[jb6]

It is not unreasonable to ask them to speak the language of the country, which is Latvian - indeed, not any more unreasonable to ask that than it is to ask second generation Hispanics to speak English

I guess you didn't bother to read the article, which flatly states they do speak the language.

[MadIvan]

If they're so confident in the Latvian language, why don't they simply take the test and have done with it. Keep in mind, under Soviet rule, Russian was the lingua franca in the Baltics and it was the native languages that were de-emphasised.

Second, are you suggesting that it is acceptable that there are enclaves in America of people who refuse to learn the langauge and customs of the country? THat would come as news to me considering the reaction I've seen here after September 11th. But please, do elaborate on your defence of having an Islamic anti-American enclave in America, when your hero won't tolerate the same in Russia.

Ivan