• Speakers of the Latvian and Estonian Parliaments on social integration issues
• Newspapers comment on the draft resolution On minorities situation in Latvia and Russia
• Latvijas Avize continues a discussion about the possible ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities in Latvia
• Minorities schools show little interest about the possibilities to organise information campaign on education reform
• Latvian Social Democratic Labour Party youth organization condemns the activities of the national – extremist organisation Visu Latvijai!
• Forthcoming protest actions against the education reform

“The minority policies implemented in Estonia and Latvia fully comply with the international requirements,” stated the speakers of Latvian and Estonian parliaments Ingrida Udre and Ene Ergma during their meeting in Tallinn. The Speaker of the Estonian Parliament Ene Ergma voiced that Estonia fully supports the choices of Latvia in the area of minorities’ integration and pointed to the necessity to develop new effective collaboration forms between both states.

The minority policies implemented in Estonia and Latvia fully comply with the international requirements, stated the speakers of Latvian and Estonian parliaments Ingrida Udre and Ene Ergma during their meeting in Tallinn. The Speaker of the Estonian Parliament Ene Ergma voiced that Estonia fully supports the choices of Latvia in the area of minorities integration and pointed to the necessity to develop new effective collaboration forms between both states. Neatkariga Rita Avize

Newspapers continue to write about the draft resolution “On minorities’ situation in Latvia and Russia”, developed by Russia State Council’s speaker Boris Grizlov. The resolution includes a number of requirements for the Latvian and Estonian governments. Among them are the requirements to grant voting rights for non-citizens at municipal elections, to grant the rights to use Russian language officially in regions, where Russian-speakers live in substantial number, to facilitate the naturalisation process and to ratify the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities.

Newspapers continue to write about the draft resolution On minorities situation in Latvia and Russia, developed by Russia State Councils speaker Boris Grizlov. The resolution includes a number of requirements for the Latvian and Estonian governments. Among them are the requirements to grant voting rights for non-citizens at municipal elections, to grant the rights to use Russian language officially in regions, where Russian-speakers live in substantial number, to facilitate the naturalisation process and to ratify the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities. Latvijas Avize, Vesti Segodnya, Chas, Telegraf

Latvijas Avize prints an article about the possible ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities in Latvia. Special Tasks Ministers for Society Integration Secretariat believes that the Convention can be ratified with one reservation regarding Paragraph 3 of Article 11, which stipulates that in areas, traditionally inhabited by substantial numbers of persons belonging to a national minority, the traditional local names, street names and other topographical indications have to be displayed also in minority language when there is a sufficient demand for such indications. According to the Head of the Saeima Subcommittee on Social Integration Andris Berzins, the committee will not take any decision regarding the possible reservation, before the agreement on the definition of the term minority is formulated and adopted. The Secretariat has developed three definitions. One stipulates that certain ethnic groups – Russians, Belorussians, Ukrainians, Poles, Lithuanians, Jews, Roma, Germans, Estonians and Lives - should be recognized as national minorities. The second definition stipulates that the representatives of national minorities are entitled to be called minority if they meet certain requirements: they are the citizens of the Republic of Latvia; live permanently in the territory in Latvia and maintain long-term and sustainable links with Latvia; differ according to the ethnical, cultural, religious or linguistic features and want to preserve their culture, religion and language as the base of their group identity. The third definition stipulates that the national minorities are both citizens and non-citizens, who conform to the other requirements mentioned in the second definition.

Minorities’ schools have showed little interest in the competition, organised by the Social Integration Foundation, to implement information campaign on education reform. The deadline for application has been extended till 15 October, because only three schools have submitted applications. In total 20,000 lats are available for the organisation of the information campaigns this year, however, only Ls 2,904 has been allocated until now. Integration experts explain the small interest due to inordinate politicisation of the education reform and the fact that minorities’ schools are tired from the clamour, set up around the reform.

Minorities schools have showed little interest in the competition, organised by the Social Integration Foundation, to implement information campaign on education reform. The deadline for application has been extended till 15 October, because only three schools have submitted applications. In total 20,000 lats are available for the organisation of the information campaigns this year, however, only Ls2,904 has been allocated until now. Integration experts explain the small interest due to inordinate politicisation of the education reform and the fact that minorities schools are tired from the clamour, set up around the reform. Diena

Latvian Social Democratic Labour Party (LSDLP) youth organization has spread a statement condemning the activities of the national – extremist organisation “Visu Latvijai!”, which organises the pickets near the building of the Russia embassy and calls Russia to recognise the fact of Latvia’s occupation. Leader of the youth organisation Janis Kuzins regards the activities of the Latvian national radicals as the attempt to raise national hatred between Latvians and Russians and deepen tension in society. The leader of the LSDLP Dainis Ivans commented that the statement shows the lack of history knowledge and stressed that the party’s official statement is that Russia must recognise the occupation of Latvia.

Latvian Social Democratic Labour Party (LSDLP) youth organization has spread a statement condemning the activities of the national – extremist organisation Visu Latvijai!, which organises the pickets near the building of the Russia embassy and calls Russia to recognise the fact of Latvias occupation. Leader of the youth organisation Janis Kuzins regards the activities of the Latvian national radicals as the attempt to raise national hatred between Latvians and Russians and deepen tension in society. The leader of the LSDLP Dainis Ivans commented that the statement shows the lack of history knowledge and stressed that the partys official statement is that Russia must recognise the occupation of Latvia. Chas

Newspapers write about the forthcoming protest actions against the education reform, planned by the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian-language Schools in order to attain the establishment of the moratorium on education reform. According to the representatives of the Headquarters, six parents have already affirmed their participation in the hunger strike against the reform, which will take place at the end of August. Other essential events will be the manifestation on 1 September and the Congress of the Russian community on 12 September.

Newspapers write about the forthcoming protest actions against the education reform, planned by the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian-language Schools in order to attain the establishment of the moratorium on education reform. According to the representatives of the Headquarters, six parents have already affirmed their participation in the hunger strike against the reform, which will take place at the end of August. Other essential events will be the manifestation on 1 September and the Congress of the Russian community on 12 September. Diena, Latvijas Avize, Rigas Balss, Vesti Segodnya, Chas, Telegraf

• Commemoration meeting of Holocaust victims
• Latvia could receive more than EUR 100,000 from the European Fund for Refugee
• Russia Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Eleonor Mitrophanov calls the European Union to intervene in solving the problems of Russian speakers in Latvia
• Draft resolution about the necessity to expand the Russian-speakers rights in Latvia and Estonia
• Head of the Russia State Council Committee on Foreign Affairs Mihail Margelov on relations between Latvia and Russia
• Latvijas Avize writes about activities of the State Language Agencys Consultative Department

Newspapers write about the commemoration meeting of Holocaust victims, which took place in Riga yesterday. The President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga expressed her condolences and invited society to fight against violence and stereotypes to prevent such tragedies in future.

Newspapers write about the commemoration meeting of Holocaust victims, which took place in Riga yesterday. The President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga expressed her condolences and invited society to fight against violence and stereotypes to prevent such tragedies in future. Diena, Latvijas Avize, Rigas Balss, Vesti Segodnya, Chas, Telegraf

Latvia could receive more than EUR 100,000 from the European Fund for Refugees (EFR) for the support for the asylum seekers and refugees if the state provides co-funding in the amount of 25% in the EFR’s project on the protection policy of person’s rights and legitimate interests’. Only four persons have sought asylum in Latvia this year.

Latvia could receive more than EUR 100,000 from the European Fund for Refugees (EFR) for the support for the asylum seekers and refugees if the state provides co-funding in the amount of 25% in the EFRs project on the protection policy of persons rights and legitimate interests. Only four persons have sought asylum in Latvia this year. Neatkariga Rita Avize also features an article about Palestinian Haisam Abu Abda, who has already passed the naturalisation exam and soon will receive the passport of Latvian citizen. Neatkariga Rita Avize

During the International Conference of the World Association of the Russian Press Russia Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Eleonor Mitrophanov has called the European Union to intervene in affairs of Russian speakers, who are the residents of Latvia.

During the International Conference of the World Association of the Russian Press Russia Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Eleonor Mitrophanov has called the European Union to intervene in affairs of Russian speakers, who are the residents of Latvia. Latvijas Avize

Chas continues to write about the draft resolution, developed by the Speaker of the Russia State Council Boris Grizlov. The draft resolution will be presented at the session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe in Edinburgh. The draft resolution points to the necessity to expand the Russian-speakers rights in Latvia and Estonia by ratifying the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities and Protocol 12 and 13 to the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms without any reservations. Russia also recommends Latvia and Estonia to grant voting rights to the non-citizens at municipal elections, to accede to the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages and to speed up naturalisation process. According to the resolution, in regions, where non-citizens live in substantial numbers, they must have the right to use their language officially. The newspaper also features the opinion of the Latvia Foreign Affairs Minister Rihards Piks about the possible ratification of the Framework Convention. The minister believes that the main obstacle is a large number of non-citizens.

Chas features an interview with the Head of the Russia State Council Committee on Foreign Affairs Mihail Margelov about relations between Latvia and Russia.

Latvijas Avize writes about activities of the State Language Agencys Consultative Department. The chairperson of the Department Melita Stengrevica believes that members of minorities lack motivation to learn the Latvian language, because all the necessary information is also available in Russian.

• The Saeimas decision to prolong prohibitions for the ex-staff of the State Security Committee leads to initiating a case at the Latvian Constitutional Court
• Observation of minorities rights in Latvia will be discussed during the session of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly
• Head of the Russia State Council Committee on International Affairs Konstantin Kosachev on the relationship between Russia and Latvia
• Recently elected European Parliaments (EP) MPs meet the representatives of the American Chamber of Commerce in Latvia
• Interview with the chairman of the Russia Presidential Commission for Rehabilitation ofPolitical Repressions Victims Aleksandr Yakovlev
• Director of Yad Vashems library Robert Rozett on Holocaust research projects
• Liepaja Prosecutors office changes security means for the leader of National Democratic Party Jevgenijs Osipovs from detention to police supervision

The Constitutional Court of Latvia has initiated a case on the basis of the application by Latvian MPs. The application challenges the decision of Saeima to prolong prohibitions for the ex-staff of the State Security Committee of the Soviet Republic of Latvia to hold certain offices and naturalize within 10 years. MPs believe that the Saeima’s decision does not correspond with Paragraph 101 of the Constitution of Latvia and the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms.

The Constitutional Court of Latvia has initiated a case on the basis of the application by Latvian MPs. The application challenges the decision of Saeima to prolong prohibitions for the ex-staff of the State Security Committee of the Soviet Republic of Latvia to hold certain offices and naturalize within 10 years. MPs believe that the Saeimas decision does not correspond with Paragraph 101 of the Constitution of Latvia and the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms. Chas

Observation of minorities’ rights in Latvia will be discussed during the session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe in Edinburgh. The chairman of the Russia State Council Boris Grizlov is planning to present a draft resolution. The draft resolution will call Latvia to ratify the Framework Convention for the Protection of Minorities Rights and the Protocol of the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms. Both documents stipulate equal rights to everybody irrespectively of one’s colour of skin, nationality or language.

Observation of minorities rights in Latvia will be discussed during the session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe in Edinburgh. The chairman of the Russia State Council Boris Grizlov is planning to present a draft resolution. The draft resolution will call Latvia to ratify the Framework Convention for the Protection of Minorities Rights and the Protocol of the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms. Both documents stipulate equal rights to everybody irrespectively of ones colour of skin, nationality or language. Vesti Segodnya

Russian language newspapers print the opinion of the head of the Russia State Council Committee on International Affairs Konstantin Kosachev on relations between Russia and Latvia and the recommendations of the Russia State Council for Latvia concerning observation of minorities’ rights. According to Konstantin Kosachev, Russia has brought forward a number of complaints in order to normalise relations between the states. The implementation of the education reform, mass non-citizenship and ‘attempts to idealise the fascism’ are the most topical issues to be addressed. Russia also condemns Latvia’s unwillingness to ratify the Council of Europe Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities.

Russian language newspapers print the opinion of the head of the Russia State Council Committee on International Affairs Konstantin Kosachev on relations between Russia and Latvia and the recommendations of the Russia State Council for Latvia concerning observation of minorities rights. According to Konstantin Kosachev, Russia has brought forward a number of complaints in order to normalise relations between the states. The implementation of the education reform, mass non-citizenship and ‘attempts to idealise the fascism are the most topical issues to be addressed. Russia also condemns Latvias unwillingness to ratify the Council of Europe Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities. Chas, Vesti Segodnya

Newspapers write about the meeting of four recently elected European Parliament’s (EP) MPs from Latvia with representatives of the American Chamber of Commerce in Latvia. Issues concerning the protection of minorities’ rights in Europe and the further relationship between Latvia and Russia were discussed at the meeting.

Newspapers write about the meeting of four recently elected European Parliaments (EP) MPs from Latvia with representatives of the American Chamber of Commerce in Latvia. Issues concerning the protection of minorities rights in Europe and the further relationship between Latvia and Russia were discussed at the meeting. Latvijas Avize, Chas

Latvijas Avize prints an interview with the chairman of the Russia Presidential Commission for Rehabilitation ofPolitical Repressions Victims Aleksandr Yakovlev. He expresses criticism towards Russians who live in Latvia, but do not want to learn Latvian. However, he stresses that it is not correctly to introduce the usage of the Latvian language by administrative methods in daily communications.

Diena features an article by the director of Yad Vashems library Robert Rozett about the Holocaust in Latvia during World War II and research projects in this area.

Liepaja Prosecutor’s office has changed safety means for the leader of the National Democratic Party (NDP) Jevgenijs Osipovs from detention to police supervision. Osipovs was accused of attacking a policeman during the unapproved protest action against the education reform in Liepaja.

Liepaja Prosecutors office has changed safety means for the leader of the National Democratic Party (NDP) Jevgenijs Osipovs from detention to police supervision. Osipovs was accused of attacking a policeman during the unapproved protest action against the education reform in Liepaja. Diena, Latvijas Avize

• Special Tasks Minister for Society Integration Nils Muiznieks accounts for his performance during the first 100 days of the present government
• Riga Mayor Gundars Bojars is planning to call on state officials to introduce changes in the process of the education reforms implementation
• Analysis of ethnic aspects in the European Parliament elections results
• Russia State Council prepared recommendations for Latvia in the area of minorities rights
• Russia Foreign Affairs Ministry condemns statements of the President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga
• Latvijas Avize continues discussion about proposals included in the appeal of the group of intellectuals to the state officials regarding implementation of the minority education reform
• MP of the Russia State Council Konstantin Zatulin on implementation of the education reform in Latvia
• Latvijas Avize writes about possible governments response to the judgement of the European Court of Human Rights in the case of Tatjana Zdanoka
• Chas features an article about demands of the Russian-speaking community
• Mourning meeting at the commemoration site of the synagogue burned during the Holocaust will take place on 4 July
• Children in T-shirts with the logo of the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian-language Schools visit the Occupation Museum of Latvia

Nils Muiznieks named the action, during which 15,000 letters to eligible non-citizen children’s parents were send in order to invite them to register their children born in Latvia after 21 August 1991 as Latvian citizens, as one of the most notable achievements during his first 100 days at the post of the Special Tasks Minister in the present government. As a result of the action, 354 children in May and 290 children in June were registered as citizens of Latvia, while only 356 children where registered during the twelve months of the last year. Nils Muiznieks has also mentioned collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Science in order ‘to help the Ministry of Education to cope with the inherited hard situation in the area of the education reform’, and to the elaboration of the national program for promotion of tolerance.

Nils Muiznieks named the action, during which 15,000 letters to eligible non-citizen childrens parents were send in order to invite them to register their children born in Latvia after 21 August 1991 as Latvian citizens, as one of the most notable achievements during his first 100 days at the post of the Special Tasks Minister in the present government. As a result of the action, 354 children in May and 290 children in June were registered as citizens of Latvia, while only 356 children where registered during the twelve months of the last year. Nils Muiznieks has also mentioned collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Science in order ‘to help the Ministry of Education to cope with the inherited hard situation in the area of the education reform, and to the elaboration of the national program for promotion of tolerance. Latvijas Avize, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf, Latvijas Vestnesis

Yesterday Riga City Council Education, Youth and Sports Department decided that the Riga Mayor Gundars Bojars should call on the Prime Minister Indulis Emsis and the Saeima Speaker Ingrida Udre to make several changes in the process of the education reform’s implementation. The city council is suggesting following changes: to grant exceptional status to Riga secondary school Nr. 34, where teachers of geography and informatics are not able to teach their subjects in Latvian; to decrease number of subjects which must be taught in Latvian from 5 to 3 in Grade 10 of minorities schools’ evening and by-correspondence classes; to allow teaching of two subjects bilingually, and to increase the number of Latvian language lessons per week by one lesson.

Yesterday Riga City Council Education, Youth and Sports Department decided that the Riga Mayor Gundars Bojars should call on the Prime Minister Indulis Emsis and the Saeima Speaker Ingrida Udre to make several changes in the process of the education reforms implementation. The city council is suggesting following changes: to grant exceptional status to Riga secondary school Nr. 34, where teachers of geography and informatics are not able to teach their subjects in Latvian; to decrease number of subjects which must be taught in Latvian from 5 to 3 in Grade 10 of minorities schools evening and by-correspondence classes; to allow teaching of two subjects bilingually, and to increase the number of Latvian language lessons per week by one lesson. Rigas Balss features opinions of the state officials about the possibility to increase the role and responsibility of municipalities in implementing the education reform. Rigas Balss, Neatkariga Rita Avize, Vesti Segodnya, Chas, Telegraf

Analysis of the European Parliament election’s results, conducted by the ethnologist Ilmars Mezs, indicates that the vote of Latvia’s citizens at the European Parliament’s elections has been explicitly ethnically motivated, as the biggest support to the left parties has been given by voters in the regions and cities populated by ethnic minorities in big numbers. According to Mezs, percentage of votes given to the left parties in these regions is almost identical to the percentage of minorities among citizens living there. Integration experts, asked by

Analysis of the European Parliament elections results, conducted by the ethnologist Ilmars Mezs, indicates that the vote of Latvias citizens at the European Parliaments elections has been explicitly ethnically motivated, as the biggest support to the left parties has been given by voters in the regions and cities populated by ethnic minorities in big numbers. According to Mezs, percentage of votes given to the left parties in these regions is almost identical to the percentage of minorities among citizens living there. Integration experts, asked by Diena, whether the ‘ethnic vote during the EP elections indicates that social integration policy has come to a dead end, have all denied such a possibility. Diena

Russia State Council is planning to submit a document, which includes 17 recommendations for Latvia in the area of minorities’ rights observation, to the international organisations. The main focus is on granting voting rights at municipal elections to non-citizens, simplification of the naturalisation procedure for older persons, and implementation of the education reform.

Russia State Council is planning to submit a document, which includes 17 recommendations for Latvia in the area of minorities rights observation, to the international organisations. The main focus is on granting voting rights at municipal elections to non-citizens, simplification of the naturalisation procedure for older persons, and implementation of the education reform.

Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs has evaluated statements of the President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga about Russia intervening with the internal affairs of Latvia, expressed during the interview to the Latvijas Radio, as unwarranted and intended to strain the relationship between Riga and Moscow. In the commentary submitted by the Information department of the Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the news agency Interfax, it is said that what the Latvian president calls ‘intervention in the internal affairs of Latvia’, is, in fact, ‘Russia’s principal position’ on defending Russian-speaking minority’s rights in accordance with the unified standards set by  international legislation and recommended by the human rights institutions and  experts of the United Nations, the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe and the Council of Europe.

Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs has evaluated statements of the President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga about Russia intervening with the internal affairs of Latvia, expressed during the interview to the Latvijas Radio, as unwarranted and intended to strain the relationship between Riga and Moscow. In the commentary submitted by the Information department of the Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the news agency Interfax, it is said that what the Latvian president calls ‘intervention in the internal affairs of Latvia, is, in fact, ‘Russias principal position on defending Russian-speaking minoritys rights in accordance with the unified standards set by international legislation and recommended by the human rights institutions and experts of the United Nations, the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe and the Council of Europe. Latvijas Avize

Latvijas Avize continues discussion about proposals included into the appeal of the group of intellectuals to the state officials regarding implementation of the minority education reform. Writer Mara Svire believes that the appeal is not providing any specific solutions to existing problems, while writer Anda Lice calls the appeal ‘rhetorical and claims that it presents an attempt to destabilise the situation. The publicist Peteris Bankovskis believes, that, on the contrary, appeal aims at stabilisation, not escalation, of the conflict.

Vesti Segodnya features an interview with the MP of Russia State Council Konstantin Zatulin about implementation of the education reform in Latvia.

Latvijas Avize features an article about possible governments reaction to the judgement of the European Court of Human Rights in the case of Tatjana Zdanoka. According to the newspaper, neither Ministry of Foreign Affairs, nor Ministry of Justice have read the judgment yet, as it is still being translated into Latvian from the original French language.

Chas prints an article by Viktors Guscins answering to the former Prime Minister of Latvia Ivars Godmanis, who in his previous interview to the newspaper claimed that ‘Latvians want to know at what level demands of the Russian-speaking community will stop. According to the author, Russian-speakers want Latvia to become a democratic state, and the ‘ruling Latvian elite should abandon policy of ‘lies, hypocrisy, and coercion towards the ethnic minorities. Only fulfilment of these requirements, writes Viktors Guscins, can stop further escalation of the ethnic conflict.

A mourning meeting will take place at the site of the remains of the synagogue, burned during the Holocaust, on 4 July, Commemoration day for the victims of the genocide against Jewish people. Approximately 200 representatives of the Jewish community and Latvian intellectual circles will attend. The Prime Minister Indulis Emsis will also participate in the meeting.

A mourning meeting will take place at the site of the remains of the synagogue, burned during the Holocaust, on 4 July, Commemoration day for the victims of the genocide against Jewish people. Approximately 200 representatives of the Jewish community and Latvian intellectual circles will attend. The Prime Minister Indulis Emsis will also participate in the meeting. Latvijas Avize

Yesterday approximately 40 children dressed in T-shirts with the inscription “Hands off from our schools!” and logo of the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian-language Schools visited the Occupation Museum of Latvia.

Yesterday approximately 40 children dressed in T-shirts with the inscription Hands off from our schools! and logo of the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian-language Schools visited the Occupation Museum of Latvia. Chas

• Head of the FHRUL parliamentary group Jakovs Pliners sends an open letter to the president of Latvia and the prime minister regarding implementation of the minority education reform
• Newspapers continue discussion about appeal of the group of intellectuals to the state officials regarding implementation of the minority education reform
• Director of the Second European department of the Russian Ministry for Foreign Affairs Alexander Udaltsov about Russian-speakers situation in Latvia
• Vice-speaker of the Russia State Council Vladimir Zhirinovsky threatens the Baltic states with military invasion

Responding to the appeal of the group of intellectuals regarding implementation of the minority education reform, the head of the union’s For Human Rights in the United Latvia parliamentary group Jakovs Pliners has also sent an open letter to the president of Latvia and the prime Minister. In his letter, Jakovs Pliners points to the necessity of an urgent moratorium on education reform, and suggests to grant the rights to define the language of instruction and the ‘level of bilingualism’ to the minorities schools’ councils; to divide subject ‘Latvian language and literature’ into two separate subjects ‘Latvian language’ and ‘Latvian literature’, at the same time increasing number of lessons from 4 to 6 per week; and to establish a department on minorities’ education issues under the Ministry of Education and Science.

Responding to the appeal of the group of intellectuals regarding implementation of the minority education reform, the head of the unions For Human Rights in the United Latvia parliamentary group Jakovs Pliners has also sent an open letter to the president of Latvia and the prime Minister. In his letter, Jakovs Pliners points to the necessity of an urgent moratorium on education reform, and suggests to grant the rights to define the language of instruction and the ‘level of bilingualism to the minorities schools councils; to divide subject ‘Latvian language and literature into two separate subjects ‘Latvian language and ‘Latvian literature, at the same time increasing number of lessons from 4 to 6 per week; and to establish a department on minorities education issues under the Ministry of Education and Science. Chas, Vesti Segodnya

Latvian-language newspapers continue discussion about the appeal of the group of intellectuals to the state officials regarding implementation of the minority education reform.

Latvian-language newspapers continue discussion about the appeal of the group of intellectuals to the state officials regarding implementation of the minority education reform. Diena features opinions of the state officials, most of whom believe that suggested abandonment of the language ratios is belated and cannot be accomplished at the present moment. The Prime Minister Indulis Emsis, as well as the Minister for Education and Science Juris Radzevics and Special Tasks Minister for Society Integration Nils Muiznieks, categorically reject the possibility of opening the Law on Education in order to cancel the language ratios. Latvijas Avize features a commentary by the journalist Voldemars Krustins, who believes that proposals included in the appeal have been already expressed in the past by the representatives of the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian-language Schools.

“Russia will apply to international organisations more actively in order to solve Russian-speakers’ problems in Latvia,” stated director of the Second European department of the Russian Foreign Ministry Alexander Udaltsov during the meeting with the Baltic State’s journalists. According to Udaltsov, problems are well known – naturalisation, education in the Russian language, voting rights and attitude towards the Soviet Army veterans. Alexander Udaltsov believes that the education reform must be cancelled, or at least postponed in order to be carefully prepared. He also said that in the regions, where Russian-speakers live in substantial numbers, they should have rights to use the Russian language officially.

Russia will apply to international organisations more actively in order to solve Russian-speakers problems in Latvia, stated director of the Second European department of the Russian Foreign Ministry Alexander Udaltsov during the meeting with the Baltic States journalists. According to Udaltsov, problems are well known – naturalisation, education in the Russian language, voting rights and attitude towards the Soviet Army veterans. Alexander Udaltsov believes that the education reform must be cancelled, or at least postponed in order to be carefully prepared. He also said that in the regions, where Russian-speakers live in substantial numbers, they should have rights to use the Russian language officially. Chas features an interview with Alexander Udaltsov and the deputy director of the department Mikhail Demurin. Latvijas Avize, Chas, Vesti Segodnya

Vice-speaker of the Russia State Council Vladimir Zhirinovsky (Russia Liberal Democratic Party) has threatened that Russia’s armed forces may be moved into the Baltic States if those countries continue to ‘offend the big neighbour’. Zhirinovsky said that all people born in a specific state should have its citizenship.

Vice-speaker of the Russia State Council Vladimir Zhirinovsky (Russia Liberal Democratic Party) has threatened that Russias armed forces may be moved into the Baltic States if those countries continue to ‘offend the big neighbour. Zhirinovsky said that all people born in a specific state should have its citizenship. Latvijas Avize, Vesti Segodnya