From: thietaniemi@cc.helsinki.fi
Subject: Re: Baltic russian-speakers: small people's faith.
Organization: University of Helsinki
Date: Sat, 12 Dec 1992 15:39:08 GMT

In article <1992Dec12.112327.19664@cs.chalmers.se>, tammet@cs.chalmers.se 
(Tanel Tammet) writes:
> In article <sorokin.25@ps1.iaee.tuwien.ac.at> sorokin@ps1.iaee.tuwien.ac.at 
(Zhenja) writes:

>>The discussion of citizenship's problems in Baltic states in this 
>>newsgroup has gone too far from the real people. Here is a concrete example, 
>>that I am witnessing now.

I too agree that the example is a relevant and a real one! However, when
Tanel Tammet seems to have said almost the same I wanted I would
like just to add some more information (and suggestions).


> The general problem with the citizenship status of noncitizen residents
> in Latvia and Estonia is that they as a rule are supposed to either
> apply for the Latvian (Estonian) citizenship or register themselves 
> as Russian citizens in Russian embassies, but mostly they have done
> neither, not understanding the immediate need and preferring to wait
> and see, what happens. Now come the problems with travel.
> 
> After a certain period of time, when Russia stops the registration of
> her citizens (I think the deadline was next spring?), 


March 1993. About hundred days to the countdown (or curtain).
Then, we'll see whether the tables will be turned: which country
has which citizens?


> there will
> be many persons in Latvia and Estonia who do not have a right for
> more or less automatic citizenship for any country, entirely due to
> their own careless attitude.


Especially Lumpenproletariat. It will be a severe problem in the
future. Still, I suppose that the most of international beggars
will leave the Baltics, because they need a wider area for
their "occupation".

 
>>To my opinion, playing this nationalist game is extremely dangerous to 
>>Latvians and Estonians. 
>>First, they create a big part of unloyal population (it was more loyal 
>>before: remember, how many russian-speakers voted for independance? The 
>>pair which I was talking about, did it too...). Since the worst days of 
>>economic crisis are still to come, they are facing Moldavian example: very 
>>strong influence of pro-soviet elements within russian-speakers. 
>>Really, if you did not elect this parliament, why should you support its 
>>activity? The parliament and govt are in the same position: the only support 
>>they have comes from citizens, and naturally, they  experience a strong 
>>pressure to solve problems at the expense of scapegoats. This is a fertile 
>>soil for Nevzorov's and NASHI's.
> 
> You are absolutely right. It is dangerous. It is just that I cannot
> see any major, yet legit alternative. The thing to be done (and it is
> being done) is to pursue active reconciliatory politics, 


Mostly, words, I am afraid. And the support of kormleniye.


> simplify
> the naturalization laws, 


There are some promises, but they are not (yet) supported by governmental
action. Only some cosmetic changes have been made yet. We have not
yet seen any amendments.


> guarantee noncitizen residents equal economic rights
> with citizens, 


This is already put in practice.


> pass laws of cultural autonomy, 


This is a good idea and should get through in Riigikogu easily,
I suppose.


> invite noncitizen
> residents to apply for the citizenship, etc.


Here we have a disagreement: The sole "invitation" is not enough.  
I repeat my suggestions for Estonia:

(1) A special self-government for Narva (Aaland model) and Russia
as the official language in Narva.

(2) No language requirement of people born in Estonia that want
to apply for citizenship.

(3) The requirement of 1500 words should be diminished.

(4) A more strict commitment for bilingualism in Estonia.


Still, I am inclined to think that the main factor affecting the
will of Russian speakers to apply for Estonian citizenship must
be the economic development.

But - and this is my thesis - the Estonian economic development would 
benefit from introducing a more reconcialitory citizenship policy 
in Estonia! The radical (unpleasant) economic reforms could be 
carried out more easily.


>>By the way, I remember that I heard once in August-September, that in 
>>Latvia only citizens can take part in privatisation. Could anybody comment 
>>this topic?
> 
> Unfortunately, I cannot. If true, it is a most dangerous policy.


The situation in Latvian (and Lithuanian) parliaments was very hazy indeed
during the summer. The observer must update the legislation weekly, I am afraid.

But in Estonia, the non-citizens can take part in privatization.
Even Finns can.

 
>>Second, their policy of "civilized" ethnic cleansing or "civilized" revenge 
>>will sooner or later become evident to the international community, and they 
>>will loose their image of innocent victims of communism, which they used to 
>>deploit last years with 200% effectiveness.
> 
> Well, I disagree 100%. There is no, not even "civilized", ethnic cleansing
> or revenge. 


I agree with the last sentence. There is no ethnic cleansing. But there
takes place a kind of ethnic transfer, which is been carried out in
a voluntary way: some Russian speakers leave Estonia voluntarily
or return with the armed forces. And the Estonian government has promised
to support the re-settlement of the deserted areas by Estonian citizens. 
I think this was the idea behind the unhappy word "civilized ethnic cleansing".
There is no CIVILIZED ethnic cleansing.

thinks
the observer
Tapani Hietaniemi, Universitas Helsingiensis
                   urbs fennorum

Newsgroups: talk.politics.soviet,soc.culture.turkish,soc.culture.soviet,talk.politics.mideast,soc.rights.human