Minister of foreign affairs Ojuland plans top-level management changes

Minister of foreign affairs Kristiina Ojuland is expected to propose to the government to replace Priit Kolbre as chanceller of the ministry.

Postimees reports that Kolbre who is considered by experts to be one of the best experts of foreign policy in Estonia would be replaced by Alar Streimann.

Political observers say that Kolbre may be the victim of his own policy to smoothen relations between the conflicting minister and the ministry's top officials. Ojuland has offered Kolbre the post of Estonian ambassador in Finland.

Two and a half years ago Ojuland orchestrated the exodus of Indrek Tarand as chancellor of the ministry of foreign affairs following a bitter exchange of accusations between the two officials.

Tarand lost his job when he was caught driving under the influence of alcohol shortly after the incident.

Kolbre is the top civil servant in the ministry of foreign affairs that has about 600 staff members.

Source : BBN - Postimees