• Faction For Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK sets priorities
• Jakov Pliner invites Russian Schools administrators, teachers and students parents to protest against education reform
• Chas about the prospects of the Communist party in Latvia
• Latvian nationalism today
• Juris Dobelis interview for the TV programme From a Position of Power is still under discussion

The board of the party For Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK has discussed party’s priorities before Latvia’s accession to the EU as well as the stance on the recent statements of Russia. The chairman of the party Janis Straume has stressed that being in the ruling coalition is very important in order to prevent the increase in the influence of the left opposition, as well as to prevent irreversible decisions which may be taken under the pressure of Russia.

The board of the party For Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK has discussed partys priorities before Latvias accession to the EU as well as the stance on the recent statements of Russia. The chairman of the party Janis Straume has stressed that being in the ruling coalition is very important in order to prevent the increase in the influence of the left opposition, as well as to prevent irreversible decisions which may be taken under the pressure of Russia. Diena, Chas, Vesti Segodnya

A letter by the head of the FHRUL Jakov Pliner to the administrators, teachers and students’ parents of the Russian schools is published by the newspapers. His advice to the schools’ administration is not to hurry wuth the reform implementation. Pliner invites students’ parents to establish committees for support of Russian schools and to participate in the activities of the Headquarters for the defense of Russian schools. He believes that Latvian officials will be forced to preserve schools with predominantly Russian language of instruction.

A letter by the head of the FHRUL Jakov Pliner to the administrators, teachers and students parents of the Russian schools is published by the newspapers. His advice to the schools administration is not to hurry wuth the reform implementation. Pliner invites students parents to establish committees for support of Russian schools and to participate in the activities of the Headquarters for the defense of Russian schools. He believes that Latvian officials will be forced to preserve schools with predominantly Russian language of instruction. Vesti Segodnya, Chas, Vechernaya Riga

Chas interviews the leader of the party Equality Tatjana Zdanok and the head of the Latvian Socialist party Alfreds Rubiks. According to them, the registration of the Communist party in Latvia is not prohibited by law, but their own (Rubiks and Zhdanoks) membership may be prohibited. Both politicians are not engaged in any activities related to the establishment of the Communist party.

Diena features an article of Latvian TV editor Ilmars Latkovskis about Latvian nationalism and inter-ethnic relations. He points to the necessity of a ‘pragmatic national policy, as well as of a long-term minority policy, otherwise what is traditionally considered as a Rusian-speakers problem, will turn against ethnic Latvians themselves.

Russian language newspapers continue discussion on Juris Dobelis’s interview for the TV programme “From a Position of Power.”

Russian language newspapers continue discussion on Juris Dobeliss interview for the TV programme From a Position of Power. Telegraf, Vesti Segodnya, Vechernaya Riga

• International conference on Holocaust
• An interview with Bjorn Fon Sidov, the speaker of the Swedish parliament
• Juris Dobelis on minority issues

Media report on the international conference “Holocaust research continues”, with the participation of the President of Latvia.

Media report on the international conference Holocaust research continues, with the participation of the President of Latvia. Neatkariga Rita Avize writes about activities aimed on raising public awareness of the Holocaust in Latvia. Vesti Segodnya criticizes the fact that the President Vaira Vike-Freiberga has raised an issue of the relationship between Latvia and Russia at the conference devoted to the Holocaust.

In an interview to

In an interview to Lauku Avize, the speaker of Swedish parliament Bjorn Fon Sidov stressed that Latvia has fulfilled all Copenhagen political criteria in the area of human rights. According to him, it is important for Latvia to continue its activities to facilitate naturalization of non-citizens.

Russian language newspapers report on the statements of Juris Dobelis, MP from the faction For Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK, during the TV programme “From a Position of Power.” Juris Dobelis denies accusations of Russofobia , saying that he has never sorted people by their nationality. Dobelis believes that the ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities would cause a disturbance in the society initiated by left-wing politicians.

Russian language newspapers report on the statements of Juris Dobelis, MP from the faction For Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK, during the TV programme From a Position of Power. Juris Dobelis denies accusations of Russofobia , saying that he has never sorted people by their nationality. Dobelis believes that the ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities would cause a disturbance in the society initiated by left-wing politicians. Chas, Vesti Segodnya

• The minister of Foreign Affairs of Latvia asks the EU to confirm its stance on the recent statements of Russia
• Ten MPs propose to dismiss Martjan Bekasov from the post of observer to the European Parliament
• Vaira Vike-Freiberga disagrees with Aivars Lembergs opinion on the education reform
• Adviser to the Latvias President on Legislationrepliesto Jakov Pliners letter
• Boris Tsilevitch about the impact of the EU accession on ethnic situation in Latvia
• About the conference Post-communist transformation and democratization process in Latvia. 1987-2003

The minister of Foreign Affairs of Latvia Sandra Kalniete has asked the Italian Presidency of the Council of the EU to include an issue of recent statements of Russia into agenda of the next meeting of the ministers of foreign affairs. Last week, Russia has stated that Latvia’s joining to the Agreement on Partnership and Cooperation between the EU and Russia may be dependent on satisfying Russia’s claims in the area of minority rights. Latvia has asked the Italian Presidency to confirm that the Agreement applies to new EU members automatically.

The minister of Foreign Affairs of Latvia Sandra Kalniete has asked the Italian Presidency of the Council of the EU to include an issue of recent statements of Russia into agenda of the next meeting of the ministers of foreign affairs. Last week, Russia has stated that Latvias joining to the Agreement on Partnership and Cooperation between the EU and Russia may be dependent on satisfying Russias claims in the area of minority rights. Latvia has asked the Italian Presidency to confirm that the Agreement applies to new EU members automatically. Diena

Ten MPs from the ruling parties and the People’s Party have prepared a draft resolution on the dismissal of the Latvian Socialist party MP  Martjan Bekasov from the post of an observer to the European Parliament, after Bekasov has distributed a letter about minority discrimination in Latvia in the European Parliament..

Ten MPs from the ruling parties and the Peoples Party have prepared a draft resolution on the dismissal of the Latvian Socialist party MP Martjan Bekasov from the post of an observer to the European Parliament, after Bekasov has distributed a letter about minority discrimination in Latvia in the European Parliament.. Telegraf, Chas

The Official Gazette prints the text of the President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freibergas interview to Latvian TV. The President disagrees with the Ventspils mayor Aivars Lembergs, who considers education reform to be an obstacle for successful cooperation between Latvia and Russia. According to the President, education reform is not a crucial factor in relationship between the states.

Vesty Segodnya features an article by the FHRUL MP Nikolay Kabanov about the reply received by the head of the FHRUL Jakov Pliner to his letter to the Latvias President on the education reform. Presidents Adviser on Legislation Sandra Kukule writes that, the President and the Presidents Chancery will continue to pay close attention to minority education and societal integration issues, as well as continue to visit minority schools in order to listen to all opinions. Nikolay Kabanov argues that the President has not really started an open dialog with the opponents of the reform.

Jauna Avize prints an interview with the MP from the Peoples Harmony Party Boris Tsilevitch about the impact of Latvias accession to the EU on minority situation. He believes that ethnic Latvians will face a bigger competition in education and labor market, since the ethnical composition of Latvian society will become more heterogeneous.

Vechernaya Riga reports on the recent conference Post-communist transformation and democratization process in Latvia. 1987-2003.

Integration and Minority Information Service
of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies

• The lawyers of Slivenko hope to return to the family the permanent residents of Latvia status, and the apartment
• The delegation of Latvian officials will report to the UN Human Rights Committee
• The Secretariat of the Special Task Minister for Societal Integration is working on a draft National Programme against intolerance and discrimination
• Gunter Verheugen answers Vladimir Buzaev
• Ventspils mayor Aivars Lembergs on education reform
• Quality of NGOs projects supported by the Society Integration Foundation
• An article of Vjacheslav Altuhov, the president of the Russian Community in Latvia

The lawyers of Tatjana Slivenko are preparing a petition to the Latvian government. They believe that Latvia should return both status of permanent residents of Latvia and the apartment to the Slivenko family. According to the advocate Aleksandr Asnis, if Latvia does not satisfy these claims, a petition will be submitted to the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe.

The lawyers of Tatjana Slivenko are preparing a petition to the Latvian government. They believe that Latvia should return both status of permanent residents of Latvia and the apartment to the Slivenko family. According to the advocate Aleksandr Asnis, if Latvia does not satisfy these claims, a petition will be submitted to the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe. Telegraf, Vesti Segodnya, Chas, Vechernaya Riga

On 28 and 29 October, the delegation of Latvian officials is planning to present a report on the implementation of the International Pact on Civic and Political Rights since 1995 to the UN Human Rights Committee. The report has been prepared by ministries’ representatives, and commented by the National Human Rights Office and the Human Rights Institute of the University of Latvia. The Special Task Minister for Societal Integration will head the delegation. The working group presumes that an alternative report can be presented at the Committee’s session.

On 28 and 29 October, the delegation of Latvian officials is planning to present a report on the implementation of the International Pact on Civic and Political Rights since 1995 to the UN Human Rights Committee. The report has been prepared by ministries representatives, and commented by the National Human Rights Office and the Human Rights Institute of the University of Latvia. The Special Task Minister for Societal Integration will head the delegation. The working group presumes that an alternative report can be presented at the Committees session. Lauku Avize, Chas

Yesterday the first meeting of the working group on intolerance and xenophobia was held at the Secretariat of the Special Task Minister for Societal Integration. The Secretariat is planning to submit a draft National Programme against intolerance and discrimination to the government next week. The minister Nils Muiznieks believes that the problem of intolerance is not so acute in Latvia comparing with the other European states. However, there are cases of russofobia, Russian chauvinism, anti-Semitism, and racism. The minister is also concerned with intolerant attitude towards Roma in the society and foresees an increase of intolerance cases regarding black people after Latvia’s accession to the EU and NATO. Replying to

Yesterday the first meeting of the working group on intolerance and xenophobia was held at the Secretariat of the Special Task Minister for Societal Integration. The Secretariat is planning to submit a draft National Programme against intolerance and discrimination to the government next week. The minister Nils Muiznieks believes that the problem of intolerance is not so acute in Latvia comparing with the other European states. However, there are cases of russofobia, Russian chauvinism, anti-Semitism, and racism. The minister is also concerned with intolerant attitude towards Roma in the society and foresees an increase of intolerance cases regarding black people after Latvias accession to the EU and NATO. Replying to Chas, the minister said that he does not consider the large number of non-citizens as a result of the state xenophobic policy since non-citizens belong to different ethnic groups. Chas, Vesti Segodnya

Vesti Segodnya features the response of Gunter Verheugen, the Commissioner for Enlargement of the European Commission, to Vladimir Buzajev, the MP from the FHRUL, who has asked the Commissioner to support the idea of not switching Russian schools to Latvian language of instruction. According to the Commissioner, Latvia has no intent to liquidate minority education system, and the state will continue funding of education in eight languages. He also referred to the Council of Europe, pointing that 60/40 proportion between languages of instruction conforms with the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities.

Chas interviews Ventspils mayor Aivars Lembergs about education reform. The mayor believes that the reform has had a negative impact on economic cooperation between Latvia and Russia. According to him, nationalistic radical parties in Latvia and in Russia are the main beneficiaries from the reform. Lembergs also believes that local governments will not be able to control reform implementation since it was poorly prepared by the state.

Diena reports on the NGO forum yesterday. The boards chairman of the Society Integration Foundation (SIF) Sols Bukingolts said that around 10% of the projects supported by SIF are not qualitative, and there is a lack of interesting project proposals. At the same time, he noted that the quality of the projects has improved for the last project tenders.

Vesti Segodnya prints an article by Vjacheslav Altuhov, the president of the Russian Community of Latvia and a member of the newly established association of minority NGOs Sadraudziba. Altuhov stresses the necessity for close cooperation between Russians, Belarussians and Ukrainians in Latvia in order to defend minority rights. He also points to the importance of the new associations cooperation with the state bodies, and denies any collaboration between Sadraudziba and other states.

Integration and Minority Information Service
of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies

• Russia has postponed a meeting of the deputy secretary of the MFA of Latvia and the co-chairperson of the Russian-Latvian Intergovernment Commission
• The Department of Education, Youth and Sports of the RigaCity Council has received action plans for 2004 education reform from 50 schools
• An article by the Special Task Minister for Societal Integration about civic participation
• Latvia will present a report on the implementation of the International Pact on Civic and Political Rights to the UN Human Rights Committee
• Discussion on education reform at the press-conference in the Saeima
• Parents` meeting in a Russian school in Cesis
• Telegraf about complaints against Latvia submitted to the European Court for Human Rights
• Lauku Avize criticises the newly established association of minority NGOs Sadraudziba
• Interview with the chairman of the board of the World Federation of Free Latvians

Russia has postponed a meeting of the deputy secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia Andris Teikmanis and the co-chairman of the Russian-Latvian Intergovernment Commission Aleksandr Pocinok, which was planned for 27 October. According to Russia, the meeting cannot be held at this time because of the recent events. Andris Teikmanis does not comprehend Russia’s decision, and the grounds it was taken on. He says Latvia has always expressed willingness to talk constructively to Russia.

Russia has postponed a meeting of the deputy secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia Andris Teikmanis and the co-chairman of the Russian-Latvian Intergovernment Commission Aleksandr Pocinok, which was planned for 27 October. According to Russia, the meeting cannot be held at this time because of the recent events. Andris Teikmanis does not comprehend Russias decision, and the grounds it was taken on. He says Latvia has always expressed willingness to talk constructively to Russia. Neatkariga Rita Avize, Lauku Avize, Chas

The Department of Education, Youth and Sports of the Riga City Council has received 50 out of the expected 60 school action plans for the switch to the Latvian language of instruction from 1 September 2004. These plans have been required by the Department in order to elaborate support strategies for each school. According to the Department’s expert Modra Jansone, schools are planning to get ready for the reform. However, many Russian schools still need Latvian language courses for the teachers, methodology courses and teaching materials. Most schools are planning to avoid teaching exact subjects in Latvian as much as possible. According to

The Department of Education, Youth and Sports of the Riga City Council has received 50 out of the expected 60 school action plans for the switch to the Latvian language of instruction from 1 September 2004. These plans have been required by the Department in order to elaborate support strategies for each school. According to the Departments expert Modra Jansone, schools are planning to get ready for the reform. However, many Russian schools still need Latvian language courses for the teachers, methodology courses and teaching materials. Most schools are planning to avoid teaching exact subjects in Latvian as much as possible. According to Diena, some school plans include three-four exact subjects in the native language while the government officials state that no more then one-two exact subjects should be taught in a minority language. The Department is planning to examine to what extent the proportions between languages of instruction proposed by the schools conform with the proportions approved by the government. Diena

Diena features an article by the Special Task Minister for Societal Integration Nils Muiznieks who considers the promotion of state identity and democratic values as the main goal for social integration. The minister discusses the issues of public participation in decision making processes and NGOs activities as the means of facilitating social integration.

The UN Human Rights Committee has invited the Latvian delegation to present a report on the implementation of the International pact on civic and political rights. The NGO Latvian Human Rights Committee has sent a letter to the UN Human Rights Committee pointing to the disparity between Latvian laws and several articles of the Pact.

The UN Human Rights Committee has invited the Latvian delegation to present a report on the implementation of the International pact on civic and political rights. The NGO Latvian Human Rights Committee has sent a letter to the UN Human Rights Committee pointing to the disparity between Latvian laws and several articles of the Pact. Vesti Segodnya

Yesterday, on a press-conference in the Saeima, a Russian school student has presented a letter addressed to the Saeima, the Minister of Education and Science and to the Special Task Minister for Societal Integration, which was signed by 27 students. The students are asking for an opportunity for mother tongue education at secondary school. The head of the FHRUL Jakov Pliner has informed about the pickets planned by the Headquarters for the Defense of Russian Schools on 29 October.

Yesterday, on a press-conference in the Saeima, a Russian school student has presented a letter addressed to the Saeima, the Minister of Education and Science and to the Special Task Minister for Societal Integration, which was signed by 27 students. The students are asking for an opportunity for mother tongue education at secondary school. The head of the FHRUL Jakov Pliner has informed about the pickets planned by the Headquarters for the Defense of Russian Schools on 29 October. Vesti Segodnya, Vechernaya Riga

Yesterday a parents` meeting was held in a Russian school in Cesis, with representatives of the MPs from the FHRUL and the Headquarters for the defense of Russian schools participating. No first grade has been formed in the school for the last three years, and no Russian language primary education has been offered over the last 5 years. The newspaper reports about the activities of the parents and the Headquaters to secure opportunities for Russian language education. The parents have also sent a letter  to the mayor of Moscow, asking for financial support to open a preparatory class.

Yesterday a parents` meeting was held in a Russian school in Cesis, with representatives of the MPs from the FHRUL and the Headquarters for the defense of Russian schools participating. No first grade has been formed in the school for the last three years, and no Russian language primary education has been offered over the last 5 years. The newspaper reports about the activities of the parents and the Headquaters to secure opportunities for Russian language education. The parents have also sent a letter to the mayor of Moscow, asking for financial support to open a preparatory class. Vesti Segodnya.

Telegraf provides information about complaints against Latvia submitted to the European Court for Human Rights. There are around 30 such complaints to be examined by the ECHR.

Lauku Avize criticises the new association of minority NGOs Sadraudziba accusing its members of disloyalty to the Latvian state, and claiming that associations establishment has been politically motivated. The columnist criticises the Secretariat the Special Task Minister for Societal Integration for the promised support to the association.

Lauku Avize interviews the chairman of the board of the World Federation of Free Latvians Janis Kukainis. He is concerned about the disloyalty of some MPs to the Latvian state. With regards to the education reform, the chairman is convinced that in the schools funded from the state budget all subjects except native language should be taught in Latvian.