Wikileaks: US Concern Over Exploitation of Estonian-Russian Tension
The US Embassy in Tallinn was so concerned about possible manipulation of Estonian-Russian relations by the political right five years ago that it met with leaders of one of the main parties on that end of the spectrum, a cable released last week by Wikileaks indicates.
The text of the cable released August 30 indicates that Americans met with Ott Lumi, the general secretary of Res Publica, which makes up half of the current IRL, to ask whether September 22 - the anniversary of the Soviet capture of Tallinn in 1944 - might see civil unrest.
2006 was a year in which the current political landscape was still taking shape. The so-called Bronze Soldier was still standing in central Tallinn, providing a focal point for pro-Soviet sympathizers. Support for the ruling Reform Party was far from rock-solid going into the general elections in March 2007, and the two main right-of-center parties, Pro Patria and Res Publica, were still negotiating the terms of their merger.
The cable states that the Estonian Foreign Ministry had been concerned that before the spring 2007 parliamentary elections, "nationalist parties (Res Publica and Pro Patria in particular) will try to inflame anti-Russia sentiment in order to galvanize their base."
Lumi is quoted in the cable as saying that he hoped the day would pass without incident, but adding that "an incident would be extremely good for Res Publica's campaign and they would make good use of the publicity."
Lumi confirmed to Delfi today that that indeed he spoke to the Embassy people.
"I remember quite well that the conversation revolved around the topic and I expressed my position that even though there was sentiment in the party that wanted to amplify the topic before the campaign, I did not consider it appropriate," he said.
Lumi told Delfi that he personally saw to it that after the merger, IRL would not begin expressing any fringe views existing within the party.
September 22, 2006, did indeed pass without incident.
The Soviet war memorial was removed in April 2007, only after elections had been held that year. The removal led to several days of riots in Tallinn, but has thus far been an isolated incident.
Kristopher Rikken