A doctor at Albert Lea Medical Center made news this month in his home country of Latvia for e-mail exchanges he had with the newly appointed foreign minister.

According to English language versions of Latvian and Russian news sources, the Latvian opposition demanded the resignation of Foreign Minister Girts Valdis Kristovskis for being critical of ethnic Russians living in Latvia in those e-mail messages.

The e-mail exchange came with Aivars Slucis, a radiologist at Albert Lea Medical Center, in 2009, though the messages were leaked earlier this month. Latvians Online described Slucis as “a vocal critic of Russian influence in his homeland.”

About one-third of Latvia’s population is ethnically Russian. The nation was occupied by the Soviet Union from World War II until 1991, when Latvia and other Baltic states broke away from the Soviets.

In the messages, Slucis said he would have difficulty treating Russian and Latvian patients the same.

The Tribune on Tuesday requested a comment from Slucis through his workplace. Slucis declined, but ALMC, part of the Mayo Health System, said it had received many comments regarding Slucis and released this statement:

“We take these comments seriously and have talked with Dr. Slucis regarding the nature, tone and perception of his comments. The views expressed were his personal opinion. They do not represent the views of Mayo Clinic or Albert Lea Medical Center. Once we learned of his comments, we immediately began an internal review. We are continuing to review this situation.

“The diversity and mutual respect standards of Albert Lea Medical Center and Mayo Clinic unequivocally reflect how we deliver care to all people, regardless of race, color, creed, religion, gender, age, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, veteran’s status or status with regard to public assistance.”

Albert Lea Medical Center released this statement on Wednesday to Latvian media:

“Albert Lea Medical Center has completed its internal review of the situation involving Dr. Slucis. The review included an analysis of the e-mail communication, a meeting with Dr. Slucis and a review of comments and data posted related to the discussion. We have taken appropriate actions based on this review. In accordance with our standard policy, no further information will be shared about this private, personnel matter.”

The Mayo Clinic’s Facebook page has been littered with people who are angered over Slucis’ comments and call for him to be fired. There are some comments from people who support him, too.

Kristovskis became foreign minister on Nov. 3. In a statement released last week, he said the e-mail messages were misleading and did not reflect his views.

“I have never made judgments about people based on their nationality. I respect and believe in tolerance toward all ethnicities,” Kristovskis told news media.

Kristovskis, a leader of a centrist bloc in Latvian politics, escaped a no-confidence vote on Nov. 9 spurred by members of pro-Russian and conservative blocs.

Slucis sent an e-mail to members of that centrist political party, called Pilsoniska savieniba, or PS. It is also termed the Civic Union. He questioned the party’s commitment to native Latvians.

The e-mail, according to Latvians Online, said:

“I travel to Latvia only routinely because, as a doctor, I could not treat Russians the same as Latvians in Latvia and that is not allowed and that is why I am waiting,” Slucis wrote.

Latvians Online said the exchange originally was published by Pietiek (in Latvian).

Latvians Online said Kristovskis replied to Slucis and other PS members. The news agency said he noted “that he agrees with Slucis’ observations. However, he also wrote that hysteria does not help and that PS politicians are defending ethnic Latvian interests.”

Latvian media reported that PS members voted Nov. 8 to oust Slucis from the party and return Ls 11,665 (Latvian Lats) he made in 2009 and 2010. In U.S. dollars, that equals about $22,563.

Russia and Latvia have worked to smooth disputes over the boundary, and in 2007 each signed a treaty.

The e-mail exchanges brought about questions about the boundary between Latvia and Russia, but both countries dismissed reopening further negotiations.

Alexei Sazonov, a spokesman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, told Itar-Tass, a Russian news agency, that the ministry noted the e-mail exchanges and said “the affair goes beyond the bounds of common sense and leaves an unpleasant aftertaste.”

However, Sazonov expressed support for Kristovskis following the Latvian official policy of “building good-neighborly relations with Russia.”

Latvians Online reported that Slucis was born in Latvia and escaped to the West with his parents during World War II.