• Interview with the advisor of the President of Latvia on minority issues and the chairman of the Society Integration Foundation Sols Bukingolts
• Critical articles about the decision of National Radio and TV Council of Latvia to impose a fine on the First Baltic Channel
• Juris Audarins has been appointed to the post of the Special Affairs Ambassador on Latvian Diaspora Issues
• Council of Kandavas region implements the EU Phare project ‘Ethnic Integration in Local Community – Understanding, Dialogue, and Participation
• Latvian Ambassador to Russia Normans Penke nominated for the post of the State Secretary of the Foreign Affairs Ministry
• Peoples Party proposes to decrease the number of offices prohibited to be hold by double citizens of Latvia

Vesti Segodnya features an interview with the advisor of the President of Latvia on minority issues and the chairman of the Society Integration Foundation Sols Bukingolts about the recent activities of the national-radicals. According to Sols Bukingolts, publishing and distribution of the envelopes with the image of Herberts Cukurs who participated in the Holocaust is not a hooliganism but provocation towards all members of society. Sols Bukingolts notes that the issue whether political parties, involved in such activities, may be officially registered and implement their activities in the territory of Latvia.

Russian language newspapers features critical articles about the decision of National Radio and TV Council of Latvia to impose a fine on the First Baltic Channel for broadcasting a historical programme, which according to the conclusion of a historian commission contained a one-sided and historically incorrect depiction of the Molotov-Ribentrop Pact.

Russian language newspapers features critical articles about the decision of National Radio and TV Council of Latvia to impose a fine on the First Baltic Channel for broadcasting a historical programme, which according to the conclusion of a historian commission contained a one-sided and historically incorrect depiction of the Molotov-Ribentrop Pact. Vesti Segodnya states that the decision is the first real example of political repressions against mass media in Latvia. While the Russian-language newspaper Telegraf, reports that the Council is planning to conduct a thorough analysis of news programmes broadcasted by all media in Latvia. The newspaper states that activities of the Council lead to a conclusion that censorship on mass media has been launched. The chairman of the National Radio and TV Council Imants Rakins disagrees with such formulation. Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

Foreign Affairs Minister Artis Pabriks has appointed Juris Audarins to the post of the Special Affairs Ambassador on Latvian Diaspora Issues. According to Artis Pabriks, work with the Latvian Diaspora is one of the priorities of Latvian foreign policy.

Foreign Affairs Minister Artis Pabriks has appointed Juris Audarins to the post of the Special Affairs Ambassador on Latvian Diaspora Issues. According to Artis Pabriks, work with the Latvian Diaspora is one of the priorities of Latvian foreign policy. Diena, Neatkariga Rita Avize

The Council of Kandava’s region plans to promote integration of non-Latvians, within the EU Phare project ‘Ethnic Integration in a Local Community – Understanding, Dialogue, and Participation.’ It is planned to open several minority information centres, which will provide information about possibilities to learn languages, naturalisation, etc. In the region of Kandava there are approximately 300 non-Latvians, inclding Roma, Russians and Poles.

The Council of Kandavas region plans to promote integration of non-Latvians, within the EU Phare project ‘Ethnic Integration in a Local Community – Understanding, Dialogue, and Participation. It is planned to open several minority information centres, which will provide information about possibilities to learn languages, naturalisation, etc. In the region of Kandava there are approximately 300 non-Latvians, inclding Roma, Russians and Poles. Latvijas Avize

The People’s Party has proposed to decrease the number of offices prohibited to be hold by Latvian double citizens. The People’s Party believes that double citizens should have the right to be members of Saeima.

The Peoples Party has proposed to decrease the number of offices prohibited to be hold by Latvian double citizens. The Peoples Party believes that double citizens should have the right to be members of Saeima. Diena, Neatkariga Rita Avize, Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

The Latvian ambassador to Russia Normans Penke has been nominated to the post of the State Secretary of the Foreign Affairs Ministry, while the name of his successor has not been revealed yet.

The Latvian ambassador to Russia Normans Penke has been nominated to the post of the State Secretary of the Foreign Affairs Ministry, while the name of his successor has not been revealed yet. Diena, Neatkariga Rita Avize, Latvijas Avize, Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

• Paul Gouble: Russia and Belorussia may attempt to make pressure on the Baltic States through the European Union
• National Radio and TV Council of Latvia imposes a fine on the First Baltic Channel
• Head of the Peoples Harmony Party parliamentary group Janis Urbanovics sends an open letter to the President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga
• Head of Greens and Farmers parliamentary group August Brigmanis talks about social integration issues
• Opinions of MPs on the conclusions made in the study Assuring Access in Key Strategic Regions. Toward a Long-Term Strategy
• Statement of the Russia Foreign Affairs Ministry on the procession against the former ‘red partisan Vasilijs Kononovs
• Study on motivation of representatives of ethnic minorities to join minority organisations
• Commissioner for Freedom, Security and Justice Rocco Buttiglione is concerned about violation of rights of non-citizens in Latvia

‘Russia and Belorussia may attempt to make a pressure on the Baltic States through the European Union. And that could intensify the pressure of the international community on these states,’ foresees the former advisor of the USA government Pol Gouble. According to the Pol Gouble, statements made by high Russian and Belorussian officials about violations of rights of  Russian-speakers may promote discussions among European states and that could lead to formation of opposite views concerning the Baltic States among EU and NATO member states.

‘Russia and Belorussia may attempt to make a pressure on the Baltic States through the European Union. And that could intensify the pressure of the international community on these states, foresees the former advisor of the USA government Pol Gouble. According to the Pol Gouble, statements made by high Russian and Belorussian officials about violations of rights of Russian-speakers may promote discussions among European states and that could lead to formation of opposite views concerning the Baltic States among EU and NATO member states. Latvijas Avize

The National Radio and TV Council of Latvia has imposed a fine in the amount of 2,000 lats (EUR 3,000) on the First Baltic Channel for broadcasting a historical programme ‘The Secrets of the Century,’ which according to the conclusion of the historian committee contained a one-sided and historically incorrect depiction of the Molotov- Ribentrop Pact.

The National Radio and TV Council of Latvia has imposed a fine in the amount of 2,000 lats (EUR 3,000) on the First Baltic Channel for broadcasting a historical programme ‘The Secrets of the Century, which according to the conclusion of the historian committee contained a one-sided and historically incorrect depiction of the Molotov- Ribentrop Pact. Diena, Latvijas Avize, Chas, Telegraf

Telegraf prints an open letter of the Head of the Peoples Harmony Party parliamentary group Janis Urbanovics to the President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga, pointing to the necessity to grant to Latvian non-citizens political rights. Janis Urbanovics believes that in Latvia there is a democracy deficit because more than 350,000 residents of Latvia are not given the right to participate in the countrys political life.

Latvijas Avize prints an interview with the head of Greens and Farmers parliamentary group August Brigmanis. The MP believes that Latvian legislation should be amended so the representative of the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian-Language Schools Jurijs Petropavlovskis and other persons who are not loyal to Latvia, could not naturalise. August Brigmanis also believes that the latest statements by the Peoples Harmony Party that they will not support the government of Indulis Emsis any more are related to the forthcoming municipal elections. According to Brigmanis, the Peoples Harmony Party was aware that neither the Law on Education, nor the Law on State Language would be amended already long time ago.

Latvijas Avize features views of MPs about the conclusions of the study Assuring Access in Key Strategic Regions. Toward a Long-Term Strategy, prepared by the RAND Corporation for United States Army. The study speculates that Russia may increase her support for extreme Russian-speakers in Latvia and Estonia. By increasing violent activities local state security institutions would get involved into conflicts, which would serve as an argument for Russia to plan invasion into the Baltic States claiming that she defends rights of Russian-speakers. Most of MPs state that these conclusions are biased and exaggerated.

The Russian Foreign Affairs Ministry has issued a statement on the procession against the former red partisan Vasilijs Kononovs. The statement describes the procession as immoral and says that there were no legal grounds to initiate the case and hence it is a intentionally made up case based on the desire of officials to revise the outcomes of the World War II. The Russian Foreign Affairs Ministry notes that lawyers of Vasilijs Kononovs have already applied with the European Court of Human Rights.

The Russian Foreign Affairs Ministry has issued a statement on the procession against the former red partisan Vasilijs Kononovs. The statement describes the procession as immoral and says that there were no legal grounds to initiate the case and hence it is a intentionally made up case based on the desire of officials to revise the outcomes of the World War II. The Russian Foreign Affairs Ministry notes that lawyers of Vasilijs Kononovs have already applied with the European Court of Human Rights. Latvijas Avize

Vesti Segodnya reports on results of the study conducted by Riga Stradins University about motivations of minority representatives to form and join minority organisations. According to the results of the study, at beginning of the 90-ties people joined minority organisations wishing to maintain their traditions, while now representatives of ethnic minorities participate in activities of minority NGOs to be involved in social integration processes and promote a more effective dialogue with the state and inform broader public about their culture.

Russian language newspapers report on the parliamentary hearing of the new EC Commissioner for Freedom, Security and Justice Rocco Buttiglione (Italia). Responding to a question asked by Tatjana Zdanoka, Rocco Buttiglione expressed concern about the situation of Latvian non-citizens, in particular, that they do not have rights to participate in municipal elections.

Russian language newspapers report on the parliamentary hearing of the new EC Commissioner for Freedom, Security and Justice Rocco Buttiglione (Italia). Responding to a question asked by Tatjana Zdanoka, Rocco Buttiglione expressed concern about the situation of Latvian non-citizens, in particular, that they do not have rights to participate in municipal elections. Vesti Segondya, Chas

• Representatives of the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian-language Schools visit the Council of Europe
• Embassy of Israel issues an official statement concerning the publishing and distribution of the envelopes with the images of Herberts Cukurs
• Interview with the deputy chairperson of the recently established party ‘New Policy Alfreds Cepanis

Eight representatives of the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian-language Schools, among them four Russian-speaking students, have visited the Council of Europe. During a meeting with the Secretary General of the Council of Europe Terry Davis and the First Human Rights Commissioner Alvaro Gill-Robles the representatives of the Headquarters have noted that the implementation of the education reform in Latvia is a violation of minority rights.

Eight representatives of the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian-language Schools, among them four Russian-speaking students, have visited the Council of Europe. During a meeting with the Secretary General of the Council of Europe Terry Davis and the First Human Rights Commissioner Alvaro Gill-Robles the representatives of the Headquarters have noted that the implementation of the education reform in Latvia is a violation of minority rights. Latvijas Avize, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

Embassy of Israel has issued an official statement concerning the publishing and distribution of the envelopes with the images of Herberts Cukurs accused in the participation of the Holocaust. The Embassy of Israel has called Latvia to respond to these activities immediately. According to the statement, any attempts to rehabilitate Herberts Cukurs would denigrate the memory of almost 80,000 victims of the Holocaust.

Embassy of Israel has issued an official statement concerning the publishing and distribution of the envelopes with the images of Herberts Cukurs accused in the participation of the Holocaust. The Embassy of Israel has called Latvia to respond to these activities immediately. According to the statement, any attempts to rehabilitate Herberts Cukurs would denigrate the memory of almost 80,000 victims of the Holocaust. Telegraf features an interview with the member of the Historians Commission established under auspices of the President of Latvia and the director of the museum ‘Jews in Latvia Margers Vestermans about the biography of Herberts Cukurs. Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

Latvijas Avize prints an interview with the deputy chairperson of the recently established party ‘New Policy Alfreds Cepanis about the goals of the party. According to Alfreds Cepanis, those Russians, who have participated in the formation of the party, do not support the ideas of the Socialist Party and the union For Human Rights in the United Latvia anymore. Hence the New Policy could attract those Russians who are perceived as ethnic enemies. The deputy chairman also stresses that the thesis, included in the party programme, about the maintenance of possibilities to acquire secondary education in minority languages should not be interpreted as partys support for the moratorium on the education reform.

• Newspapers report on the congress of the Peoples Harmony Party
• Latvijas Avize features opinions of MPs about registration of the NGO United Congress of the Russian Community in Latvia
• Polish, Russian, Jewish, Ukrainian and Romani organisations of Jekabpils discuss a possibility to form a joint organisation

Newspapers report on the congress of the People’s Harmony Party (PHP). Representatives of the party decided to support the vote of non-confidence to the present government, motivating their decision with the lack of the government’s will to deal with issues concerning minority education, in particular the education reform.

Newspapers report on the congress of the Peoples Harmony Party (PHP). Representatives of the party decided to support the vote of non-confidence to the present government, motivating their decision with the lack of the governments will to deal with issues concerning minority education, in particular the education reform. Vesti Segodnya, referring to the expressions of the PHPs leaders, states that in Latvia there is not only a two-community society, but in fact there are two states in one territory: one state for Latvians having rights and democracy, and another for Russians - with a very restricted democracy. ‘Russian-speakers can not solve any problem with the methods of a parliamentary democracy. They have only one opportunity – protests on streets, has stated the head of PHP parliamentary group Janis Urbanovics. Neatkariga Rita Avize, Latvijas Avize, Vesti Segodnya, Chas, Telegraf

Latvijas Avize features opinions of MPs about registration of the NGO United Congress of the Russian Community in Latvia. Dzintars Abikis (Peoples Party) believes that the organisation should be registered if state security organisations cannot provide justified grounds why the organisation may not be registered. Ina Druviete (New Era) is convinced that claims to have the ‘Russian community in Latvia are incorrect and dangerous, because Latvia is a single community state. She, however, adds that it is easier to control organisations, which are registered.

The Polish, Russian, Jewish, Ukrainian and Romani organisations in Jekabpils are planning to form a joint association to promote preservation and development of their cultural heritage.

The Polish, Russian, Jewish, Ukrainian and Romani organisations in Jekabpils are planning to form a joint association to promote preservation and development of their cultural heritage. Neatkariga Rita Avize

• Article by the Head of the Delegation of the European Commission in Latvia Andrew Rasbash about discrimination in Latvia
• Statement of the Simon Wiesenthal Centre representative Efraim Zuroff regarding printing and distribution of envelopes with the image of the Nazi criminal Herberts Cukurs
• Russian Supervision Chamber issues a statement about the unsolved financial claims of Russia against the Baltic States
• Latvijas Avize continues discussion about the eligibility of the member of the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian-language Schools Jurijs Petropavlovskis to naturalisation
• Diena reports on the study Assuring Access in Key Strategic Regions. Toward a Long-Term Strategy
• Interview with the Russian-speaking teacher of the Rinuzi Secondary School Tatjana Kandrusina

Neatkariga Rita Avize features an article by the Head of the Delegation of the European Commission to Latvia Andrew Rasbash about the EU campaign For Diversity. Against Discrimination which recently took place in Latvia. Andrew Rasbash states that a part of Latvian society believes that discrimination in Latvia is not an intrinsic problem, while others see discrimination only as discrimination on national grounds. At the same time the Head of the Delegation of the EC states that discrimination problems in the area of employment are topical issues in Latvia as well.

The representative of the Simon Wiesenthal Centre Efraim Zuroff has issued a statement, calling state officials not only to investigate appearance of envelopes with the images of Herberts Cukurs accused in the participation of the Holocaust, but also to stop distribution of these envelops.

The representative of the Simon Wiesenthal Centre Efraim Zuroff has issued a statement, calling state officials not only to investigate appearance of envelopes with the images of Herberts Cukurs accused in the participation of the Holocaust, but also to stop distribution of these envelops. Vesti Segodnya

The Russian Supervision Chamber has issued a statement that the Baltic States owes Russia USD 3,000,000,000. The debt has formed after the collapse of the USSR. The Prime Minister of Latvia Indulis Emsis believes that the Russia’s announcement comes as a response to the initiative of several members of Saeima who called to evaluate consequences of the Latvia’s occupation and calculate financial damages brought by Soviet occupation.

The Russian Supervision Chamber has issued a statement that the Baltic States owes Russia USD3,000,000,000. The debt has formed after the collapse of the USSR. The Prime Minister of Latvia Indulis Emsis believes that the Russias announcement comes as a response to the initiative of several members of Saeima who called to evaluate consequences of the Latvias occupation and calculate financial damages brought by Soviet occupation. Diena, Latvijas Avize

Latvijas Avize continues discussions about the eligibility of the member of the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian-language Schools Jurijs Petropavlovskis to naturalisation. The newspaper features views of some MPs. Majority of MPs believe that state security institutions should evaluate the eligibility of Jurijs Petropavlovskis to naturalisation very thoroughly and, if his activities have been illegitimate, he should not have the right to naturalise. The Head of Saeima Education, Culture and Science Committee Janis Strazdins (Union of Farmers and Greens) believes that amendments to the Citizenship Law should be adopted which would deny the right to naturalise to persons, who ‘bring harm to our society and spoils social integration process.

Diena reports on the study Assuring Access in Key Strategic Regions. Toward a Long-Term Strategy, prepared by the RAND Corporation for United States Army. The study admits a range of future developments among countries in Europe, including a possibility of a military conflict between Russia and the Baltic States. The study speculates that Russia may increase her support for extreme Russian-speakers in Latvia and Estonia. By increasing violent activities local state security institutions would get involved into conflicts, which would serve as an argument for Russia to plan invasion into the Baltic States claiming that she defends rights of Russian-speakers. ‘This crackdown, in turn, provides Russia with an opportunity to present itself as a protector of human rights and by doing so attempt to drive a wedge between the Baltic States and their NATO allies. Although these speculations are only on the paper, observers stress that the study encourages the Baltic States not to rely on their NATO membership as a 100% security guarantee. Instead, Latvia and Estonia should make a bigger effort to integrate Russian-speakers.

Chas features an interview with the Russian-speaking teacher of the Rinuzi Secondary School Tatjana Kandrusina about the implementation of the education reform in minority schools. The teacher points to the necessity of a differentiated education reform in Russian-language schools, stressing that the emphasis should be placed on the quality of Latvian language as the language of instruction rather than on increasing the number of Latvian language lessons or transition to studies mainly in the Latvian.