• President of Latvia Valdis Zatlers called on all Latvian residents to be united

The President of Latvia Valdis Zatlers in his speech on the occasion of the National Independence Day on 18 November called on all Latvian residents to be united in order to have justice in the country. According to the President, Latvian residents proved that they can be proud of Latvia and united in desire to live in clean and beautiful Latvia.

The President of Latvia Valdis Zatlers in his speech on the occasion of the National Independence Day on 18 November called on all Latvian residents to be united in order to have justice in the country. According to the President, Latvian residents proved that they can be proud of Latvia and united in desire to live in clean and beautiful Latvia. Latvijas Avize, Diena

• Nationalistically minded politicians criticize proposal to grant the Order of the Three Stars to the coach of the Latvian national ice hockey team Olegs Znaroks

Vesti Segodnya reports that Latvian nationalistically minded politicians criticize proposal to grant the Order of the Three Stars (award for merits in service for Latvia) to the coach of the Latvian national ice hockey team Olegs Znaroks arguing that he disrespects Latvia and is not proficient in Latvian language. The proposal came from deputies of the five Saeimas factions with an aim to award Mr. Znaroks for achievements of the national team at the World Ice Hockey championship. According to the newspaper, several foreigners had been awarded with the Order, however, the award of Olegs Znaroks who is German citizen is over politicized by nationalists allegedly due to his ethnic Russian origin.

• Mayor of Riga Nils Usakovs: it is wrong to equal Latvian Waffen SS legionnaires with fascists

The Mayor of Riga Nils Usakovs in an interview with the

The Mayor of Riga Nils Usakovs in an interview with the NRA stated that it is wrong to equate Latvian Waffen SS legionnaires with fascists. Mr. Usakovs considers that Latvian legionnaires are victims of Nazi regime forcibly called up for military service.

• MP Visvaldis Lacis will not bring apologies to the MP Nikolajs Kabavnovs for calling him enemy of Latvian nation and Latvia

The MP Visvaldis Lacis in an interview with

The MP Visvaldis Lacis in an interview with Latvijas Avize stated that he will not bring apologies to the MP Nikolajs Kabavnovs for calling him from the Saeimas tribune enemy of Latvian nation and Latvia because it is his strict opinion and conviction. As reported, Nikolajs Kabanovs (the Concord Centre) won the court case on defence of his honour and dignity against the MP Visvaldis Lacis (former Waffen SS legionary and an unaffiliated MP known for his nationalistic views) and the court ruled that Mr. Lacis has to bring apologies to Mr. Kabanovs.

• Retired lieutenant colonel sued the State Language Centre disputing its decision to fine him for insufficient state language proficiency
• Vesti Segodnya reports about a conference of Russian NGOs from Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia

Chas reports that a retired lieutenant colonel sued the State Language Centre disputing its decision to fine him for insufficient state language proficiency. The claimant believes that his Latvian language proficiency is sufficient and he was fined due to his refusal to answer questions of language inspectors which did not have any relation to his work duties.

Vesti Segodnya reports about a conference of Russian NGOs from Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia held in Vilnius, Lithuania. The participants discussed the notion of a Russian compatriot and consolidation of Russian NGOs. Representatives of NGOs from Latvia stated that organisations in Latvia succeeded in consolidation and gaining support of mass media and two political parties.