• Vesti Segodnya prints an article by the MPs Valerijs Buhvalovs and Jakovs Pliners on results of centralised examination in ethnic minority schools recently published by the ISEC
• Ministry of Justice is elaborating a draft supplement to the Rules of the Cabinet of Ministers which determines level of state language proficiency required for various posts and professions
• Chas reports on various events held in Riga and Daugavpils in the framework of the Year of Russian Language

Vesti Segodnya prints an article by the MPs Valerijs Buhvalovs and Jakovs Pliners (both from the FHRUL) on results of centralised examination in ethnic minority schools recently published by the Education Content and Examination Centre (ISEC in its Latvian acronym). According to the ISEC, examination results in Latvian language have risen for the past three years, while, general examination results in Russian language schools and Latvian language schools are similar for the most part. The ISEC also has concluded that language in which students reply on examination does not impact results substantially. However, the authors of the article criticize conclusions of the ISEC, arguing that available data show that results in Latvian language have fallen rather than risen, while, results in such exams as Biology, Physics, Maths and History of those students who gave answers in native language are higher as compared to those who answered in Latvian. Valerijs Buhvalovs and Jakovs Pliners believe that results of centralised examination show that education reform in minority schools did not succeed.

Latvijas Avize reports that the Ministry of Justice in co-operation with the representatives of the State Language Centre is elaborating a draft supplement to the Rules of the Cabinet of Ministers which determines level of state language proficiency required for about 180 posts and professions for employees of state and municipal institutions as well as of private enterprises. Presently, legal acts stipulate that in private sector an employer determines the necessary level of the state language proficiency of employees. According to the head of the Control Department of the State Language Centre Antons Kursitis, for the sake of protecting the state language and the interests of ethnic Latvians the state has to determine the necessary level of the state language proficiency for employees in private companies.

Chas reports about a conference Russian Language in Cultural-Communicative Space of New Europe and festivity of Russian Language held in Riga and Daugavpils in the framework of the Year of Russian Language.

• Saeima has refused a proposal of the faction For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM to grant Latvian legionnaires special status

Latvijas Avize reports that the Saeima has refused a proposal of the faction For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM to grant Latvian legionnaires (SS Waffen unit) special status equal with the status of members of the National resistance movement, which would grant them special benefits.

• FF/LNIM criticizes the Head of the Naturalisation Board Eizenija Aldermane for objections against proposed merger of the Board and the State Language Centre
• Saeima has supported draft amendments to the Asylum Law
• Vesti Segodnya prints an article on reasons why Jewish community of Latvia never expresses its position concerning removal of monuments to Soviet soldiers or critical attitude towards Red Army in Latvia
• Days of Russian Language are launched in Riga

Representatives of the Saeima’s faction For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM (FF/LNIM) have held a meeting with the Minister of Justice Gaidis Berzins, the Head of the Naturalisation Board (NB) Eizenija Aldermane and the Director of the State Language Centre Agris Timuska discussing possible merger of the NB and the State Language Centre. The FF/LNIM has criticized Eizenija Aldermane for objections against merger of two institutions. According to the FF/LNIM, the state must be concerned about strengthening positions of the state language rather than about speeding-up naturalisation process. Therefore, the FF/LNIM considers that number of the NB’s staff members has to be decreased.

Representatives of the Saeimas faction For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM (FF/LNIM) have held a meeting with the Minister of Justice Gaidis Berzins, the Head of the Naturalisation Board (NB) Eizenija Aldermane and the Director of the State Language Centre Agris Timuska discussing possible merger of the NB and the State Language Centre. The FF/LNIM has criticized Eizenija Aldermane for objections against merger of two institutions. According to the FF/LNIM, the state must be concerned about strengthening positions of the state language rather than about speeding-up naturalisation process. Therefore, the FF/LNIM considers that number of the NBs staff members has to be decreased. Chas

Yesterday, the Saeima has supported draft amendments to the Asylum Law which stipulate revision of asylum applications in shortened terms.

Yesterday, the Saeima has supported draft amendments to the Asylum Law which stipulate revision of asylum applications in shortened terms. NRA

Vesti Segodnya prints an article on reasons why Jewish community of Latvia never expresses its position concerning removal of monuments to Soviet soldiers or critical attitude towards Red Army in Latvia. According to a columnist of the newspaper, the chairman of the Council of Jewish Communities in Latvia Arkadijs Suharenko and some other representatives of the Jewish community have avoided answering the question.Abrams Kleckins, an academician and also a representative of Jewish community, has stated that these questions were never discussed within the community, most likely because these issues are too much politicized.

Chas reports that the Days of Russian Language are launched in Riga today.

• President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin has signed the Law on Ratification of the Border Agreement between Latvia and Russia
• Chas reports on closure of Russian language classes in a secondary school in Aluksne
• Head of the Citizenship Law Implementation Committee Peteris Tabuns: those non-citizens who have received citizenship to gain benefits are disloyal towards Latvia
• Minister of Justice Gaidis Berzins: Naturalisation Board and the State Language Centre might be re-organised
• Diena: implementation of the European Commissions proposal on special work permits for highly qualified guest workers from non-EU states will not cause large influx of labour force into Latvia

Yesterday, the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin has signed the Law on Ratification of the Border Agreement between Latvia and Russia. The Border Agreement will come into force after both countries exchange ratification documents.

Yesterday, the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin has signed the Law on Ratification of the Border Agreement between Latvia and Russia. The Border Agreement will come into force after both countries exchange ratification documents. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf, Diena, Latvijas Avize, NRA

Chas reports on closure of Russian language classes in a secondary school in Aluksne (town in the North-eastern part of Latvia) due to the luck of pupils. According to the newspaper, parents of Russian speaking children complain that their children have to study in classes with Latvian language of instructions because they have no other options.

In an interview with

In an interview with Vesti Segodnya, the Head of the Citizenship Law Implementation Committee, MP Peteris Tabuns (FF/LNIM) has stated that those non-citizens who have received citizenship to gain benefits are disloyal towards Latvia. Peteris Tabuns considers that naturalisation examination is too simple and must be complicated. Mr. Tabuns also categorically objected against influx of immigrants to Latvia.

Latvijas Avize reports that the Minister of Justice Gaidis Berzins has stated that the Naturalisation Board and the State Language Centre might be re-organised if the merger of both institutions fails.

According to

According to Diena, implementation of the European Commissions proposal on special work permits for highly qualified guest workers from non-EU states will not cause large influx of labour force into Latvia due to the low wages and reserved attitude of society. In an interview with the newspaper, the General Director of the Employers Confederation of Latvia Elina Egle has stated that for foreign specialists Latvia is not as attractive as countries with more open social policy. However, academician Mihails Hazans believes that such work permits might attract to Latvia specialists from Eastern European countries.

• Igors Pimenovs believes that a national referendum on granting non-citizens voting rights would split society along ethnic lines
• Latvijas Avize reports on a visit of the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe Thomas Hammarberg to Latvia
• Telegraf prints an article about a study Influence of Foreign Countries on Society Ethnic Integration Process in Latvia
• Vesti Segodnya reports on the European Russian forum
• Chas reports on festivity of Russian language in Daugavpils

The member of the Riga City Council, head of the Latvian Association for Support of Russian Language Schools Igors Pimenovs believes that a national referendum on granting non-citizens voting rights in municipal elections would split society along ethnic lines. Igors Pimenovs believes that ethnic split regarding political issues would increase tension between Latvians and Russian speaking residents. Mr. Pimenovs also believes that the referendum might be used by national radical parties, because rising interethnic tensions will strengthen their position. Chas

The member of the Riga City Council, head of the Latvian Association for Support of Russian Language Schools Igors Pimenovs believes that a national referendum on granting non-citizens voting rights in municipal elections would split society along ethnic lines. Igors Pimenovs believes that ethnic split regarding political issues would increase tension between Latvians and Russian speaking residents. Mr. Pimenovs also believes that the referendum might be used by national radical parties, because rising interethnic tensions will strengthen their position. Chas

Latvijas Avize reports on a visit of the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe Thomas Hammarberg to Latvia. According to the newspaper, the Commissioner wanted to get acquainted with present situation in Latvia and to find out whether his previous recommendations on human rights issues have been taken into consideration. In the framework of the visit, Mr. Hammarberg has hold meetings with NGOs representatives, experts, ministers and other state officials.

Vesti Segodnya reports on the European Russian forum Russian Speaking Society in Europe and its Role in EU - Russia Relations held in Brussels from 1-2 October. The participants of the forum, including representatives from Latvia, among other, have discussed issues concerning Russian minorities in Europe and non-citizens in Latvia and Estonia.

Telegraf prints an article about a study Influence of Foreign Countries on Society Ethnic Integration Process in Latvia recently conducted by the Centre for Eastern European Political Studies. As reported, according to the study, Russia hinders integration process in Latvia. In an interview with the newspaper, political scientist, ex-Integration Minister Nils Muiznieks has agreed that Russia troubles integration process using mass media, various conferences, history curriculum and other means which form conflict opinions in Latvian society. However, Mr. Muiznieks believes that domestic mass media and political parties create much more obstacles for integration. While, the MP Boriss Cilevics (the Concord Centre), in an interview with Telegraf, has stated that the study cannot be evaluated as significant scientific study and it was conducted with prearranged results.

Chas reports on festivity of Russian language in Daugavpils (city in the Eastern part of Latvia) held with support of the House of Moscow.