BONJOUR L'ESTONIE

Estonian troops boost NATO forces

MASOOD, Afghanistan - The bursts of automatic weapons fire caught them in an open field. There was no cover. They hugged the earth, shot back at Taliban gunmen they could see and slowly extricated themselves as a second squad of infantrymen farther back in an orchard laid down covering fire with rifles and shoulder-fired rockets.

"They started shooting as we were leaving the area we wanted to check out," said 1st Lt. Alar Karileet. "It was well planned. The Taliban were in three positions of four to five men each, one of them in a village compound. I don't know how many we killed, but artillery we asked for made a direct hit on one position, and no one shot at us from there again."

The troops were from Estonia, one of NATO's newest and smallest members. The Estonians' numbers in the U.S.-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) are few, with just 289 men and women in Afghanistan. Yet in proportion to the size of Estonia's National Defense Force, the Afghan deployment represents nearly 10 percent of the nation's full-time military.

Estonia urges NATO to hold land-based drills in the Baltic

TALLINN - NATO should hold large-scale exercises of its Ground Forces in the Baltic region in response to recent military drills carried out by Russia and Belarus near the alliance's borders, the Estonian president said Monday.

The Russian-Belarusian Zapad 2009 exercises, which were held on September 8-29 in Belarus, involved around 13,000 service personnel, 63 airplanes, 40 helicopters, 470 infantry fighting vehicles, 228 tanks and 234 artillery pieces.

"The protection of the airspace over the Baltic region is a visible and necessary measure, but it would be good, while Russia holds land-based drills involving over 20,000 personnel near NATO borders, to conduct similar exercises of the alliance's Ground Forces in this [Baltic] region," Toomas Hendrik Ilves said.

According to the Estonian president, NATO has so far showed its credible presence in the region only through the Air Policing mission, which is not enough.

The Baltic air-policing mission is a NATO air defense Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) operation in order to guard the airspace over the three Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.

President of Estonia and NATO Secretary General : the foundation of the alliance is collective defence

Video of the press conference, Estonian Public Broadcasting

At President Toomas Hendrik Ilves’s meeting with NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen today, the discussions focused on the alliance’s operation in Afghanistan and the topic of collective defence.

“In the course of the Afghanistan operation and directing it onto a path of success, all of us, i.e. NATO and the alliance’s partners, must demonstrate patience, resolve, a belief in victory and ever better plan of action,” the Estonian Head of State said. He considered it important to improve the effectiveness of the cooperation between NATO, the UN, European Union and other international organizations in resolving Afghanistan’s problems.

The NATO Secretary General acknowledged the service of the members of the Estonian Defence Forces in increasing stability in the most complicated and dangerous places in south Afghanistan.

According to President Ilves, along with military steps, it is important to pay increasing attention to civilian projects in Afghanistan, with the objective of strengthening the state and improving the daily lives of as many people as possible.

“However, it is also important that the projects are sustainable even after they are handed over to the Afghans, and that Afghanistan’s dependence on external aid is not increased, which we are already noticing,” President Ilves said.

Estonia says seeks deeper engagement with Russia

LONDON - Estonia seeks deeper engagement with Russia but remains concerned over Moscow's recent military exercises in the region and its five-day war with Georgia last year, the country's defence minister said on Thursday.

Estonia quit the former Soviet Union in 1991 and along with Baltic neighbours Latvia and Lithuania joined NATO and the European Union in 2004.

Estonia's Minister of Defence Jaak Aaviksoo told Reuters in an interview it shared "common threats" with Russia.

"There is ample space for cooperation," he said on the sidelines of a security forum in London.

"With Russia I think we have the same perception of threats in the Middle East, in Afghanistan. Islamic fundamentalism is a common concern," he said, adding that narcotics and illegal immigration were also joint worries.

Russia still considers Baltic countries and other ex-Soviet states its "near abroad" and Estonia remained wary of military exercises last month between Russia and Belarus relatively close to its border.

Estonian Minister of Defence emphasizes importance of sea surveillance for the EU

At the informal two-day meeting of the EU defence ministers in Gothenburg, the Estonian Minister of Defence Jaak Aaviksoo said that security in the European Union would improve if member states were to increase the level of cooperation in the area of sea surveillance.
According to Minister Aaviksoo, it is a pleasure to point out that current EU presidency holder Sweden has taken the issue up as a priority and that Spain has promised to further advance this issue during its presidency.

“Information exchange in the area of sea surveillance is needed, and the cooperation in this area already taking place in the Baltic Sea serves as an example to all other European member states and regions,” Aaviksoo emphasised in his speech.

“Cooperation between countries of the Baltic Sea has also provided strong momentum for closer national cooperation within Estonia on sea surveillance, which our European partners have also acknowledged,” Aaviksoo explained.

In Gothenburg, a demonstration of the Sea Surveillance Cooperation Baltic Sea (SUCBAS) was also held for the attending defence ministers, where Estonia was represented by Commander Indrek Hanson, Chief of the Operations Section of the Estonian Naval Headquarters.

In addition to sea surveillance, the defence ministers also discussed civilian-military capability development in the EU, issues relating to the European Defence Agency and battle groups of the EU, and the current military operations in Somalia and in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Educational opportunities for children of international teaching staff secure the future of the Baltic Defence College

Starting with this school year, most subjects at Miina Härma Gymnasium may be studied in English, from primary school through the end of upper secondary school, which significantly improves the conditions of service for international instructors serving at the Baltic Defence College in Tartu.

Sven Sakkov, Deputy Undersecretary for Defence Policy at the Ministry of Defence, said that Estonia, as the host nation of the Baltic Defence College, has been aware of the issue of education for the children of the international staff as an important problem for quite some time, and the need for resolving the issue was also emphasised by the international review that was prepared on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the College.

“It is very important that the problem is being solved, to a significant extent, with the assistance of a recognised school in Tartu, as a result of which the attractiveness of Tartu as a study and service location for international officers is going to increase,” Sakkov said.

Colonel Almantas Leika, the senior national representative of the Lithuanian contingent serving at the Baltic Defence College and Course Director of the Higher Command Studies Course at the College, said he was very pleased with the educational options introduced in the school-year just begun, even though not all of the subjects can be studied in English quite yet. “I am confident that in terms of our children’s education there is a lot of potential to develop in the most positive direction,” Colonel Leika said.

British Navy chief met with wounded Estonian soldiers

Britain's First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff Adm. Sir Mark Stanhope who is visiting Estonia met on Tuesday with soldiers wounded on foreign missions.

The admiral met today with Minister of Defence Jaak Aaviksoo and the two paid a joint visit to the rehabilitation center of the East Tallinn Central Hospital where soldiers returning from missions are receiving treatment.

Stanhope shed light on the British rehabilitation system and experience in conversation with 15 soldiers who are getting treatment for injuries sustained on missions.

The admiral also met with Commander of the Defence Forces Lt. Gen. Ants Laaneots and Navy Chief Capt. Igor Schvede.

Stanhope and Schvede spoke about the participation of both countries' vessels in trainings and operations, action in the composition of NATO's permanent naval units, and exchange of mine countermeasures know-how.

The British Navy chief said Estonia and Estonian troops were making an impressive contribution to the Afghanistan operation. He also said Estonian seamen were highly competent partners. By specialising in mine countermeasures, the Estonian Navy made the optimum choice, he observed.

Tiny Estonia is being overlooked by the U.S

Trying to demonstrate its credentials as a reliable member of NATO, Estonia has kept 300 troops in Afghanistan’s most violent areas. With six combat deaths out of a population of 1.3 million, Estonia’s casualties as a proportion of its population are nearly twice those of the U.S.

But Gen. Stanley McChrystal, commander of North Atlantic Treaty Organization and U.S. forces in Afghanistan, appears to have been unaware that Estonia even belongs to the alliance. In his “initial assessment” report on strategy in Afghanistan, McChrystal listed Estonia among “U.S. sponsored non-NATO nations” such as Mongolia and Bahrain. Estonia joined NATO in 2004.

Asked about the characterization, Capt. Elizabeth Mathias, spokeswoman for U.S. forces in Afghanistan, said that it was “just a mistake.” Estonia’s representative in Kabul, Tanel Sepp, also said this must have been a mistake, and that he is looking into the matter.

Many Estonians view the commitment of troops to Afghanistan as an insurance policy that would guarantee NATO help against any Russian threats in the future. Estonia, whose independence was restored in 1991 after being annexed by the Soviet Union in 1940, remains wary of an assertive Russia.

“The main idea of NATO is Article 5,” said Sepp, referring to the alliance’s view that an attack on one member-state is an attack on the entire alliance. “For us, participation in Afghanistan is a duty, and part of the burden-sharing among all NATO member countries.”

U.S. fighter jets to take part in drills in Estonia

TALLINN - U.S. F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jets will take part in two-stage military exercises in Estonia and Lithuania aimed at improving interoperability and combat readiness of NATO forces in the Baltic region.

The aircraft from the 494th Fighter Squadron based at the Royal Air Force base in Lakenheath (U.K.), will leave their base on Monday and land in Tallinn to later join the Estonian Scouts battalion and air defense personnel in drills to practice tactical air support for ground troops.

Operational control of the exercise will be carried out by NATO Air Force Headquarters at the Ramstein air base in Germany.

During the second stage of the exercises on September 22, the F-15s will participate in joint drills with the Lithuanian air defense battalion, which is located in the Radviliskis district.

Estonia to further Afghan aid

TBT Staff in cooperation with the Estonian MFA

TALLINN - The Estonian Foreign Ministry is helping launch first aid training for adults in Afghanistan’s Helmand Province.

Foreign Minister Urmas Paet stated that Estonia’s support for Helmand Province’s Bost Hospital in the past has significantly improved the treatment possibilities there. The next step is to turn attention to the capability of local residents to care for their own health and the health of their families.

 “Many health problems that are widespread in developing nations can be lessened or prevented entirely by basic practices that are commonplace for us, like washing hands and cleaning wounds,” said Paet.

“Establishing a first aid training network aimed primarily towards women will help to increase the health-related knowledge of the population and also include women more in community life,” he added.

First aid training in health care facilities and women’s education centers will create a network in which local women can pass the knowledge they acquire onto others. Those who complete the training will receive a first aid kit intended for home use as well as a first aid manual in Pashto.

Minesweepers scour Baltic Sea 70 years after start of WWII

TALLINN — One of the largest searches for unexploded sea mines dating from the World War Two began Monday off Estonia, some 70 years after the start of the conflict on September 1, 1939.

"The joint military operation called Open Spirit that started Monday and will last until September 11, 2009 is attended by 16 military ships from France, Denmark, Sweden, Poland, Germany, Lithuania and Estonia," Ingrid Muhling, spokeswoman for Estonia's military, told AFP.

"In addition, a special joint unit with military divers from the US, Germany and Estonia is screening the sea bed for mines in the operation," she said.

Minesweeping operations in Estonian waters have been organised since 1994 with nearly 600 mines being found, while the estimated number of all unexploded mines in the Baltic Sea is around 80,000, most dating from WWII, Muhling added.

Military divers are to search for mines in two locations -- around Naissaare island located in Tallinn bay, some ten kilometres (six miles) from the capital, and near Hiiumaa island, in north-west Estonia, Muhling said.

During the post-war Soviet era Naissaare island was closed to the public, being used as a military base storing more than 6,000 sea mines that have since been removed.

Monday also marked 15 years since the last Soviet troops withdrew from Estonia after the ex-Soviet Republic regained its independence in 1991. Estonia, which joined the European Union and NATO in 2004, has three Sandown Class minehunters and a special unit of divers to search for and retrieve mines.

Copyright © 2009 AFP

Are Estonian soldiers in Afghanistan dying for nothing?

Estonia’s defence ministry has announced that two more of its soldiers have been killed in Afghanistan. This brings number of Estonians who gave their lives for Western freedom to six, out of a contingent of 289.

This is significant because the these soldiers died on the 70th anniversary of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Non-Aggression Treaty between Nazi German and Soviet Russia, more commonly known as the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact of 1939.

The pact did three things: It divided Central and Eastern Europe between German and Soviet spheres of influence — which also meant the division of Poland; it gave Germany a free hand to attack the West, not having to fear a two-front war; and it made the Second World War inevitable.

The Pact was signed on 23 August, 1939 and in less than 10 days WWII broke out.

But how does this bit of history relate to the reality of soldiers fighting and dying — for freedom and democracy, we are told — in Afghanistan?

The answer to that lies at the heart of the Western alliance system. Is it working for everyone? Will it last?

Many in Estonia and the other Baltic States, as well as the rest of the former Soviet lands and the USSR’s satellite countries are not sure, as a recent open letter to U.S. President Barack Obama showed. What worried the nations in question even more was that Obama and his administration ignored it. So did commentators in U.S. media and in the West generally. Which reflects the general apathy in the West for the countries that changed their lives forever, by ending the Cold War.

FM Paet : US is an important ally for Estonia

Foreign Minister Urmas Paet and US Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs Philip H. Gordon discussed Estonia-US co-operation, the future of NATO, and other current international topics during their meeting in Tallinn on Thursday, 13 August. Foreign Minister Paet emphasised NATO’s irreplaceable role in the security of its allies and for ensuring strong transatlantic co-operation. “Collective defence is NATO’s primary function, which must be visible and evident both within the alliance and outside of it,” said Foreign Minister Paet.

Paet and Gordon discussed contributing to the stabilisation and reconstruction of Afghanistan, including within the framework of NATO’s ISAF operation. Estonia sent an additional infantry company, Estcoy-E, to Afghanistan to provide security for the presidential election taking place on 20 August. It is under the command of the US’s 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade and is working in the southern part of Helmand Province. Paet mentioned the excellent co-operation between the US and Estonia in international operations. “Considering our earlier successful co-operation, we would certainly like to continue military co-operation with the United States in various operations,” stated Foreign Minister Paet. “Preparations are currently going on for the creation of a US-Estonia Operational Mentor and Liaison Team (OMLT),” Paet added.

Foreign Minister Paet and US Assistant Secretary Gordon also addressed the creation of a new strategic concept for NATO. Paet said that Article 5, which is NATO’s primary responsibility, and NATO’s readiness to fulfil this responsibility are important to Estonia. “The primary idea behind NATO is ensuring the indivisible of the security of its allies, and this must be backed up by NATO’s strategic concept,” he added. Paet stated that Estonia is pleased to be organising next spring’s NATO foreign ministers’ meeting in Tallinn.

Estonian vessel Sakala to join the NATO mine-clearance squadron

The Estonian Navy’s mine-clearance vessel Sakala departed for the NATO mine-clearance mission during the weekend, writes EPL Online/LETA.

From the beginning of July, the Estonian Navy vessel Sakala is a part of the NATO NRF-13 forces and will on August 1st join the NATO first permanent mine-clearance squadron SNMCG 1, in the framework of which it will carry out mine-clearance operations and training sessions in different locations across the world.

EML Sakala will return to Estonia in the beginning of December and will maintain the NATO NRF readiness until January 5, 2010.

The General Staff of the Estonian Defence Forces reported that as a member of the NRF-13, the vessel needs to be prepared to fulfil military tasks within two days in the location determined by NATO.

Before it was appointed into the NFR-13, Sakala went through an evaluation process applicable for all NATO countries’ navy vessels.

Estonian Minister of Defence emphasises importance of developing the Estonian Air Force

On July 17th, after the 90th anniversary of the Estonian Air Force, Minister of Defence Jaak Aaviksoo stated that defence of the airspace is an integral part of the Estonian national defence, which Estonia is currently maintaining in co-operation with its allies.

“The 10-year development plan guiding the development of our defence capability foresees continuous development of the air force, especially via the construction of Ämari Air Base, the creation of medium range antiaircraft system capability and promotion of a joint air policing model of the Baltic States,” explained Aaviksoo.

Minister of Defence added that the aircrafts of allied states, which visited Estonia this week, have been the visible symbols of reliable relations with our allies. “The air policing exercise of five countries and the demonstration flight of the US strategic bomber B-52 over Estonia this week vividly show that our airspace is an integral part of the airspace of NATO and its protection is equally important to all the allies,” Aaviksoo stated.

On July 17th, the Estonian Air Force is celebrating its 90th anniversary and on this occasion, a US strategic bomber B-52 and Czech Saab Gripen fighters, which are responsible for the air policing of the Baltic States, made a demonstration flight over Estonia.

Centre Party of Estonia requested Board of Riigikogu to replace Heiki Sibul

On Sunday, June 28, the Centre Party in Estonia turned to the Board of Riigikogu with a request to call back from his office the chairman of the National Electoral Committee Heiki Sibul as the party estimated that the committee has not been able to lawfully organise the European Parliament elections, writes Postimees Online/LETA.

"As is known, the Supreme Court decided to agree with the Centre Party's complaint and abrogate three decisions of the Electoral Committee which unlawfully decided that more than two hundred ballots with only one stamp on them were valid," said the Secretary General of the Centre Party Priit Toobal.

"Therefore, in my opinion, it is clear that Heiki Sibul who has violated the law and has repeatedly justified this in the media should be replaced," he added.

Toobal claimed that Sibul has failed in his office and should resign. "However, taking into account the fact that Sibul will not resign from the position of the chairman of the Electoral Committee, the Centre Party decided to turn to the Board of Riigikogu in this issue," he explained.

Toobal stated that the National Electoral Committee has not done everything in its power to correctly and successfully carry out the European Parliament elections and dozens of unanswered questions on advance polls, e-voting and about what happened during the night of the elections have remained.

Estonia doubles soldiers in Afghanistan

TBT staff in cooperation with Estonian Parliament

TALLINN - On June 10, the Estonian Parliament adopted a resolution according to which the Estonian Defense Forces will send an additional unit of up to 140 soldiers to Afghanistan to provide security for the elections in August.

The additional 140 men will double Estonia’s contribution to ISAF and Estoniawill thus become the largest per capita military contributor to Afghanistan.

The task of the infantry company will be to help Afghanistan's police and army in providing security for the presidential and provincial council elections on 20 August. The unit will operate in Helmand Province in Southern Afghanistan and will be stationed there from 1 July to 1 December.

At present, Estonia has one infantry company, a logistics support unit and staff officers – altogether 150 service members – in Afghanistan. The majority of them, including the infantry company Estcoy-8, are operating in the restive Helmand province under British command. They have participated in several operations against the Taliban and other insurgents as well as carried out joint operations with ANA units. The additional company is planned to serve under US Marines also in Helmand Province.

Russian military plane makes observation flight over Estonia

A Russian military aircraft made an observation flight over Estonia under the Treaty on Open Skies this week, spokespeople for the General Staff in Tallinn said.

The flight was performed on Wednesday morning with an internationally certified Antonov An-30B aircraft equipped with a vertical optical panoramic photo camera. The film will be developed in Russia in the presence of the Estonian defense attache and Estonia will obtain a copy of it, informs BNS.

The plane's crew was made up of 14 airmen and observers and there were also seven members of the Estonian defense forces on board to look at the activities of the monitors and see to it that the agreed route is observed. The length of the route was 795 kilometers, compared with a maximum of 800 kilometers permitted by the international agreement.

Russia also performed observation flights in Estonia's air space in 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008.

The Treaty on Open Skies is part of the security and confidence building measures between the member states of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the narrower purpose of which is to gather and make available information about military forces and facilities.

The treaty was signed in Helsinki in 1992 and it stepped into force in 2002. By now 33 countries have acceded to it, including all NATO member states. Estonia joined in 2005 and has undertaken the obligation to permit up to four observation flights by other parties to the treaty above its territory annually.

Estonian MoD seeks government regulation for increaseing number of "Readiness Reserve Units"

Tallinn - The Estonian Ministry of Defence has distributed for approval a draft Government regulation lengthening the service in readiness reserve units from one year to four years.
The regulation amendment will allow for a significant increase in the number of Defence Force units assigned to the readiness reserve and thereby raise the battle readiness and rapid reaction capability of the Defence Forces. To date, one infantry battalion assembled from yearly trained conscripts in the Defence Forces has been assigned to the readiness reserve for one year; the regulation amendment will allow for this to be quadrupled over the next few years.

In the event of an increase in military readiness or a mobilisation, units assigned to the readiness reserve will be formed first and foremost as rapid reaction units. Reservists in the readiness reserve must be reachable at a place of residence or work and via communications channels stated to the Defence Resources Board within 36 hours.

According to Minister of Defence Jaak Aaviksoo, the compulsory military service and reserve army system do not necessarily mean static and slowly mobilisable units. “In today’s rapidly changing security environment, the speed with which a country is able to react to emerging crises is increasingly important,” the Minister of Defence said.

“The regulation amendment will allow us to increase significantly the number of units in the readiness reserve, and the recently launched reservists’ reserve training exercises, which have proven their performance, will create for our primary independent defence capability a foundation that is more solid than to date. This is another step of principle in the execution of the 10-year development plan and in the growing of Estonia’s actual defence capability,” Aaviksoo added.

Estonia doubling the troops in Afghanistan for safeguarding the elections

Yesterday, the Government approved the draft resolution of the Riigikogu which would double the number of Estonian soldiers in Afghanistan. Additional Estonian troops would participate in the safeguarding of the elections in Afghanistan in August.

Government also approved the draft resolution with which the the Estonian Defence Forces would participate in the 13th rotation of the NATO Response Force (NRF).

According to the International Military Co-operation Act, the Riigikogu decides on the use of the Defence Forces in an international military operation. In order to adopt the draft resolutions approved by the government today, a majority of votes in favour are required from the Parliament.

According to the draft “Use of the Estonian Defence Forces at the provision of security during the Afghan presidential elections,” Estonia would send an infantry company of up to 140 men to Afghanistan to provide security for the presidential and provincial council elections on 20 August. Their task would be to assist Afghanistan’s police and army in providing security during the elections. The Estonian unit would operate in the Helmand Province, in Southern-Afghanistan, and would be stationed there from the 1 July to 1 December 2009.

To provide security for the elections, additional units will be sent to Afghanistan from more that 20 countries participating in the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), including Estonian neighbours Finland, Sweden, Lithuania and Poland.