• Councils of Europe Commissioner for Human RightsAlvaro Gill-Robles talks about minority problems in Latvia
• Article about positions of political parties towards ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities
• Peoples Harmony Party develops amendments to the Citizenship Law
• Russian Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Vladimir Chizhov comments on ratification of the boarder agreement with the Baltic States
• MPs comment on the decision of Cabinet of Ministers to deny Latvian citizenship to the opponent of the education reform Jurijs Petropavlovskis
• Value of the Russian language in the job market in Latvia
• Article about activities of minority Sunday Schools in Latvia

Russian-language newspapers feature interviews with the Council’s of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Alvaro Gill-Robles about the minority problems in Latvia. According to Alvaro Gill-Robles, Latvia should grant non-citizens the right to participate in municipal elections. The Commissioner believes that all residents of Latvia should be Latvian citizens and that there is a time for Latvia to eliminate the institution of non-citizenship. When talking about positive achievements in the area of social integration Alvaro Gill-Robles mentions the improved dialogue between the last government and minorities, flexibility in the implementation of the education reform and the statement of the Minister for Special Assignments for Society Integration Nils Muiznieks that the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities could be ratified in the near future. The Latvian language newspaper

Russian-language newspapers feature interviews with the Councils of Europe Commissioner for Human RightsAlvaro Gill-Robles about the minority problems in Latvia. According to Alvaro Gill-Robles, Latvia should grant non-citizens the right to participate in municipal elections. The Commissioner believes that all residents of Latvia should be Latvian citizens and that there is a time for Latvia to eliminate the institution of non-citizenship. When talking about positive achievements in the area of social integration Alvaro Gill-Robles mentions the improved dialogue between the last government and minorities, flexibility in the implementation of the education reform and the statement of the Minister for Special Assignments for Society Integration Nils Muiznieks that the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities could be ratified in the near future. The Latvian language newspaper Latvijas Avize reports that in general the Councils of Europe Commissioner for Human RightsAlvaro Gill-Robles has evaluated the situation of minorities as good. Latvijas Avize, Vesti Segodnya, Chas

The majority of the right-wing political parties, represented in Saeima, have revaluated their attitude towards ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities after the call of the President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga where she asked parties to express clearly their stances towards ratification of the Convention. Although previously almost all were negative about ratification of the Convention, the call of the President has changed their stances and now parties express readiness to ratify the Convention. Representatives of the New Era and the People’s Party – Ina Druviete and Artis Pabriks – state that the Convention should be ratified with two reservations: only Latvian should be used on the plates of street names and in the communication with municipalities. While the representative of the First Party Nils Muiznieks is convinced that the Convention should be ratified with one reservation: only Latvian should be used on the plates of street names, places, etc. For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM is the only potential coalition party, strictly refusing ratification of the Convention.

The majority of the right-wing political parties, represented in Saeima, have revaluated their attitude towards ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities after the call of the President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga where she asked parties to express clearly their stances towards ratification of the Convention. Although previously almost all were negative about ratification of the Convention, the call of the President has changed their stances and now parties express readiness to ratify the Convention. Representatives of the New Era and the Peoples Party – Ina Druviete and Artis Pabriks – state that the Convention should be ratified with two reservations: only Latvian should be used on the plates of street names and in the communication with municipalities. While the representative of the First Party Nils Muiznieks is convinced that the Convention should be ratified with one reservation: only Latvian should be used on the plates of street names, places, etc. For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM is the only potential coalition party, strictly refusing ratification of the Convention. Diena

The People’s Harmony Party has developed amendments to the Citizenship Law. The amendments are aimed at promoting naturalisation process. According to the party the following means would promote naturalisation: the test of the Latvian history from naturalisation examinations should be omitted because of ‘complexity and ambiguity of the test', persons who have reached the age of 60 years should be exempted from the Latvian language exams, as well as persons with low income should be exempted from the fee to be paid for naturalisation exams.

The Peoples Harmony Party has developed amendments to the Citizenship Law. The amendments are aimed at promoting naturalisation process. According to the party the following means would promote naturalisation: the test of the Latvian history from naturalisation examinations should be omitted because of ‘complexity and ambiguity of the test', persons who have reached the age of 60 years should be exempted from the Latvian language exams, as well as persons with low income should be exempted from the fee to be paid for naturalisation exams. Latvijas Avize, Chas, Telegrafs

‘Russia does not see the reason to reconsider its stance towards ratification of the boarder agreement with Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania until there is no understanding on the issues concerning the situation of national minorities in these states,’ stated the Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister of Russia Vladimir Chizhov during his press conference in Moscow. According to Vladimir Chizhov, Russia only asks the implementation of the OSCE recommendations in the area of minority rights. The Russian official believes that granting non-citizens the right to participate in municipal elections is the most topical issue to be solved. The official stated that Russia plans to draw the attention of the European Union to minority situation in the Baltic States during the planned EU-Russia summit in Hague on 25 November. 

‘Russia does not see the reason to reconsider its stance towards ratification of the boarder agreement with Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania until there is no understanding on the issues concerning the situation of national minorities in these states, stated the Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister of Russia Vladimir Chizhov during his press conference in Moscow. According to Vladimir Chizhov, Russia only asks the implementation of the OSCE recommendations in the area of minority rights. The Russian official believes that granting non-citizens the right to participate in municipal elections is the most topical issue to be solved. The official stated that Russia plans to draw the attention of the European Union to minority situation in the Baltic States during the planned EU-Russia summit in Hague on 25 November. Vesti Segodnya prints an interview with Vladimir Chizhov. Vesti Segodnya, Chas, Telegraf

Vesti Segodnya prints the statements of several MPs on the decision of the Cabinet of Ministers to deny Latvian citizenship to the opponent of the education reform Jurijs Petropavlovskis. The representatives of right-wing parties Peteris Tabuns (For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM) and the Head of the Saeima Committee on Citizenship Law Implementation Antra Rugate (Peoples Party) believe that the government had the right to adopt such decision because Jurijs Petropavlovskis does not meet specific criteria set for citizenship applicants, namely, loyalty toward the state. While the leader of the Parliamentary Group of the union For Human Rights in the United Latvia Jakovs Pliners says that the decision of the government is based on the activities of the Jurijs Petropavlovskis concerning the education reform and his plans to run for the seat in Riga municipality.

Diena prints an article about the increasing tendency to hire people whose native language is Russian in ‘Latvian companies. The newspaper states that roots of these people and knowledge about their community is an additional value which brings profit to a company through attraction of new customers and achieving better business results. ‘The demand for people who are able to orient in both communities is increasing, says the head of the Marketing Department of Hansabanka Oksana Sivokobilska. She adds that in three years Hansabanka has achieved a balanced poll of Russian and Latvian customers, however, it was a very difficult and accurate job, as the working environment is very sensitive and fragile.

Latvijas Avize prints an article about activities of Armenian, Azerbaijan, Uzbek, Georgian, and Greek Sunday Schools in Latvia. The majority of them are not funded from the state budget.

• Political party New Policy changes its name for New Centre and promises to reduce ethnic tension in society
• Interview with the former Vice Prime Minister Ainars Slesers
• Social-anthropologist and associated professor of the Stockholm School of Economics in Riga Roberts Kilis talks about the study on differences between Russian and Latvian businesses in Latvia
• Two Russian tourists detained under suspect of hanging out the posters ‘Latvia, stop fascism! with symbols of SS in one of the windows of the Reval Hotel Latvia

The political party New Policy, led by the Riga Vice-mayor Sergejs Dolgopolovs, has changed its name for New Centre. The key goal of the party is the reduction of ethnic tension in society.

The political party New Policy, led by the Riga Vice-mayor Sergejs Dolgopolovs, has changed its name for New Centre. The key goal of the party is the reduction of ethnic tension in society. Neatkariga Rita Avize, Latvijas Avize, Rigas Balss, Chas, Telegraf

Chas prints an interview with the former Vice Prime Minister Ainars Slesers (Latvias First Party) about the formation of the new government. Ainars Slesers believes that there will be no changes in the attitude of the to be government towards ethnic minorities. The politician believes that naturalisation is the only possible and constructive solution to problems of ethnic minorities.

Chas prints an interview with the social-anthropologist and associated professor of the Stockholm School of Economics in Riga Roberts Kilis about the study on the differences between Russian and Latvian businesses in Latvia. According to Roberts Kilis, there are more common between Russian and Latvian businesses than it is believed. For example, 2/3 Latvian and also 2/3 Russian businessmen have entered and/or graduated university. On average Russian businessmen are 1 – 2 years older than Latvian businessmen. Women are more frequently presented in Latvian businesses. Usually Russian businessmen, when speaking about their monthly income, say a smaller amount than they are actually making.

Two Russian tourists were detained by the State Border Guard when they tried to leave Latvia by train. The tourists are suspected of hanging out the posters ‘Latvia, stop fascism!’ with symbols of SS in one of the windows of the Reval Hotel Latvia on 18 November.

Two Russian tourists were detained by the State Border Guard when they tried to leave Latvia by train. The tourists are suspected of hanging out the posters ‘Latvia, stop fascism! with symbols of SS in one of the windows of the Reval Hotel Latvia on 18 November. Neatkariga Rita Avize, Latvijas Avize, Rigas Balss, Chas, Telegraf

• Director of the Society Integration Foundation will ask the government to continue providing its co-finding for social integration projects also after 2008
• Conclusions of the inspection conducted at minority schools
• President Vaira Vike-Freiberga wants to know the views of all parties concerning ratification of the Framework Convention
• Interview with For Fatherland and Freedoms/LNIM MP Juris Dobelis
• Russian language press comments on the Governments decision to deny Latvian citizenship to the opponent of the education reform Jurijs Petropavlovskis
• Latest data on migration
• Group of member of the European Parliament discusses the situation concerning the education reform in Latvia
• Interview with the General Secretary of the National UNESCO Commission Dace Neiburga on national values
• Historian of Uppsala University on the important factors necessary to form a civil society in Latvia
• Posters calling Latvia to stop fascism posted on the Independence Day of Latvia
• Nils Muiznieks talks about issues concerning integration of Russians and Roma at the meeting of EU integration ministers

The Director of the Society Integration Foundation will ask the government to continue providing its co-finding for social integration projects also after 2008. In 2008 EU programme Phare, in the framework of which Latvia receives money for social integration projects, will be closed. According to the Director the biggest impact will be on ability to ensure Latvian language courses – already next year three times less people will have an opportunity to study the Latvian language.

The Director of the Society Integration Foundation will ask the government to continue providing its co-finding for social integration projects also after 2008. In 2008 EU programme Phare, in the framework of which Latvia receives money for social integration projects, will be closed. According to the Director the biggest impact will be on ability to ensure Latvian language courses – already next year three times less people will have an opportunity to study the Latvian language. Neatkariga Rita Avize

Neatkariga Rita Avize reports on the conclusions of the inspection conducted by officials of the Ministry of Science and Education: only four out of 750 teachers who teach 10th grade students in Latvian may not have sufficient Latvian language skills. Although all teachers have state language certificates with the required level (the highest – third) of state language proficiency, officials of the MoES will ask state language inspectors to examine language skills of these teachers. According to the Ministrys officials, all inspected minority schools correspond to provisions of Latvian legislation. While the MP from pro-minority party FHRUL Jakov Pliner seriously questions the conclusions of the Ministry and states that according to his information lessons at minority schools take place either in Russian or bilingually.

The President Vaira Vike-Freiberga wants to know the views of all parties concerning ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities.

The President Vaira Vike-Freiberga wants to know the views of all parties concerning ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities. Vesti Segodnya

Vesti Segodnya interviews For Fatherland and Freedoms/LNIM MP Juris Dobelis. The key subject of the interview is the statement of FF/LNIM that the party will not agree to join a coalition in a government, which wants to ratify the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities. Juris Dobelis argues that without a definition of the term ‘minority there should not be any discussions about ratification of the Convention. Juris Dobelis offers his understanding of minority: ‘these are Livs and maybe Roma… Minorities are only those who do not have their own state. He is convinced that the Convention in fact does not grant any rights to minorities and if people want to have rights they have to naturalise.

Chas comments on the decision of the Cabinet of Ministers, which provided that the opponent of the education reform Jurijs Petropavlovskis should be excluded from the list of people who receive Latvian citizenship through naturalisation. The newspaper states that the decision reveals the real face of the government and argues that there is less and less democracy in the country. While Vesti Segodnya reports that the union For Human Rights in the United Latvia has issued a statement where they express their determination to challenge the governments decision at court.

During nine months of 2004 in total 939 people, including 162 Latvian citizens and 130 Latvian non-citizens, have left Latvia, the dominant majority of them are Russia’s citizens who moved to Russia. In total 545 people moved to Russia, while Germany is the second most popular country of destination.

During nine months of 2004 in total 939 people, including 162 Latvian citizens and 130 Latvian non-citizens, have left Latvia, the dominant majority of them are Russias citizens who moved to Russia. In total 545 people moved to Russia, while Germany is the second most popular country of destination. Chas

Vesti Segodnya comments on speeches of the members of the EU Parliament presented at the session of the EU Parliamentary Group dealing with traditional minorities. The newspaper states that Latvia received heavy criticism regarding the education reform, while the members of EU Parliament from Latvia Guntars Krasts and Inese Vaidere assured that the education reform has been implemented successfully and tensions in the country are the results of the occupation. According to the newspaper MPs from other countries noted that they are ‘disappointed in the attitude of Latvian MPs who are inflexible and not orientated to a dialogue.

Diena prints an interview with the General Secretary of the National UNESCO Commission Dace Neiburga. The interview attempts to find answers to the question ‘what are Latvian values? Dace Neiburga states that Latvia is not doing very well with societal integration in the ‘western understanding of the term. She explains that ‘there is a stereotype that this is a fault of Russians, who do not learn the Latvian language, however, we lack national self-esteem, we feel threatened… (we) should learn to look at people of other ethnicities without fears. Dace Neiburga argues that there is lack of patriotism in Latvia, there is no model how to work with patriotism with people coming from diverse ethnic backgrounds and there are no clear concepts which ‘would let us call ourselves Latvians, a united nation. It is not clear what unites the society. She agrees that we have not used that, for instance Russians who live in Latvia could call themselves Latvians ‘if a Russian presents himself as a Latvian, pout. Dace Neiburga is convinced that nothing can be done in an artificial way ‘while Latvians feel threatened and do not let others to call themselves Latvians, they will not do that. No Russian will present himself as a Latvian, if he faces intolerance and hidden xenophobia. She concludes that there is a need for new forms of communication and education system which would establish communication between the two communities.

Diena prints the speech by the historian of the Uppsala University Mathew Kot under the title ‘the End of the Civil Society in Latvia delivered for the Swedish Latvian Academic Organisation on 25 September 2004. The author looks into the development of the civil society in Latvia and offers his thoughts on lessons to be learned. The author believes that if the Latvian society were more consolidated before the World War II, it would have more power to stand against the waves of geo-political pressure. In the opinion of the author, the lack of a consolidated society also contributed to the Holocaust in Latvia. He states that in Latvia people have used to categorise people according to their ethnicity and that hampered integration. In extreme situations, such as war, ‘others became ‘strangers and if ‘strangers are not our people, who cares what happens to them? The author notes that also in modern Latvia there is a tendency to categorise people in accordance with their ethnicity, however, he hopes that the times when somebody calls to ‘expel the other from our society never come. The author believes that the unity cannot be imposed from above and offers his solution: critical thinking and exchange of views with those who do not share the same views.

On 18 November in one of the windows of the hotel Latvia appeared a poster ‘Latvia, stop fascism!’ with symbols of SS. The room was inhabited by tourists from Russia, however, they managed to check out before the arrival of the police.

On 18 November in one of the windows of the hotel Latvia appeared a poster ‘Latvia, stop fascism! with symbols of SS. The room was inhabited by tourists from Russia, however, they managed to check out before the arrival of the police. Vesti Segodnya

In their meeting in the Netherlands the EU Integration Ministers have agreed on the basic concepts which should be observed for promoting integration of national minorities into society, among them – state language skills, knowledge of state’s history.

In their meeting in the Netherlands the EU Integration Ministers have agreed on the basic concepts which should be observed for promoting integration of national minorities into society, among them – state language skills, knowledge of states history. Diena reports that in the meeting the Minister for Special Assignments for Society Integration Nils Muiznieks drew attention of his colleagues on the issues of integration of Russians and Roma in Latvia.

• Commentaries on the refusal of the Cabinet of Ministers to award Latvian citizenship to the leader of the union For Human Rights in the United Latvia Jurijs Petropavlovskis
• Interview with the former Prime Minister of Latvia Indulis Emsis
• Former Advisor of the USA government Pol Gouble talks about ethnic relationships in Estonia and Latvia and Russias future ethnic policy in the Baltic States
• Member of an NGO names pros and cons of naturalisation

Newspapers feature commentaries on the refusal of the Cabinet of Ministers to award Latvian citizenship to the leader of the union For Human Rights in the United Latvia and activist of the Headquarters for the Defence of the Russian Language Schools in Latvia Jurijs Petropavlovskis who applied for Latvian citizenship through naturalisation. The commentator of

Newspapers feature commentaries on the refusal of the Cabinet of Ministers to award Latvian citizenship to the leader of the union For Human Rights in the United Latvia and activist of the Headquarters for the Defence of the Russian Language Schools in Latvia Jurijs Petropavlovskis who applied for Latvian citizenship through naturalisation. The commentator of Neatkariga Rita Avize Viktors Avotins and the commentator of Chas Leonids Fedosejevs point to the lack of legal justification of the decision. ‘It could be concluded that the governing parties are afraid of political opposition and hence deal with it from their power position, concludes Viktors Avotins. Vesti Segodnya and Chas print the statement of the coordination board of the union For Human Rights in the United Latvia. It says that the decision of the government is legal nihilism and adds that the union is planning to challenge the decision at court. While the journalist of Latvijas Avize Voldemars Krustins believes that the Latvian government has arrived at the only possible decision. Neatkariga Rita Avize, Latvijas Avize, Vesti Segodnya, Chas

Latvijas Avize features an interview with the former Prime Minister of Latvia Indulis Emsis who believes that Latvian citizenship will never be granted to all residents at their registration as it is proposed by the representative of the Peoples Harmony Party Janis Urbanovics. According to Indulis Emsis, the Citizenship Law will not be amended.

Neatkariga Rita Avize prints an interview with the researcher and the former Advisor of the USA government Pol Gouble about ethnic relationships in Estonia and Latvia and Russias future ethnic policy in the Baltic States. According to Pol Gouble, exceptions towards the Russian minority are more often in Latvia than in Estonia. The researcher also believes that Russia will make very serious attempts to achieve recognition of the Russian language as the official language of the EU and resultantly Latvia and Estonia will have to change their language policies as well. According to Pol Gouble, Russia wants to use the EU institutions to achieve granting Latvian non-citizens the right to participate in municipal elections.

Vesti Segodnya prints an article by the co-chairman of the Union of Citizens and Non-citizens Sokolovs on naturalisation. The co-chairman believes that a possibility to acquire the citizenship of the European Union and possibilities to travel without visa and work in EU countries are the main benefits of naturalisation.

• Cabinet of Ministers has refused to award Latvian citizenship to the opponent of the education reform Jurijs Petropavlovskis
• Russian Ambassador to Latvia Viktor Kalyuzhny presented his credentials to the President Vaira Vike-Freiberga
• Latvijas Avize interviews the Foreign Affairs Minister Artis Pabriks
• Court finds no grounds to initiate a case against the chairperson of the Society Integration Foundation Board accused in defamation of a member of a national radical organisation
• Two Russian organisations call other organisations to unite for the preservation of education in the Russian language
• National Archive presents the book ‘Migrants in Latvia
• Competition on the best publication on minority culture and language concluded
• Vesti Segodnya points at misrepresentations and interpretations in the encyclopaedia ‘Revolutionary and Dissident Movements of the World
• Chas columnist looks what Russian children write about Latvia

For the first time in the history of Latvia the Cabinet of Ministers has refused to award Latvian citizenship to the leader of the union For Human Rights in the United Latvia and activist of the Headquarters for the Defence of the Russian Language Schools in Latvia Jurijs Petropavlovskis who applied for Latvian citizenship through naturalisation. Jurijs Petropavlovskis successfully passed naturalisation tests, however, for a long time was under the examination of the Security Police which had to confirm whether he is eligible for naturalisation. The Security Police issued a positive conclusion, however, the Cabinet of Ministers, which usually is the last formal instance in the process of naturalisation, decided not to grant him Latvian citizenship.

For the first time in the history of Latvia the Cabinet of Ministers has refused to award Latvian citizenship to the leader of the union For Human Rights in the United Latvia and activist of the Headquarters for the Defence of the Russian Language Schools in Latvia Jurijs Petropavlovskis who applied for Latvian citizenship through naturalisation. Jurijs Petropavlovskis successfully passed naturalisation tests, however, for a long time was under the examination of the Security Police which had to confirm whether he is eligible for naturalisation. The Security Police issued a positive conclusion, however, the Cabinet of Ministers, which usually is the last formal instance in the process of naturalisation, decided not to grant him Latvian citizenship. Diena writes that the government does not have strong legal arguments why it did not awarded him Latvian citizenship. The Minister of Justice Vineta Muizniece argues that his activities do not correspond the pledge of loyalty towards the state which should be given by a naturalisation applicant. The lecturer of the Riga Graduate School of Law Martins Mits believes that it is not sufficient argument because a person may not be punished for his political affiliation. Latvijas Avize, NRA, Chas, Telegraf, Vesti Segodnya

The Russian Ambassador to Latvia Viktor Kalyuzhny presented his credentials to the President Vaira Vike-Freiberga. He stated that he was resolved to do everything in his power to develop mutually-favourable relations between Latvia and Russia. The President and the Ambassador agreed that Latvian-Russian relations had great potential, for instance, in the fields of business, tourism, culture and other sectors, which had not been fully reached yet.

The Russian Ambassador to Latvia Viktor Kalyuzhny presented his credentials to the President Vaira Vike-Freiberga. He stated that he was resolved to do everything in his power to develop mutually-favourable relations between Latvia and Russia. The President and the Ambassador agreed that Latvian-Russian relations had great potential, for instance, in the fields of business, tourism, culture and other sectors, which had not been fully reached yet. Diena, Latvijas Avize, NRA, Chas, Vesti Segodnya

Latvijas Avize interviews the Foreign Affairs Minister Artis Pabriks. ‘…Latvia can be an example for other countries. We should be proud of what we have achieved. We should not play games with rules set by others anymore, we have to write our own rules, said the Minister referring to his meeting with the Commissioner for Human Rights Alvaro Gill-Robles. The Minister believes that Latvias co-operation with Rolf Ekeuss, Alvaro Gill-Robles and European countries in general has not been rather successful, therefore he implements more aggressive policy. Artis Pabriks notes that in Latvia many minority rights, such as social, economic and cultural, are also granted to immigrants, therefore Latvia can be an example for other European countries. Regarding the issue whether the opponent of the education reform Jurijs Petropavlovskis should be granted Latvian citizenship, Artis Pabriks says that he is convinced that he should not be granted citizenship. Artis Pabriks adds that it is possible to open the Law on Citizenship to introduce amendments.

The Riga Court of Vidzeme District refused to initiate a case on the basis of a complaint submitted by the member of the National Front, headed by Aivars Garda, against the businessman and chairperson of the Society Integration Board Sol Bukingolts. Liene Apine accused Sol Bukingolt in her defamation in the mass media: he questioned whether Saeima should employ her as she is connected with the radical and national organisation.

The Riga Court of Vidzeme District refused to initiate a case on the basis of a complaint submitted by the member of the National Front, headed by Aivars Garda, against the businessman and chairperson of the Society Integration Board Sol Bukingolts. Liene Apine accused Sol Bukingolt in her defamation in the mass media: he questioned whether Saeima should employ her as she is connected with the radical and national organisation. Chas

The United Congress of the Russian Community in Latvia and the Headquarters for the Defence of the Russian Language Schools have issued a call to other organisations related to the Russian culture to join together to fight for the preservation of education in the Russian language.

The United Congress of the Russian Community in Latvia and the Headquarters for the Defence of the Russian Language Schools have issued a call to other organisations related to the Russian culture to join together to fight for the preservation of education in the Russian language. Сhas

Yesterday the National Archive presented its books published in 2004. One of the books is written by Janis Riekstins ‘Migrants in Latvia’ and received the following comment from archive’s staff ‘his book is the evidence of tolerance. Migration not only has changed the ethnic composition in Latvia, but also has given current non-citizens many social privileges. However, we have accepted them.’

Yesterday the National Archive presented its books published in 2004. One of the books is written by Janis Riekstins ‘Migrants in Latvia and received the following comment from archives staff ‘his book is the evidence of tolerance. Migration not only has changed the ethnic composition in Latvia, but also has given current non-citizens many social privileges. However, we have accepted them. Latvijas Vestnesis

Yesterday the Secretariat of the Minister for Special Assignments for Society Integration concluded the competition on ‘The best publication in the press on the opportunities to develop culture and language of a minority.’

Yesterday the Secretariat of the Minister for Special Assignments for Society Integration concluded the competition on ‘The best publication in the press on the opportunities to develop culture and language of a minority. Vesti Segodnya

Vesti Segodnya comments on the information printed in the encyclopaedia ‘Revolutionary and Dissident Movements of the World by John Harpers Publishing, 2004. The newspaper points at a number of contradictory statements and misrepresentation of facts concerning Latvia. For instance, the newspaper states that obviously an author who feels affinity towards Russian-speakers wrote the section ‘Citizenship, however, the newspaper also notes that the book gives wrong number of people who are naturalised in Latvia; also according to the encyclopaedia, the parliamentary party for Freedom and Fatherland/LNIM is among extremist groups and parties.

The columnist of

The columnist of Chas looks into essays written by students of a minority schools on the topics related to the upcoming Latvias Independence Day. The columnist concludes that essays written by Russian children show that they do not feel at home either in Latvia or any other country.