U-1 National Identity: Language Requirement for Citizenship

U-2 Latvia May Further Restrict Russian Opportunities for Citizenship Naturalization law requires those desiring naturalization as Latvian citizens to be fluent in Latvian language Large numbers of Russian residents are not Language requirement becomes an issue in election campaign One political party pledges to increase degree of fluency required to obtain citizenship –Would probably exclude many ethnic Russians from any prospect of becoming Latvian citizens

U-3 Tightened Language Requirement Debated Latvian Election Day –Government wins election pledging more stringent language fluency requirement in new naturalization law One week after elections –Russian Duma denounces proposal –Protest demonstrations in Latvia by ethnic Russians Questions from Prime Minister: –What internal and international reactions are likely if new law is passed? –Are actions needed now in preparation?

U-4 Parliament Debates New Law One day before next parliamentary session –Russian trade unions in Latvia stage two-day strike Parliament opens –Russian president sharply criticizes proposed law Debate begins on new law –Amnesty International denounces the proposed new law as violation of Russian minority rights »Says new law conflicts with the Single European Act »Urges that Latvia’s EU membership be rejected »Also calls for OSCE human rights monitors Questions from Prime Minister: –Assess Russian objectives –Is there a serious internal security problem? –Need we respond to the A.I. intervention and, if so, how?