President Lennart Meri received the NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe General Wesley K. Clark yesterday. President Meri, General Clark, his spouse and the SACEUR delegation flew to the Ämari Airfield in a helicopter, where Theo Krüüner, Commander of the Estonian Air Forces, showed them the airfield and its possibilities.

After this, President Meri gave General Clark and his accompanying delegation a dinner at his Paslepa residence. During dinner, Estonia's co-operation with NATO and the military co-operation between NATO and Russia were discussed. General Clark emphasised that, despite the current crisis, the Russian army must not be underestimated in any case, because the Russian military are of very high class.

Speaking about the training of the Estonian military, the NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe said that besides free seats at American military schools, the Estonians could also consider other possibilities of studying there, such as applying for armed forces grants.

When the General expressed his doubt that similar to other East European countries also the Estonian defence forces could be threatened by a brain drain, Commander of the Estonian defence forces Lt. Gen. Johannes Kert said that young people have all opportunities of self-accomplishment in the Estonian defence forces.

General Wesley K. Clark emphasised the need for Estonia to introduce herself more widely in the NATO Member States.


Press Service of the Office of the President
Kadriorg, September 5, 1998

back | archive of press releases | main page