From: tammet@cs.chalmers.se (Tanel Tammet)
Newsgroups: talk.politics.soviet
Subject: Re: Baltic russian-speakers: small people's faith.
Date: 13 Dec 92 19:24:32 GMT
Organization: Dept. of CS, Chalmers, Sweden

In article <1992Dec12.173908.1@cc.helsinki.fi> thietaniemi@cc.helsinki.fi writes:
>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).
... stuff deleted ...
>>>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, 
>
... stuff deleted ...
>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.

I expect two main changes of naturalization law (both will very probably
be made), none
of them a really major change. First, the language test is supposed
to be dropped for handicapped and very old people. Second,
a less obvious thing, the persons who applied for the Estonian 
citizenship before the election of the Congress of Estonia (a few years ago)
or a close date are supposed to be given the citizenship without
any restrictions or tests. The reason being that at that time it 
was not clear at all whether Estonia can regain its independence soon,
and the appliers were active supporters of Estonian independence.

>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.

I would probably support that, with a change that Narva should
be officially bilingual (Estonian & Russian).

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

I almost support it, although I am not absolutely convinced. 

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

I do not agree. This would reduce the language requirement to a joke.

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

It is unclear what is meant by a more strict commitment to
bilingualism. My attitude would depend on details.

However, I do not agree on the same kind of bilingualism as is the case
in Finland. Estonia was NOT a bilingual country 50 years ago, and
for most Estonians Russian language associates with Soviet rule and all the
horrors. Thus you'd get an EXTREMELY strong reaction against
ideas to introduce Russian into official documents (like the
passport). At the same time, Estonians normally agree to
communicate with local Russians in Russian.

Of course I support bilingualism in the sense that
certain professionals (doctors, policemen, etc) should be required
to know both Estonian and Russian. Such laws exist already, so
more strict bilingualism cannot be achieved in that way.

>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.

Absolutely.

>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.

You are completely right. But, the problem is HOW to introduce
a more reconcialitory citizenship policy. The points you suggested
above will help somewhat, but I am fairly certain that they will
not have any major effect on the attitudes of the majority
of noncitizen residents of Estonia. To me you seem to be overoptimistic
on the possible reactions of noncitizen residents in Estonia
to major changes in citizenship and bilingualism policies.
Thus I'd support all kinds of smaller changes, cultural autonomy
laws, etc etc, not hoping that major changes would give anything
positive not achievable by various minor changes. Also, you have
to take into account not only the reactions of noncitizens
to such changes, but also the reactions of citizens. Reconciliation
must work in both ways, if it is to be effective.

Regards,
	Tanel Tammet
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