Estonia to Station US Tanks, Combat Vehicles in October

[Ars Moriendi]

Some butthurt Baltic guy is down voting all the comments.

Meanwhile in Tallinn, a new charade.

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Estonia celebrates independence day
http://www.baltictimes.com/news/arti.../#.U_di1fl5Pdk



Estonia celebrates the 23rd anniversary of its regaining independence on Wednesday, Aug. 20 with a number of events in Tallinn and elsewhere, reports LETA.

Most Estonian towns hold commemorative events as well as concerts and different public events to mark the day which has been a public holiday since.

Estonian President Toomas Hendrik Ilves will hold a reception in his rose garden Wednesday evening.

Dramatic developments in the Soviet Union in August 1991 resulted in the three Baltic States regaining their independence.

On Aug. 20, 1991, the Supreme Council of Estonia, along with the leadership of the Estonian Committee agreed an "On the independence of the Estonian state and the establishment of the Constitutional Assembly," thus proclaiming the restoration of Estonian independence.
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Sometimes I forget I am older than this country.

[mikhail]

Meanwhile in Tallinn, a new charade.

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Estonia celebrates independence day
http://www.baltictimes.com/news/arti.../#.U_di1fl5Pdk



Estonia celebrates the 23rd anniversary of its regaining independence on Wednesday, Aug. 20 with a number of events in Tallinn and elsewhere, reports LETA.

Most Estonian towns hold commemorative events as well as concerts and different public events to mark the day which has been a public holiday since.

Estonian President Toomas Hendrik Ilves will hold a reception in his rose garden Wednesday evening.

Dramatic developments in the Soviet Union in August 1991 resulted in the three Baltic States regaining their independence.

On Aug. 20, 1991, the Supreme Council of Estonia, along with the leadership of the Estonian Committee agreed an "On the independence of the Estonian state and the establishment of the Constitutional Assembly," thus proclaiming the restoration of Estonian independence.
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Sometimes I forget I am older than this country.

They still celebrate their day of "independence" and yet their foreign policy seems to be directed at making them lose their "independence".

[Bloodnigger]

Baltic countries in general seem to escape me. The only one I know enough about is Lithuania but they always did have a big impact on the region up until the Polish partitions.

Overall, it seems that the fate of Latvia and Estonia is to dangle between a 1939 situation, either protectorates or outright annexation by the bear. (or, in this case, the hamburger)

[Norman]

for the war crimes Estonia has committed against the world by supporting the USA so loyally

Bwhahahahaha

[Prisoner Of Ice]

Disgusting, Europe is being colonized by a non-white country (USA). Have the Estonians no sense of independence?

In before first african negro rape.

[Ars Moriendi]

Another pearl from the Estonian foreign ministry. I skipped this 2 weeks ago but here it is:

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Estonia Slams Switzerland for Not Imposing Sanctions on Russia

http://www.themoscowtimes.com/busine...ia/504857.html

ZURICH — Switzerland is acting in its own self interest by not imposing its own sanctions against Russia over Ukraine and gaining an advantage for its banking sector, Estonia's president said an interview with a Swiss newspaper published on Sunday.

Last week, Switzerland extended measures to ensure it does not serve as a route to bypass European Union sanctions, but has decided against imposing its own sanctions to punish Russia for annexing Ukraine's Crimea peninsula or its support for rebels in eastern Ukraine.

The country, current chair of the Organization for Cooperation and Security in Europe, has cited a need to stay neutral so as not to endanger its role as mediator between the two sides in the conflict.



But critics say Switzerland, a popular destination for many rich Russians and a center for their banking and trading activities, is more interested in preserving its role as a global commodities hub that earns revenue from trade with Russia.

"Switzerland must live with the criticism that they have only dispensed with their own sanctions to gain an advantage for its banking sector," Estonia's President Toomas Hendrik Ilves said in an interview with the SonntagsZeitung paper.

As a non-EU member, Switzerland is under no obligation to impose the full sanctions package, although some of the EU measures will apply in Switzerland because it is a member of the 28-nation bloc's passport-free Schengen travel zone.

Hendrik Ilves did not say whether EU member Estonia, which borders Russia, or the wider bloc were planning to increase pressure on Switzerland to act.

Switzerland's government will hold its first cabinet meeting following a summer break on Wednesday and is expected to deliberate on measures against Russia, although some politicians have said it should stick to its current policy.

Around 75 percent of Russian crude oil exports are traded through Geneva, according to the Swiss government, and Russian assets in Swiss banks stood at nearly 13.8 billion francs ($15.2 billion) in 2012, according to the Swiss National Bank.

Germany's Foreign Ministry said at the end of July it wanted wider cooperation to pressure Russia for its support of separatists in Ukraine, adding that it had been in talks with non-EU countries such as Switzerland and Turkey.

Hendrik Ilves said other countries who say they are neutral, such as Sweden and Ireland, have supported the sanctions: "The concept of neutrality is for me as empty today as ever before," he said. Both Sweden and Ireland are members of the EU.

[Ars Moriendi]

Tallinn's governement is becoming the most anti-Russian voice in the world apparently. While everybody is starting to consider a negotiation, Estonia calls for even tougher sanctions.

Estonia supports tougher sanctions against Russia amid Ukraine conflict
http://www.baltictimes.com/news/arti.../#.VAFEO_l5Pdk

Spoiler!

Estonia says it supports more sanctions against Russia amid the Ukraine crisis.

Ukraine officials said Russia had sent troops and tanks to the east of the country on Thursday. Russia has denied its troops are fighting alongside pro Russia rebels in the east of the country.

Estonia's Defense Minister Sven Mikser said Russia’s military aggression should be punished with tougher sanctions as it was waging an 'undeclared war' against Ukraine.

“Russia has sent tanks, combat machines, armed transporters, cannons, missile systems and other military equipment to Ukraine. Tactical-level control centre of Russian troops is operating in the Novoazovsk Region on the territory of Ukraine,” said Mikser.

Meanwhile, Estonia's Presdient Toomas Hendrik Ilves called on Western forces to act more decisively in order to inervene and defend the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.

“Armed forces of the Russian Federation are attacking Ukraine. This is an act of military aggression that should leave no question about the disparity between Russia’s words and actions,” stated the President.

Ilves added that it is impossible to speak seriously about cease-fire negotiations called for by Russia if one country has de facto taken its armed forces without authorisation to the territory of another country while refusing to officially acknowledge being party to the conflict.

“Russia has been destabilising Ukraine for too long. By now, terrorists acting in Eastern Ukraine have received added reinforcements in the form of Russian military forces that can clearly be recognised. This is undeclared war,” said Ilves a statement

Russia has denied it's forces are fighting alongside pro Russia rebels in eastern Ukraine.

Russian ambassador the Ukraine Vitaly Churkin told ambassadors at a UN emergency meeting on Thursday the bloodshed was the fault of the Kiev government.

“The current escalation of situation in southeastern Ukraine is a direct consequence of Kiev’s wrongful policy to wage a war against own people,” he said, cited RIA Novosti.

(Edited by Rayyan Sabet-Parry)

[Ars Moriendi]

Baltic countries in general seem to escape me. The only one I know enough about is Lithuania but they always did have a big impact on the region up until the Polish partitions.

Overall, it seems that the fate of Latvia and Estonia is to dangle between a 1939 situation, either protectorates or outright annexation by the bear. (or, in this case, the hamburger)

I agree entirely. On top of their historical and political lack of weight, you also have to consider that Russians constitute a significant part of the current population of both Estonia and Latvia. 25% and 33% respectively if memory serves right. It contrasts vastly with Lithuania where they don't amount to more than 5%.
It will always be necessary to address the Russian question. Only outcome that wouldn't entail an endless risk of annexation would be a well-defined, Moscow-agreed federalization.

Otherwise, the sense of powerlessness and endless uncertainity will continue happening, just like today's Guardian entry attests:

Ukraine crisis leaves Estonia feeling vulnerable and isolated – again
http://www.theguardian.com/world/201...isolated-again
Obama's visit will do little to lift the small Baltic state's familiar feelings of powerlessness next to its Russian neighbour

Spoiler!

Estonians celebrate independence from the USSR. The 'born free' generation know of Soviet occupation only from school and relatives. Photograph: AFP/Getty

When Barack Obama lands in Estonia on Wednesday he will find a country anxious not just about the intentions of its big eastern neighbour but of its new western allies too.

Obama's whistlestop tour is arguably the most important presidential visit that this tiny Baltic republic has had since independence in 1991. Events in Ukraine have alarmed Estonia – another country that shares a border with Russia, has a large Russian-speaking minority and which was occupied by the Soviet Union for almost 50 years.

The Obama visit, coming a day ahead of the Nato summit in Wales, is designed to show solidarity with the alliance's small Baltic outposts, which fear that Russia may turn its attentions to them once it is done with dismembering Ukraine.

Officially, Estonians say they are confident that any Russian aggression towards them as Nato members would be met with a united front, backed by force if necessary, from the 28-member alliance. The Nato charter's famous article 5, which states that an attack against one member state is an attack against all, is the bedrock of the association.

"Article 5 acts as a very strong deterrent to aggression against Nato members," Andres Vosman, security adviser to the Estonian president, Toomas Hendrik Ilves, told the Guardian. "We are sure that those aggressors attacking Ukraine currently know the meaning of collective defence very well."

But for some Estonians there's an unsettling feeling of deja vu, as their diminutive country is caught up in broader geopolitical forces. Obama's visit and words of support may do little to buoy their spirits.

"As for Obama coming, whatever helps to keep Putin away is OK," said Hannes Tamm, owner of a small business in Tallinn. "But we feel like we're just stuck in the middle of events again, powerless to do anything about it."

Tamm feels that vulnerable "new Europe" countries such as Poland and the Baltic states are being left to hang out to dry by EU members more concerned with economic ties to Russia.

"The whole attitude in the EU is completely corrupt, irresponsible and hypocritical," he said. "The French are providing Russia with weapons and the Germans are worried about their gas. Obama coming to Estonia won't help with this."

As for the "born free" generation of Estonians who know of the Soviet occupation only from their schoolbooks and older relatives, the idea of war is anathema to their world view and lifestyles.

"I just prefer not to read the news, as there is too much negativity and fear," said Aija Kivi, the young director of a modelling agency in Tallinn. "If there is any big news we'll find out about it on Facebook anyway."

The last comment is rich and typical of postmodern consumers, which is after all, the fate of Estonia under the US-led order.

[Ars Moriendi]

The FSB seemingly caught an Estonian police officer, and charged him with espionage.
Evidently Tallinn has denied it. Adding fuel to the hostilities.


Russia says detained Estonian police officer is a spy
http://www.theguardian.com/world/201...e-eston-kohver
Moscow holds Eston Kohver for 'undercover intelligence mission' but Tallinn says he was investigating cross-border crime

Spoiler!

Eston Kohver (r), receives a decoration from Estonia's President Toomas Hendrik, in 2010. Photograph: AP

Russia claims it detained an Estonian policeman for "intelligence gathering", but Tallinn has accused Moscow of abducting him.

The Estonian officer, Eston Kohver, was placed behind bars after a Moscow court approved his arrest, heightening tensions between European Union member Estonia and its powerful neighbour.

Russian state television on Saturday showed the grim-faced and handcuffed policeman being led into court by masked security officers.

Russia's FSB security service said in a statement it had detained Kohver in north-western Russia, close to the Estonian border, on Friday as he attempted to carry out an "undercover operation".

But prosecutors in Talinn said Kohver was abducted at gunpoint from Estonian territory by Russians who detonated a smoke grenade and jammed radio communications. They said he had been investigating cross-border crime.

The FSB said Kohver was found in possession of a pistol, ammunition, €5,000 (£3,970), "special equipment to carry out covert recording" and "materials that seem to be assignments for an intelligence-gathering mission".

It claimed Kohver works for Estonia's security police, which oversees internal security and intelligence. "Kohver has been detained and the necessary investigative work is being carried out," the FSB said.

Russian television aired video footage of the evidence provided by the FSB, suggesting authorities in Moscow want to play up the incident.

Kohver's arrest came just two days after a landmark visit by Barack Obama to Tallinn, aimed at reassuring jittery Baltic states of his country's commitment to their security as Nato allies in the face of Russia's role in the Ukraine crisis.

[Rudel]

Disgusting, Europe is being colonized by a non-white country (USA). Have the Estonians no sense of independence?

It's not like it's a new thing. Most European nations are covered by American bases, and some European armies are under direct American command (I think it's the case for Italy).

I personally considered any station of a foreign regiment as an invasion and a casus belli.

What Estonia deserves (in my opinion, anyway ) is to become an oblast in russia as punishment for the war crimes Estonia has committed against the world by supporting the USA so loyally.

Collective punishment is rarely a wise course of action.