• Study Intercultural Dialogue in European Multicultural Society: ethnic Latvians are victims of language discrimination
• Chas interviews activist Viktors Guscins about his visit to the World Coordination Council of Russian Compatriots

Newspapers report on a study “Intercultural Dialogue in European Multicultural Society” supported by the European Commission and conducted by the Multicultural Education Centre of the University of Latvia. The study concludes that ethnic Latvians are victims of language discrimination. According to the study, ethnic Latvians feel greater psychological discomfort when choosing to speak Russian as communication language in Latvia. The study also shows that despite that state language is Latvian it is possible to live in the country knowing only Russian language. The authors of the study assert that Latvia as bilingual country will remain economically undeveloped and only as mono-lingual country Latvia will become stabile and safe.

Newspapers report on a study Intercultural Dialogue in European Multicultural Society supported by the European Commission and conducted by the Multicultural Education Centre of the University of Latvia. The study concludes that ethnic Latvians are victims of language discrimination. According to the study, ethnic Latvians feel greater psychological discomfort when choosing to speak Russian as communication language in Latvia. The study also shows that despite that state language is Latvian it is possible to live in the country knowing only Russian language. The authors of the study assert that Latvia as bilingual country will remain economically undeveloped and only as mono-lingual country Latvia will become stabile and safe. Diena, Telegraf

Chas interviews activist of so-called Russian compatriots in Latvia Viktors Guscins about his visit to the World Coordination Council of Russian Compatriots held in Moscow. According to Mr. Guscins, the Council discussed draft law on compatriots and decided that status of Russian compatriots should be granted to representatives of all ethnicities of former USSR, except for those ethnicities which established their independent state after USSR fall. Mr. Guscins says that status of compatriot will not provide any benefits and no document identifying person as Russian compatriot will be issued.

• Saeimas Human Rights and Public Affairs Committee supported amendments to the draft Law on Electronic Mass Media limiting broadcasts in foreign languages
• Russias Ambassador to the NATO Dmitrijs Rogozins believes that Russian language should be official in Latvia
• Security Police refused to initiate a criminal procedure against the professor Sergejs Kruks

The Saeima’s Human Rights and Public Affairs Committee supported amendments to the draft Law on Electronic Mass Media limiting broadcasts in foreign languages. In particular, TV channels which have status of national channels will have to broadcast in Latvian language not less than 65% of their air time and 100% during the prime time (from 7 pm to 12 pm). Newspapers note that such proposal contradicts the decision of the Constitutional Court issued in 2003 which cancelled language limits in broadcasting.

The Saeimas Human Rights and Public Affairs Committee supported amendments to the draft Law on Electronic Mass Media limiting broadcasts in foreign languages. In particular, TV channels which have status of national channels will have to broadcast in Latvian language not less than 65% of their air time and 100% during the prime time (from 7 pm to 12 pm). Newspapers note that such proposal contradicts the decision of the Constitutional Court issued in 2003 which cancelled language limits in broadcasting. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf, Diena

Russia’s Ambassador to the NATO Dmitrijs Rogozins in an interview with

Russias Ambassador to the NATO Dmitrijs Rogozins in an interview with Latvian Avize believes that Russian language should be granted status of official in Latvia and those non-citizens who do not want to naturalise in order to accept Latvian citizenship should be given Russian citizenship. Mr. Rogozins also believes that improved situation with rights of Russian speakers in Latvia will help to improve relations with Russia.

The Security Police refused to initiate a criminal procedure on incitement to ethnic hatred against famous Latvian professor Sergejs Kruks. As reported, director of the Latvian Language Agency complained about Mr. Kruks for his statements about exaggerated policy on state language and culture.

The Security Police refused to initiate a criminal procedure on incitement to ethnic hatred against famous Latvian professor Sergejs Kruks. As reported, director of the Latvian Language Agency complained about Mr. Kruks for his statements about exaggerated policy on state language and culture. Diena

• Professor of Broke University in Canada Juris Dreifelds: Im not afraid of Russification of ethnic Latvians but rather afraid of the fact that ethnic Latvians emigrate from the country

Professor of Broke University in Canada ethnic Latvian Juris Dreifelds in an interview with

Professor of Broke University in Canada ethnic Latvian Juris Dreifelds in an interview with Latvijas Avize believes that there is polarisation in Latvian society – ethnic Latvian nationalists become more nationalistic and, at the same time, mobilized ethnic Russian residents become more alienated. Mr. Dreifelds also says that he is not afraid of Russification of ethnic Latvians but rather afraid of the fact that ethnic Latvians emigrate from the country

• Unity officially stopped talks with nationalist parties For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM and All for Latvia!
• Sestdiena prints an article about radical and extremist organisations in Latvia

Political union “Unity” officially terminated talks with nationalist parties For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM (FF/LNIM) and “All for Latvia!” about their inclusion in the political union. According to newspapers, presently, the FF/LNIM and “All for Latvia!” are planning to run for the up-coming Saeima’s elections together.

Political union Unity officially terminated talks with nationalist parties For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM (FF/LNIM) and All for Latvia! about their inclusion in the political union. According to newspapers, presently, the FF/LNIM and All for Latvia! are planning to run for the up-coming Saeimas elections together. Diena, Vesti Segodnya

Weekly magazine

Weekly magazine Sestdiena prints an article about radical and extremist organisations in Latvia. There are several organisations which are included by the Security Police in the list of radical and extremist organisations. According to the head of the Security Police Janis Reiniks, there are few such organisations and they are headed by three or a slightly larger number of persons. For instance, Mr. Reiniks mentions that there are several small skinhead groups in Latvia whose larger expansion was stopped by timely detection of first crimes committed by their members.

• Political scientist Viktors Makarovs: Right-wing politicians try to capitalize on pro-American positions, although now this coincide with normalization of relations with Russia

Telegraf interviewed Viktors Makarovs, Latvian political scientist, director of political centre EuroCivitas and researcher of Baltic Forum. Mr.Makarovs sees a number of reasons for current rapprochement between the USA and Russia, and believes that the Baltic States as such do not represent a top strategic priority for the USA or Russia. Mr.Makarovs believes Latvia and Russia could reach a compromise on historical issues by withdrawing any material compensation claims and recognizing involuntary nature of incorporation into the USSR. The issue of compatriots in neighboring states is not a priority for Russian foreign policy and it only surfaces when there is a need to spice things up. Regarding participation of the US military attache in the Victory Day celebrations in Riga Mr.Makarovs believes that Latvian politicians always pay special attention to the opinion of the United States, while it is obvious that now USA supports improvement of dialogue between the Baltic States and Russia.