BONJOUR L'ESTONIE

Owners of Saku Arena ask for millions in state aid

Aivar Riisalu who owns the financially troubled Saku Arena has asked the state for aid.

Riisalu who is one of the shareholders of Neckman Group which owns 67 percent of the arena.

In a letter signed by Riisalu and Aivar Sirepuu, CEO of Saku Arenam, Riisalu says that Saku Arena could use a similar aid as was provided by the government to Estonia’s main football stadium and its owner Aivar Pohlak for which the state allocated EEK 70 million.

“One could ask why Saku Arena is less important for the public than the football stadium,” writes Riisalu.

Among others, Riisalu proposed that the government could allow to reduce VAT on tickets to Saku Arena from 18 percent to 5 percent or to support the Arena with EEK 6 to 8 million a year until 2007.

Tallinn’s most modern multifunctional centre Saku Arena ended last year with a loss of EEK 10 million.

The Estonian government which has so far invested EEK 11.5 million in the arena currently owns 24.4 percent and the City of Tallinn 8.6 percent of the shares.

Neckman Group that acquired the loss-making operator in 2003 has promised to bring the arena back to profit in 2006.

Neckman Group is owned by two Estonian businessmen: Aivar Riisalu and Toonart Rääsk. Rääsk owns Hotel Metropol in Tallinn and has other property interests.

Riisalu has been a concert promotor and is a member of a popular rock group Meie Mees.

Neckman Group acquired its holding from Lemminkäinen Eesti, Estonian Basketball Federation and Estonian Olympic Committee.

The construction of Saku Arena cost EEK 210 million.

Source : BBN

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

Centre Party asks the police to bring criminal charges against mayor of Tallinn

Centre Party has filed an application to bring criminal charges against Tõnis Palts, mayor of Tallinn and a leader of Res Publica.

Postimees writes that the opposition Centre Party claims that the statement made by Palts in an interview to Kanal 2 on january 25 that he would like to replace current hospital managers with non-political people is a restriction of equal rights and therefore illegal.

Speaking on the topic of nominating hospital managers, Palts told Kanal 2: “We have agreed that if it is possible to choose in the terms of equal opportunities than we would prefer to see someone who is not politically active at the top of a hospital.”

General secretary of Centre Party Kadri Must said that being active in politics is a fundamental right of a person. “If someone restricts the use of such rights it will be illegal and criminally punishable,” said Must.

In his statement Palts referred to Peep Põdder, head of West Tallinn Central Hospital, who is an active member of the Centre Party.

“With such a statement Palts spat me in the face,” said Põdder who has threatened to sue the city government if he is removed from the job under this pretext.

Source : BBN - Postimees

US administration was involved in Estonia disaster

US reporter Christopher Bollyn claims that US administration played an instrumental part in the disaster or M/S Estonia in September 1994.

CLICK
Today’s Eesti Päevaleht reports that Bollyn is convinced that the high-tech military equipment that was reportedly carried on M/S Estonia shortly before the ferry sank was meant to reach USA and that the ferry was sunk to get rid of key witnesses.

The claims made by Bollyn who is married to Helje Kaskel whose ex-husband Urmas Alender died in the disaster were supported by the findings of the Swedish investigation which showed that on 28 September 1994 two small planes arrived in Arlanda airport and took on board nine passengers whose identity was not known and disappeared without a trace.

Bollyn claims that the trip was paid for by the US administration. By one scenario, nine key witnesses included the ferry’s captain Piht.

“I believe that Piht is alive and is living under a witness protection programme. He may have a new identity because he probably knew why the ferry sank. Also people who knew he was alive disappeared,” says Bollyn.

Bollyn says that Piht was questioned by high Swedish authorities right after the accident. “It is not possible that 12 names of Estonians ended up in the list of survivors and were later not found,” he says.

M/S Estonia sank on the night of September 28, 1994 in the Baltic Sea, killing 852 people.

Source : BBN

Res Publica seeks new partners before local elections

Res Publica, the party of prime minister Juhan Parts, has been looking for ways to increase cooperation with opposition parties such as Centre Party.

Eesti Päevaleht reported today that Res Publica’s objective is to make ensure that it can beat its coalition partner Reform Party in local elections.

Res Publica has been negotiating possible local cooperation with opposition Pro Patria Union and Centre Party.

The prime minister’s party that has been suffering from low public rating is believed to focus on strengthening its position in towns such as Tartu, Pärnu, Paide, Rapla and Võru.

“This cooperation is aimed at making sure that Reform Party that has dominated local councils for years cannot remain in place,” says an anonymous Res Publica member.

He added that because of local elections this year was likely to become politically overcharged which could affect state government.

Also Indrek Raudne, one of the leaders of Res Publica, admitted that the party had switched in a new gear in preparation for local elections.

Since the electorate of Res Publica and Reform Party largely overlaps, political analysts expect the relations between the two parties to deteriorate rapidly as the election approaches.

Source : BBN – EPL

Prime minister Juhan Parts demands apology from Postimees

  Estonian prime minister Juhan Parts demands an apology from the Postimees daily for its claims concerning shipment of arms to Iraqi security forces.

Postimees wrote that NATO had asked Estonia to deliver the arms ahead of agreed schedule, but the government had decided to release the arms only after making absolutely sure that all legal requirements were fulfilled so that the opposition could not accuse the government later for breaking the law.

Postimees reported last week that Estonia had caused an international scandal by delaying the shipment of arms that it promised to Iraqi security services. To make matters worse, since Estonia was not ready to deliver the arms, Parts avoided NATO general secretary Jaap de Hoop Scheffer who attempted to phone Parts to get a confirmation that Estonia was ready to release the arms.

According to Postimees, Estonia had promised to send a shipment of arms to Iraqi security forces including 2,400 Kalashnikov rifles and 1.1 million bullets. The plane to pick up the cargo was to arrive in Tallinn on January 16.

When Estonia did not confirm to NATO that it is ready to provide the goods on January 16, NATO general secretary Jaap de Hoop Scheffer in person attempted to contact Parts on the previous day that was Saturday.

Scheffer wanted to ask Parts whether Estonia was ready to receive the transport aircraft rented by NATO the next day.

The shipment was sent out of Estonia only on January 27.

Source : BBN

Sharp rise in port fees would be detrimental for Estonian transit

Transit trade expert Raivo Vare writes in Postimees that it would be dangerous for the Port of Tallinn to increase current port fees sharply.

Vare says that any increase in port fees would benefit only Russian ports on the Baltic Sea such as Primorsk which increased its cargo handling volume over 100 percent last year.

According to Vare who is former chairman of Pakterminal, one of the largest oil terminals in Estonia, the claims made by the supervisory board that the port operators such as oil terminals are receiving an unproportionate share of the profits of the business is misleading.

Vare says that Port of Tallinn should consider the fact that cargo volumes in Ukrainian ports that also increased port fees sharply went down 12.5 percent last year. Cargo volume in Port of Tallinn increased 8 percent last year.

The supervisory board of state port authority Port of Tallinn has been deadlocked over the new port fees since four members of the board who represent Res Publica support higher fees while another four members appointed by Reform Party oppose them.

Source : BBN – Postimees

A few SPECIAL Handy Links

President's Office
State Chancellery
Ministery of Foreign Affairs
Supreme Court
National Library
Bank of Estonia
Tartu University
Tallinn Technical University
Old City of Tallinn
BEST Estonia
Institute of Cybernetics
Saku Brewery
Synrecom Commercial Server
Microlink computers
Baltic Computer Systems

ESTONIA : Hotels and Accomodations

Hotel Schlössle ***** (central location). Pühavaimu Str. 13/15.
4 single rooms, 2 double rooms, 13 deluxe rooms, 2 junior suites, 2 suites.
www.consul-hotels.com

St. Petersburg **** (central location). Rataskaevu 7.
5 single rooms, 6 twin rooms, 9 double rooms, 7 suites.
www.consul-hotels.com

Scandic Hotel Palace **** (central location). Vabaduse Sq. 3.
39 single rooms, 35 twin rooms, 4 double deluxe rooms, 3 suites, 1 suite with sauna, 1 President suite
www.scandic-hotels.com

Reval Hotel Olümpia **** (central location). Liivalaia Str. 33
Standard class: 64 single rooms, 18 double rooms, 39 twin rooms.
Business class: 107 single rooms, 41 double rooms, 95 twin rooms, 21 double deluxe, 12 suites.
www.revalhotels.com

Grand Hotell Tallinn **** (200 m from railway station, 1 km from centre) Toompuiestee 27.
157 twin/double rooms, 1 junior suite, 5 executive suites, 1 president suite.
www.grandhotel.ee

Ilmarine Residence Hotel **** (1 km from the centre) Põhja pst. 23.
19 standard suites, 22 superior suites, 7 de luxe suites.
www.dominahotels.com

Domina City Hotel **** (1 km from the centre). Vana-Posti 11/13.
68 rooms.
www.dominahotels.com

Reval Hotel Park **** (central location). Kreutzwaldi Str. 23.
24 single rooms, 91 twin rooms, 3 twin rooms with sauna, 2 casino suites.
www.revalhotels.com

Viru *** (central location). Viru Sq. 4.
Standard class: 77 single rooms, 96 double rooms, 176 twin rooms.
Business class: 50 double rooms, 16 twin rooms, 3 suites.
www.viru.ee

Reval Hotel Central *** (central location). Narva road 7 C.
Standard class: 112 twin rooms, 12 suites.
Business class: 98 twin/double rooms, 3 suites.
www.revalhotels.com

Metropol *** (five minutes walk to the centre and to the harbour) Mere avenue 8B
133 twin/double rooms, 11 twin/double rooms with sauna, 6 suites.
www.metropol.ee

Scandic Hotel St. Barbara *** (central location). Roosikrantsi Str. 2A.
2 single rooms, 7 double rooms, 38 twin rooms, 4 family rooms, 2 double de lux.
www.scandic-hotels.com

Susi *** (4 km from the centre). Peterburi road 48.
Standard class: 42 twin/double rooms.
Susi class: 55 twin/double rooms, 4 suites with sauna
www.susi.ee

Mihkli ** (central location). Endla Str. 23.
20 single rooms, 30 twin rooms, 8 double rooms, 2 minisuites, 1 suite.
www.mihkli.ee

Pirita *** (5 km from the centre). Regati avenue 1.
Tourist class: 24 twin rooms
Standard class: 24 double rooms, 45 twin rooms
Business class: 12 double rooms
4 large family rooms, 24 small family rooms. 14 suites.
www.piritatop.ee

Rotermann Hotel ** (central location) Mere avenue. 6a.
7 single rooms, 28 twin rooms, 3 junior suites.
www.rotermanni.ee

Reval Hotel Ekspresshotel ** (next to passengers port) Sadama 1.
166 twin/double rooms
www.revalhotels.com

Rotermanni Viiking ** (central location). Mere avenue 6A.
4 single rooms, 31 double rooms, 2 suites.
www.vikinghotel.ee

Stroomi ** (4 km from the centre). Randla Str. 11.
33 single rooms, 18 twin rooms, 82 double rooms, 4 suites.
www.stroomi.ee

Ecoland ** Randvere road 115.
18 double rooms, 23 twin rooms, 4 double de luxe rooms, 2 suites.
www.ecoland.ee

Dzingel * (6 km from centre). Männiku road 89.
20 single rooms, 75 double rooms, 10 suites.
www.dzingel.ee

TARTU

Barclay *** (central location). Ülikooli Str. 8.
9 single rooms, 34 twin rooms, 3 junior suites, 3 lux rooms.
www.barclay.ee

Pallas ** (central location) Riia 4.
18 twin rooms, 18 double rooms, 2 single rooms, 3 double de lux rooms, 2 suites.
www.pallas.ee

Park Hotel Vallikraavi 23.
4 single rooms, 10 twin rooms, 2 double rooms, 2 suites. 1 suite with sauna.
www.parkhotell.ee

Rehe (5 km from the centre).
3 single room, 18 twin rooms in new part, 24 twin rooms in old part, 5 twin rooms with sauna,
1 big lux (can be 2 separates room).
www.hot.ee/rehehotell/

Ihaste *** (4 km from the centre). Pallase avenue 25/27.
17 single rooms, 23 twin rooms, 4 junior suites, 2 suite with fireplace.
www.ihastehotell.ee

Salimo (guesthouse, 3 km from the centre). Kopli Str. 1.
Twin and triple rooms. Accommodates 78 persons.
www.teenindusk.tartu.ee/javeel/salimo

SOUTHERN ESTONIA

OTEPÄÄ

Pühajärve *** Otepää county, Valgamaa.
56 twin rooms, 6 suites.
www.pjpk.ee

Bernhard *** (1,6 km from Otepää) Kolga road 22A:
28 twin rooms, 4 suites.
www.bernhard.ee

Scandic Hotel Karupesa *** (Otepää) Tehvandi Str. 1A.
2 single rooms, 17 twin/double rooms, 7 triple rooms, 3 lux rooms.
www.scandic-hotels.ee

Kääriku Holiday Centre, Kääriku, Otepää.
Hotel: 31 twin rooms, 1 single room, 9 family rooms, 1 suite.
www.kaariku.ee

VILJANDI

Centrum ** (central location) Tallinna 24.
20 twin rooms, 1 suite.
www.centrum.ee

Oma Kodu *+ (central location) Väike Str. 6.
2 single rooms, 5 twin rooms, 2 lux. Extra rooms during summer period - 30 rooms
www.omakodu.ee

PÕLVA

Pesa ** (Põlva) Uus Str. 5.
24 twin rooms, 8 suites.
www.kagureis.ee

VÕRU

Tamula **+ Vee Str. 4.
22 twin rooms, 2 suites.
www.tamula.ee

Kubija **+ (2 km from Võru)
9 single rooms, 25 twin rooms, 9 double rooms, 3 suites.
www.kubija.ee

PÄRNU

Ammende Villa **** Mere avenue 7.
Main house: 13 lux numbers and suites.
Gardener's house: 11 twin rooms.
www.ammende.ee

Best Western Hotell Pärnu *** (central location) Rüütli Str. 44.
Business class: 66 twin rooms.
Deluxe class: 8 twin rooms, 6 junior suites.
www.pergohotels.ee/hotparnu/

Victoria *** (central location) Kuninga Str. 25.
4 single rooms, 2 junior single rooms, 6 double rooms, 2 twin rooms, 2 junior suites,
2 junior double rooms, 5 junior twin rooms.
www.hot.ee/victoria/

Bristol *** (central location) Rüütli Str. 45,
1 single room, 5 double rooms, 11 twin rooms.
www.hot.ee/victoria/

Scandic Hotel Rannahotell *** (1,5 km from the centre) Ranna avenue 5.
13 single rooms, 40 twin rooms, 7 lux, Captain suite, President suite.
www.scandic-hotels.com

Strand Hotel *** & Conference Center (2 km from the centre) Tammsaare Str. 27D
12 single rooms, 28 twin rooms, 10 suites, 10 family rooms.
www.strand.ee

Emmi ** (2,5 km from centre) Laine 2.
6 single rooms, 24 double rooms, 2 minisuites.
www.uninet.ee/~emmi/

Maritime ** (200 m from the beach) Seedri 4.
10 single rooms, 30 twin rooms.
www.ee/maritime/

Aisa ** (1,5 km from the centre) Aisa 39.
25 twin rooms, 4 complex rooms (twin + twin with shared shower), 2 suites.
www.aisa.ee

Leharu (1 km from the centre) Pärna Str. 12.
4 single rooms, 23 twin rooms.
www.hurmaster.ee/leharu/

HAAPSALU

Promenaadi *** (seaside) Sadama Str. 22.
2 single rooms, 30 twin/double rooms, 2 suites.
www.promenaadi.ee

Roosta Holiday Village Tuksi village, Läänemaa.
25 cottages with one bedroom, 2 cottages with 2 bedrooms, 4 cottages with 3 bedrooms.
www.roosta.ee

SAAREMAA ISLAND (Ösel)

Tahula ** (6 km from Kuressaare) Kaarma county.
10 double rooms, 18 twin rooms.
www.tahula.ee

Nasva Jahtklubi ** (9 km from Kuressaare) Nasva village.
18 twin rooms, 2 suites.
www.saaremaa.ee/nasvahotel

HIIUMAA

Lõokese *** Lõokese 14, Käina.
4 single rooms, 30 twin rooms, 3 suites.
www.lookese.ee

PAIDE

Nelja Kuninga Hotell ** (central location) Pärnu Str. 6.
17 twin rooms, 3 suites, 4 triple rooms.
www.estpak.ee/~dy003a/

LAHEMAA

Park-Hotel Palmse Palmse, Lääne-Virumaa.
1 single room, 18 twin rooms, 4 double rooms, 1 junior suite.
www.phpalmse.ee

Estonian radio broadcasts from the Yukon

Although there are conflicting reports as to how many Estonians live in the Yukon - some say 3, others 11 -, there is evidence of ample interest in Estonian music in Canada’s Far North. As of the second full week of January FM stations CJUC 92.5 in the Whitehorse and CFET 106.7 in Tagish began two daily hour-long broadcasts of Estonian popular music, airing at 2 pm and 3 am. (While Whitehorse is the capital and largest city in the territory, where Estonian flag decals have been spotted on automobiles, Tagish is a bucolic community of @100 souls, and we are not sure how many estos make the village home.) Plans to broadcast on the Internet are underway and we should have further information by February.

The program, airing under the title of Estonian music and news from Northern canada is the brainchild of three men, two from Toronto. Robert Hopkins is the station manager in the Yukon, Hogtowners Peeter Kalm and Alex Kink are the program director and the music director, respectively. Material to be aired is culled from a considerable collection of CDs accumulated during recent visits to Estonia, and cover a wide range of popular music genres.

Kalm advises that their long-term plans are to include PSAs - Public Service Announcements - which focus on the activities of Estonian organizations in Canada on air. Once web broadcasting details are confirmed esto news and tunes from the frozen North can thus be enjoyed world-wide, broadcasting from what initially might seem as an unlikely location. Website information will be passed on once the URL is confirmed.

Estonia Business : Week N° 3 News headlines

Monday, 17th of January, 2005

Turnover of GNT Eesti AS reached EEK 700 million

Turnover of GNT Eesti, Estonian biggest wholesaler of computer products and home electronics reached EEK 700 million in 2004. This is 38 percent more than in 2003, when turnover reached EEK 505 million.
Anti Kuiv, executive director of GNT Eesti admitted that IT-expenses per one person increased significantly in 2004.
Äripäev

Tuesday, 18th of January, 2005

Profit of Estonian banks up sharply last year

Aggregate profit of Estonian banks almost doubled last year to EEK 2.5 billion (160 million euros). Analysts say that such rapid growth in profit was caused by higher efficiency and lack of competition.
Another reason for rapid profit growth is ongoing housing loan boom.
The banks issued EEK 92 billion in new loans last year, up by a third. Private loans went up by 50 percent to EEK 28billion.
BBN

Hansabank share continues climbing

Share price of Hansabank continues to climb and reached record height of EEK 157.2 a share, up 1.2 percent. From the share issue made in 2004, the bank’s share price is up 63 percent.
Äripäev

E.O.S. increased transhipment

Oil terminal E.O.S. transshipped 5.9 million tons in 2004, a slight increase compared to 2003. Chairman Arnout Lugtmeijer said that during 2004, E.O.S.transshipped a total of 5.894 million tons of heavy fuel oil and loaded 107 oil tankers in the Port of Muuga.
Eesti Päevaleht

Wednesday, 19th of January, 2005

Turnover of Smarten up in December

In December, logistics company Smarten transported trade in the value of EEK 300 million, which is 50 percent more than same time last year. According to Mait Miller, CEO of Smarten, prognosis came true and due to accrued clients and increased trade amounts, the plan even exceeded expectations.
Äripäev

150,000 passengers more than a year ago

Last year, 1,737,012 people used the services of train company Edelaraudtee. This is 154,326 passengers more than in 2003.
Eesti Päevaleht

Friday, 21st of January, 2005

Turnover of Amserv Group surpassed billion kroons

Turnover of car sales concern Amserv Group surpassed the level of billion kroons last year, having increased by nearly EEK 200 million. In 2004, turnover of Amserv Group amounted EEK 1001 million, whereby the turnover of 2003 amounted EEK 815.9 million.
Äripäev

EU brought a record year to alcohol manufacturers

Finnish tourists who have been flocking to Tallinn to buy cheap vodka helped Estonian distilleries to increase their sales by a third in 2004.

All the local distilleries managed to increase their sales capacities in home market. Sales grew most in Liviko that increased also its market share from earlier 58 to current 61 percent. Second biggest distillery is Ofelia and third is Onistar.
Janek Kalvi, marketing director of Liviko admits that the company is looking expectantly to the future and hopes that the potential of tourism trade has not depleted yet.
Äripäev

VALENTINE : Rohkem luuletusi Sõbrapäevaks

VALENTINIPÄEV -SÕBRAPÄEV

CLICK

Su Südame surun
oma südame vastu
ma tean
et nõnda mõistad mind veel
aga enne
kui me suudleme ja ma lahkun
jätan sinule
armastuse

Süda on minul veel olemas
ta vasakul
sinu põse all turtsub
kui sa tahad,siis võta ta
ja endaga vii
sinu juures vaid olla
pole talle paremat luksust

Sulen oma pruunid silmad
mustaks nii muutub mu sees
mõnikord,lugedes su tundeid
valu voolab ka silmadest

Sa võta põuest
oma südamesoe käsi
ja anna ta sellele
kes kõige enam vajab su abi

sa luba talle olla
väike vaikinud sõber
korja üles ta mured

ja põleta hinges

aga siis
kui saabub vaikus
ja nukrus sind leinab
oma Jumalasse usu
aeg haavad kõik paikkab

Ma armastan
elu
kui su säravaid silmi
ning tunnistan tundeid sel hetkel
kui võtan su sülle
siis sean sinu juukseid
ega lõpeta enne kukke
räägin sinust
et näha su punakat põske
ehk huuli mis vastust võiks
reeta...

...vahel unustan käe
su südame vangi
kuni lubad tal armastust leida
siis ma vaatan sind veelkord !
sinu huuli mis vaikind
seda maailma mis nõnda on hurmav
viin su üska oma väe
luban tundeile maru
et sa mõistaksid hingede piina !!

SINA JA MINA

See õis,mis puhkeb Sinu südamele,
on kallim veel kui elu või kuld.
See õis,mis puhkeb minu südamele,
on sama hea kui muld.

Ja alati on maailm Sinu poolt ja minu vastu,
sest alati on maailm Sinu käsilane.
Ma soovin,ära eales minu tasemele lasku,
sest siis ma nõelan Sind kui herilane.

Aga siiski võlus mind Su mõte-nägu,
kuigi unistuseks mulle jäid.
Ma lootsin,ehk veel kord näen Su nägu,
kuigi seegi ainult unistuseks jäi.

Käin ise ka kuuendas klassis ja arvan,et tean milleks Sul seda vaja on. Loodan,et olin Sulle kasulik.

Armastus mu südames
kiigub, mõtleb vaikselt,
lootes näha, kuulda sind,
otsib, vaatab ringi.

Armastus mu südames
ei kiigu, mõtle vaikselt,
ta nägi, kuulis sind,
ei otsi, vaata enam ringi.

Armastus mu südames
ei kiigu, mõtle vaikselt,
ei looda näha, kuulda sind,
ei otsi, vaata ringi.

Armastus mu südames,
istub, nutab vaikselt,
ei taha näha, kuulda sind,
ei otsi, vaata ringi.

Sa tulid sel sügisel päeval
ja viisid mu südamest kurbuse,
vaid sina suutsid vaadata mu silmadesse
ja tuua tagasi mu armastuse.
Vaid sina oskasid mind suudelda
ja tuua tagasi mu armastuse.
Vaid sinuga tundsin
end kergelt ja muretult,
ma armastasin vaid sind
ja nii valusalt võisid petta vaid sina.

Istud üksinda taas,silmis igatsev pilk
aina vaatad sa kaminatulle.
Vahel lahvatab leek, vahel tuhmub ta helk
vahel tuhk ainult kangastub sulle.
Mis nii kurvaks sind teeb ?
On ehk minevik see,
tulvil õrnust ja lembust su vastu.
Miks siis eksleb su pilk üle kustuva lee ?
Usu sealt pole leida sul vastust ...
Möödub veel ainult viiv ja on tuhmunud kuld,
pehme soojus sind enam ei paita,
mustav söekuhi jääb, mis ei meenuta tuld
neid ei saa nõnda lihtsalt sa läita.
Usu! Armastus on ka nagu kaminasöed-
meie lootus neist tuld võtab ruttu,
kustub tunne ja siis hinge kõledus poeb
üksi jääd siis ja summutad nuttu ...

TSUNAMI : Latest news brought to you by the Phuket Gazette

PHUKET CITY : PM Thaksin arrived in Phuket yesterday morning to hear complaints by Phuket residents about the government’s handling of the tsunami disaster.

The meeting, held at the Royal Phuket City Hotel, was attended by some 500 people, including Cabinet ministers and scores of other government officials. The Cabinet ministers reported on the progress of the various relief programs assigned to them, after which local businesspeople and other members of the private sector were allowed to comment.

After the meeting, PM Thaksin told the press that the government would continue to support those whose homes and businesses were damaged or destroyed by the tsunami.

“There is 20,000 baht [available] for each person affected by the tsunami. This is just initial relief funding; we will consider additional support on a case-by-case basis.

“The 20,000 baht may not help all victims fully recover, but it should at least get them back on their own feet,” he said.

http://www.phuketgazette.net

Drug addicts cause a third of all crimes in Tallinn

  New statistics shows that the total number of crimes in Tallinn fell by 3 percent last year.

At the same time the number of crimes committed by drug addicts has been increasing and amounts to a third of all crimes.

Drug addicts were behind half of break-ins to cars and thefts in retail stores. 34 percent of criminals caught for breaking into apartments were drug addicts.

According to the police chief Robert Antropov, the police registerd 547 fewer crimes last year, but solved 3,587 crimes more. The number of crimes registered by the police has remained at around 53,000 a year for the las three years.

“I am satisfied to see such results, but a lot remains to be down,” said Antropov.

He added that Estonia cannot be satisfied as long as it remains on top of the list of countries with the highest number of suicides, number of people who have died in traffic accidents, alcohol consumption, proliferation of AIDS and drug addiction.

Source : BBN

Estonian prime minister played hide and seek with NATO - paper

NATO general secretary Jaap de Hoop Scheffer must have been furious two weeks ago at the behaviour of Estonian prime minister Juhan Parts.

According to Postimees, Estonia had promised to send a shipment of arms to Iraqi security forces including 2,400 Kalashnikov rifles and 1.1 million bullets. The plane to pick up the cargo was to arrive in Tallinn on January 16.

When Estonia did not confirm to NATO that it is ready to provide the goods on January 16, NATO general secretary Jaap de Hoop Scheffer in person attempted to contact Parts on the previous day that was Saturday.

Scheffer who also failed to contact Estonia’s NATO ambassador Harri Tiido, wanted to ask Parts whether Estonia was ready to receive the transport aircraft rented by NATO the next day.

However, Scheffer failed to reach Parts. The shipment was sent out of Estonia only yesterday.

Source : BBN

Retail sales up 15.6 percent in Estonia in 2004

According to the statistical office, retail sale of goods went up 15.6 percent to EEK 40 billion in 2004.

Retail sales in retail trade companies amounted to EEK 31.5 billion in 2004, up 16.8 percent year-on-year.

In the third quarter of 2004, total net sales of trade enterprises was 12 percent larger than in the same quarter of the previous year in Estonia.

If in the first and second quarter compared to the same period of the previous year the net sales of trade enterprises increased by 14 percent and 18 percent, respectively, then in the third quarter the growth in the net sales of trade enterprises slowed down.

In the third quarter, the net sales of trade enterprises totalled 37.9 billion kroons and the expenditure amounted to 36.4 billion kroons. The gross profit of trade enterprises was 1.6 billion kroons and the net value added was 3.7 billion kroons.

Gross profit represented 4.1 percent of the net sales and trade margin formed 19 percent. At the end of the quarter, the stock of goods in trade enterprises totalled 14.2 billion kroons, which is by 0.3 billion kroons less than at the beginning of the quarter. The sales period of stock of goods was 36 days.

In the third quarter, motor and wholesale trade enterprises sold goods by wholesale for 23.2 billion kroons. Motor trade enterprises contributed 15 percent to total wholesale sales, wholesale enterprises engaged in the sale of fuels, metals, building materials, chemical products and waste accounted for 38 percent, wholesale enterprises of food, beverages and tobacco products accounted for 15 percent and other wholesale enterprises gave 32 percent of wholesale sales.

Compared to the third quarter of 2003, the wholesale sales increased by 2.7 billion kroons or 13 percent. The increase in the wholesale sales of goods was mainly influenced by the growth in the wholesale sales of fuels, metals, building materials, chemical products and waste.

Source : BBN

Estonian bank robber still at large

The police have not yet managed to catch a 25-year-old man who on January 25 robbed a Hansabank branch in the town of Vändra.

The robber who entered the bank before its closing time jumped over the counter, grabbed EEK 2,000 in cash and ran away.

The photo of the criminal was captured by the bank's surveillance camera and has been shown on public television.

The man was later spotted by a Falck security patrol, but managed to escape and was not found.

Since the robber is believed to have lost one shoe during the escape the police have warned local family doctors.

The robber spoke Estonian.

Source : BBN

Life expectancy of men in Estonia the shortest in the European Union

Excessive drinking and other unhealthy habits have given Estonian men a life expectancy of 65, the shortest within the European Union.

This is about 10 years less than the average for the European Union, according to a study conducted by the University of Tartu.

The worst situation is among men aged from 30 to 50 years. The main cause for death in this age group is excessive alcohol consumption. Other important causes of death for men are traffic accidents, heart diseases and lung cancer.

Estonian women have an average life expectancy of 77 which is also below the EU average. Life expectancy of women is lower only in Latvia and Hungary.

Source : BBN

EMT, Elion sold 160,000 mobile phones in 2004

According to Mobile Wholesale, Estonia's largest mobile operator EMT and fixed-line operator Elion sold a total of 160,000 mobile phones in 2004.

This is about 30 percent more than a year earlier. The biggest growth was recorded in the segment of medium-class and top-of-the line phone models.

According to Indrek Randveer, service and sale manager of EMT, sales of mobile phones in Estonia went up in the same way as in the whole world.

Statistics shows that the market leader in Estonia is still Nokia, but Samsung and Alcatel have made major inroads recently.

At the same time customers have been buying fewer SonyEricsson phones. "This may be because the manufacturer has not shown interest towards the Estonian market," said Hanno Eerme, CEO of Mobile Wholesale.

Source : BBN

Estonia remains on track for switching to euro in 2007 - government

Estonian prime minister Juhan Parts said this week that Estonia was on track with its monetary integration into the eurozone states.

Parts said that Estonia would be ready to adopt the European single currency in 2007.

Estonia joined the European Union in May 2004 and entered the ERM-II mechanism in June.

There are still some clouds in the sky for the government. One of such is its sizeable current account deficit and extremely rapid credit growth.

The government says it is aware of the need to restrict domestic demand and to curb inflationary pressures.

Experts point out that otherwise Estonia's economic performance has recently been impressive, and it is considered a front-runner among all the new EU member states for adopting the euro. In contrast to several other EU countries, Estonia has run fiscal surpluses over the past years.

Source : BBN