• Russian Embassy in Latvia held a presentation of a bibliographic handbook Eminent Russians in Latvia
• Vesti Segodnya: head of the Presidents Advisory Council on Ethnic Minorities Romualds Razuks did not attend meeting of the Coordinative Council of Russian NGOs

Telegraf reports that the Russian Embassy in Latvia held a presentation of a bibliographic handbook Eminent Russians in Latvia. In the framework of the presentation, the Russian Embassy also presented additional educational materials on Russian language and culture to representatives of Russian language schools in Riga.

Vesti Segodnya reports that on Tuesday, the Coordinative Council of Russian NGOs held a meeting on situation of Russian residents in Baltic countries. According to the newspaper, head of the Presidents Advisory Council on Ethnic Minorities Romualds Razuks also was planning to attend the meeting, but nevertheless, he did not come arguing that the President Valdis Zatlers has not defined aims of activities of the Advisory Council yet.

• All for Latvia! promises to disturb celebrations on 9 May if anti-fascists disturb 16 March events

Newspapers report that leaders of the nationalistic party “All for Latvia!” stated that if so-called “anti-fascist” organisations will attempt to disturb procession of Latvian SS legionnaires on 16 March, members of “All for Latvia!” will disturb celebrations on 9 May (Victory Day). According to “All for Latvia!”, NGO “Motherland” and Latvian Anti-fascist Committee submitted application for their protest action on 16 March (unofficial commemoration day of Latvian Waffen SS legionnaires) near the Monument of Liberty and, therefore, “All for Latvia!” submitted application for its protest action on 9 May near the Monument for Liberators of Riga from German and Fascist Invaders. “All for Latvia!” will recall the application only if anti-fascists recall theirs.

Newspapers report that leaders of the nationalistic party All for Latvia! stated that if so-called anti-fascist organisations will attempt to disturb procession of Latvian SS legionnaires on 16 March, members of All for Latvia! will disturb celebrations on 9 May (Victory Day). According to All for Latvia!, NGO Motherland and Latvian Anti-fascist Committee submitted application for their protest action on 16 March (unofficial commemoration day of Latvian Waffen SS legionnaires) near the Monument of Liberty and, therefore, All for Latvia! submitted application for its protest action on 9 May near the Monument for Liberators of Riga from German and Fascist Invaders. All for Latvia! will recall the application only if anti-fascists recall theirs. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf, Latvijas Avize

• Security Police: right and left wing extremists might become more active after 13 January events
• On Thursday, the Saeima will finally decide the status of Orthodox Christmas

According to a representative of the Security Police, right and left wing extremists might become more active because after anti-governmental demonstration and mass clashes of 13 January in Riga the society has new boundaries for radical expressions. The Security Police is also cautious about traditionally “hot days” – 16 March (unofficial commemoration day of Latvian Waffen SS legionnaires) and 9 May (Victory day) when various radical groupings might provoke confrontations.

According to a representative of the Security Police, right and left wing extremists might become more active because after anti-governmental demonstration and mass clashes of 13 January in Riga the society has new boundaries for radical expressions. The Security Police is also cautious about traditionally hot days – 16 March (unofficial commemoration day of Latvian Waffen SS legionnaires) and 9 May (Victory day) when various radical groupings might provoke confrontations. Diena

Telegraf reports that on Thursday, the Saeima in the third and final reading will review draft amendments to the Law on Public Holidays which stipulate granting Orthodox Christmas (6 and 7 January) the status of public holiday. However, it is not clear yet whether Orthodox Christmas will be a bank holiday (as it was supported in the second reading) or just a holiday. According to the newspaper, the Ministry of Finances does not object to two extra bank holidays.

• Political scientist Iveta Kazoka: ethnic Latvian part of society is ready to accept Russian parties in the government
• Newspapers report about a study Teaching of Contradictory XX Century History Issues in Latvian Schools. Evaluation of Situation
• 220th anniversary of establishment of first Russian school in Latvia.

In an interview with

In an interview with Chas, political scientist Iveta Kazoka states that ethnic Latvian part of society is ready to accept Russian parties in the government. Ms. Kazoka believes that Russian parties successfully work in municipalities, while, ratings of nationalistic parties drop. Iveta Kazoka also believes participation of Russian parties in the government would increase competition among parties and promote democracy.

According to a study “Teaching of Contradictory XX Century History Issues in Latvian Schools. Evaluation of Situation” conducted with the support of the Soros Foundation –Latvia, only 26% of students of Russian language schools consider that content of history books is objective, as compared with 65% of students of Latvian language schools. 62% of students of Russian language schools positively evaluate Soviet times in Latvia, while, majority of students of Latvian language schools evaluate Soviet times negatively.  62 % of students of Latvian language schools consider that Soviet troops in 1945 occupied Latvia, while, in Russian schools only 5 % agree with such statement and 65% consider that Soviet troops liberated Latvia.

According to a study Teaching of Contradictory XX Century History Issues in Latvian Schools. Evaluation of Situation conducted with the support of the Soros Foundation –Latvia, only 26% of students of Russian language schools consider that content of history books is objective, as compared with 65% of students of Latvian language schools. 62% of students of Russian language schools positively evaluate Soviet times in Latvia, while, majority of students of Latvian language schools evaluate Soviet times negatively. 62 % of students of Latvian language schools consider that Soviet troops in 1945 occupied Latvia, while, in Russian schools only 5 % agree with such statement and 65% consider that Soviet troops liberated Latvia. Vesti Segodnya (7.02) Latvijas Avize

Vesti Segodnya reports that the first documented Russian school in Riga was established 220 years ago, in February 1789 .

• 130,960 persons were granted Latvian citizenship through naturalisation since 1995

130,960 persons were granted Latvian citizenship through naturalisation since the procedure was launched in 1995. According to the Naturalisation Board, despite hard economic situation in the country, number of applicants for naturalisation has grown this year.

130,960 persons were granted Latvian citizenship through naturalisation since the procedure was launched in 1995. According to the Naturalisation Board, despite hard economic situation in the country, number of applicants for naturalisation has grown this year. Vesti Segodnya