“Russian World” Scared Estonian Counter-Espionage

“As before, Russian secret services are trying to exert influence on Estonia using local Russian organizations,” writes the yearbook of Republic Security Police. “A.Seppik, member of Estonian Centrist Party, believes that Tallinn disturbances were the result of Russian secret services’ work. In June 2007 a conference of Russian compatriots took place in Estonia. Its patron was V.Pozdorovkin, official of Foreign Intelligence Service. According to the organisation, Pozdorovkin presented to the audience a programme under the title of “Russian World”. In the second half of the year two more officers of Foreign Intelligence Service (FIS) took part in the event. Estonian Security Police suppose that principal activity of FIC officers working under diplomatic cover is directed towards rallying local Russian community and coordination of its activity” (“Gazeta.ru”).

“As before, Russian secret services are trying to exert influence on Estonia using local Russian organizations,” writes the yearbook of Republic Security Police. “A.Seppik, member of Estonian Centrist Party, believes that Tallinn disturbances were the result of Russian secret services’ work. In June 2007 a conference of Russian compatriots took place in Estonia. Its patron was V.Pozdorovkin, official of Foreign Intelligence Service. According to the organisation, Pozdorovkin presented to the audience a programme under the title of “Russian World”. In the second half of the year two more officers of Foreign Intelligence Service (FIS) took part in the event. Estonian Security Police suppose that principal activity of FIC officers working under diplomatic cover is directed towards rallying local Russian community and coordination of its activity” (“Gazeta.ru”).

“According to the analysis of Estonian Security Police, the primary intent of Russian political intelligence is parliamentary elections-2011. In their sight, Russian secret services believe that the situation in the country after the events in April 2007 favours the consolidation of pro-Russian forces. Estonian counter-intelligence agents think that last year FIS’s objective was to make Constitutional Party, which was led and supported from Russia, win parliamentary elections. However, “puppet party did not justify the hopes of FIS”. “Even Bronze Soldier theme boosted throughout the year 2006 couldn’t help Constitutional Party surmount electoral qualification. By March 2007 the party had completely discredited itself in the eyes of Russian electors in Estonia,” asserts Estonian Security Police . In their opinion all this proves that FIS hasn’t managed to organize effective functioning of resident agents in Estonia.

S.Yurgens, Chairman of Constitutional Party, denied categorically the assertions of Estonian Security Police that the party was financed and directed by FIS. At the same time he said with caution that first of all it was necessary to look through the yearbook’s text” (IA “Rosbalt”).

“A.Zarenkov, member of World Coordination Council of Compatriots and ex-Chairman of Estonian Constitutional Party, believes that Estonian secret services are using mass media just to reach their objectives. “After Russian political parties had lost pretty much of their influence in Estonia, Estonian Security Police made compatriots’ movement their enemy. It is obvious that someone will have to answer for the large-scale crisis taking place in the country and the scheme around compatriots’ topic let at least mark “the enemy” which Estonian authority simply can’t live without any more” (IA “Rosbalt”).