Kadri Simson, The Centre Party’s vice chairman and parliament member, is probably right in calling her colleague Yana Toom, of the same party, a messenger. However, Ms Toom’s message to the Russian weekly Russki Reportjor is not really one of population issues – as they are now scrambling to imply – but of general attitudes towards the Republic of Estonia: it being an historic farce which will, sooner or later, come to its end.
In free Estonia, everyone has a right to express one’s views. Thus, the public also has a right to ask the question: has the Centre Party come to a place of faith in the Republic of Estonia being a matter of conscience – just like with the European Union, as recently claimed by its chairman? This is something both the electorate and future possible political partners are entitled to know.
It is one thing to worry about the future of Estonians, Russians, Ukrainians and all others in Estonia. The accelerating exodus, low fertility rate and everyday social trouble – these are all acute issues indeed, ones we expect the politicians to solve. It’s another matter altogether, however, to cast the issue into the context of the dying out of the weakest. If that’s not sowing international hatred, what is it?
Here, Russia’s long-propagated official myth of discrimination of minorities is forcefully mated with the Estonian’s sometimes masochist self pity. Among those laying all troubles to the charge of the Estonian state (as in times past the Soviet Union was being cursed: why doesn’t the state do something), an amazingly large proportion is of those who see the Russian minority as being persecuted.
In the last couple of decades, the Russian community in Estonia has undergone a remarkable development. However, those who claim monopoly of «ultimate truth», do not notice or prefer not to see the things bonding different nationalities in Estonia. Instead of recognising the rise of musicians, top athletes, scientists and a new generation of Russian-speaking (and Estonian-friendly) politicians helping create an ever widening public space, they are attempting to forge confrontations and build tensions, to utilize demagogy and sow contempt towards the local Russians acting for the good of Estonia.
Considering the person of the messenger, we shouldn’t, in this case, get overly excited. However, considering her position, it should be remembered and kept in mind. First and foremost, this should be noted by the political forces which, in last year’s strikes, demonstrations and in the wake on the discontent expressed by Charter 12, now seek partners for future actions.