Honorary decorations are conferred by the President of the Republic in accordance with the Constitution of the Republic of Estonia and the Honorary Decorations Act in the name of the Republic of Estonia on the eve of the Anniversary of the Republic of Estonia. The proposals coming from the constitutional institutions, other institutions and organisations shall be systematised by the Honorary Decorations Committee acting by the Government of the Republic. The Committee's proposals have a recommendatory character. Every year, the President of the Republic has also received several hundreds of proposals directly from the citizens of Estonia.

The list of ''Candidates for Honorary Decorations'' published in Eesti Päevaleht on January 12 may turn out to be the proposal issued by the Honorary Decorations Committee on December 20, 2000. The list may diverge from the President's resolution, as the President is still drawing up the resolution. The President of the Republic wishes to express his regret in connection with this premature publication and especially the interview that may leave an impression as if decorations were conferred by one politician or another. By order of the President of the Republic, the Republic of Estonia will on its 83rd anniversary honour the numerous fellow countrymen or foreigners to whom the Republic of Estonia owes gratitude.

The publication in Eesti Päevaleht once again underlines the need for better knowledge of the laws of the Republic of Estonia and international traditions.


Press Service of the Office of the President
Kadriorg, January 12, 2001

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