• Moscow mayor Yuri Luzhkov visits Latvia
• Baltijas Forums participants from Russia criticize the education reform in Latvia
• Peoples Harmony Party plans to challenge the Saeima decision to prolong prohibitions for the ex-staff of the State Security Committee
• Fourth Reunion of World Latvian Jewry will take place in Riga
• Latvijas Avize commentator Maris Antonevics criticizes Latvian Social Democratic Labor Party youth organizations statement on the education reform

Newspapers write about the visit of the Moscow mayor Yuri Luzhkov to Riga. During the visit Jurij Luzhkov has spoken about relationship between Russia and Latvia, naming the problems of non-citizens in Latvia and implementation of the education reform as the main obstacles for good relationship between the two states. Yuri Luzhkov has also expressed a desire to meet the activists of the Headquarters for the Defense of Russian-language Schools, although this meeting was not initially on the agenda of his visit.

Newspapers write about the visit of the Moscow mayor Yuri Luzhkov to Riga. During the visit Jurij Luzhkov has spoken about relationship between Russia and Latvia, naming the problems of non-citizens in Latvia and implementation of the education reform as the main obstacles for good relationship between the two states. Yuri Luzhkov has also expressed a desire to meet the activists of the Headquarters for the Defense of Russian-language Schools, although this meeting was not initially on the agenda of his visit. Diena, Neatkariga Rita Avize, Latvijas Avize, Vesti Segodnya, Chas

Most participants from Russia have criticized implementation of the education reform in Latvia at the conference organized by the NGO Baltijas Forums. The Russian presidential Human Rights commission chief Ella Panfilova called to listen to the legitimate requirements of the Russian-speaking students. Leader of the party Svobodnaya Rossiya (Free Russia) Irina Hakamada believes the reform should be more liberal, i.e., minority students and their parents should have an opportunity to choose subjects taught in Latvian. Irina Hakamada also thinks Latvia should consider possibility to grant voting rights to the non-citizens.

Most participants from Russia have criticized implementation of the education reform in Latvia at the conference organized by the NGO Baltijas Forums. The Russian presidential Human Rights commission chief Ella Panfilova called to listen to the legitimate requirements of the Russian-speaking students. Leader of the party Svobodnaya Rossiya (Free Russia) Irina Hakamada believes the reform should be more liberal, i.e., minority students and their parents should have an opportunity to choose subjects taught in Latvian. Irina Hakamada also thinks Latvia should consider possibility to grant voting rights to the non-citizens. Diena, Latvijas Avize, Vesti Segdonya, Chas

People’s Harmony Party has started collecting signatures in order to challenge the Saeima decision to prolong prohibitions for the ex-staff of the State Security Committee of the Soviet Republic of Latvia to hold offices in the state security institutions, civil service and to stand for Saeima and municipal elections for the next 10 years, in the Constitutional Court.

Peoples Harmony Party has started collecting signatures in order to challenge the Saeima decision to prolong prohibitions for the ex-staff of the State Security Committee of the Soviet Republic of Latvia to hold offices in the state security institutions, civil service and to stand for Saeima and municipal elections for the next 10 years, in the Constitutional Court. Latvijas Avize, Vesti Segodnya, Chas

The Fourth Reunion of World Latvian Jewry will take place in Riga on 1 – 8 May.

The Fourth Reunion of World Latvian Jewry will take place in Riga on 1 – 8 May. Latvijas Avize, Vesti Segodnya

Latvijas Avize features a commentary by Maris Antonevics, criticizing position of the Latvian Social Democratic Labor Partys youth organization on moratorium on the education reform. Although the party has stood apart from the statements of its youth organization, the journalist believes that those could have not been spread without any support of the party.

• Only 32 MPs supported resignation of the Special Tasks Minister for Society Integration Nils Muiznieks
• Saeima urgently adopts amendments to the law stipulating prolongation of the prohibitions for the ex-staff of the State Security Committee for the next 10 years
• Situation of Russian-speakers in the Baltic States was discussed during the meeting of the Russia Foreign Affairs Minister Sergey Lavrov and the First Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe Alvaro Gil-Robles
• Executive director of the Riga City Council Maris Tralmaks refused to authorize a protest meeting against the education reform
• Riga City Council Security and Order Committee suggests harsher penalties for violation of the law On Walks, Pickets and Meetings
• Latvian Social Democratic Labor Party stands apart from the statement of its youth organization calling to establish a moratorium on the education reform
• Interview with the ambassador of Latvia to Russia Normans Penke
• National Program for Latvian Language Training organizes an Open day
• Riga City Council Normunds Ozolins criticizes statements of the extreme national organization Visu Latvijai!

Yesterday only 32 MPs, most likely from the New Era and For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM, voted in support of resignation of the Special Tasks Minister for Society Integration Nils Muiznieks.

Yesterday only 32 MPs, most likely from the New Era and For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM, voted in support of resignation of the Special Tasks Minister for Society Integration Nils Muiznieks. Diena, Neatkariga Rita Avize, Rigas Balss, Latvijas Avize, Chas

Saeima has urgently adopted amendments to the law stipulating prolongation of the prohibitions for the ex-staff of the State Security Committee of the Soviet Republic of Latvia to hold offices in the state security institutions, civil service and to stand for elections for the next 10 years. Cabinet of Ministers was obliged to evaluate necessity of retaining prohibitions in the specific areas by next June.

Saeima has urgently adopted amendments to the law stipulating prolongation of the prohibitions for the ex-staff of the State Security Committee of the Soviet Republic of Latvia to hold offices in the state security institutions, civil service and to stand for elections for the next 10 years. Cabinet of Ministers was obliged to evaluate necessity of retaining prohibitions in the specific areas by next June. Diena, Neatkariga Rita Avize, Rigas Balss, Latvijas Avize, Vesti Segodnya, Chas, Telegraf

According to the Russian Foreign Affairs Ministry, Russian-speakers’ situation in the Baltic States was the main issue discussed during the meeting of the Russia Foreign Affairs Minister Sergey Lavrov and the First Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe Alvaro Gil-Robles.

According to the Russian Foreign Affairs Ministry, Russian-speakers situation in the Baltic States was the main issue discussed during the meeting of the Russia Foreign Affairs Minister Sergey Lavrov and the First Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe Alvaro Gil-Robles. Chas

Following recommendations of the State Security Police, the Executive director of the Riga City Council Maris Tralmaks has refused to authorize a protest meeting against the education reform, planned on 1 June at Ratslaukums. Maris Tralmaks has stated that previous events have shown that it is impossible to foresee number of the participants, and that Ratslaukums is not suitable for events with the large numbers of participants.

Following recommendations of the State Security Police, the Executive director of the Riga City Council Maris Tralmaks has refused to authorize a protest meeting against the education reform, planned on 1 June at Ratslaukums. Maris Tralmaks has stated that previous events have shown that it is impossible to foresee number of the participants, and that Ratslaukums is not suitable for events with the large numbers of participants. Diena, Latvijas Avize, Vesti Segodnya, Chas, Telegraf

Yesterday Riga City Council Security and Order Committee has adopted an appeal to the Saeima Legal Affairs Committee to amend the Criminal Law, introducing harsher penalties for violations of the law On Walks, Pickets and Meetings. Proposed amendments foresee imprisonment up to two years or financial penalty till 150 minimal wages for organization of the unsanctioned event with the participation of juveniles or violation of the public order. At the same time, Council’s deputies also suggest to amend the Code of Administrative Violations, increasing a penalty for violation of the law On Walks, Pickets and Meetings for individuals from 100 till 250 lats, but for juridical persons – from 500 till 2,000 lats.

Yesterday Riga City Council Security and Order Committee has adopted an appeal to the Saeima Legal Affairs Committee to amend the Criminal Law, introducing harsher penalties for violations of the law On Walks, Pickets and Meetings. Proposed amendments foresee imprisonment up to two years or financial penalty till 150 minimal wages for organization of the unsanctioned event with the participation of juveniles or violation of the public order. At the same time, Councils deputies also suggest to amend the Code of Administrative Violations, increasing a penalty for violation of the law On Walks, Pickets and Meetings for individuals from 100 till 250 lats, but for juridical persons – from 500 till 2,000 lats. Vesti Segodnya

Latvian Social Democratic Labor Party has stood apart from the statement of its youth organization, which, in collaboration with the Organization of the Working Youth and the young representatives of the Headquarters for the Defense of Russian-language Schools has yesterday appealed to the government to establish a moratorium on the education reform. The Party believes that the education reform’s implementation  must be carried out in accordance with the existent regulations of the Cabinet of Ministers, stating that moratorium on the reform would prevent minority schools, which are ready for the reform, from implementing it.

Latvian Social Democratic Labor Party has stood apart from the statement of its youth organization, which, in collaboration with the Organization of the Working Youth and the young representatives of the Headquarters for the Defense of Russian-language Schools has yesterday appealed to the government to establish a moratorium on the education reform. The Party believes that the education reforms implementation must be carried out in accordance with the existent regulations of the Cabinet of Ministers, stating that moratorium on the reform would prevent minority schools, which are ready for the reform, from implementing it. Chas

Latvijas Avize prints an interview with the ambassador of Latvia to Russia Normans Penke about the relationship between Latvia and Russia.

Newspapers write about the Open day organized by the National Program for Latvian Language Training (NPLLT). The purpose of today’s event is to explain to all interested parties the essence of bilingual education and to introduce the new teaching aids. A documentary film, in which directors of the minorities’ schools express their attitude towards the education reform, will be demonstrated.

Newspapers write about the Open day organized by the National Program for Latvian Language Training (NPLLT). The purpose of todays event is to explain to all interested parties the essence of bilingual education and to introduce the new teaching aids. A documentary film, in which directors of the minorities schools express their attitude towards the education reform, will be demonstrated. Latvijas Avize, Latvijas Vestnesis

Latvijas Avize features an article by the deputy of the Riga City Council Normunds Ozolins (Cita Politika), who criticizes statements of the extreme national organization Visu Latvijai! about the necessity to restrict a number of naturalization applicants per year. Normunds Ozolins calls the readers not to support this organization and its ideas.

• Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly has supported Russias stance on continuation of the post-monitoring dialogue with Latvia
• Saeima Legal Affairs Committee prepares law amendments stipulating prolongation of the prohibition for the ex-staff of the State Security Committee of the Soviet Republic of Latvia to hold certain offices and naturalize
• Latvia Foreign Affairs Minister and experts about Russias decision to sign a boarder agreement with Latvia
• Prime Minister Indulis Emsis believes he has not caused moral damage to the activist of the Headquarters Aleksandrs Kazakovs when naming him a ‘Moscow consultant in organizing protest actions
• Claim to the Constitutional Court against the education reform
• A call to establish a moratorium on education reform until minorities schools, students and parents are not fully prepared
• Representatives of Saeima Citizenship Law Implementation Committee meet with the head of the Naturalization Board Eizenija Aldermane
• Russian Community in Latvia and organization Youth, Traditions, Eternity expresses support to the Special Tasks Minister for Society Integration Nils Muiznieks
• European Parliament candidates discuss education reform
• Freedom House evaluates freedom of speech in Latvia

Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly has supported the Russia’s stance on the continuation of the post-monitoring dialogue with Latvia, informs Russian information agency RIA Novosti. Hence, according to the deputy chairman of the Russia State Council’s International Affairs Committee Leonid Slutsky, Russia will be able to continue protecting the Russian-speakers’ rights in Latvia.

Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly has supported the Russias stance on the continuation of the post-monitoring dialogue with Latvia, informs Russian information agency RIA Novosti. Hence, according to the deputy chairman of the Russia State Councils International Affairs Committee Leonid Slutsky, Russia will be able to continue protecting the Russian-speakers rights in Latvia. Diena, Neatkariga Rita Avize

Saeima Legal Affairs Committee has prepared amendments to the law, stipulating prolongation of the prohibitions for the ex-staff of the State Security Committee of the Soviet Republic of Latvia to hold certain offices and naturalize for the next 10 years, at the same time obliging the Cabinet of Ministers to evaluate necessity of retaining  prohibitions in the specific areas by next June. Most likely, Saeima will make a decision on this issue today.

Saeima Legal Affairs Committee has prepared amendments to the law, stipulating prolongation of the prohibitions for the ex-staff of the State Security Committee of the Soviet Republic of Latvia to hold certain offices and naturalize for the next 10 years, at the same time obliging the Cabinet of Ministers to evaluate necessity of retaining prohibitions in the specific areas by next June. Most likely, Saeima will make a decision on this issue today. Neatkariga Rita Avize, Latvijas Avize, Rigas Balss, Chas, Telegraf

Latvia Foreign Affairs Minister Rihards Piks believes that Russia’s practical interests are the main reason for the allegedly expressed readiness to ratify the boarder agreement with Latvia. Diena, referring to the former diplomat Peteris Vinkelis, writes that the President’s of Russia priority is simplification of the visa regime between Russia and the EU, and one of the EU prerequisites is a boarder agreement between Russia and Latvia. At the same time experts, questioned by the

Latvia Foreign Affairs Minister Rihards Piks believes that Russias practical interests are the main reason for the allegedly expressed readiness to ratify the boarder agreement with Latvia. Diena, referring to the former diplomat Peteris Vinkelis, writes that the Presidents of Russia priority is simplification of the visa regime between Russia and the EU, and one of the EU prerequisites is a boarder agreement between Russia and Latvia. At the same time experts, questioned by the Neatkariga Rita Avize, believe that new requirements from Russia will follow shortly. Diena, Telegraf

Prime Minister Indulis Emsis believes that he had not caused  moral damage to the assistant of the Russia’s State Council deputy speaker Dmitry Rogozin and activist of the Headquarters for the Defense of Russian-language Schools Aleksandrs Kazakovs when naming him as a ‘Moscow consultant’ in organizing protest actions. Aleksandrs Kazakovs has submitted a claim to the court, requiring the prime minister to recall this statement.

Prime Minister Indulis Emsis believes that he had not caused moral damage to the assistant of the Russias State Council deputy speaker Dmitry Rogozin and activist of the Headquarters for the Defense of Russian-language Schools Aleksandrs Kazakovs when naming him as a ‘Moscow consultant in organizing protest actions. Aleksandrs Kazakovs has submitted a claim to the court, requiring the prime minister to recall this statement. Latvijas Avize

Newspapers continue to write about the claim to the Constitutional Court challenging implementation of the education reform, submitted by the MPs from People’s Harmony Party Boris Tsilevitch and Vitalijs Orlovs.

Newspapers continue to write about the claim to the Constitutional Court challenging implementation of the education reform, submitted by the MPs from Peoples Harmony Party Boris Tsilevitch and Vitalijs Orlovs. Diena, Chas, Telegraf

Yesterday the youth organization of the Latvian Social Democratic Labor Party and Organization of the Working Youth, in collaboration with the young representatives of the Headquarters for the Defense of Russian-language Schools, made an appeal to the government to establish a moratorium on education reform until minorities’ schools, students and parents are not fully prepared for it.

Yesterday the youth organization of the Latvian Social Democratic Labor Party and Organization of the Working Youth, in collaboration with the young representatives of the Headquarters for the Defense of Russian-language Schools, made an appeal to the government to establish a moratorium on education reform until minorities schools, students and parents are not fully prepared for it. Vesti Segodnya

Latvijas Avize features article about meeting of the representatives of Saeima Citizenship Law Implementation Committee with the head of the Naturalization Board Eizenija Aldermane in order to discuss problems in the area of naturalization. During the meeting MPs have expressed their concern about the fact that some non-citizens in Daugavpils have been unsuccessfully trying to pass the Latvian language examination on repeated occasions. Eizenija Aldermane responded by pointing to the necessity of developing a special program for improving the Latvian language environment in the town. The head of the Naturalization Board also believes that there is no necessity to make amendments to the legislation restricting possibilities to pass the language examination repeatedly due to the problems encountered in one particular town.

Russian Community in Latvia and minorities’ youth organization Youth, Traditions, Eternity has expressed support to the Special Tasks Minister for the Society Integration Nils Muiznieks.

Russian Community in Latvia and minorities youth organization Youth, Traditions, Eternity has expressed support to the Special Tasks Minister for the Society Integration Nils Muiznieks. Latvijas Avize, Chas

Telegraf features discussion between the three European Parliament candidates - Tatjana Zdanoka (For Human Rights in the United Latvia), Inese Vaidere (For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM) and Nils Muiznieks (Latvias First Party) on society integration issues.

Independent non-profit, nonpartisan organization Freedom House has published its annual report on freedom of speech in Europe and former USSR. Out of all former soviet countries, the Baltic States have received the highest appraisal.

Independent non-profit, nonpartisan organization Freedom House has published its annual report on freedom of speech in Europe and former USSR. Out of all former soviet countries, the Baltic States have received the highest appraisal. Diena

• MPs from Peoples Harmony Party submit a claim against the education reform to the Constitutional Court
• President of Russia Vladimir Putin has allegedly promised to ratify the boarder agreements with Latvia and Estonia
• Access to the content of the State Security Committees of the Soviet Republic of Latvia former agents files could be limited
• Union of the Belarusian Societies in Latvia expresses support to the Special Tasks Minister for Society Integration Nils Muiznieks
• Interview with the Special Tasks Minister for Society Integration Nils Muiznieks about society integration issues and the upcoming vote of confidence
• Activist of the Headquarters for the Defense of Russian-language Schools Aleksandrs Kazakovs submits a court claim against the Prime Minister Indulis Emsis
• Russia Foreign Affairs Ministry condemns amendments to the law On the Status of Former USSR Citizens Who are not Citizens of Latvia or Any Other State

MPs from People’s Harmony Party Boris Tsilevitch and Vitalijs Orlovs have submitted a claim to the Constitutional Court, pointing to the nonconformity of several norms,  stipulated by the Law’s on Education with regards to transition to the Latvian language as a main language of tuition in minorities’ schools, to the Constitution of Latvia, as well as to the binding for Latvia European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, Convention on the Rights of the Child, and the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties.

MPs from Peoples Harmony Party Boris Tsilevitch and Vitalijs Orlovs have submitted a claim to the Constitutional Court, pointing to the nonconformity of several norms, stipulated by the Laws on Education with regards to transition to the Latvian language as a main language of tuition in minorities schools, to the Constitution of Latvia, as well as to the binding for Latvia European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, Convention on the Rights of the Child, and the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties. Neatkariga Rita Avize, Rigas Balss, Latvijas Avize, Telegraf, Chas, Vesti Segodnya

Newspapers, referring to the official information of the Irish Presidency of the European Union, inform that during the last-week summit of Russia and the EU the President of Russia Vladimir Putin has promised to ratify boarder agreements with Latvia and Estonia.

Newspapers, referring to the official information of the Irish Presidency of the European Union, inform that during the last-week summit of Russia and the EU the President of Russia Vladimir Putin has promised to ratify boarder agreements with Latvia and Estonia. Diena, Neatkariga Rita Avize, Latvijas Avize

Full access to the content of the State Security Committee’s of the Soviet Republic of Latvia former agents’ files could be granted only to politically repressed persons,  participants of the national resistance movement and their next of kin, suggested experts during their meeting with the representatives of the Saeima Legal Affairs Committee. The experts also agreed that prohibition to naturalize as well as to hold specific offices for the former agents of the State Security Committee can not be prolonged automatically, pointing to the necessity to review the list of prohibited positions. According to the experts, the prohibition must be retained for the posts in the prosecutor’s office, state security institutions and courts.

Full access to the content of the State Security Committees of the Soviet Republic of Latvia former agents files could be granted only to politically repressed persons, participants of the national resistance movement and their next of kin, suggested experts during their meeting with the representatives of the Saeima Legal Affairs Committee. The experts also agreed that prohibition to naturalize as well as to hold specific offices for the former agents of the State Security Committee can not be prolonged automatically, pointing to the necessity to review the list of prohibited positions. According to the experts, the prohibition must be retained for the posts in the prosecutors office, state security institutions and courts. Diena, Neatkariga Rita Avize, Rigas Balss, Latvijas Avize, Telegraf

Union of Belarusian Societies in Latvia has sent an open letter to the Prime Minister Indulis Emsis, Saeima Speaker Ingrida Udre, Special Tasks Minister for Society Integration Nils Muiznieks and mass media, objecting to the attempts to dismiss Nils Muiznieks from his post. According to the letter, dismissal of Nils Muiznieks from the post of the minister, based upon a fictional reason, would mean return to the past when minorities of Latvia have been ignored, and their integration into Latvian society was regarded only as their inclusion into the Latvian language and cultural environment.

Union of Belarusian Societies in Latvia has sent an open letter to the Prime Minister Indulis Emsis, Saeima Speaker Ingrida Udre, Special Tasks Minister for Society Integration Nils Muiznieks and mass media, objecting to the attempts to dismiss Nils Muiznieks from his post. According to the letter, dismissal of Nils Muiznieks from the post of the minister, based upon a fictional reason, would mean return to the past when minorities of Latvia have been ignored, and their integration into Latvian society was regarded only as their inclusion into the Latvian language and cultural environment. Chas

Vesti Segodnya features an interview with the Special Tasks Minister for Society Integration Nils Muiznieks about society integration issues and the upcoming Saeima vote of confidence to him. According to the minister, the main task of integration is to achieve that all society members feel a sense of belonging to the state, and it is necessary to pay special attention to the integration of minority youth. Answering a question about his readiness to develop the dialogue with the representatives of the Headquarters for the Defense of Russian Language Schools, Nils Muiznieks said that in his opinion, the real goal pursued by the Headquarters is a higher political rating, not a constructive dialogue.

Assistant of the Russia’s State Council deputy speaker Dmitry Rogozin and the activist of the Headquarters for the Defense of Russian-language Schools Aleksandrs Kazakovs have submitted a claim to the court against the Prime Minister Indulis Emsis, requiring a public recall of the prime minister’s statement that Kazakovs is a ‘Moscow consultant’ in organizing protest actions.

Assistant of the Russias State Council deputy speaker Dmitry Rogozin and the activist of the Headquarters for the Defense of Russian-language Schools Aleksandrs Kazakovs have submitted a claim to the court against the Prime Minister Indulis Emsis, requiring a public recall of the prime ministers statement that Kazakovs is a ‘Moscow consultant in organizing protest actions. Diena, Latvijas Avize, Telegraf, Chas, Vesti Segodnya

Russia Foreign Affairs Ministry has made a statement condemning amendments to the law On the Status of Former USSR Citizens Who are not Citizens of Latvia or Any Other State, adopted by Saeima in the second reading. The amendments stipulate that persons who have received a residence permit in another country after 1 May 2004 can be deprived of their non-citizen status in Latvia. According to the Russia Foreign Affairs Ministry, by adopting such amendments the government of Latvia continues the policy of discrimination against the large part of Latvian inhabitants who are not citizens of Latvia.

Russia Foreign Affairs Ministry has made a statement condemning amendments to the law On the Status of Former USSR Citizens Who are not Citizens of Latvia or Any Other State, adopted by Saeima in the second reading. The amendments stipulate that persons who have received a residence permit in another country after 1 May 2004 can be deprived of their non-citizen status in Latvia. According to the Russia Foreign Affairs Ministry, by adopting such amendments the government of Latvia continues the policy of discrimination against the large part of Latvian inhabitants who are not citizens of Latvia. Latvijas Avize, Telegraf, Vesti Segodnya

• Consultative meeting in Riga City Council on the readiness for implementation of the education reform in Riga
• Interview with the President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga
• Meeting of the Special Tasks Minister for Society Integration Nils Muiznieks and Netherlandss Minister for Immigration and Integration Rita Verdonk
• Union of Ukrainians support the Special Tasks Minister for Society Integration Nils Muiznieks
• Newspapers write about the initiative to create a database of the non-citizens, who want to naturalize but do not have money for the naturalization fee
• This year minority students of grade 9 must pass a centralized Latvian language and literature exam
• About the campaign I speak Russian
• Saeima MP Jakovs Pliners and Teacher-Methodist Valerijs Buhvalovs about the implementation of the education reform
• Philosopher Vilnis Zarins criticizes the protest actions against the education reform and non-Latvian stances
• Journalist Juris Paiders claims minority education reform puts Latvian students at a disadvantage

Newspapers write about the consultative meeting in Riga City Council on the implementation of the education reform in Riga. During the meeting the representatives of the State Education Inspection stated that there are neither financial nor pedagogical arguments due to which the transition to the tuition in Latvian language in minority schools could not be realized on 1 September 2004. Head of the inspection Zigfrids Grinpauks states that only one minority school out of 60, which are realizing minorities’ secondary education programs in Riga, has recognized that the school is not ready for implementation of the reform.

Newspapers write about the consultative meeting in Riga City Council on the implementation of the education reform in Riga. During the meeting the representatives of the State Education Inspection stated that there are neither financial nor pedagogical arguments due to which the transition to the tuition in Latvian language in minority schools could not be realized on 1 September 2004. Head of the inspection Zigfrids Grinpauks states that only one minority school out of 60, which are realizing minorities secondary education programs in Riga, has recognized that the school is not ready for implementation of the reform. Telegraf criticizes the statement of the director of the National Human Rights Office Olafs Bruvers, expressed during the meeting that the state has full rights to determine the language of tuition in state schools and that the minorities representatives can establish private schools with the minority language of instruction. Latvijas Vestnesis, Latvijas Avize, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

Latvijas Avize prints an interview with the President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga about the implementation of the education reform and protest actions against it. According to the president, international organizations believe that there are no problems in Latvia in the area of minority rights, and the only exception is Russia, which has an ambition to use Latvias and Estonias accession to the EU as a reason to make Russian an official language of the EU. The president also states that until now the participants at the protest actions have respected the authorities, stressing that the sanctions can follow if the line is overstepped.

Yesterday Special Tasks Minister for Society Integration Nils Muiznieks met Netherlands’s Minister for Immigration and Integration Rita Verdonk in order to discuss the experience in the area of the society integration policy in both states.

Yesterday Special Tasks Minister for Society Integration Nils Muiznieks met Netherlandss Minister for Immigration and Integration Rita Verdonk in order to discuss the experience in the area of the society integration policy in both states. Latvijas Vestnesis

The Union of Ukrainians has disseminated an open letter expressing support for the work of Special Task Minister for Society Integration Affairs Nils Muiznieks, whose resignation has been requested by the New Era. The authors of the letter believe that Nils Muiznieks is one of few politicians who are trying to work on the dialogue between ethnic minorities and the state. According to the leaders of the union A.Skalsky and V.Stefanovics, the resignation of the minister would mean the loss of the hope for Ukrainians to maintain their culture and ethnic identity and the interruption of the dialogue between the state and ethnic minorities.

The Union of Ukrainians has disseminated an open letter expressing support for the work of Special Task Minister for Society Integration Affairs Nils Muiznieks, whose resignation has been requested by the New Era. The authors of the letter believe that Nils Muiznieks is one of few politicians who are trying to work on the dialogue between ethnic minorities and the state. According to the leaders of the union A.Skalsky and V.Stefanovics, the resignation of the minister would mean the loss of the hope for Ukrainians to maintain their culture and ethnic identity and the interruption of the dialogue between the state and ethnic minorities. Chas

Newspapers comment the initiative of the NGO Prata Speks (The Strength of Mind) in collaboration with the People’s Harmony Party to create a database of non-citizens, who want to naturalize but do not have money for the naturalization fee.

Newspapers comment the initiative of the NGO Prata Speks (The Strength of Mind) in collaboration with the Peoples Harmony Party to create a database of non-citizens, who want to naturalize but do not have money for the naturalization fee. Latvijas Avize, Rigas Balss, Vesti Segodnya, Chas, Telegraf

This year minority students of grade 9 must pass a centralized Latvian language and literature exam.

This year minority students of grade 9 must pass a centralized Latvian language and literature exam. Diena

Newspapers write about the campaign “I speak Russian”, organized by the Latvian Association for the Support of Russian-language Schools and the Society of Russian-language School Teachers. The project coordinator Igors Vatolins has stressed that this is not a campaign against the Latvian language and the goal of the project is to promote pride in the Russian language and culture.  The project involves Russian-speaking students and teachers, schools’ administrations, parents and political figures  and also aims to popularize Russian language and culture among Latvians.

Newspapers write about the campaign I speak Russian, organized by the Latvian Association for the Support of Russian-language Schools and the Society of Russian-language School Teachers. The project coordinator Igors Vatolins has stressed that this is not a campaign against the Latvian language and the goal of the project is to promote pride in the Russian language and culture. The project involves Russian-speaking students and teachers, schools administrations, parents and political figures and also aims to popularize Russian language and culture among Latvians. Latvijas Avize, Rigas Balss, Chas, Telegraf

Vesti Segodnya prints an article by the MP of For Human rights in United Latvia parliamentary group Jakovs Pliners and teacher-methodologist Valerijs Buhvalovs about the implementation of the education reform. The authors, referring to the 91st paragraph of the Constitution of Latvia, which stipulates that human rights are applied without any discrimination, state that in the future even the national-radicals will have to ratify the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities, which also includes minorities rights to education in their mother tongue.

Latvijas Avize features an interview with philosopher Vilnis Zarins about the protest actions against the education reform. Vilnis Zarins believes that all non-Latvians who are live in Latvia and declare their love towards Russia must realize that sooner or later they will be not only integrated but after some generations also assimilated. The philosopher also believes that Latvia would benefit if one part of ‘occupants-deserters would leave the country.

Neatkariga Rita Avize features an article by journalist and former Dienas Business editor Juris Paiders, who believes that both former and present governments of Latvia pay too much attention to the Russian community in Latvia and do not pay an adequate attention to the problems of Latvian students. The journalist regards educational policy of the Ministry of Education and Science as discriminating with regard to Latvian students because under the influence of nationalistic slogans many Latvian high school students do not learn Russian language. As a result, Latvians are less prepared for work in Riga private business sector than Russians, who generally are proficient in three languages – Latvian, English and Russian.