Esteemed Riigikogu,

The Republic of Estonia has supported accession to the North Atlantic Alliance through all her institutions. This political will is convincingly recorded also in the main trends of our national defence policy that have been approved by the Riigikogu. We are making almost superhuman efforts today to attain this goal. Estonia annually increases her defence expenditure by 0.2 per cent of our GDP. Inevitably, these resources will have to be found at the expense of other needs. We all must make sacrifices in order to protect our independence.

Accession to NATO bestows us all with great responsibilities. Our first Annual National Plan got a high evaluation from NATO. Now, NATO has also developed a detailed reporting mechanism. We have to stop telling fairy tales and to account precisely and unemotionally to ourselves and thus also to NATO - on the number of effective units we have, on the level of our staffs, on the way we have used young and educated officers. The time has come for mathematically precise reports. We must assess our accomplishments and shortcomings in a level-headed manner.

NATO - and also we ourselves, discussing these matters at home - has reproached us for the low self-organising capability of our defence forces. We are only one million. We are the smallest country in Europe. Therefore we do not have a very wide choice when selecting our officers. Yet it is clear that our small number of population compels us to use the existing officers on the posts most appropriate for their profile and disposition.

Therefore, the civilian high command of our national defence has unanimously reached the decision that General Kert, upon returning from America, where he successfully graduated from military college, is most suitable to fulfil tasks connected to the immediate command of the defence forces. At the same time, the defence forces need a general commander, a good builder and organiser.

The National Defence Council convened yesterday and discussed, together with the reform of the command system, also the possible new candidate for the post of Commander of the Defence Forces. The National Defence Council authorised me to assure you that when the Riigikogu has released General Kert, Rear Admiral Tarmo Kõuts will be proposed for this post. The National Defence Council took the opportunity to declare their support for Rear Admiral Kõuts's organisational and practical success in building up the Estonian Border Guard. The Estonian Border Guard sets an example even to the EU Member States - it is a modern system based on international standards. The National Defence Committee of the Riigikogu has requested me to name a new candidate. Through the authorisation of the National Defence Council, I have now found a legally correct form to indicate my candidate. Also members of the National Defence Council supported Rear Admiral Kõuts. Of course, I will officially propose the candidacy only when the post of the Commander of the Defence Forces is vacant.

As for General Kert, many have complained that the President does not reveal the reasons for his release. As if the reasons could not be structural and defence policy issues, as if they had to be some obnoxious, foul secrets, used to throw mud at each other.

My relationship with General Kert is very intimate. In 1996, I proposed Colonel Johannes Kert, who at the time was the Commander of the Defence League, as the candidate to the post of the Commander of Defence Forces. It was his guiding principle (I quote): ''In the army, you fulfil the orders of the commander. You do not comment on your commanders or their positions.'' (end quote).

I have set myself the goal of depoliticising the post of Commander of the Defence Forces. I have protected Johannes Kert in the turmoil of everyday politics. Those who have read newspapers in recent years know what I am talking about. General Kert has been obliged to carry a heavy burden, first as the Commander of the Defence League, then as the Commander of the Defence Forces. The General has done his work with an energy and dedication that is only commendable.

And yet the problems I mentioned above can not be overlooked. These problems highlight the necessity to have a good organiser at the head of our Defence Forces. In this field, General Kert, who first and foremost is an excellent soldier, has some shortcomings. With extreme discretion and calm, I made him a proposal to assume another position in the command of the defence forces. General Kert refused, and took steps that are not in accordance with the principles of civilian control. And yet the latter is of paramount importance for a democratic country. I believe that the General has by now understood this, and there is no need for further comments. The command of national defence extends a hand to General Kert, and I hope the General will accept this. The National Defence Council has twice turned to the General twice, I have spoken to the General several times, and so have members of the Riigikogu and the Government.

By supporting my proposal, you are not showing distrust to General Kert. I emphasise: we are dealing with a clear and inevitable need for structural reforms. Please do not transfer to this vote any other political arguments that might seem current, especially taking into account the presidential elections the forthcoming next year. National defence is too important to be confused with any other political arguments.

Several members of the Riigikogu have referred to bad communication between the Riigikogu and the President of the Republic. True, it was a time of vacations, and there could have been some shortcomings. I am glad that we are finally able to clarify these problems.

For me, this vote is above all a matter of civilian control. I am convinced that in its collective wisdom the Riigikogu will take the only possible decision and release General Kert. I am prepared to start consultations concerning the new Commander of the Defence Forces already tomorrow. And you know my candidate, I have told you his name from the first rostrum of Estonia.

Thank you, esteemed Riigikogu!

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