• Police arrested vandals of the Pokrovs Orthodox cemetery
• The EU-Russia Summit will be held tomorrow in Rome
• Discussion on the recall of Marjan Bekasov from the European Parliament
• Lauku Avize criticizes Nils Muiznieks statements on naturalization promotion
• The Advisory Council for Minority Education Affairs has not approved the proposals of the Latvian Associations for the Support for Russian Schools
• Members of the Peoples party and the Union of Greens and Farmers meet with Russian students visiting the Council of Europe
• EducationState Inspection: the absence of Russian studentsfrom school during their visit to Strasbourg and Moscow has been justified
• Newspapers aboutthe seminar Latvia – Russia: new cooperation prospects
• Olgerts Tipans will join the New Era party

Riga Central Police Department has arrested two young persons suspected in breaking of more than 50 crosses at the Pokrov’s Orthodox cemetery on the Halloween night. Two young men have been under the alcohol influence when they went home through the cemetery and committed the crime.

Riga Central Police Department has arrested two young persons suspected in breaking of more than 50 crosses at the Pokrovs Orthodox cemetery on the Halloween night. Two young men have been under the alcohol influence when they went home through the cemetery and committed the crime. Diena, Neatkariga Rita Avize, Lauku Avize, Rigas Balss, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf, Chas, Vechernaya Riga

At the EU-Russia Summit on 6 November in Rome, the EU President Romano Prodi and other EU leaders will meet with the President of Russia Vladimir Putin. The European Commission is planning to ask Russia to extend the EU-Russia Partnership and Cooperation Agreement to the acceding EU member states, and to sign the border agreements with Latvia and Estonia. The perspective of a visa-free regime between the EU and Russia will also be addressed.

At the EU-Russia Summit on 6 November in Rome, the EU President Romano Prodi and other EU leaders will meet with the President of Russia Vladimir Putin. The European Commission is planning to ask Russia to extend the EU-Russia Partnership and Cooperation Agreement to the acceding EU member states, and to sign the border agreements with Latvia and Estonia. The perspective of a visa-free regime between the EU and Russia will also be addressed. Vesti Segodnya refers to the official information from the Presidents Administration that Vladimir Putin is planning to discuss the issue of Russian Diaspora in Estonia and Latvia with the EU leaders. Diena, Neatkariga Rita Avize.

According to

According to Lauku Avize, the European Parliament (EP) will possibly examine the legitimacy of the recall of Martjan Bekasov (the Latvian Socialist party) from the status of an observer to the EP during the session next Wednesday. The EPs regulations on the status of the observers from the candidate states stipulate that the change of an observer can take place under the following circumstances: observers death, resignation, expiration of his mandate, and dismissal from the National Parliament. The EP President Pat Cox has not responded to the recall of Bekasov yet. The speaker of the Saeima Ingrida Udre has sent a letter to the EP explaining the reasons of the Saeima decision to recall Bekasov. According to Vesty Segodnya, Bekasovs recall will be already discussed at the todays session of the EP, and left-wing politicians of the EP have met with Pat Cox pointing to the Saeimas anti-democratic recall of Bekasov without preliminary informing the EP of this decision.

Lauku Avize criticizes the views of the Special Task Minister for Societal Integration Nils Muiznieks, which he has recently expressed in an interview to the Russian media agency ITAR-TASS. The Minister has said that the switch to professional army will increase motivation to apply for Latvian citizenship among young non-citizens, who will take citizenship without being afraid to be called to military service. He has also emphasized the activities of the government for promoting Latvian citizenship. The columnist disagrees with the minister that the state should invite non-citizens to apply for the Latvian citizenship, or should ease naturalization conditions.

Yesterday the Advisory Council for Minority Education Affairs at the Ministry on Education and Science has not approved the proposals of the Latvian Association’s for the Support for Russian Schools (LASRS). The Chairman of the Board of LASRS Igor Pimenov said that the Council has denied some proposals and refused to examine others.

Yesterday the Advisory Council for Minority Education Affairs at the Ministry on Education and Science has not approved the proposals of the Latvian Associations for the Support for Russian Schools (LASRS). The Chairman of the Board of LASRS Igor Pimenov said that the Council has denied some proposals and refused to examine others. Chas

The members of a youth organization of the People’s party and MPs from the Union of Greens and Farmers have met with the activists from the youth organization “Strasbourg” to discuss education reform. The Russian students from “Strasbourg” have visited the Council of Europe last September. The politicians are planning to meet with Russian school teachers next week.

The members of a youth organization of the Peoples party and MPs from the Union of Greens and Farmers have met with the activists from the youth organization Strasbourg to discuss education reform. The Russian students from Strasbourg have visited the Council of Europe last September. The politicians are planning to meet with Russian school teachers next week. Vesty Segodnya

The Education State Inspection has concluded that explanatory notes of parents justify the absence of Russian studentsfrom school during their visit to Strasbourg and Moscow.

The Education State Inspection has concluded that explanatory notes of parents justify the absence of Russian studentsfrom school during their visit to Strasbourg and Moscow. Telegraf

Lauku Avize and Vesty Segodnya report on the seminar Latvia – Russia: new cooperation prospects which has taken place in Moscow last Saturday. Lauku Avize concludes that the experts believe that after Latvias accession to the EU the dialog between two countries will improve, or at least will be taken to a new quality level. At the same time, Russia is likely to continue pressure on Latvia and the EU. Vesty Segodnya points to the importance of continuing the discussion.

Olgerts Tipans, the former advisor to the President of Latvia on nationality issues, has left his post at the President’s Chancery and is planning to join the New Era party.

Olgerts Tipans, the former advisor to the President of Latvia on nationality issues, has left his post at the Presidents Chancery and is planning to join the New Era party. Lauku Avize

• Janis Jurkans meets with Einars Repse
• The response of the Latvian First party to the vandalism act at the Pokrovs OrthodoxCemetery
• Newspapers point to the insufficient state response to the vandalism act at the Pokrovs OrthodoxCemetery
• Discussion on the letter of Russian Jewish organizations to the Prime Minister of Israel
• A seminar on the prospects of cooperation between Latvia and Russia
• About the conference on the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities in Strasbourg

Yesterday the chairman of the People’s Harmony Party Janis Jurkans met with the Prime Minister Einars Repse. According to the press secretary of Einars Repse, the goal of the meeting has been to talk over cooperation between the position and opposition. According to Janis Jurkans, discussion was about other issues concerning political situation in the state.

Yesterday the chairman of the Peoples Harmony Party Janis Jurkans met with the Prime Minister Einars Repse. According to the press secretary of Einars Repse, the goal of the meeting has been to talk over cooperation between the position and opposition. According to Janis Jurkans, discussion was about other issues concerning political situation in the state. Lauku Avize, Telegraf

After the vandalism act at the Pokrov’s Orthodox cemetery, the chairperson of the Latvian First party Eriks Jekabsons has distributed a statement on the necessity of preventing vandalism at cemeteries.

After the vandalism act at the Pokrovs Orthodox cemetery, the chairperson of the Latvian First party Eriks Jekabsons has distributed a statement on the necessity of preventing vandalism at cemeteries. Lauku Avize The First party is planning to invite the Minister of Interior Maris Gulbis to the Saeima and to the partys session to discuss the question about security measures at the cemeteries. Chas

Mediarespond to the vandalism act at the Pokrov’s Orthodox cemetery.

Mediarespond to the vandalism act at the Pokrovs Orthodox cemetery. Lauku Avize columnist Maris Antonevics points to the lack of public attention and insufficient official condemnation of the vandalism act at the Pokrovs Orthodox cemetery as compared with the recent anti-Semitic vandalism act the New Jewish cemetery. Rigas Balss points to the need to investigate the allegedly Satanistic case in a similar fashion as the anti-Semitic vandalism acts. Chas and Vesti Segodnya point to the lack of state support to the Pokrovs cemetery in general, and especially lack of initiative on cemetery renovation. Vesti Segodnya invites readers to help putting the cemetery back in order next Saturday.

Telegraf discusses a letter of the Russian Jewish organizations to the Prime Minister of Israel Ariel Saron. The chairman of the Latvian Council of Jewish Communities Arkady Suharenko has stated that there is certain rehabilitation of the Latvian Legion soldiers. However, he disagrees with the authors of the letter that there are the anti-Semitic tendencies and rehabilitation of Nazism in Latvia.

Yesterday a seminar “Latvia – Russia: new cooperation prospects”, organized by the Russian Tolerance Institute and the Latvian Embassy in Russia, took place in Moscow. Political scientists, economists, and representatives of state bodies have discussed prospects of cooperation between the two states after Latvia’s accession to the EU. According to

Yesterday a seminar Latvia – Russia: new cooperation prospects, organized by the Russian Tolerance Institute and the Latvian Embassy in Russia, took place in Moscow. Political scientists, economists, and representatives of state bodies have discussed prospects of cooperation between the two states after Latvias accession to the EU. According to Telegraf, the participants have discussed a possibility to establish an expert corporationto find a compromise on the most disputable topics. Lauku Avize, the Official Gazette, Telegraf, Chas, Vesti Segodnya

Lauku Avize reports on the conference devoted to the five years anniversary of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities, which has taken place in Strasbourg. Most participants have not supported the proposal of Boris Tsilevitch, Latvias representative to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, about granting rights to individuals to apply to the European Court of Human Rights on the basis of the Convention. The newspaper also refers to Tove Skutnabb-Kangas, the human rights expert from Denmark, who believes that extending the demanded minority rights in the area of language and education would promote integration and strengthen loyalty of Russian-speaking population in Latvia. Lauku Avize

• A vandalism act at the Riga Pokrovs OrthodoxCemetery
• Discussion on the letter of the Simon Lunn, the Secretary General of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly
• Russian Jewish organizations accuse Latvia and Estonia in rehabilitation of Nazism
• Vesti Segodnya on the session of the Human Rights Committee of the United Nations
• The increase of naturalization applications in a Latgale district

A vandalism act at the Riga Pokrov’s Orthodox Cemetery has taken place at the Halloween night. Unknown vandals have pulled out and broken about 30 crosses. This was the second vandalism act at this cemetery since last July. The police has started a criminal case. The head of the Pokrov’s Cemetery Reconstruction Fund Sergey Kalaida believes that the vandalism act is related to Halloween night celebration, and suspects a group of young Satanists. 

A vandalism act at the Riga Pokrovs Orthodox Cemetery has taken place at the Halloween night. Unknown vandals have pulled out and broken about 30 crosses. This was the second vandalism act at this cemetery since last July. The police has started a criminal case. The head of the Pokrovs Cemetery Reconstruction Fund Sergey Kalaida believes that the vandalism act is related to Halloween night celebration, and suspects a group of young Satanists. BNS, Diena, Neatkariga Rita Avize, Rigas Balss, Telegraf,

Neatkariga Rita Avize writes about the letter of the Secretary General of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly (PA) Simon Lunn about the distorted way in which Russian language press reflected the visit of the PA deputies to Latvia. According to Chas editor, complaints of the Secretary General are not specific. The editor promised to correct mistakes if Chas columnist has distorted information.

Russian Jewish organizations have sent a letter to the Prime Minister of Israel Ariel Sharon, expressing their concern about rehabilitation of Nazism and insufficient studies of the Holocaust history in Latvia and Estonia.

Russian Jewish organizations have sent a letter to the Prime Minister of Israel Ariel Sharon, expressing their concern about rehabilitation of Nazism and insufficient studies of the Holocaust history in Latvia and Estonia. Neatkariga Rita Avize, Vesti Segodnya

Vesti Segodnya reports on the session of the Human Rights Committee of the United Nations on the implementation of the International Pact on Civic and Political Rights in Latvia. According to the newspaper, the Committees members have not accepted the fact of Latvias former occupation as an argument in explaining minority rights situation, which was provided by the Latvian delegation. The newspaper expects that the Committee will provide strict recommendations to Latvia.

This year, Ludza branch of the Naturalization Board has received three times larger number of naturalization applications as compared with the last year. According to

This year, Ludza branch of the Naturalization Board has received three times larger number of naturalization applications as compared with the last year. According to Telegraf, the increase of the number of application has been caused by the availability of free of charge Latvian language courses, the decrease of the naturalization fee and the positive results of the referendum on Latvias accession to the EU. Telegraf

• The Saeima recalls Martjan Bekasov from the post of an observer to the European Parliament
• The Society Integration Foundation distributes state funding for 2004
• Karlis Sadurskis and Igor Pimenov are ready to continue a dialog
• Discussion on possible reinforcement of the Framework Convention
• An interview with Sandra Kalniete, the minister of Foreign Affairs
• Journalist Anna Stroja about the Russian community in Latvia after EU referendum
• Demographer Ilmars Mezs on the change of proportions between ethnic Latvians and other nationalities
• An article of sociolinguist Gatis Dilans

64 MPs have voted for the recall of the MP for the Latvian Socialist Party Martjan Bekasov from the post of an observer to the European Parliament. The MP has been accused by right-wing parties of the dissemination of distorted information in the European Parliament about discrimination of Russian-speakers in Latvia. Bekasov is planning to submit a complaint to the Constitutional Court about violation of his freedom of expression.

64 MPs have voted for the recall of the MP for the Latvian Socialist Party Martjan Bekasov from the post of an observer to the European Parliament. The MP has been accused by right-wing parties of the dissemination of distorted information in the European Parliament about discrimination of Russian-speakers in Latvia. Bekasov is planning to submit a complaint to the Constitutional Court about violation of his freedom of expression. Diena, Telegraf, Vechernaya Riga, Chas, Vesti Segodnya

The Society Integration Foundation (SIF) has distributed the state budget funding for the next year. 185,211 lats have been allocated to 34 projects on Latvian language training for adults, estimating that around 2830 persons will participate in the courses. The goal of the project is to provide an opportunity for everybody with poor Latvian language proficiency to learn Latvian. The fee will depend on the income level of the applicants. 33,756 lats have been allocated to 18 school projects aimed to provide information on education reform. Part of the funding is granted to mass media to inform about education reform.

The Society Integration Foundation (SIF) has distributed the state budget funding for the next year. 185,211 lats have been allocated to 34 projects on Latvian language training for adults, estimating that around 2830 persons will participate in the courses. The goal of the project is to provide an opportunity for everybody with poor Latvian language proficiency to learn Latvian. The fee will depend on the income level of the applicants. 33,756 lats have been allocated to 18 school projects aimed to provide information on education reform. Part of the funding is granted to mass media to inform about education reform. Diena, the Official Gazette, Telegraf

At the conference of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities in Strasburg, possible judicial reinforcement of the Convention has been discussed. The Latvia’s representative to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe Boris Tsilevitch has advocated for granting rights to individuals to apply to the Court on the basis of the Convention. The director of the Office of the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities John Packer has pointed out that the goal of the Convention is not to impose legal consequences on the specific state, and that it allows for certain flexibility in the implementation.

At the conference of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities in Strasburg, possible judicial reinforcement of the Convention has been discussed. The Latvias representative to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe Boris Tsilevitch has advocated for granting rights to individuals to apply to the Court on the basis of the Convention. The director of the Office of the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities John Packer has pointed out that the goal of the Convention is not to impose legal consequences on the specific state, and that it allows for certain flexibility in the implementation. Diena

The minister of Education and Science Karlis Sadurskis has responded to the Latvian Association’s for the Support for Russian Schools (LASRS) letter signed by 107,000 persons asking for the free choice of the language of instruction. The minister wants to continue the dialog between the ministry and the LASRS. Igor Pimenov, the Chairman of the Board of LASRS, is also planning to continue cooperation with the ministry. On 4 November the Council on Minority Education Affairs of the Ministry on Education and Science will examine the proposals of the LASRS for the Education Law’s amendments.

The minister of Education and Science Karlis Sadurskis has responded to the Latvian Associations for the Support for Russian Schools (LASRS) letter signed by 107,000 persons asking for the free choice of the language of instruction. The minister wants to continue the dialog between the ministry and the LASRS. Igor Pimenov, the Chairman of the Board of LASRS, is also planning to continue cooperation with the ministry. On 4 November the Council on Minority Education Affairs of the Ministry on Education and Science will examine the proposals of the LASRS for the Education Laws amendments. Telegraf, Vechernaya Riga, Chas

Jauna Avize features an interview with the minister of Foreign Affairs Sandra Kalniete discussing Latvias foreign policy issues. The minister considers the recent manifestations on protecting minority interests as a normal democracy practice, not a sign of an ethnic conflict.

Diena publishes an article by journalist Anna Stroja about Russian communities in Latvia and in other countries, possible changes after EU accession, and recent developments in Latvias relationship with Russia. Anna Stroja doubts that it is in anybodys best interests if Latvian non-citizens decide to choose Russias citizenship in favor of naturalization.

Jauna Avize features an article of demographer Ilmars Mezs analyzing the change of proportions between ethnic Latvians and other nationalities over the last years. According to him, the Latvian population, including ethnic Latvians, will continue to decrease in the forthcoming years. At the same time, the share of ethnic Latvians among other nationalities could increase to 61% in 10 years.

Sociolinguist Gatis Dilans discusses interethnic relations in Latvia and Latvian nationalism. He stresses the need to improve a dialog between the state and ethnic minorities.

Sociolinguist Gatis Dilans discusses interethnic relations in Latvia and Latvian nationalism. He stresses the need to improve a dialog between the state and ethnic minorities. Vechernaya Riga

• Protest activities against education reform
• The session of the Human Rights Committee of the United Nations
• Latvian delegation participates in the annual meeting of NATO Senior Council
• Media clarify statements of Gunter Verheugen
• The Mayor of Cesis meets with a Russian language school
• Igor Pimenov discusses an opportunity to open a class with the insufficient number of students
• The conference of the Riga Department of the Peoples Harmony Party
• Boris Tsilevitch: the current Latvian government will not ratify the Framework Convention

Yesterday a procession and protest meetings against education reform, organized by the Headquarters for the defense of Russian schools and the FHRUL, took place nearby the Ministry’s on Education and Science building, the Saeima building and the President’s palace. According to different newspapers, 300-800 people, predominantly Russian school students, participated in the procession. Nearby the President’s palace, the participants have burned a scarecrow with an inscription “Reform 2004”. The dress of the scarecrow resembled the Ku-Klux-Klan uniform. Participants of the procession have also called for resignation of the minister of Education and Science.

Yesterday a procession and protest meetings against education reform, organized by the Headquarters for the defense of Russian schools and the FHRUL, took place nearby the Ministrys on Education and Science building, the Saeima building and the Presidents palace. According to different newspapers, 300-800 people, predominantly Russian school students, participated in the procession. Nearby the Presidents palace, the participants have burned a scarecrow with an inscription Reform 2004. The dress of the scarecrow resembled the Ku-Klux-Klan uniform. Participants of the procession have also called for resignation of the minister of Education and Science. Diena, Lauku Avîze, Telegraf, Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Vechernaya Riga

Media report on the session of the Human Rights Committee of the United Nations examining the implementation of the International Pact on Civic and Political Rights in Latvia. Eighteen UN experts will analyse Latvia’s official report by 7 November.

Media report on the session of the Human Rights Committee of the United Nations examining the implementation of the International Pact on Civic and Political Rights in Latvia. Eighteen UN experts will analyse Latvias official report by 7 November. Lauku Avize questions participation of the Latvian Human Rights Committee as an alternative delegation at the session. Chas, Telegraf, Vesti Segodnya, Lauku Avize

Latvian delegation participated in the annual meeting of NATO Senior Council, which started on 28 October. NATO Senior Council has positively evaluated the progress made by Latvia toward accession to NATO. NATO ambassadors have also asked the Latvian representatives to comment on the recent statements of Russia, including statements of Sergey Ivanov, the minister of Defence of Russia. Sergey Ivanov has previously mentioned possible Russia’s military intervention in order to protect the rights of Russia’s citizens and ethnic Russians in the former USSR’s republics. The state secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia Maris Riekstins said to

Latvian delegation participated in the annual meeting of NATO Senior Council, which started on 28 October. NATO Senior Council has positively evaluated the progress made by Latvia toward accession to NATO. NATO ambassadors have also asked the Latvian representatives to comment on the recent statements of Russia, including statements of Sergey Ivanov, the minister of Defence of Russia. Sergey Ivanov has previously mentioned possible Russias military intervention in order to protect the rights of Russias citizens and ethnic Russians in the former USSRs republics. The state secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia Maris Riekstins said to Lauku Avize that there is a need for the EU or NATO to respond to Russia unacceptable rhetorics. BNS, Lauku Avize, Vesti Segodnya

Chas and Lauku Avize have contacted Jean-Christophe Filori, the press secretary of the Commissioner for Enlargement of the European Commission Gunter Verheugen, in order to clarify the Commissioners statements. The press secretary said that Gunter Verheugen has not compared attitude towards Russian-speakers in the Baltic States with discrimination of Roma in Europe during his visit to Moscow. Vesti Segodnya denies information published in Diena that the press secretary of Gunter Verheugen has doubted intentions of the Commissioner to meet with the activists of the Latvian Human Rights Committee and the Latvian Association for the Support for Russian Schools. The possible upcoming meeting was first mentioned by Interfax, quoting Dmitry Rogozin. According to Vesti Segodnya, the press secretary was not present at the meeting of Gunter Verheugen with Dmitry Rogozin, and therefore cannot serve as a witness..

Yesterday representatives of a Russian school have submitted a letter to the mayor of Cesis where 400 persons ask the local government to preserve Russian language education at the school. According to the mayor, this issue will be discussed at the session of the Department for Education, Culture and Sports affairs of the City Council on 6 November.

Yesterday representatives of a Russian school have submitted a letter to the mayor of Cesis where 400 persons ask the local government to preserve Russian language education at the school. According to the mayor, this issue will be discussed at the session of the Department for Education, Culture and Sports affairs of the City Council on 6 November. Vesti Segodnya

Igor Pimenov, the Chairman of the Board of Latvian Association for the Support for Russian Schools analyses Latvian legislation stipulating conditions for opening a class with the insufficient number of students as an exception, and applies it to the case of the Russian school in Cesis.

Igor Pimenov, the Chairman of the Board of Latvian Association for the Support for Russian Schools analyses Latvian legislation stipulating conditions for opening a class with the insufficient number of students as an exception, and applies it to the case of the Russian school in Cesis. Vesti Segodnya

A conference of the Riga Depertment of the People’ Harmony Party takes place today. The new party program defining the PHP as a social democratic party will be discussed at the conference.

A conference of the Riga Depertment of the People Harmony Party takes place today. The new party program defining the PHP as a social democratic party will be discussed at the conference. Chas, Vesti Segodnya

Chas features an article of Boris Tsilevitch about the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities. Tsilevitch believes that the current Latvian government will not ratify the Framework Convention, because the politicians have no experience in making a dialog with international organizations and they do not put minority problems among the priorities.