Yesterday, when speaking at Elva to the victims of the violence of foreign power residing in Tartu and Tartumaa, President Lennart Meri said that Estonia has secure future and firm security, and assured that what happened to the Estonian people will never recur.

According to the President, Riigikogu has to understand that the people that suffered from communism suffered unjustly and that our task is to help these people. Several people that received the badge ''Broken Cornflower'' have spoken to the President at the events ''Estonia Remembers'' about their problems with health insurance and social benefits. In order to settle these problems, the President appealed to Riigikogu for the amendment of the effective legislation to avoid the poor situation of the people that were once deported and imprisoned and whom we respect, honour and love.

Unfortunately, the reluctance of Riigikogu to give a fair evaluation to communism is also expressed in actual activities. It consists in the unwillingness to settle the simple problems of those that have suffered, which do not require considerable expenses from the state. Riigikogu has to realise that the people that suffered from communism suffered unjustly and that our task is to help these people.

''Estonia Remembers'' is at Haapsalu today and will be on Hiiumaa tomorrow.


Press Service of the Office of the President
Kadriorg, June 9, 2001

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