Dear compatriots,

I have come here in order to sign the resolution of declaration of the elections of the ninth Riigikogu. But first of all, I would like you and me - you there, and I here - to ask ourselves a question - what do we expect of life? For the elections, we need to have a clear vision of our future, of the future of our family, our people, and our country. What are the greatest sores? What has to be amended? What should be changed? What are our goals?

When the goals have been established, we can elect to the Riigikogu a man or a woman who will attain the goals. Then, we will be able to avoid politicians who promise more than the country has to offer, and who are interested in power, not in the people. I have four recommendations.

First. We all have our problems, and they can be very different. Therefore, also the goals and expectations are different. But in one respect, all our worries, hopes and expectations coincide. This is Estonia. I suppose that if not all, then at least the overwhelming majority of us agree: the Estonian state can only be improved if it is maintained. The slogan ''as little state as possible'', is only possible if the state is strong. Estonia is not strong. She is not weak either. She is still in scaffolding. The scaffolding covers the house we are building, and yet this is our house, our only house.

Why do I stress this? Three days ago, the BNS published a statement ''Russia and Byelorussia intend to discuss the accession of the Baltic States to the CIS''. This proposal was presented to the Baltic Assembly, who of course declined it, and yet this reminds us of the times of Zhdanov. There is never too much security. Therefore, I have asked all the Estonian parties to observe the principle that there should be consensus in foreign and defence policy and that these issues should be not used as weapons against each other in the election campaigns. And yet, these are the issues that the parties should discuss at the elections in order to prove their competence to govern the country. I expect you, dear compatriots, to require from your candidates first and foremost competence in foreign and defence policy. As you see, I have placed this recommendation first. In today's open world everybody communicates with everybody, and the Estonian leaders, too, must be able to communicate with the world.

Secondly, I will speak of the nature of the elections. I am glad that the Riigikogu passed the Amendment Act banning election alliances. Unfortunately, this happened at the very last moment, and so several parties with similar goals and objectives may be unable officially to form a single party. Therefore, there is a danger that the old ways will prevail after the elections. There will again be a number of factions in the Riigikogu, which everyone is free to move out of and break into new factions over and over.

In such case - in case the delegate forsakes the goals of the elector, the goals you have elected him to attain, and prefers to serve his own causes, he is first and foremost betraying the elector, which means you. It is up to you, dear compatriots, to avoid this situation. It should be absolutely clear to you that elections are no longer a mere formality as they were in the Soviet times. Now, elections mean choice, a choice between two or more objectives, political programmes, political solutions. Elections do not mean voting for the leader you know from television screens. Elections give pith and marrow to the sentence from our Constitution stating that the supreme power of state is vested in the people - you, my dear compatriots, your families, your neighbours, the people next door. First and foremost, you should evaluate the last four years in the Republic of Estonia. From there, you should proceed to decide which powers are to govern Estonia for the next four years. They may gorge you with promises like spoonfuls of sweet porridge. Be precise; remember that the pre-election period is first and foremost a time for dialogue. It is your right and your obligation to ask who are the candidate ministers of one or another party. Pose your questions calmly and fastidiously, and you will get answers that you can consider and assess. The Estonian citizen can only elect with discretion if his or her decisions are based on information, on genuine information. Also the Estonian press has a great responsibility here. So, it is time for conclusions, for the evaluation of the leading team of the last four years, and for the decision if we continue with the old team or elect a new one. The power belongs to you, dear electors, and now it is the time to think and to act. Afterwards, it will be too late to complain.

Thirdly, I would like to speak of the danger of stagnation. Long ago, we used this word for another state, and that's that. And yet this danger could also threaten us, our Republic of Estonia. Worn-out patterns of thought, bureaucratisation, routine solutions - all this threatens a small country like Estonia who, in our open world, has to move on side by side with other, bigger countries and maintain the strength to struggle. I do not want to be unjust to anyone. There is no democracy without bureaucracy, but are our officials efficient? Have we used our limited human resources sustainably? If power means responsibility, do we have any ministers who have considered resignation after their improper actions, after an incompetent decision or violation of the Cosntitution? Are we drifting away from rule of the law? Has Estonia sought the modes of administration fit for the very limited human resources of one of the smallest countries of Europe? Will the political landscape be distinct enough and the political parties co-operative enough to prevent minority governments in the new Riigikogu? This also depends on you, on your discretion, dear compatriots. The times are tough, but the Estonians can be tough too. Our country needs efficient and resourceful administration, not temporary, weak or hesitant governments. I rely on your civic resolution, and I hope that on these elections, stagnation will get no votes.

And finally, the fourth paragraph: All political forces striving for power in Estonia today, have in one way or another, either by forming governments or by participating in the governments, already been part of the leadership of Estonia. Therefore, it is not only the pre-election promises that you should consider. You have the possibility to consider the ability of our parties to govern the country, you can consider the readiness for co-operation, the energy and the ability for setting clearly delineated goals of these men and women. Remember what the parties have promised and what they actually have achieved. It is the deeds you must believe, not the words.

Dear compatriots, I hope to see an election campaign where young people will join the elders, will join my generation. The older generation carries the memory of the hard-working Republic of Estonia, our pride and joy. On this memory, the young generations will build their own vision of Estonia, which they will have to make true.

The face of the future Estonia depends on the will and actions of you both, of both your generations.

With these words, allow me to declare the elections of the ninth Riigikogu on March 7, 1999, and in your presence to sign this resolution, which will also take effect here in your view.

Thank you.

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