Peaceful protest against Estonian government meets hardline response
Just got word that there is more trouble in Estonia. At midday Estonian time (GMT+2), for half an hour people drove their cars through the city at 5km per hour, hooting their car horns, in protest at the government of Prime Minister Ansip. Large numbers of police were in the city centre, noting the number plates of the cars. The media broadcast a thank you from the police to the helpful people who rang up with car numbers, and advised that all participants will be sent fines.
With the city returning to calm after the weekend riots, it seems strange that a relatively peaceful protest is greeted with such severity. Surely a drive past is preferable to street battles and looting? As Chairman of the Tartu Communist Party in 1988, Ansip quelled protests against the Soviet Union. It is ironic that 20 years on, he is quelling protests in the guise of great Estonian nationalist. Now that's a clever bit of reinvention.
Conspiracy theories are flying around which blame foreign influence on recent events. If there is undue external influence it is not clear who is behind it. One theory suggests that the goal is to halt a gas pipeline project that would connect Russia and Germany, circumventing the Ukraine. The pipeline was constructed in the Soviet era and passes through Estonian waters. Perhaps the goal is to destablise the EU. Or maybe there is no conspiracy at all, just bad luck and mismanagement? Only time will tell.
Conspiracy theories are flying around which blame foreign influence on recent events. If there is undue external influence it is not clear who is behind it.
ReplyDeleteRespectfully, is it very difficult to see? Take a look at the Russian press online, and keep in mind who controls the press in Russia - and that this is where the majority or monolingual Russian Estonians get their news. (not necessarily online, but yes much of it from Russia).
In the interest of respect, I have listened carefully to both sides in this conflict - those who are Estonian and Russian speakers in Estonia. If there is a conspiracy - and I don't know that there is - I wonder who controls the press everywhere - not only in Russia. Have you met Rupert Murdoch? Yes - do you know it - perhaps not. Don't get me going on media spin and manipulation.
ReplyDeleteI also do believe that the kremlin has significant impact on the situation in tallinn, respectively on the situation during recent day's...there is an open question, what does russia want???..Keep in mind that elections are coming up next year, and each of us who has a clue of russian-mentality knows that patriotic, nationalism, heritage-protecting actions are well honoured among russian voters...so, I guess that Estonia became just a little playground for the russian media, election circus...and the russian politicians can prove here how to protect the russian, the SU heritage...
ReplyDeleteAs a chinese-american who has married into an Estonian family (other estonians I know in america are married to/dating black, mexican, indonesian people), I think it is not right to label Estonia as a rascist country. You must imagine what it is like to be invaded and colonised by russians. Then step back and wonder if their views are "rascist" towards the descendents of the Russian invaders, or if really, they just don't like people who invaded them.
ReplyDeleteAnd BTW, as a husband of an Estonian citizen, I too must learn Estonian Language. As a tiny country that is smaller than my hometown of San Diego, CAlifornia, I respect their need to protect their language. If the russians want to continue living there, learn Estonian the way I am, and get your citizenship! Stop being babies.
I wonder who controls the press everywhere - not only in Russia.
ReplyDeletethis is a good attitude - however, i believe you are giving the russians far too much benefit of the doubt.
media freedom rankings rate estonia quite well, and russia very poorly. the rubbish the russians have made up is obvious if you know anything about estonian history (the free press version, not the soviet version).
By all due respect, Triona, you don't know enough on the background of the situation to comment on it.
ReplyDelete