• Rating of party New Era increased
• Most Riga's minority language schools will teach more then 5 subjects in Latvian
• Interview with Rafi Haradzanjan, the chairman of the Latvian Association of National Cultural Societies
• Janis Jurkans is planning to leave the post of the head of the PHPs parliamentary group
• The establishment of the Russian Centre for Diasporas support initiated in Moscow

According to an opinion poll conducted by the company Latvian Facts, the rating of party New Era has increased from 18,7% in September till 31,8% in November. Other the most popular political parties in November were FHRUL (8,6%), People’s Party (7,4%) and Union of Greens and Farmers (4,8%). The rating of the FHRUL has increased by 3,5% as compared with October.

According to an opinion poll conducted by the company Latvian Facts, the rating of party New Era has increased from 18,7% in September till 31,8% in November. Other the most popular political parties in November were FHRUL (8,6%), Peoples Party (7,4%) and Union of Greens and Farmers (4,8%). The rating of the FHRUL has increased by 3,5% as compared with October. Diena, Neatkariga Rita Avize, Telegraf, Vesti Segodnya

The Department of Education, Youth and Sports of the Riga City Council has examined minority schools’ action plans stipulating the number of subjects to be taught in Latvian at the tenth grade starting from 1 September 2004. Only one minority language school is planning to follow the minority education model, which stipulates teaching five subjects in Latvian. Other schools have chosen a larger number of subjects (8-15).

The Department of Education, Youth and Sports of the Riga City Council has examined minority schools action plans stipulating the number of subjects to be taught in Latvian at the tenth grade starting from 1 September 2004. Only one minority language school is planning to follow the minority education model, which stipulates teaching five subjects in Latvian. Other schools have chosen a larger number of subjects (8-15). Lauku Avize

The chairman of the People’s Harmony Party (PHP) Janis Jurkans is planning to leave the post of the head of the Saeima PHP’s parliamentary group. Janis Urbanovitch, the deputy chairman of the party, will possibly replace Janis Jurkans.

The chairman of the Peoples Harmony Party (PHP) Janis Jurkans is planning to leave the post of the head of the Saeima PHPs parliamentary group. Janis Urbanovitch, the deputy chairman of the party, will possibly replace Janis Jurkans. Telegraf, Chas, Vechernaya Riga

Lauku Avize prints an article about the Latvian Association of National Cultural Societies (LANCS) celebrating the 15-year anniversary of its work. The members of the LANCS recognize the principles of multiculturalism. However, according to the LANCS, Latvian language and culture is prior among other languages and cultures. The chairman of the LANCS Rafi Haradzanjan has emphasized the cooperation of the LANCS with the Ministry of Culture, the Saiemas Committees and other state bodies. He has pointed to the insufficient funding for maintaining of minority Sunday schools.

Vesti Segodnya reports on the initiative of the Foreign Affairs Committee of Russias State Council to establish the Russian Centre in Moscow. The Russian Centre could co-ordinate the activities of Russian organizations supporting Russian Diaspora, provide social assistance, legal aid and information to Diasporas members and promote economic cooperation between Russia and Diaspora.

• 30 Latvian language teachers receive the State Language Commissions awards
• MPs about the impact of naturalization on the distribution of power
• The session of minority schools on bilingual education
• Jakov Pliner and Valery Buhvalov discuss loyalty issue

Yesterday the President of Latvia and the State Language Commission have granted the awards to thirty Latvian language teachers from Latvian schools. The President has emphasized the role of the teachers in promotion of the development and popularization of Latvian language and literature.

Yesterday the President of Latvia and the State Language Commission have granted the awards to thirty Latvian language teachers from Latvian schools. The President has emphasized the role of the teachers in promotion of the development and popularization of Latvian language and literature. The Official Gazette, Diena, Lauku Avize, Rigas Balss, Neatkariga Rita Avize, Chas

Lauku Avize features the responses of the MPs to Boris Tsilevitchs statements. According to Boris Tsilevitch, mass naturalization would raise the political failure of many parties. He believes that the newly naturalized citizens would not vote for politicians who have opposed granting citizenship to them and their parents such a long time. Juris Dobelis (For Fatherland and Freedom/LNNL) believes that there would be no crucial changes in the distribution of political forces. According to Inese Vaidere from For Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK, the increasing number of disloyal citizens would promote nationalistic orientation of loyal citizens. Krisjanis Karins (The New Era Party) points to the increasing role of economic criteria in voters political choices in future.

Lauku Avize reports on the session of minority schools with the participation of teachers, students and representatives of the students parents. The newspaper points to the positive experience of schools implementing bilingual education reform.

The head of the party

The head of the party BITE Jakov Pliner and Dr Valery Buhvalov discuss the issue of loyalty in Latvia. According to the authors, Latvian officials consider loyalty as the agreement with the ruling political parties stances while the right to express alternative opinions is not respected in Latvia. Vesti Segodnya

• Activities of the Special Task Ministers for Societal Integration Secretariat
• Einars Repse comments the letter of Tatjana Slivenkos lawyers
• The Regulations on the State Language Agency adopted
• Latvian Language Fund will gather information on organizations maintaining Latvian language friendly environment
• Session of the party Equality and BITE
• Survey data: one third of Latvias residents would like to leave Latvia
• Diena reports on the article of The Economist about the relationship between the Baltic States and Russia

The Official Gazette reports on the activities of the Special Task Ministers for Societal Integration Secretariat. The Secretariat is planning to mail invitations to non-citizens families to apply for their childrens Latvian citizenship through registration. The elaboration of the Diaspora program is another new initiative of the Secretariat.

The Prime Minister Einars Repse has given his comments about the lawyers’ of Tatjana Slivenko letter with the request to facilitate fulfilling the judgement of the European Court for Human Rights. The Prime Minister hopes that the ministries will be able to implement the ECHR’s ruling without his intervention.

The Prime Minister Einars Repse has given his comments about the lawyers of Tatjana Slivenko letter with the request to facilitate fulfilling the judgement of the European Court for Human Rights. The Prime Minister hopes that the ministries will be able to implement the ECHRs ruling without his intervention. Chas, Vechernaya Riga

Yesterday the Cabinet of Ministers has adopted the Regulations on the State Language Agency. According to the Regulations, the Agency will be responsible for the elaboration of the state language policy and research in the area of Latvian language. The Agency will be under supervision of the Ministry of Education and Science.

Yesterday the Cabinet of Ministers has adopted the Regulations on the State Language Agency. According to the Regulations, the Agency will be responsible for the elaboration of the state language policy and research in the area of Latvian language. The Agency will be under supervision of the Ministry of Education and Science. Chas

The Latvian Language Fund has initiated gathering information about organizations maintaining Latvian language friendly environment. The Ministry of Education and Science has allocated 2,000 lats for this project. 

The Latvian Language Fund has initiated gathering information about organizations maintaining Latvian language friendly environment. The Ministry of Education and Science has allocated 2,000 lats for this project. Lauku Avize, Telegraf

Yesterday the session of the party “Equality” and BITE has taken place. The parties have decided to merger into the FHRUL party and to candidate for the elections to the European Parliament.

Yesterday the session of the party Equality and BITE has taken place. The parties have decided to merger into the FHRUL party and to candidate for the elections to the European Parliament. Chas, Vesti Segodnya

Lauku Avize asks MPs if the state should invite non-citizens to naturalize. The head of the Saeima Committee for the Citizenship Laws Implementation Anta Rugate believes that citizenship is available to everybody who wants and ready for this. According to the head of the Saeima Human Rights Committee Ina Druviete, the state should provide information on naturalization, but at the same time to explain that naturalization is a responsible step.

According to the data of sociological research center

According to the data of sociological research center SKDS, around one third of Latvias residents would like to leave Latvia for the Western European countries if they would have such opportunity. The largest number of people willing to leave Latvia is among young persons (57% of respondents aged 18 - 24), non-citizens, non-Latvians, employees of the private sector, people whose average income per family member is below 42 lats or above 85 lats. Chas columnist Leonid Fedoseyev points to the small number of Latvian repatriates and the week Latvias support to repatriation. Diena, Chas, Vechernaya Riga

Diena reports on the articles in the journal The Economist discussing the relationship between the Baltic States and Russia. According to the journal, the Baltic States are motivated to promote their cooperation with Russia through the EU. The journal outlines the existence of two communities in Latvia as the consequence of the Soviet russification policy.

• Janis Jurkans repeatedly elected as the chairman of the Peoples Harmony Party
• Russia criticizes the statements of Laila Freivalde, the MFA of Sweden
• For Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK opposes the establishment of the Saeima Sub-Committee on Integration Affairs
• Igor Pimenov opposes Josette Durrieu on education reform
• About the Latvian language courses free of charge in Ventspils

At the People’s Harmony Party’s (PHP) congress, Janis Jurkans has been repeatedly elected as the party’s chairman. Another candidate for the chairman’s post was the Deputy Mayor of Riga Sergey Dolgopolov. According to the new party’s program, the PHP is a social democratic left wing centrist party. According to Janis Jurkans, other social democratic parties will not be the PHP’s competitors because they work for Latvian electorate. The chairperson has also pointed to the necessity to broaden the traditional PHP’s electorate.

At the Peoples Harmony Partys (PHP) congress, Janis Jurkans has been repeatedly elected as the partys chairman. Another candidate for the chairmans post was the Deputy Mayor of Riga Sergey Dolgopolov. According to the new partys program, the PHP is a social democratic left wing centrist party. According to Janis Jurkans, other social democratic parties will not be the PHPs competitors because they work for Latvian electorate. The chairperson has also pointed to the necessity to broaden the traditional PHPs electorate. Diena, Neatkariga Rita Avize, Rigas Balss, Telegraf, Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Vechernaya Riga

The Foreign Affairs Department of Russia has criticized the statements of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sweden Laila Freivalde during her visit to Riga. The Minister has accused Russia for its statements on the violations of Russian-speakers’ rights.

The Foreign Affairs Department of Russia has criticized the statements of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sweden Laila Freivalde during her visit to Riga. The Minister has accused Russia for its statements on the violations of Russian-speakers rights. Neatkariga Rita Avize

At the session of the party’s board, For Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK has opposed the initiative of the New Era party to establish the Saeima Sub-Committee on Integration Affairs for examining the opportunities to ratify the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities. According to

At the session of the partys board, For Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK has opposed the initiative of the New Era party to establish the Saeima Sub-Committee on Integration Affairs for examining the opportunities to ratify the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities. According to Vesti Segodnya columnist, the true objective of the Sub-Committees establishment is to postpone the ratification of the Framework Convention. Vesti Segodnya

Chas features the critical response of the Chairman of the Board of Latvian Association for the Support for Russian Schools Igor Pimenov to the statements of the chairperson of the Monitoring Committee of the Councils of Europe Parliamentary Assembly Josette Durrieu. Igor Pimenov opposes Josette Durrieu who believes that the compromise on 2004 education reform has been achieved.

Telegraf informs about the planned Latvian language courses free of charge in Ventspils. The project is supported by the Society Integration Foundation.

• The Special Task Minister for Societal Integration accounts for the Secretariats work during the first year
• Slivenkos lawyers ask Einars Repse to accelerate fulfilling the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights
• Discussion on the work of the Peoples Harmony Party
• Maris Antonevics accuses Latvian parties for not responding to Boris Tsilevitchs statements

On Friday, the Special Task Minister for Societal Integration Nils Muiznieks has accounted for the first year work of the Secretariat. Among the achievements, the Minister has pointed out the Secretariat’s cooperation with more than hundred minority NGOs, the increase of funding for minority cultural activities, the project on integration issues in the border districts, and the activities discussing the role of mass media in social integration. The Secretariat is planning to establish the Minority Culture and Information Centre serving as a library and a consultation centre for minority NGOs. A campaign for promotion of naturalization is another priority of the Secretariat.

On Friday, the Special Task Minister for Societal Integration Nils Muiznieks has accounted for the first year work of the Secretariat. Among the achievements, the Minister has pointed out the Secretariats cooperation with more than hundred minority NGOs, the increase of funding for minority cultural activities, the project on integration issues in the border districts, and the activities discussing the role of mass media in social integration. The Secretariat is planning to establish the Minority Culture and Information Centre serving as a library and a consultation centre for minority NGOs. A campaign for promotion of naturalization is another priority of the Secretariat. Lauku Avize, Chas

On Friday, the lawyers of Tatjana Slivenko have sent a letter to the Prime Minister Einars Repse. The lawyers have asked the Prime Minister to accelerate fulfilling the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) stipulating the payment of 20,000 euros to the family for non-pecuniary damage. According to the ECHR judgment from 10 October 2003, the payment should be made during three months. The lawyers have also required returning to Slivenko family the apartment deprived due to family’s deportation from Latvia or assign an equivalent apartment. According to the representative of Latvia to international human rights organizations Inga Reine, the apartment where Slivenko family lived before deportation was the property of the Defense Ministry of Latvia.

On Friday, the lawyers of Tatjana Slivenko have sent a letter to the Prime Minister Einars Repse. The lawyers have asked the Prime Minister to accelerate fulfilling the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) stipulating the payment of 20,000 euros to the family for non-pecuniary damage. According to the ECHR judgment from 10 October 2003, the payment should be made during three months. The lawyers have also required returning to Slivenko family the apartment deprived due to familys deportation from Latvia or assign an equivalent apartment. According to the representative of Latvia to international human rights organizations Inga Reine, the apartment where Slivenko family lived before deportation was the property of the Defense Ministry of Latvia. Lauku Avize, Chas, Vesti Segodnya

Diena prints an article about the work of the Peoples Harmony Party (PHP) and the forthcoming partys congress on Saturday. The newspaper provides opinions of politicians and experts on the partys work. According to political scientist Janis Ikstens, the PHPs political influence has not increased after its separation from the FHRUL. Vesti Segodnya interviews the Deputy Mayor of Riga Sergey Dolgopolov believing that the party is in a deep crisis after the FHRULs split. He points to the lack of a new modern party program and a clear ideology. The newspaper also features interviews with MPs from the PHP Janis Urbanovitch and Andrey Klimentyev. Lauku Avize prints an interview with Janis Urbanovitch. Diena, Vesti Segodnya, Lauku Avize

Lauku Avize columnist Maris Antonevics criticizes Latvian parties for not responding to the statements of Boris Tsilevitch (Peoples Harmony Party) believing that mass naturalization would mean the political bankrupt of several parties.