• New Composition of Advisory Council on Minority Education
• Discussions on ratification of the Framework Prevention are planned by the Special Task Minister for Social Integration and Saeima sub-committee
• Riga Vice Mayor Dolgopolov may be excluded from Peoples Harmony Party
• Russian-speaker skepticism on EU and minority rights
• Foreign Ministrys perceived threat by Russia revisited
• Janis Jurkans criticism of Russian Duma party Rodina
• Criticism of official approach to minority youth integration
• Rafi HaradÅ£ajans on evolution of Association of National Culture Societies

Chas reports that the composition of the advisory council on minority education at the Ministry of Education is changing, posing the question whether the new one will be as subordinate to ministerial positions. Last Monday a suggestion was accepted that the council would include 10 representatives of government, municipalities, school directors (who are directly dependent on the ministry) and 15 representatives of officially registered NGOs. The newspaper comments that this means that the Ministry will be interested in including the NGOs which are supportive of the education reform, while leader of the Latvian Association for the Support of Russian-Language Schools (LAShOR) Igors Pimenovs hopes that the new council will become a mechanism for true dialogue between government and civil society.

Special Task Minister for Social Integration, reporting to the Saeima Human Rights Committee yesterday, indicated that the Social Integration Secretariat will start discussions on the ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protection of national Minorities.  Meanwhile, a special sub-committee is being established in the Saeima, the Social Integration Committee, which will be dealing with this issue.  The minister also reported that the Secretariat will come forth in May with proposals for legislative changes necessary for the implementation of the EU directives, especially the Race Directive.

Special Task Minister for Social Integration, reporting to the Saeima Human Rights Committee yesterday, indicated that the Social Integration Secretariat will start discussions on the ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protection of national Minorities. Meanwhile, a special sub-committee is being established in the Saeima, the Social Integration Committee, which will be dealing with this issue. The minister also reported that the Secretariat will come forth in May with proposals for legislative changes necessary for the implementation of the EU directives, especially the Race Directive. Vesti segodnya

Riga Vice-mayor Sergey Dolgopolov’s intention to establish a non-governmental organization uniting left-wing forces, which could eventually turn into a new political party has been greeted with incomprehension within his present party, the People’s Harmony Party.  The question of Dolgopolov’s possible exclusion from the PHP will be discussed on 15 December, promised the party leaders. 

Riga Vice-mayor Sergey Dolgopolovs intention to establish a non-governmental organization uniting left-wing forces, which could eventually turn into a new political party has been greeted with incomprehension within his present party, the Peoples Harmony Party. The question of Dolgopolovs possible exclusion from the PHP will be discussed on 15 December, promised the party leaders. Rigas Balss, Vechernaya Riga, Telegraf

Vesti segodnya publishes a Euro-skeptic article, based on an interview with a representative of the Communist Party of Greece Eliseos Vagenas. The article concludes that no support from the EU for Russian-speakers in Latvia is to be expected and that the only way forward is to organize around minority-friendly political parties and actively participate in political life within Latvia.

An article in

An article in Telegraf discusses the Ministry of Foreign Affairs dissatisfaction with the newspapers in a recent article that Foreign Minister of Latvia had referred to Russias military threats to Latvia on the basis of its treatment of its Russian-speakers, which the ministry considers an exaggeration of Ms Kalnietes position. After publishing a longer excerpt of the foreign ministers statement the newspaper concludes that the foreign ministrys worries and the perceived threat stemmed from statements by Russian Defence Minister Segey Ivanov in Colorado Springs in October, in which he referred to the self-perceived Russian right to intervention in CIS countries, not the Baltic countries.

People’s harmony Party leader Janis Jurkans does not take seriously the Rodina party representative’s call for including including politicians allegedly legitimate to the Latvian people, such as Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM representatives Guntars Krasts or Inese Vaidere, instead of Janis Jurkans or Janis Urbanovich in a Russian-Latvian dialogue on the problems of Russian-speakers in Latvia.  Jurkans points to the fact that Rodina with its leader Rogozin will not be the ones determining the dialogue, since it is between governments, and the main role will be that of the party of President Putin. 

Peoples harmony Party leader Janis Jurkans does not take seriously the Rodina party representatives call for including including politicians allegedly legitimate to the Latvian people, such as Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM representatives Guntars Krasts or Inese Vaidere, instead of Janis Jurkans or Janis Urbanovich in a Russian-Latvian dialogue on the problems of Russian-speakers in Latvia. Jurkans points to the fact that Rodina with its leader Rogozin will not be the ones determining the dialogue, since it is between governments, and the main role will be that of the party of President Putin. Telegraf

An article in

An article in Vechernaya Riga comments on the recent conference organized by the Secretariat of the Special Task Minister for Social Integration on problems of minority youth. According to the newspaper, despite speakers admission that twelve years after independence there is a problem of alienation from the state among minority youth, who have very low rates of naturalization there were no new proposals for dealing with the problem. Naturalization and learning Latvian are still seen by the state as the way forward and the Special Task Ministers stress on the necessity of the minority education reform. The article points out that there was no representative at the conference of the group spoken about – minority youth – and that the working languages of the conference were only Latvian and English.

As

As Diena person Rafi Haradţajans, leader of the Association for National Cultural Societies, talks about the evolution of the Association and its continued work during Latvias integration into Europe, including both new and traditional minorities.

• Russia State Duma preferences by Russian voters in Latvia
• Sandra Kalniete on post-election relations with Russia
• Deputy Mayor of Riga Sergey Dolgopolov plans to bring together the left wing parties
• Excerpts from answers by Special Task Minister for Societal Integration Nils Muiznieks to questions in internet portal Delfi
• Martinjan Bekasov, the MP of Latvias Socialist Party parliamentary group continues his work as observer at the European Parliament
• Interview with Jakov Briskin who wants to establish the party For a Two-Community Latvia

More than 9,200 citizens of Russia (out of some 40,000 who live in Latvia) participated in the Russian State Duma elections by voting at the Russian embassy in Latvia. Of these, 33% have voted for the block Rodina (“Fatherland”), 31% - for Yedinaya Rosiya (“United Russia”), 18.7% - for the Communist Party of Russian Federation.  The proportions are similar for all three Baltic countries’ Russian citizens, although in Estonia Yedinstvo nudged into first place. The deputy chairman of the Rodina Dmitry Rogozin has stated that this block will implement a hard-line politics in order to defend the compatriots outside the Russia. The Russian Ambassador to Latvia comments on the new Duma and the effect on relations between Latvia and Russia by pointing out that the new Duma will undoubtedly seek to establish a dialogue, but that the real development of relations depends on Latvia’s position concerning the “Russian compatriots” and non-citizens as well as the upcoming minority education reform. Various Latvian politicians’ comments on the Russian elections also appear.

More than 9,200 citizens of Russia (out of some 40,000 who live in Latvia) participated in the Russian State Duma elections by voting at the Russian embassy in Latvia. Of these, 33% have voted for the block Rodina (Fatherland), 31% - for Yedinaya Rosiya (United Russia), 18.7% - for the Communist Party of Russian Federation. The proportions are similar for all three Baltic countries Russian citizens, although in Estonia Yedinstvo nudged into first place. The deputy chairman of the Rodina Dmitry Rogozin has stated that this block will implement a hard-line politics in order to defend the compatriots outside the Russia. The Russian Ambassador to Latvia comments on the new Duma and the effect on relations between Latvia and Russia by pointing out that the new Duma will undoubtedly seek to establish a dialogue, but that the real development of relations depends on Latvias position concerning the Russian compatriots and non-citizens as well as the upcoming minority education reform. Various Latvian politicians comments on the Russian elections also appear. Diena, Latvijas Avize, Rigas Balss, Telegraf, Vesti Segodnya, Chas

Foreign Minister Sandra Kalniete expresses the opinion in

Foreign Minister Sandra Kalniete expresses the opinion in Latvija avize that now that elections in Russia are over and there is a new Duma in place relations between Russian and Latvia should improve, and Russia should work on some concrete problems: the ratification of the border agreement, the signature of the repatriation of illegal immigrants by Russia and meeting of the Russian-Latvian interstate committee at the chairperson level.

Early in the next year the Deputy Mayor of Riga and People’s Harmony Party member Sergey Dolgopolov plans to establish a new organization, which would bring together the left wing parties. According to Dolgopolov, in the course of time this organization could be transformed to a left-wing party, which could participate at the next municipality elections. 

Early in the next year the Deputy Mayor of Riga and Peoples Harmony Party member Sergey Dolgopolov plans to establish a new organization, which would bring together the left wing parties. According to Dolgopolov, in the course of time this organization could be transformed to a left-wing party, which could participate at the next municipality elections. Diena, Latvijas Avize, Vesti Segodnya, Chas, Vechernaya Riga

Latvijas avize publishes excerpts from a question-and-answer session with Special Task Minister for Societal Integration Nils Muiznieks, conducted by the internet portal Delfi. The Special Task Minister states that mistakes have been made in the area of minority policy over the last ten years, and now it is necessary to struggle with the resulting alienation and resentment by minorities. He acknowledges that there are some two-community features in Latvia, for example, on some issues of foreign policy, the understanding of history and in attitudes on some elements of national policy. There is also certain segregation in the area of education and media, but many common values, the increasing level of Latvian language knowledge, the high and stable number of inter-ethnic marriage and the fact that economic opportunities are not closely related to ethnicity.

Martinjan Bekasov, the MP of Latvia’s Socialist Party parliamentary group, continues his work as observer at the European Parliament despite for the decision of the Saeima to recall him from this post. Bekasov claims that he has the right to continue his work based on the criticism by some representatives of European parliament that the Saeima decision violates his rights to free speech, and because the European Parliament has not yet expressed an official opinion about the decision of Saeima.

Martinjan Bekasov, the MP of Latvias Socialist Party parliamentary group, continues his work as observer at the European Parliament despite for the decision of the Saeima to recall him from this post. Bekasov claims that he has the right to continue his work based on the criticism by some representatives of European parliament that the Saeima decision violates his rights to free speech, and because the European Parliament has not yet expressed an official opinion about the decision of Saeima. Latvijas avize, Telegraf

Latvijas Avize interviews Jakov Briskin, the representative of emerging party For a Two-Community Latvia. Briskin is a non-citizen and claims he should receive citizenship automatically, because he has worked for the good of Latvia by agitating for vote for the Peoples Front at the end of the Soviet period.

• Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM conference and future plans
• Russians in Latvia participate in RussianState Duma vote
• Association of Russian-language school teachers established
• Igors Pimenovs calls for changes in minority education advisory council
• PHP Janis Jurkans predicts strong positions for social democrats and nationalists in EU

Fatherland and Freedom/Latvian National Independence Movement in their party conference last Saturday reelected Janis Straume as chairperson.  Searching for new ways to avoid falling beneath the 5% barrier for participation in parliament party delegates indicated that a stronger nationalist stance would be forthcoming, making priorities out of state support for the Latvian language and education, for the international recognition of the occupation fact and  strict requirements for naturalization, the improvement of the demographic situation, etc. 

Fatherland and Freedom/Latvian National Independence Movement in their party conference last Saturday reelected Janis Straume as chairperson. Searching for new ways to avoid falling beneath the 5% barrier for participation in parliament party delegates indicated that a stronger nationalist stance would be forthcoming, making priorities out of state support for the Latvian language and education, for the international recognition of the occupation fact and strict requirements for naturalization, the improvement of the demographic situation, etc. Diena, Neatkariga rita avize, Latvijas avize, Vesti segodnya, Chas

Ambassor Studennikov of Russia expressed dissatisfaction at the decision by the Latvian government not to allow the conduct of elections for the Russian Duma at other localities than the Embassy itself.  Some 2,500 Russian citizens living in Latvia were quing up outside the Embassy yesterday to participate in the Russian Duma elections.  Informal journalist exit polls indicated that the most frequent votes were for Dmitry Rogozin (Rodina) and Vladimir Zhirinovsky. 

Ambassor Studennikov of Russia expressed dissatisfaction at the decision by the Latvian government not to allow the conduct of elections for the Russian Duma at other localities than the Embassy itself. Some 2,500 Russian citizens living in Latvia were quing up outside the Embassy yesterday to participate in the Russian Duma elections. Informal journalist exit polls indicated that the most frequent votes were for Dmitry Rogozin (Rodina) and Vladimir Zhirinovsky. Vesti segodnya, Chas, Telegraf

On Saturday the new association of Russian-language school teachers held its founding meeting. 

On Saturday the new association of Russian-language school teachers held its founding meeting. Latvijas avize, Chas

Leader of the Latvian Association for the Support of Schools with Russian Language of Instruction Igor Pimenov makes a call for changing the advisory council working with the Ministry of Education on minority education into a true forum for dialogue instead of only for show by decreasing the number of government representatives and increasing the representatives of minorities. 

Leader of the Latvian Association for the Support of Schools with Russian Language of Instruction Igor Pimenov makes a call for changing the advisory council working with the Ministry of Education on minority education into a true forum for dialogue instead of only for show by decreasing the number of government representatives and increasing the representatives of minorities. Vesti segodnya, Chas

Head of People’s Harmony Party Janis Jurkans, who recently stepped down from his post as faction leader in parliament, in an interview in

Head of Peoples Harmony Party Janis Jurkans, who recently stepped down from his post as faction leader in parliament, in an interview in Telegraf comments on the future for parties in the European Union. Jurkans believes that the European Union will enhance the chances for social democratic and nationalist parties to gain strong positions.

• Survey on Latvian elites attitude towards ethnic issues
• Societal Integration Fund will increase share of funding to integration in next two years
• Student strike planned against the education reform 2004
• Statements of MPs on the Peoples Harmony Party proposal to reduce the naturalization fee
• Statements of the Ambassador of Russia to Latvia and Minister of Education and Science about the situation at the Cesis Russian-language school
• Peoples Harmony Party member of Saeima has been nominated Man of the Year in Russia

Diena reports on survey about Latvias elite attitudes towards democracy, economics and internal and external integration issues, conducted by the director of Baltic Institute of Social Sciences Brigita Zepa and professor of University of Oslo Anton Steen. 50% of the respondents believe that there are a couple problems concerning ethnic issues that are difficult to solve while 41% believe that there are several but not significant ethnic problems in Latvia. Only 4% believe that there are no problems in this area. The survey also establishes the significant differences between attitudes of Russian and Latvian respondents on the issue of the observation of minority rights – 60% Russians and 5% Latvians regards this issue as significant. Similarly 87% Russian and only 21% Latvian respondents agree to the statement that all the inhabitants of Latvia should have all civil rights. Only 20% Latvians and fully 90% Russians believe that minorities living in Latvia are loyal to the state.

Society Integration Foundation (SIF) will be allocating more funds for societal integration in next two years. According to the report, submitted to the Saeima Human Rights and Public Affairs Committee by the director of SIF Nils Sakss, in 2003 the SIF received Ls 155,806 for its institutional activities while 1,428,260 Ls were allocated from PHARE funds and 445,409 from state funds for integration projects.  For 2004, the PHARE funding for projects will reach 1,572,965 Ls and state co-financing 717,057 Ls.  For 2005 the figures are 1,890,000 PHARE project financing and 281,215 state co-financing.

Society Integration Foundation (SIF) will be allocating more funds for societal integration in next two years. According to the report, submitted to the Saeima Human Rights and Public Affairs Committee by the director of SIF Nils Sakss, in 2003 the SIF received Ls 155,806 for its institutional activities while 1,428,260 Ls were allocated from PHARE funds and 445,409 from state funds for integration projects. For 2004, the PHARE funding for projects will reach 1,572,965 Ls and state co-financing 717,057 Ls. For 2005 the figures are 1,890,000 PHARE project financing and 281,215 state co-financing. Latvijas avize

Russian-language newspapers write on new protest activities, planned by opponents to the education reform of 2004. During a meeting of Russian-speaking students’ parents and teachers of several Russian-language schools with MP Jakov Pliner and several NGOs, opposing the education reform, a decision was made to organize a students’ strike next spring.

Russian-language newspapers write on new protest activities, planned by opponents to the education reform of 2004. During a meeting of Russian-speaking students parents and teachers of several Russian-language schools with MP Jakov Pliner and several NGOs, opposing the education reform, a decision was made to organize a students strike next spring. Chas, Vesti Segodnya

Latvijas Avize features the statements of parliamentarians about the proposal by the Peoples Harmony Party to reduce the naturalization fee. The MP of the party New Era Ina Druviete states that many persons are already included in categories who have lowered fees and that there is no need for extending these categories. Both Ina Druviete and MP for the party For Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK Juris Dobelis believe that the existent naturalization fee could not be an insurmountable barrier for non-citizens who really want to naturalize. Peteris Simsons form Latvias First Party allows for the possibility to further reduce the naturalization fee, if it will be shown to be the most essential barrier for naturalization.

Latvijas Avize features statements of the Ambassador of Russia to Latvia Igor Studennikov and Minister of Education and Science Karlis Sadurskis about the situation at the Cesis Russian-language school. Igor Studennikov suggests to resolve this problem by merging classes and thus avoiding the closing of the first grade at this school. The Minister regards the decision of the local government to not open a first grade, based on the insufficient number of students, as adequate. According to the Karlis Sadurskis, the ministry has asked the local government and the parents to continue a dialogue on the issue to search for new opportunities for maintaining minorities cultures and languages in Cesis.

Janis Urbanovich, MP of People’s Harmony Party, has been named Man of the Year in Russia by the Russian Institute of Biographies.

Janis Urbanovich, MP of Peoples Harmony Party, has been named Man of the Year in Russia by the Russian Institute of Biographies. Diena, Latvijas Avize

• Sandra Kalniete on relations between Russia and Latvia
• President of European Parliament Pat Cox views on the recall of Martinjan Bekasov from EP observers status
• Eizenija Aldermane on the integration of minority youth
• Proposal of Peoples Harmony Party to lower naturalization fee
• Representatives of Russian language schools about the schools readiness for the education reform
• MP Aldis Kuskis on the prohibition for ex-staff of the State Security Committee to stand as candidate for elections
• FederalRepublic of Germany award to the director of the museum Jews in Latvia Marger Vesterman

Telegraf reports about the press briefing of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Latvia Sandra Kalniete during the NATO Foreign Ministers meeting at Alliance Headquarters in Brussels on 4 and 5 December. During the briefing Sandra Kalniete reminded about the complicated relationships between Russia and Latvia. The statement by Minister for Foreign Affairs of Russia Igor Ivanov that Russia reserves the right to military intervention in Latvia based on violation of minority rights shows that it is impossible to have a dialogue with Russia. The Latvian foreign minister also indicated that the pre-election time in Russia precludes constructive dialogue.

Neatkariga Rita Avize reports that the President of the European Parliament (EP) Pat Cox, commenting on the recall of observer Martijan Bekasov, has stated that it is not only a legal, but even more a political problem, said the EP President press secretary David Harley. For EU observers the freedom of speech standards should be the same as for deputies, continued David Harley, and if these are fully guaranteed by the Latvian parliament there should be no problem.

Head of Naturalization Board Eizenija Aldermane explained her remarks at the recent conference on minority youth where she talked about the lack of patriotic education and alientation from the state by youth.  Ms Aldermane explains that dividing youth into Latvians, Russians, Ukrainians is incorrect and that she had in mind the alienation of all youth.  She admits, however, that the Russian-language schools are a special case, because they provide no civic education in secondary school grades. Another problem Ms Aldermane points to is the tendency of the Russian-speaking families to receive news information only from Russian channels. 

Head of Naturalization Board Eizenija Aldermane explained her remarks at the recent conference on minority youth where she talked about the lack of patriotic education and alientation from the state by youth. Ms Aldermane explains that dividing youth into Latvians, Russians, Ukrainians is incorrect and that she had in mind the alienation of all youth. She admits, however, that the Russian-language schools are a special case, because they provide no civic education in secondary school grades. Another problem Ms Aldermane points to is the tendency of the Russian-speaking families to receive news information only from Russian channels. Telegraf

The People’s Harmony Party (PHP) has appealed to the Minister of Justice Aivars Aksenoks, requesting a reduction of the naturalization fee. The head of Naturalization Board Eizenija Aldermane points to the recent decision of the government to reduce the naturalization fee for non-citizens with low income.

The Peoples Harmony Party (PHP) has appealed to the Minister of Justice Aivars Aksenoks, requesting a reduction of the naturalization fee. The head of Naturalization Board Eizenija Aldermane points to the recent decision of the government to reduce the naturalization fee for non-citizens with low income. Chas, Telegraf, Vechernaya Riga

An article in

An article in Chas presents various opinions of discontented representatives of Riga Russian-language schools about the schools readiness for the education reform of 2004, criticizing the Ministry of Educations recent statement that the schools are ready and will include even more classes in Latvian than the required minimum.

Diena features an article by MP Aldis Kuskis (The New Era), arguing that it is necessary to prohibit ex-staff of the SSC to stand as candidate for elections, especially since as members of the EP they would be representing Latvia at one of the most important institutions of the European Union.

The Ambassador of Germany in Latvia Herold Eckart has presented a Federal Republic of Germany award to the director of the museum “Jews in Latvia” Marger Vesterman.  The award is in recognition of his merits in studying Jewish life, history and the Holocaust in Latvia.

The Ambassador of Germany in Latvia Herold Eckart has presented a Federal Republic of Germany award to the director of the museum Jews in Latvia Marger Vesterman. The award is in recognition of his merits in studying Jewish life, history and the Holocaust in Latvia. Latvijas Avize