Saeima every year, however, every time it is refused by the Parliament. There are more than 400,000 of Orthodox and Old Believers in Latvia. Chas, Vesti Segodnya

• 130, 678 signatures collected from 1 November to 28 November for support of the Constitutional amendments granting Russian language status of state language in Latvia
• Unity met with well-known representatives of ethnic minorities
• Latvijas Avize prints an article about usage of foreign languages at work

According to the Central Elections Committee, 130, 678 persons signed for support of the Constitutional amendments granting Russian language status of state language in Latvia from 1 November to 28 November. In order to submit the draft amendments to the Saeima it is required to collect at least 154,379 signatures. If the Saeima refuses the draft amendments national referendum will be initiated. The collection of signatures ends today.

According to the Central Elections Committee, 130, 678 persons signed for support of the Constitutional amendments granting Russian language status of state language in Latvia from 1 November to 28 November. In order to submit the draft amendments to the Saeima it is required to collect at least 154,379 signatures. If the Saeima refuses the draft amendments national referendum will be initiated. The collection of signatures ends today. Neatkariga, Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Latvijas Avize

Vesti Segodnya reports about a meeting of the members of political party Unity with well-known representatives of ethnic minorities. Members of the Unity met with writer and publicist Marija Kostenecka, entrepreneur and professor Ilja Gercikovs, and political scientist Marija Golubeva. According to a member of the party, MP Andrejs Judins the meeting was held in order to show that the Unity wants to start a serious dialogue with Russian speaking residents. Marija Kostenecka informs the newspaper that she said to the politicians that the truth is that authorities for 20 years spat in the face of Russian speaking residents of Latvia. According to Mrs Kostenecka, no one ever said thank you to those ethnic Russians who stood together with ethnic Latvians at the barricades in 1991 and supported the restoration of Latvias independence. Instead of that the society got divided into citizens and non-citizens. Mrs Kostenecka believes that growth of ethnic tensions today is a consequence of the fact that the Concord Centre was not included in the governing coalition. Mrs Kostenecka also believes that it is not late to start the dialogue with ethnic minorities, however, it will not be possible without respectful attitude towards them. Mr Ilja Gercikovs, in his turn, said to the members of the Unity that Latvian language should remain the only state language in the country, however, it is humiliating for Russians speakers that Russian has status of foreign language in Latvia. Mr Gercikovs believes that Russian should become official language of communication with local councils and municipal services in the regions of densely populated by Russians speakers.

Latvijas Avize prints an article about usage of foreign languages at work. According to employers and employees interviewed by the newspaper, proficiency in Russian language is considered as self-evident for fulfilment of work duties, especially in communication with clients and colleagues. As reported, the nationalists union All for Latvia!-FF/LNIM furthers the draft amendments to the Labour Law which forbid the employers to demand for foreign language proficiency if it is not obligatory required for fulfilment of work duties. The Latvian Employers Confederation and the Ministry of Welfare do not support such amendments. According to a representative of the Ministry, such regulations might harm Latvian market by pushing away foreign employers. Besides, the Ministry does not have information about the real facts of linguistic discrimination in labour market.

• Public opinion survey: main instigators of ethnic tensions – Nils Usakovs and Raivis Dzintars
• Newspapers report about the violations in the process of the collection of signatures in support of granting Russian language status of official in Latvia
• Concord Centre proposes to widen usage of foreign languages in education process

According to a public opinion survey conducted by a company “Gfk”, many Latvian residents believe that the main instigators of growth of ethnic tension between ethnic Latvians and Russian speaking residents are the Mayor of Riga Nils Usakovs (Concord Centre) (32% of respondents) and the leader of the nationalists’ union All for Latvia!-FF/LNIM Raivis Dzintars (31% of respondents). 20 % of residents believe that the main instigators is leader of the Zatler’s Reforms Party, ex-President Valdis Zatlers and 16 % blame the Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis (the Unity).

According to a public opinion survey conducted by a company Gfk, many Latvian residents believe that the main instigators of growth of ethnic tension between ethnic Latvians and Russian speaking residents are the Mayor of Riga Nils Usakovs (Concord Centre) (32% of respondents) and the leader of the nationalists union All for Latvia!-FF/LNIM Raivis Dzintars (31% of respondents). 20 % of residents believe that the main instigators is leader of the Zatlers Reforms Party, ex-President Valdis Zatlers and 16 % blame the Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis (the Unity). Chas

Chas and Vesti Segodnya report about the violations in the process of the collection of signatures in support of granting Russian language status of official in Latvia. The initiators of the collection of signatures complain that many signatures collection stations open later and close earlier than scheduled, or close even if there are still persons waiting in a queue. The initiators also allege that some municipalities have intentionally opened the signatures collection stations in locations which are difficult to access or sparsely populated by Russian speaking residents, while in some locations with large number of Russian speakers no stations are situated.

The parliament’s faction Concord Centre (CC) prepared the draft amendments to the Law on Education widening usage of foreign languages in education process. The CC proposes to allow teaching in all foreign languages in paid programs of state funded higher education establishments. The CC also proposes to give bigger freedom to ethnic minority schools choosing subjects which are taught in state language and in other languages. The CC also wants to establish that local governments should ensure education programs for ethnic minorities in schools if there is such demand from residents of municipality.

The parliaments faction Concord Centre (CC) prepared the draft amendments to the Law on Education widening usage of foreign languages in education process. The CC proposes to allow teaching in all foreign languages in paid programs of state funded higher education establishments. The CC also proposes to give bigger freedom to ethnic minority schools choosing subjects which are taught in state language and in other languages. The CC also wants to establish that local governments should ensure education programs for ethnic minorities in schools if there is such demand from residents of municipality. Chas