Keynote speaker Paul Goble at the 5th anniversary of the Estonian, Latvian and Lithuanian Alliance of Connecticut which I chaired at that time.
Gradually it's sinking in that Estonia is becoming a country in which a freedom-loving person would find difficult to live. Several developments lately, starting with the election campaign last December, have made me think about the breakfast I had with Paul Goble in January 2009 when I was in Washington DC. Referring to Estonia, he thought that freedom was slipping away. In the interim, I've mentioned Paul Goble’s concern to some people in Estonia, but to no avail. Paul Goble is a political analyst who formerly served as Special Advisor on Soviet Nationality Problems and Baltic Affairs at the State Department during the tense days when the Soviet Union was collapsing. Condoleezza Rice, a member of President H.W. Bush’s National Security Council at the time, said to Paul Goble, a strong supporter of the Baltic freedom movement, “You control your Balts”. Paul Goble said to her, “You have to understand that these people are willing to die for their freedom. Do you want their blood on your hands?”
In addition to political opposition parties in Estonia being destroyed (a development that reminds me of Martin Niemöller's "First they came for the....), state agencies being used by the powers that be for their political ends, and last month - the month of March – three significant events took place. We had elections whose results are suspected of having been stolen thanks to electronic voting pushed by the powers that be, the president signed into law a bill liberalizing the use of surveillance over citizens, and in a governmental monthly, Diplomaatia, appeared an article by Defense Minister Jaak Aaviksoo in which he justifies the use of deceit and lies in the name of self-defense and survival: "Likewise we have to accept the understanding that God or Darwin (interesting is that he capitalizes Darwin, but not God which is the standard - my comment) - depending on your worldview - did not give us consciousness and erudition in order to serve truth, which is what some people fooled by the Reformation and Enlightenment think to this day, but for the purpose of staying alive." (my translation)
In addition to political opposition parties in Estonia being destroyed (a development that reminds me of Martin Niemöller's "First they came for the....), state agencies being used by the powers that be for their political ends, and last month - the month of March – three significant events took place. We had elections whose results are suspected of having been stolen thanks to electronic voting pushed by the powers that be, the president signed into law a bill liberalizing the use of surveillance over citizens, and in a governmental monthly, Diplomaatia, appeared an article by Defense Minister Jaak Aaviksoo in which he justifies the use of deceit and lies in the name of self-defense and survival: "Likewise we have to accept the understanding that God or Darwin (interesting is that he capitalizes Darwin, but not God which is the standard - my comment) - depending on your worldview - did not give us consciousness and erudition in order to serve truth, which is what some people fooled by the Reformation and Enlightenment think to this day, but for the purpose of staying alive." (my translation)
Aaviksoo does introduce his thesis with reference to cyber wars, but it is reasonable to assert that his deeply held worldview becomes applicable in his decision-making on national issues.
The problems surrounding e-voting are considerable. As a former Registrar of Voters in my Connecticut town for over 15 years, I'm sensitive to the electoral procedures that protect the citizen's right to a secret ballot, a fundamental requirement in a democracy, and I see many violations. Several years ago I familiarized myself with Estonia's election law and volunteered to observe at the town-center polling places. I submitted to the political party of which I was a member a report on the violations I observed and hoped for a follow-up which never came.
Regarding Jaak Aaviksoo’s manifesto in Diplomaatia, Tallinn University Rector Rein Raud (however, he identified himself as a citizen-author of the article), rang an alarm bell in the daily Eesti Päevaleht (24.03.11), saying that in western countries such ideology would be understood only among holocaust-deniers, a viewpoint criminalized in democratic countries. That such a position is embraced by a minister serving in the government is cause for him to ask the coalition partners, Reform Party and IRL, whether such understanding of history, truth and identity is going to be incorporated in the future government.
In his view, Aaviksoo has to resign. But what decision did Aaviksoo’s party, IRL, make? Aaviksoo was appointed the Education Minister, thus saying to the citizens fy!
Thirdly, Justice Ministry had submitted a bill to the parliament which would give prosecutors expanded rights to spy on people. According to the Constitution, court’s permission is required for snooping on a citizen, but the legislation allows the prosecutor to do that for 24 hours and then turn to the court. The bill went to President Ilves for his signature and although it is in conflict with the Constitution, he signed it into law. According to the newspaper (Eesti Ekspress, 24.03.11), he sent the law to the Justice Ministry for revision. What kind of revision, the newspaper does not say. It appears Ilves does not want to be in conflict with the powers that be, because he wants to be re-elected this summer by the parliament.
Additional disturbing information about surveillance of citizens was given by the former head of Central Criminal Police, Andres Anvelt, who said that 888 requests were made last year to listen in on telephone conversations of which 98% were granted, but he thinks actually 30,000 to 40,000 was the total number of people whose telephone conversations were tapped.
And this month the nation was shaken by news that Olümpic gold medalist Andrus Veerpalu is suspected of having used performance-enhancing drugs and that the nation’s ski association has been applying the Aaviksoo doctrine – lying, covering up, and possibly also causing the athlete to dissemble – with regard to this situation. What would be the consequences when such practices are used on the government’s level? Can we be sure that they are not being used?
Contrary to the argument advanced by Aaviksoo and the practices pursued by decision-makers in high places, it is my belief that the chances for survival of a small country like Estonia are greater if she has the respect and support of the international community. Lies and unethical activities do not translate into such support. Being a country where democratic institutions are still in adolescence and citizens unaccustomed to democratic practices, it would behoove the nation to learn what others have learned in history: eternal vigilance is the price of liberty and that freedom is still a worthy goal. It is not enough to just vote when the date appears on the calendar.
