President Lennart Meri met Chairmen of the Riigikogu factions Tiit Sinissaar, Jürgen Ligi, Andres Tarand, Villu Reiljan, Viktor Andrejev, and Küllo Arjakas, as well as Chairman of the Constitutional Committee of the Riigikogu Liia Hänni and Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the National Defence Committee of the Riigikogu Tiit Tammsaar and Trivimi Velliste, at Kadriorg today.

The President told members of the Riigikogu about his intent to propose to the Riigikogu to appoint Rear Admiral Tarmo Kõuts, who so far has been Director General of the Estonian Border Guard, to the office of the Commander of the Defence Forces. The President spoke about the work done to reform the command system of the defence forces, and as the President said, the striking force has to be concentrated where it is most purposeful, and duplication should be avoided – defence expenditure must be used purposefully.

Members of the Riigikogu expressed their opinion on the candidate proposed by President Meri, and as the President said, the unanimity that was felt on today's meeting should also be present on all the coming debates of the Riigikogu.

The President also spoke of his candidate to the post of Legal Chancellor, Priit Kama, who so far works as the Deputy Secretary General of the Ministry of Justice. Members of the Riigikogu confirmed to the President that the factions have as yet not formed their position as to the candidacy of Priit Kama, and that meetings with the candidate of legal chancellor will take place in the future.

The President offered lunch to members of the Riigikogu.


Press Service of the Office of the President
Kadriorg, September 8, 2000

back | archive of press releases | main page