| |
 | Statements | | |
The Statement of the President of the Republic, March 7, 200507.03.2005
Dear people of Estonia!
Today, I made my decision not to accept the invitation to participate in the celebration of the 60th anniversary of the victory in the Great Patriotic War, to be held on May 9 in Moscow. I have informed, in writing, Russian President Vladimir Putin of this decision.
Our historical experience makes us appreciate values, which are based on trust and respect for the relations between nations. The protection of these values will secure lasting peace in the world and ensure the free development of nations.
The Estonian people, along with the citizens of other states, will bow their heads to commemorate the millions of people who perished in the tragic battles of World War II; the people who fought against Nazism; and the people who lost their lives as victims in the turmoil that raged all over Europe.
In the worst and most extensive tragedy of the 20th century, many nations suffered severely. The costly struggle of the Russian people helped defeat the Nazi empire that was terrorizing the whole of Europe. Among the many nations that suffered under Nazi occupation, Estonia also contributed to the liberation of Europe.
Unfortunately, Estonia did not have a chance to freely choose its future after the end of World War II. We cannot turn a blind eye to the fact that after the end of the Nazi occupation, the opportunity to restore independence was forcibly taken away from the Estonian people. Thus, the fate of our nation was, for decades, determined by the conspiracy concocted by Stalin and Hitler on 23 August 1939, known as the infamous Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact.
Having already suffered severely during the war, we also had to endure, in the course of the ensuing peace, the persecution, deportation, and execution of thousands. These sufferings affected almost every family in Estonia. . Already during 1940-41, the first year of the Stalinist occupation, the senior echelons of the Estonian officer corps, members of the Government, and many other leading citizens were systematically executed or sent to prison camps. The Stalinist reign of terror tore up families and left children without their parents. Tens of thousands of people had to flee, leaving behind their loved ones and ancestral homes.
The consequences of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact affect Estonia to this day. Tens of thousands of innocent Estonians were deported to Siberia and replaced by non-Estonians from all over the Soviet Union. In their recent appeal to the UN General Assembly, the European Parliament, and the Council of Europe, prominent Estonian cultural figures drew attention to how these developments have affected the demographic structure of the nation.
The Stalinist atrocities have left an everlasting mark in the memory of our people. We are well aware that people in Russia and elsewhere, where the Stalinist dictatorship reigned, also suffered under this totalitarian regime. We believe that awareness of these sufferings strengthens our common determination to bequeath to the coming generations a secure and habitable world. We have to do everything in our power to ensure that the Holocaust and the Ukrainian Holodomor will never reoccur.
I am glad that at my meeting, in Moscow, with President Putin, we had a chance to talk openly about recent history. I am confident that an honest attitude, by both parties, towards the history of our countries, will make it possible to overcome the shadows of the past, and further develop good neighbourly cooperation between the two nations.
Estonia has repeatedly confirmed its readiness and openness to cooperate with Russia in matters of mutual interest. For several years, we have been ready to sign a border treaty with Russia. At the meeting with President Putin, we agreed, that the treaty should be signed, in the near future, by the ministers of foreign affairs. This would confirm the existence of good will and trust upon which to base further cooperation between our countries.
History is often selective and forgetful. For some time now, we, Estonians, have held an extensive public debate concerning Estonia's possible participation in the May 9 Moscow celebrations. This process has once again confirmed the vitality of civil society in our country. I would like to thank the people of Estonia for participating in this debate, as well as for the many relevant letters I have received.
In these opinions expressed by my countrymen, just as in the letter addressed by members of the European Parliament to world leaders, it has been stressed, that the end of World War II brought with it, along with the victory over fascism, the consolidation of the Soviet totalitarian regime in Estonia.
The sufferings of the Estonian people, caused by World War II and the following years, have not been erased from the memory of our nation. But, we believe in the irreversibility of the course taken towards a better future and unhampered development.
As head of state, I have the duty and responsibility to uphold the confidence of the nation. This I can do best by being together with the people of Estonia on this particular day.
I believe that my position is comprehensible to the Estonian nation, as well as to our partners and friends, both in the East and the West. Keeping in mind the international importance of the event being celebrated in Moscow, and the need for cooperation between neighbouring states, I consider it necessary, that Estonia be represented, on this occasion, by the prime minister or a member of the Government. I have forwarded an appropriate suggestion to the Government.
Arnold Rüütel
|
| |
|
vpk.ee
